NAD is everywhere right now — supplements, IV drips, wellness clinics, and now your skincare. But is it real science, or just really clever marketing?
In this episode, Dr. Mary Alice Mina sits down with Melisse Shaban, CEO of Aramore and former beauty executive at Revlon, Aveda, and The Beauty Shop, to get to the bottom of all things NAD and skin health.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- What NAD actually is and why every single cell in your body needs it
Why your skin cells can't use sugar or protein — and what they actually run on
- How Harvard and MIT research led to a breakthrough in NAD skincare
- Why most skincare products never get past the surface of your skin
- The only 3 skincare non-negotiables according to Aramore's founders
- How to spot fake NAD products (and what to look for instead)
- Whether you can just take a supplement instead of using a topical
- When to start using NAD skincare — and why your 30s matter more than you think
- Where beauty and longevity medicine are headed in the next 5–10 years
Whether you're a skincare minimalist or a product junkie, this conversation will change how you think about aging skin — from the inside out.
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
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)
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
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/
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.
#NADskincare #antiaging #longevity #SkinHealth #CellularSkincare #Aramore
In this episode, Dr. Mary Alice Mina sits down with Melisse Shaban, CEO of Aramore and former beauty executive at Revlon, Aveda, and The Beauty Shop, to get to the bottom of all things NAD and skin health.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- What NAD actually is and why every single cell in your body needs it
Why your skin cells can't use sugar or protein — and what they actually run on
- How Harvard and MIT research led to a breakthrough in NAD skincare
- Why most skincare products never get past the surface of your skin
- The only 3 skincare non-negotiables according to Aramore's founders
- How to spot fake NAD products (and what to look for instead)
- Whether you can just take a supplement instead of using a topical
- When to start using NAD skincare — and why your 30s matter more than you think
- Where beauty and longevity medicine are headed in the next 5–10 years
Whether you're a skincare minimalist or a product junkie, this conversation will change how you think about aging skin — from the inside out.
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
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)
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
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/
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.
#NADskincare #antiaging #longevity #SkinHealth #CellularSkincare #Aramore