Topical vs
Updated July 24, 2026 at 5:32 PM EDT For the latest stories on the science of healthy living, subscribe to NPR's Health newsletter
The treatment not only addresses existing pigmentation but also works proactively to shield the skin from future discoloration, making it a valuable addition to any skincare regimen
Reported applications include NNMT enzyme inhibition assays measuring 1-methylnicotinamide formation or S-adenosylhomocysteine release, intracellular target-engagement assays in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes where 5-Amino-1MQ reduced intracellular 1-methylnicotinamide with an EC near 2.3 M (Neelakantan et al., Biochem Pharmacol, 2018), membrane permeability and Caco-2 transport characterisation, methyltransferase selectivity panels covering COMT, DNMT1 and PRMT3, and rodent studies of NNMT inhibition in adipose tissue and liver following the antisense knockdown work of Kraus and colleagues (Nature, 2014)
But in other cases, it might take multiple sessions to really feel a change
When looking for ways to support your complexion from the inside out, glutathione often emerges as the primary recommendation