{"title":"NAD+","description":"\u003cp\u003eNAD+, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, is the coenzyme cells use to turn nutrients into energy, and levels in skin fall with age. Brands add it to firming formulas to support renewal, and applying it to skin is a newer idea than taking it as a supplement, so topical research is still early.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEverything here carries NAD+ in its ingredient list, verified against the stored INCI rather than the front of the bottle. NAD+ has no clinical safety data in pregnancy, so we recommend pausing these products while pregnant. See our \u003ca href=\"\/en-eu\/pages\/pregnancy-safe-skincare\"\u003epregnancy safe skincare\u003c\/a\u003e page for alternatives.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"purito-seoul-retinol-retinal-2000-nad-serum","title":"PURITO SEOUL Retinol Retinal 2000 NAD+ Serum","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSkin-Nomad's Take — At a Glance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRetinol and retinal at 1,000 ppm each, 2,000 ppm of retinoid in total\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNAD+ at 100 ppm with niacinamide and adenosine for support\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDual-phase evening serum, shaken before each use\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2000 in the name is the retinoid dose: 1,000 ppm of retinol plus 1,000 ppm of retinal, or 0.1% of each. PURITO SEOUL, the South Korean brand known for short, gentle formulas, adds NAD+ at 100 ppm and a good measure of niacinamide, and keeps the formula in two layers until you shake it. It is an evening serum for fine lines, firmness and rough texture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eKey Benefits\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTwo retinoids work at two speeds.\u003c\/strong\u003e Retinal needs one conversion to become retinoic acid, the form skin acts on, while retinol needs two. Pairing them gives a faster start with a steadier follow-through, and over weeks of use the pair smooths fine lines and refines rough texture.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNAD+ adds the newest ingredient in the bottle.\u003c\/strong\u003e Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide is the coenzyme cells use to make energy, and it has become a talking point in longevity skincare. PURITO lists it at 100 ppm. Topical research on it is still early, so we treat it as a supporting ingredient rather than the headline.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNiacinamide and adenosine back up the retinoids.\u003c\/strong\u003e Niacinamide sits seventh on the list, high enough to even tone and support the barrier, and adenosine is a long-established ingredient for the look of fine lines.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCeramide NP, centella and glycerin keep skin comfortable.\u003c\/strong\u003e Glycerin draws water into the skin, and a little ceramide NP and centella cushion it, which counts most in the first weeks of any retinoid.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eTexture \u0026amp; Finish\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe two layers come together with two or three gentle shakes into a light serum that you pat in until it is absorbed. PURITO notes the colour may yellow over time, which is normal for a formula carrying retinoids and beta-carotene.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNote:\u003c\/strong\u003e This is a retinoid serum for evenings only. Start two or three evenings a week, as PURITO recommends, and build up as your skin adjusts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIdeal For\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSkin types:\u003c\/strong\u003e Normal, dry, combination and oily skin; sensitive skin should start slowly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSkin concerns:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fine lines, loss of firmness, rough or uneven texture and dullness.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBest used by:\u003c\/strong\u003e Someone already comfortable with a gentle retinol who wants more retinoid in one step.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: How does 2,000 ppm of retinoid compare with a 0.1% retinol serum?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA: 2,000 ppm is 0.2% in total, split between 0.1% retinol and 0.1% retinal. Retinal is one conversion closer to retinoic acid, so that half of the dose acts faster than the same amount of retinol would. It is a step up from an entry-level retinol, not a first retinoid.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Should I stop if my skin flakes in the first weeks?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA: Not necessarily. Mild dryness and flaking are common while cell turnover speeds up, and they settle as skin adjusts. Drop back to fewer evenings rather than stopping, and stop if redness or stinging carries on.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Where does it go in my routine?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA: Evenings only, after cleansing and toner and before moisturiser. Keep exfoliating acids to different evenings, and wear sunscreen every morning as the last step of your skincare.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Can I use the Retinol Retinal 2000 NAD+ Serum during pregnancy?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA: We recommend pausing it. It contains NAD+, a newer skincare ingredient with no clinical safety data in pregnancy, and two retinoids, which we don't recommend during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. PURITO also advises against using it during pregnancy and breastfeeding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe number on the bottle is the dose, which is more than most retinoid serums tell you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"sn-explore-more\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExplore more\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBrowse more \u003ca href=\"\/en-eu\/collections\/retinol\"\u003eretinol and retinal\u003c\/a\u003e formulas, see our \u003ca href=\"\/en-eu\/collections\/nad\"\u003eNAD+\u003c\/a\u003e picks, or explore the full \u003ca href=\"\/en-eu\/collections\/purito-seoul\"\u003ePURITO SEOUL\u003c\/a\u003e range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"PURITO