Gwyneth Has a New “Holy Grail” Moisturizer—and You’re Definitely Going to Want to Try It
In longevity circles, NAD+ has become something of a celebrity molecule. It’s pumped into IV drips at functional medicine clinics from New York to LA, spritzed into nostrils via nasal sprays, and packed into supplements that promise better sleep, sharper focus, and a longer health span. Experts say NAD+ fuels the mitochondria—the powerhouses of our cells—while playing a critical role in DNA repair and aging pathways. It’s not hype, says Amanda Kahn, MD, a longevity physician in NYC. “NAD+ is essential for cellular energy, and our natural levels of it decline dramatically as we age.”
And now, the buzzy molecule is coming for your skin. While internal use of NAD+—via drips, supplements, and longevity protocols—has moved toward the mainstream, its role in topical skin care is just emerging. “In my practice, I use a version of NAD+ in oral supplements known as nicotinamide for my patients who have severely sun-damaged skin or have a history of skin cancer, says Alicia Zalka, MD, associate professor of clinical dermatology at Yale. “But I’ve been hearing more and more about the use of NAD+ in topical skin care in the dermatology meetings I attend.”
The challenge? NAD+ is notoriously unstable, prone to degrading during formulation, and difficult to deliver through the skin in a biologically meaningful way. But recently, cosmetic researchers have found a way around this stability issue: “Instead of trying to put NAD+ itself directly into a topical cream, we look to precursors and cofactors that can be absorbed by the skin to fuel the body’s own pathways of cellular NAD+ production,” says Thira Burns, goop’s head of product development. In fact, goop’s bestselling serum, the Youth-Boost Peptide Serum, contains an NAD+ precursor, niacinamide (one of the most well-researched NAD+ precursors according to Beverly Hills facial plastic surgeon Babak Azizzadeh, MD).
When Gwyneth first started talking to Burns and her team about creating a cream version of the brand’s bestselling peptide serum, she had a simple but ambitious vision: “I wanted to create a moisturizer that would work synergistically with our peptide serum, tackling multiple key signs of aging all at once.”
Burns got the memo: The new cream would be goop’s richest moisturizer yet, relying on a cocktail of cutting-edge actives that would live up to Gwyneth’s impossibly high standards. (“I’m obsessive during the product development period,” she admits. “I need things to start working after one use and also to keep working over time.”)
“This supercream feels incredible—rich, luxurious, buttery. And it is powerful: We paired biomimetic plant peptides with NMN, a precursor to NAD+, to support cellular health, firmness, and skin resilience. I’m amazed by the difference I see in the way my skin looks: It’s smoother, firmer, brighter, more even. —Gwyneth”
To ensure stability, Burns used another NAD+ precursor: nicotinamide mononucleatide (NMN). “The NMN precursor to NAD+ topical application keeps the cells churning along and helps them defy some of the inherent biological slow that can lead to tired and aged looking skin,” says Zalka. Visibly contributing to firmer, smoother, and more radiant skin over time.
In the new Youth-Boost NAD+ Peptide Rich Cream, NMN is paired with peptides, postbiotics, ceramides, and a slew of skin-soothing botanicals that help preserve stability and enhance absorption. “This combo is like chicken soup for your complexion,” says Zalka. “It's got all the goodness in one broth.”
Azizzadeh, who also reviewed the new formulation, applauded the multipronged approach, noting the importance of barrier support, especially in aging or hormonally shifting skin, where the epidermis becomes thinner, drier, and more reactive. “Postbiotics, ceramides, and plant-based retinol alternatives help stabilize the skin barrier, reduce inflammation, and improve tolerance, allowing performance-oriented actives to work without triggering irritation or rebound sensitivity.”
In a third-party clinical study of 33 women aged 35 to 65, 100% of the participants showed a significant increase in hydration after a single use.** After four weeks of twice-daily use, 100% showed improved skin firmness, and 97% showed a visible reduction in lines and wrinkles.** In a consumer-perception study, 100% agreed their skin looked smoother, 97% agreed this product improved the appearance of their skin tone and texture, and 93% agreed their skin looked more rejuvenated.***
Zalka, who has no financial affiliation with goop, agreed to be one of our first independent testers. “My instantaneous response to the jar of cream was ‘ahh,’" she says. “The texture is beautiful—it layers on like a dream and has that immediate sensorial payoff you want in a luxury cream.” After several weeks of using it, she says her skin looked smoother, more hydrated, and more luminous: “I also saw a noticeable improvement in the appearance of fine lines, especially around the eyes and upper lip. It gives you this gorgeous post-facial softness.”
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**Clinical measurements taken after one use and after four weeks of twice-daily use on 33 subjects between the ages 35 and 65.
***Based on a four-week third-party consumer-perception study of 33 women between the ages of 35 and 65.