NAD⁺ Skincare Is Trending— Is It The Real Deal or Just Hype?

***Apple audio issue fixed!

NAD is having a major moment — from IV drips and supplements to wellness clinics and now skincare. But is the science real, or is it just the next CBD? In this episode, Dr. Mary Alice Mina sits down with Melisse Shaban, CEO of Aramore and veteran beauty executive (Revlon, Aveda, The Beauty Shop), to break down exactly what NAD is, why your skin cells need it, and whether the new wave of NAD skincare products is worth your money.

They dig into the cellular biology of aging skin, why most moisturizers are just sitting on the surface, and what it actually takes for an ingredient to penetrate to the basal layer where the real work happens. Melisse also shares how Harvard and MIT research led to Aramore's formulation, how to spot faux players in the NAD skincare space, and why she believes NAD precursors, retinol, and sunscreen are the only three non-negotiables in any skincare routine.

The conversation takes a fascinating turn into the future of beauty — from pharma's growing role in skincare to GLP-1s, inflammation management, and what's really next for aging women. Plus: a candid, unexpected conversation about death, dignity, and the industry no one is building yet.

In This Episode:

0:00 – NAD Is Everywhere: Real Science or Clever Marketing? 1:06 – Meet Melisse Shaban: From Revlon to the New Frontier of Skin Health 2:57 – Aging Starts Earlier Than You Think: Collagen Loss in Your 20s 4:00 – What Is NAD? A Plain-English Breakdown 5:36 – Why Your Skin Cells Can't Use Sugar or Protein (But Love Fat) 6:15 – The 8 Layers of Skin & What Happens as They Age 8:06 – Harvard Research That Changed How We Think About Skin Aging 10:17 – Why Most Skincare Just Sits on the Surface 11:52 – Your Skin Shows It First: What Dermatologists See Before Doctors Do 13:26 – Why You Won't See Results Overnight — And Why That's Okay 15:48 – NAD vs. Retinol: Are They Competing or Complementary? 17:41 – Does NAD Stimulate Collagen? (The Fibroblast Connection) 18:22 – How to Spot Fake NAD Products (And What to Actually Look For) 20:49 – "Clean Beauty" Is Table Stakes Now — Here's What Matters More 22:33 – Real Science vs. Marketing: Why R&D Is Finally Coming to Skincare 24:29 – The Longevity World's Reputation Problem (And NAD's Connection to It) 26:13 – Supplement vs. Topical: Do You Need Both? 28:54 – Sublingual, Drips & Future Delivery Systems 30:00 – When Should You Start Using NAD? (Earlier Than You'd Guess) 31:30 – Turning 40 & Waking Up: Steering the Ship Before It's Too Late 33:10 – Where Beauty Is Headed in the Next 5–10 Years 36:01 – The Next Big Industry Nobody Is Talking About: Death 38:25 – Where to Find Aramore + The Kennedy Family Connection 39:54 – Wrap-Up & Final Thoughts

Want a deeper look? Watch the full episode on YouTube for a more visual experience of today’s discussion. This episode is best enjoyed on video—don’t miss out!

About the Guest:

Melisse Shaban is a seasoned entrepreneur and brand builder with extensive leadership experience across the health, wellness, and beauty sectors. She is the Founder of Virtue Labs, where she transformed breakthrough wound-healing technology into a $50M+ premium hair care brand honored with more than 60 industry awards and recognized by Fast Company as one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies of 2022. Today, she serves as CEO of Aramore, a longevity science company pioneering innovations in cellular health to advance healthy aging through skincare and supplements. Earlier in her career, she led the acquisitions, growth, and sale of Frederic Fekkai and Pout Cosmetics, as well as the acquisitions of NIA-24 and StriVectin, and held executive roles at Aveda and The Body Shop. She currently serves on the boards of Salon Lofts, Willow Innovations/Elvie, and several nonprofits, including Duke Raleigh Hospital, Ravenscroft School, and Point Foundation. In 2021, she was named to Forbes’ inaugural “50 Over 50” list.

Connect with Melisse Shaban:

Website: https://aramoreskincare.com/THESKINREAL

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melisseshaban

Dr. Mina is a board-certified dermatologist on a mission to cut through the noise and help women feel amazing in their skin again. After decades in clinic, she has taken her expertise online to offer trusted, no-fluff education and skin strategies that actually work. No filters. No fear tactics. Just science, simplicity, and a little fun!

Follow Dr. Mina here: Instagram: https://instagram.com/drminaskin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drminaskin YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drminaskin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drminaskin/

Visit The Skin Real Serenbe: https://theskinrealserenbe.com/

Book your Meet and Greet here

Thanks for tuning in. And remember, real skin care is real simple when you know who to trust.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.