SEOUL","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":60593164845390,"sku":"PRS23-SN","price":17.9,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0798\/5057\/0062\/files\/PRS23-SN.png?v=1788115820"},{"product_id":"medicube-egf-nad-firming-gel-mask","title":"Medicube EGF NAD Firming Gel Mask","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSkin-Nomad's Take — At a Glance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEGF and NAD with Niacinamide, Collagen and Ectoin in a firming gel sheet\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTwo-piece hydrogel that clings around the eyes and mouth without sliding\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSuits normal, dry and combination skin wanting a firmer, bouncier finish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA gel mask holds its essence against the skin far longer than a paper sheet, which makes it the natural format for a firming step. This one carries the two ingredients Medicube built its firming range around: EGF, a lab-made copy of a growth-signalling protein the skin produces itself, and NAD, the coenzyme cells use to make energy. Medicube formulates in South Korea around measured, results-led skincare, and the EGF NAD Firming Gel Mask is the intensive, once-in-a-while step of that range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eKey Benefits\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEGF and NAD target the skin's renewal machinery.\u003c\/strong\u003e sh-Oligopeptide-1, the EGF of the name, sits at Medicube's stated 0.01001 ppm alongside six related sh-polypeptides, and NAD at 10.1 ppm. Both earned their reputations in clinical and wound-healing research, and study of them in topical skincare is still building.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNiacinamide evens tone and strengthens the barrier.\u003c\/strong\u003e It limits the melanin that reaches the surface and prompts skin to make more of its own ceramides. Ectoin, a moisture-holding molecule first found in microbes that survive desert heat and salt, keeps skin comfortable while the mask is on.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA dense peptide blend works on firmness.\u003c\/strong\u003e Alongside the growth-factor peptides, the gel carries signal peptides including Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Copper Tripeptide-1 and Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, with Collagen holding water at the surface for a plumper finish.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eTexture \u0026amp; Finish\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe gel is thick, cool and slippery, and the two pieces hold close around the eyes and mouth even when you move. It turns transparent as the essence is drawn in, which is Medicube's signal that it is done, and what is left behind absorbs without tack.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNote:\u003c\/strong\u003e The formula contains fragrance and carmine, a red colour from cochineal, so it is not plant-only.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIdeal For\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSkin types:\u003c\/strong\u003e Normal, dry and combination skin, and oily skin that prefers a gel to a cream.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSkin concerns:\u003c\/strong\u003e Loss of firmness, fine lines, dullness and dehydration.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBest used by:\u003c\/strong\u003e People who want a firming mask to lean on before an event or at the end of a long week, and who prefer a gel that stays put over a paper sheet that dries out.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: How is a gel mask different from a regular sheet mask?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA: A regular sheet mask is fabric soaked in liquid essence, and it starts drying out the moment it touches the skin. A gel mask holds the essence inside the gel itself, so it stays cool and wet for the whole sitting and releases the formula steadily. It also sits heavier and closer to the face, which is why this one comes in two pieces shaped around the eyes and mouth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Does \"sh\" in sh-Oligopeptide-1 mean the EGF comes from human tissue?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA: No. The sh prefix stands for synthetic human: the peptide is made in a laboratory to match the structure of the growth factor human skin produces, rather than being taken from any human or animal source. It is the standard way EGF appears on a cosmetic ingredient list.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Where does the mask go in a routine, and does it work with retinoids or vitamin C?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA: After cleansing and toner, and before serum and moisturiser. Nothing in it conflicts with retinoids or vitamin C, so it slots into an evening routine that already carries them, and it is a comfortable choice on nights you skip your retinoid.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Can I use the EGF NAD Firming Gel Mask during pregnancy?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA: We recommend pausing it. EGF, listed as sh-Oligopeptide-1, and NAD are newer skincare ingredients with no clinical safety data in pregnancy, so the precaution is to set this mask aside until afterwards. Masks built on hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and peptides without growth factors cover the same hydrating and firming ground in the meantime.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFirming is usually sold as a long game, and a gel sheet is the one version of it that fits neatly into a single evening.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"sn-explore-more\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExplore more\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBrowse more \u003ca href=\"\/en-eu\/collections\/masks-and-peels\"\u003emasks and peels\u003c\/a\u003e, see our \u003ca href=\"\/en-eu\/collections\/peptides\"\u003epeptide\u003c\/a\u003e formulas, or explore the full \u003ca href=\"\/en-eu\/collections\/medicube\"\u003eMedicube\u003c\/a\u003e range.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Medicube","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":60976546906446,"sku":"MECUP21-MG1","price":4.