Supplement database
Every skin supplement, honestly graded.
Search 34 supplements by name, goal, category or symptom. Every one has its own page with what it is, what the research shows, how it is used, safety, and linked sources. Not medical advice.
Vanu Health Research Team · Updated
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- NAD+Longevity · NAD+ pathwayEarly
- Nicotinamide riboside (NR)Longevity · NAD+ precursorEarly
- Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)Longevity · NAD+ precursorEarly
- BerberineLongevity · AMPK activatorLimited
- TA-65Longevity · Telomere supportEarly
- Telos95Longevity · Telomere supportEarly
- Show all 34 supplements below
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All 34 supplements
Cutting-edge longevity
- LongevityNAD+ pathway
NAD+
The coenzyme every cell uses to make energy and repair DNA. Its levels are thought to fall with age, which is why NAD+ and its precursors are among the best-known longevity supplements.
SpotlightBody composition: In a 13-person, 6-week placebo-controlled crossover trial of the precursor NR, fat-free mass rose from 61.32% to 62.65% of body mass versus placebo (P = 0.02).Cell energy: NAD+ is used by the enzymes that repair DNA and regulate sirtuins.Evidence: earlyRead more - LongevityNAD+ precursor
Nicotinamide riboside (NR)
A form of vitamin B3 that the body converts to NAD+. It is one of the best-studied NAD+ precursors sold as a supplement.
Telomeres: No human telomere data foundEvidence: earlyRead more - LongevityNAD+ precursor
Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)
A molecule one step before NAD+ in the body’s main building pathway. Heavily marketed and still early in human research.
Telomeres: No human telomere data foundEvidence: earlyRead more - LongevityAMPK activator
Berberine
A plant compound that activates AMPK in lab studies. A 2020 meta-analysis found modest weight loss, but its authors say the evidence cannot firmly support it.
SpotlightWeight: About 2 kg (4.6 lb) average loss across 12 randomized trials (1,040 people), with a confidence interval of 1.05 to 3.09 kg.Mechanism: Reported to activate AMPK, a cell energy sensor, in lab studies.Longevity: Lab and animal evidence only. We found no human lifespan trial.Risk: Overactive AMPK. AMPK can switch off growth signals used for muscle building. Berberine has not been tested for this in people, so this is a caution, not a finding.Evidence: limitedRead more - LongevityTelomere support
TA-65
A plant-derived extract marketed as a telomerase activator. Its one randomized trial is small, and its authors include people linked to the maker.
Telomeres: Randomized trial (2016): low dose lengthened telomeres; high dose not significantEvidence: earlyRead more - LongevityTelomere support
Telos95
A telomere-support supplement marketed on telomere results. The reported study had no placebo group, and the material we reviewed does not list its ingredients.
Telomeres: Trade-press report, no placebo groupEvidence: earlyRead more - LongevityPolyamine
Spermidine
A polyamine linked to lower mortality in an observational study of diet. The supplement trials we read measured blood and saliva levels, not lifespan.
Evidence: earlyRead more - LongevityFlavonol
Fisetin
A flavonol studied as a senolytic, meaning a compound that may clear aged cells. The key 2018 study reported longer lifespan in mice and no human clinical outcomes.
Evidence: earlyRead more
Everyday skin supplements(26)
- AntioxidantAntioxidant
Alpha-lipoic acid
An antioxidant studied mostly for diabetic nerve symptoms. The NIH LiverTox review describes mixed results and no verified skin trial.
Evidence: earlyRead more - CarotenoidCarotenoid
Astaxanthin
A red carotenoid pigment. A 2021 meta-analysis of 8 small trials (293 people) found better hydration and elasticity, but no significant wrinkle benefit. Its authors call the findings preliminary.
Evidence: earlyRead more - VitaminVitamin
Biotin
A B vitamin popular for hair and nails. The NIH says evidence in people who are not deficient is weak, and very high doses can distort some lab tests.
Evidence: limitedRead more - CarotenoidCarotenoid
Carotenoids (lycopene, beta-carotene)
Plant pigments. One trial found a tomato-based carotenoid supplement reduced UVB-induced redness, but did not change the minimal erythema dose.
