Metabolic Beauty: From Holistic Beauty to Cellular Biology in Cosmetics

For years, holistic beauty has championed a whole-body approach to well-being, based on the idea that outward appearance is directly linked to internal balance.

According to Shiyan Zering, Senior Market Research Analyst at Mintel, however, this approach could sometimes seem abstract and difficult for consumers to understand¹.

Mintel identifies Metabolic Beauty as one of the major beauty trends for 2026 (Mintel, 2026 Global Beauty and Personal Care Predictions). This trend reflects a profound shift in how beauty is perceived: it is no longer limited to external appearance but also focuses on the biological mechanisms that influence skin and hair. In this respect, Mintel predicts that by 2030, they will be recognised as the body's most accessible biomarkers.

The challenge is therefore to move beyond a purely superficial approach and consider beauty in its biological dimension, from the inside out.

Metabolism at the Heart of Metabolic Beauty

At the heart of Metabolic Beauty lies a growing interest in the metabolic and biological mechanisms that influence cell function and skin tissue health. Energy production, oxidative balance and biochemical reactions are all essential processes for cellular function.

Among these mechanisms, mitochondrial function plays a particularly important role. These organelles, found in most cells, are essential for producing ATP, the molecule that provides the energy required for many cellular functions.

With age and UV exposure, mitochondrial activity can become impaired, potentially contributing to oxidative stress. These changes particularly affect cells in the dermis and hypodermis, which renew more slowly than epidermal keratinocytes. Their dysfunction can therefore contribute to the development of visible signs of ageing².

Among the key players in cellular energy metabolism, NAD+ plays an essential role in maintaining cellular functions and is attracting growing interest in ageing research.

NAD+: Why Is This Molecule Attracting Interest in Ageing Research?

NAD+ is a coenzyme essential to numerous metabolic reactions. To understand its role, it is important to know that it exists in two complementary forms: NAD+ and NADH. Together, they participate in electron transfer during the reactions that enable cells to convert nutrients into usable energy.

In mitochondria, NADH carries electrons to the respiratory chain, which contributes to ATP production. NAD+ is then regenerated, allowing these reactions to continue.

But its role does not stop there. NAD+ is also used by enzymes involved in cellular stress responses and DNA repair. Several studies have observed a decline in NAD+ levels across different tissues during ageing³. These findings have led researchers to investigate its metabolism and explore ways to preserve or restore its levels.

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Going Further: The Role of Autophagy, an Intracellular Recycling Mechanism Regulated by Metabolic Pathways

Beyond energy production, cellular metabolism also plays a role in regulating cellular maintenance and recycling mechanisms. One example is autophagy, a natural process through which cells break down and recycle their damaged components.

Closely regulated by metabolic pathways, autophagy helps maintain cellular balance and enables cells to adapt to changes in their energy environment. With age, impaired autophagic function can contribute to the accumulation of damaged cellular components, including lipofuscin, a pigment associated with cellular ageing.

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Conclusion: Towards a More Scientific and Preventive Approach to Beauty

Metabolic Beauty encourages a deeper understanding of the mechanisms that determine skin condition and supports the development of products that take its biological complexity into account.

¹ https://beauty-innovation.com/2025/11/11/the-rise-of-metabolic-beauty-and-the-other-2026-beauty-trends-to-watch-mintel

² Sreedhar A, Aguilera-Aguirre L, Singh KK. Mitochondria in skin health, aging, and disease. Cell Death Dis. 2020 Jun 9;11(6):444. doi: 10.1038/s41419-020-2649-z. PMID: 32518230; PMCID: PMC7283348.

³ Covarrubias AJ, Perrone R, Grozio A, Verdin E. NAD+ metabolism and its roles in cellular processes during ageing. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol. 2021 Feb;22(2):119-141. doi: 10.1038/s41580-020-00313-x. Epub 2020 Dec 22. PMID: 33353981; PMCID: PMC7963035.