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0798\/5057\/0062\/files\/MCUBE0109.webp?v=1790531061"},{"product_id":"medicube-pdrn-pink-collagen-volume-multi-balm","title":"Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Volume Multi Balm","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSkin-Nomad's Take — At a Glance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePDRN, collagen, peptides and Volufiline in a twist-up balm for lined areas\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMelts on contact with no pilling, and goes over or under makeup\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePocket-sized for under-eyes, smile lines, lips and neck through the day\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe places that show dryness first, under the eyes, around the mouth and across the neck, are the ones a morning serum and cream have given up on by mid-afternoon. Medicube's PDRN Pink Collagen Volume Multi Balm puts \u003ca class=\"sn-ilink\" href=\"\/en-eu\/collections\/pdrn\"\u003ePDRN\u003c\/a\u003e, collagen and a peptide blend into a stick to reach for over makeup, the portable end of the South Korean brand's PDRN Pink range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eKey Benefits\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePDRN leads the formula's repair story.\u003c\/strong\u003e PDRN, listed as Sodium DNA, is a polynucleotide studied for switching on the skin's own repair signalling, a reputation built over years of clinical and injectable use. Its move into balms and serums is newer, and topical research is still growing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVolufiline gives the balm its volume claim.\u003c\/strong\u003e Anemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract, sold to formulators as Volufiline, is the ingredient Medicube names for fuller-looking skin, and the brand's testing recorded under-eye hollowness improved by 26%.*\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCollagen, elastin and peptides cushion fine lines.\u003c\/strong\u003e Collagen and hydrolysed elastin hold water at the surface for a plumper look, while signal peptides including Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 and Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 work on firmness over time.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWaxes and plant oils seal moisture in.\u003c\/strong\u003e Rice bran, sunflower and sea buckthorn oils soften, and the candelilla wax base keeps them on the skin rather than letting them evaporate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eTexture \u0026amp; Finish\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe balm glides on and melts rather than dragging, leaving a dewy sheen with no stickiness or heaviness. It does not pill over skincare, and a little goes a long way on the areas that need it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNote:\u003c\/strong\u003e Its PDRN, collagen and elastin mean the formula is not plant-only.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIdeal For\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSkin types:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dry, normal and combination skin, and dry patches on any skin type.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSkin concerns:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fine lines around the eyes and mouth, dryness, loss of volume and neck lines.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBest used by:\u003c\/strong\u003e Someone whose under-eyes and smile lines look drier by mid-afternoon, and who wants something to add over makeup without starting again.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: How is a multi balm different from an eye cream?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA: An eye cream is a water-based step you apply once, morning or evening, before moisturiser. The Multi Balm is wax-based, so it sits on top of your routine, seals in what is underneath and travels with you. It covers the eye area, lips, smile lines and neck with one stick, where an eye cream is made for one zone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Is the Multi Balm fragrance-free?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA: Medicube describes it as free from artificial fragrance, and there is no added parfum on the ingredient list. The formula does include geranium, ylang-ylang, bergamot and rose flower oils, which carry a natural scent, so if essential oils disagree with your skin that is worth knowing before you buy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Where does it go in a routine, and can I use it with my retinoid?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA: In the evening it is the final step, over moisturiser. In the morning it goes after moisturiser and before sunscreen. It contains retinol too, so if you already use a retinoid around the eyes, introduce the balm on those areas gradually.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Can I use the Multi Balm during pregnancy?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA: We don't recommend it. The balm contains retinol, and we don't recommend retinoids during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. It also carries EGF, listed as sh-Oligopeptide-1, and NAD, both newer skincare ingredients with no clinical safety data in pregnancy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe driest moment for under-eyes is usually mid-afternoon, not bedtime, and a stick is the format that actually gets used then.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"sn-claims\"\u003e\u003csmall\u003e* Medicube clinical testing carried out by the Global Institute of Dermatological Sciences: under-eye hollowness +25.7%, crow's feet +10.7%, lip line +12.1%, neck line +5.6%, frown line +6.2%, forehead line +3.3%. Brand-run testing rather than an independent trial; participant count and test length not published. Results vary between individuals.\u003c\/small\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"sn-explore-more\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExplore more\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBrowse more \u003ca href=\"\/en-eu\/collections\/pdrn\"\u003ePDRN\u003c\/a\u003e formulas, see the \u003ca href=\"\/en-eu\/collections\/eye-care\"\u003eEye care\u003c\/a\u003e collection, or explore the full \u003ca href=\"\/en-eu\/collections\/medicube\"\u003eMedicube\u003c\/a\u003e range.