Evidence: limitedRead more - LipidLipid
Ceramides (oral)
Plant-derived lipids taken by mouth in the hope of supporting the skin barrier. Human results are not listed here yet.
Evidence: earlyRead more - AntioxidantAntioxidant
Coenzyme Q10
A compound in cell energy production that the body makes itself. Skin evidence is early, and no verified human skin trial result is listed here.
Evidence: earlyRead more - ProteinProtein
Collagen peptides
Collagen broken into small peptides that dissolve in drinks. A 2023 meta-analysis of 26 trials found better skin hydration and elasticity, but no pooled wrinkle result.
Evidence: moderateRead more - BotanicalBotanical
Curcumin (turmeric)
The yellow compound in turmeric. No skin benefit is established on the NCCIH page we reviewed, and highly bioavailable products have been linked to liver injury.
Evidence: earlyRead more - Fatty acidFatty acid
Evening primrose oil (GLA)
Plant oils rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). Popular for eczema, but a Cochrane review found they were not effective.
Evidence: limitedRead more - AntioxidantAntioxidant
Glutathione (oral)
The body’s main antioxidant, taken by mouth for skin lightening. One small 4-week trial reported less melanin at two measured sites. Long-term safety is not established.
Evidence: limitedRead more - BotanicalBotanical
Green tea extract (EGCG)
A polyphenol-rich extract. NCCIH says definite conclusions cannot yet be reached, and liver injury has been reported, mainly with tablet and capsule extracts.
Evidence: earlyRead more - Amino acid derivativeAmino acid derivative
N-acetylcysteine (NAC)
A hospital medicine used after an acetaminophen overdose. We found no human skin trial of oral NAC in the sources reviewed.
Evidence: earlyRead more - VitaminVitamin
Nicotinamide (vitamin B3)
A form of vitamin B3. One trial in people at high skin-cancer risk found fewer new skin cancers. A later trial in transplant recipients did not.
Evidence: limitedRead more - Fatty acidFatty acid
Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil)
EPA and DHA from fish or algae. The main safety questions are atrial fibrillation at high doses and bleeding. The NIH fact sheet does not establish a skin benefit.
Evidence: limitedRead more - HumectantHumectant
Oral hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid is a water-binding molecule found in skin. One 12-week trial reported better hydration, and its maker funded it.
Evidence: limitedRead more - BotanicalBotanical
Pine bark extract (Pycnogenol)
A standardized extract of French maritime pine bark. One crossover trial in outdoor workers reported that it prevented a fall in skin hydration and prevented skin darkening, and that it improved elasticity. None of these effects appeared on placebo. It is a single small study.
Evidence: limitedRead more - BotanicalBotanical
Polypodium leucotomos
A fern extract taken by mouth and sold as a sun-protection add-on. Its effects are not verified here; sunscreen and clothing remain the protection to rely on.
Evidence: earlyRead more - MicrobiomeMicrobiome
Probiotics
Live bacteria taken by mouth. Whether they affect skin depends on the strain and the condition, and specific trial results are not listed here.
Evidence: earlyRead more - FlavonoidFlavonoid
Quercetin
A flavonoid whose absorption depends heavily on its form. In a 2024 mouse study, oral quercetin increased UV-induced skin tumours. The human skin study we read tested a topical cream.
Evidence: earlyRead more - PolyphenolPolyphenol
Resveratrol
A plant polyphenol. A four-arm trial in women found a wrinkle benefit only when oral and topical resveratrol were combined. The trial was company-funded.
Evidence: earlyRead more - MineralMineral
Selenium
An antioxidant trace mineral. In a large trial, 200 mcg a day did not reduce skin-cancer recurrence.
Evidence: limitedRead more - MineralMineral
Silicon (orthosilicic acid)
A trace mineral sold as choline-stabilized orthosilicic acid. A 2005 placebo-controlled study reported less skin roughness and less self-rated nail and hair brittleness. It is a single small study.