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Medicube","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":60976548217166,"sku":"MECUS13-SB","price":19.9,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0798\/5057\/0062\/files\/Medicube-PDRNPinkCollagenVolumeMultiBalm.webp?v=1791713692"},{"product_id":"medicube-egf-nad-firming-serum","title":"Medicube EGF NAD Firming Serum","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSkin-Nomad's Take — At a Glance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEGF at 2.5 ppm and NAD at 1 ppm with Niacinamide and Ectoin\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLight water texture that absorbs fast and leaves no sticky layer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSuits every skin type, including oily skin wanting firmness without weight\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFirming serums are often thick and rich, which suits dry skin and leaves oily and combination skin skipping the step. Medicube's EGF NAD Firming Serum puts EGF, a growth-signalling peptide, and NAD, the energy coenzyme, into a water-light texture, from the South Korean brand's firming line built around those two ingredients. On Medicube's own testing, smile lines looked 9% softer after two weeks.*\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eKey Benefits\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEGF and NAD address renewal at its source.\u003c\/strong\u003e sh-Oligopeptide-1, a lab-made copy of the growth factor skin uses to prompt repair, sits at Medicube's stated 2.5 ppm, and NAD, the coenzyme cells burn for energy, at 1 ppm. Both built their reputations in clinical and wound-healing research, and topical study of them is still developing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNiacinamide brightens and reinforces the barrier.\u003c\/strong\u003e It limits how much melanin reaches the surface and prompts skin to make more of its own ceramides, so tone looks more even and skin holds water better.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEctoin and a xylitol complex keep skin hydrated.\u003c\/strong\u003e Ectoin, first found in microbes that survive desert heat and salt, protects the skin's water balance, while xylitol and its partner sugars draw water into the surface layers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBerry extracts, glutathione and peptides add an antioxidant layer.\u003c\/strong\u003e Cranberry, blueberry, bilberry, elderberry and raspberry extracts sit alongside glutathione and signal peptides including Copper Tripeptide-1 and Acetyl Octapeptide-3, which suits a morning routine under sunscreen.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eTexture \u0026amp; Finish\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA light, watery serum that spreads easily and absorbs within moments, with no tacky film left behind. It sits cleanly under moisturiser and sunscreen in the morning.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIdeal For\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSkin types:\u003c\/strong\u003e All skin types, including oily and combination skin.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSkin concerns:\u003c\/strong\u003e Loss of firmness, fine lines, dullness and dehydration.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBest used by:\u003c\/strong\u003e People in their thirties and beyond who want firming actives in their routine but find richer serums too heavy for daytime.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: How is an EGF serum different from a retinoid serum?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA: Retinoids speed up cell turnover through retinoic acid receptors, and most people need to build up to them gradually. EGF works through a different receptor on the skin's surface cells and needs no adjustment period, so it suits morning and evening use from the start. The two approaches are complementary rather than alternatives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Is EGF only worth using on mature skin?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA: No. EGF is a signalling protein every skin makes, involved in everyday renewal as well as repair. It is usually marketed at mature skin because firmness is the concern that grows with age, but this serum's light texture and niacinamide suit younger skin that wants to look after firmness early.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: When should I use it, and does it work with vitamin C or acids?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA: Medicube designed it for morning and evening. Apply it after toner and before moisturiser, and in the morning finish with sunscreen as the last step. Nothing in the formula conflicts with vitamin C, exfoliating acids or retinoids, so it slots under an evening retinoid as easily as a morning vitamin C.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Can I use the EGF NAD Firming Serum during pregnancy?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA: We recommend pausing it. EGF and NAD are the reason this serum exists, and both are newer skincare ingredients with no clinical safety data in pregnancy. For firmness and hydration while pregnant, a serum built on peptides, hyaluronic acid or niacinamide without growth factors is the better choice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFirming care that feels like water is the kind that gets used every morning, and consistency is where firmness is actually won.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"sn-claims\"\u003e\u003csmall\u003e* Medicube clinical testing carried out by the Global Institute of Dermatological Sciences: visible smile lines reduced 8.7% and visible neck lines reduced 5.38% after two weeks. The brand also reports radiance improvements of 2.9% on the forehead, 2.2% around the eyes, 2.49% at the corners of the mouth and 2.9% on the cheeks, with no timeframe stated. Brand-run testing rather than an independent trial; participant count not published. Results vary between individuals.\u003c\/small\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"sn-explore-more\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExplore more\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBrowse more \u003ca href=\"\/en-eu\/collections\/serums\"\u003eserums\u003c\/a\u003e, see our \u003ca href=\"\/en-eu\/collections\/peptides\"\u003epeptide\u003c\/a\u003e formulas, or explore the full \u003ca href=\"\/en-eu\/collections\/medicube\"\u003eMedicube\u003c\/a\u003e range.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Medicube","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":60976549364046,"sku":"MECUS21-S","price":16.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0798\/5057\/0062\/files\/1_93b3862d-7bad-4366-bf7f-0f91121ff5d2.webp?v=1790530380"}],"url":"https:\/\/skinnomid.com\/en-eu\/collections\/nad.oembed","provider":"Skin-Nomad","version":"1.0","type":"link"}