Evidence: limitedRead more - VitaminVitamin
Vitamin C
An essential vitamin the body needs to make collagen. Food usually covers the need, and the NIH upper limit for adults is 2,000 mg a day.
Evidence: limitedRead more - VitaminVitamin
Vitamin D
Skin makes vitamin D from UVB sunlight. Supplements prevent deficiency; the NIH sources reviewed do not show an anti-aging effect.
Evidence: limitedRead more - VitaminVitamin
Vitamin E
A fat-soluble antioxidant. Food covers most needs, and the NIH sources show risks with high-dose pills.
Evidence: limitedRead more - MineralMineral
Zinc
A mineral needed by many enzymes. A systematic review links zinc treatment with fewer inflammatory acne papules. The abstract gives no pooled effect size.
Evidence: limitedRead more
Compare 34 supplements side by side
| Supplement | Type | Evidence | Main goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| NAD+Longevity | NAD+ pathway | Early | Cell aging, Sun & UV defence |
| Nicotinamide riboside (NR)Longevity | NAD+ precursor | Early | Cell aging |
| Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)Longevity | NAD+ precursor | Early | Cell aging |
| BerberineLongevity | AMPK activator | Limited | Cell aging |
| TA-65Longevity | Telomere support | Early | Cell aging |
| Telos95Longevity | Telomere support | Early | Cell aging |
| SpermidineLongevity | Polyamine | Early | Cell aging |
| FisetinLongevity | Flavonol | Early | Cell aging |
| Alpha-lipoic acid | Antioxidant | Early | Cell aging |
| Astaxanthin | Carotenoid | Early | Hydration, Firmness & wrinkles |
| Biotin | Vitamin | Limited | Hair & nails |
| Carotenoids (lycopene, beta-carotene) | Carotenoid | Limited | Sun & UV defence |
| Ceramides (oral) | Lipid | Early | Hydration |
| Coenzyme Q10 | Antioxidant | Early | Cell aging |
| Collagen peptides | Protein | Moderate | Firmness & wrinkles, Hydration |
| Curcumin (turmeric) | Botanical | Early | |
| Evening primrose oil (GLA) | Fatty acid | Limited | Barrier & eczema |
| Glutathione (oral) | Antioxidant | Limited | Tone & brightness |
| Green tea extract (EGCG) | Botanical | Early | |
| N-acetylcysteine (NAC) | Amino acid derivative | Early | Cell aging |
| Nicotinamide (vitamin B3) | Vitamin | Limited | Sun & UV defence |
| Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) | Fatty acid | Limited | Barrier & eczema |
| Oral hyaluronic acid | Humectant | Limited | Hydration, Firmness & wrinkles |
| Pine bark extract (Pycnogenol) | Botanical | Limited | Hydration, Firmness & wrinkles |
| Polypodium leucotomos | Botanical | Early | Sun & UV defence |
| Probiotics | Microbiome | Early | |
| Quercetin | Flavonoid | Early | Cell aging |
| Resveratrol | Polyphenol | Early | Firmness & wrinkles |
| Selenium | Mineral | Limited | Cell aging |
| Silicon (orthosilicic acid) | Mineral | Limited | Hair & nails |
| Vitamin C | Vitamin | Limited | Firmness & wrinkles |
| Vitamin D | Vitamin | Limited | Sun & UV defence |
| Vitamin E | Vitamin | Limited | Cell aging |
| Zinc | Mineral | Limited | Acne & oil |
How we grade
Three levels, no hype.
- Moderate
- Several controlled human trials or reviews point the same way for a skin-related outcome, though the studies are often small or industry-funded.
- Limited
- Some human data, but trials are few, small, short or mixed. A benefit for skin is plausible rather than established.
- Early
- Evidence is mostly from lab or animal work, or from human studies that measure biomarkers (such as blood levels) rather than skin or lifespan.
Supplements are not a substitute for sun protection, a balanced diet or medical care. Topical care, such as the DermaGlass® mask, works on the surface; see our ingredient library for how its actives compare.
General information, not medical advice. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist before starting a supplement, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have a medical condition or take medicines. Read our terms.