Blueprint Skin-Longevity Protocol
Bryan Johnson's own published skin routine, separating the well-evidenced daily basics (sun protection, a retinoid) from the elective, self-reported, in-clinic extras.
Gentle cleanse, vitamin C serum, niacinamide, then mineral sunscreen Cleanser; vitamin C serum; niacinamide; broad-spectrum mineral SPF; moisturizer on top
Antioxidants like vitamin C support collagen and help defend against UV-driven oxidative stress; mineral sunscreen is the single highest-leverage daily step for preventing photoaging.
Cleanse, niacinamide, optional hyaluronic acid, tretinoin, then moisturizer Cleanser; niacinamide; optional hyaluronic acid; tretinoin 0.025 to 0.1% (prescription); moisturizer to buffer irritation
Tretinoin is the best independently evidenced active ingredient in the routine for fine lines, texture and collagen synthesis; moisturizing afterward reduces the dryness and irritation common with retinoids.
Sun behavior Avoid direct sun 10am to 4pm when possible; seek shade, clothing or a UV umbrella; reapply SPF if outdoors
Cumulative UV exposure is the largest modifiable driver of visible skin aging; avoidance and reapplication matter as much as the sunscreen product itself.
Sleep, whole-food diet, and avoiding smoking or vaping Ongoing
Skin is downstream of overall health; poor sleep, a low-quality diet, and smoking all independently accelerate visible skin aging.
In-clinic procedures (lasers, radiofrequency, Sofwave-type ultrasound) Self-reported cadence, e.g. roughly every 6 months for some devices; consult a licensed provider for any procedure
These are elective, self-reported additions to his routine. Unlike sunscreen and tretinoin, they do not have the same weight of independent, population-level trial evidence behind this specific protocol's use of them.
Photoaging from UV exposure is the single largest driver of visible skin aging, which is why daily sun protection anchors the routine.
View sources
My New Skincare Protocol [2025] (Bryan Johnson, official blog)
The Blueprint Protocol (Bryan Johnson, official, full intervention list and doses)
Not medical advice. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical care. Consult a qualified clinician before changing your health routine.
Independent curation. YourProtocol is an independent platform. This protocol is based on the publicly available work of Bryan Johnson and is not created, reviewed, endorsed by, or affiliated with Bryan Johnson or Founder · Blueprint.
Is this for you
- People who want the evidence-first version of a popular skincare routine
- Anyone starting a retinoid who wants to know what is proven vs elective
- Not for anyone pregnant or breastfeeding without a doctor's guidance on retinoid use
Cautions
- Educational only, not medical advice
- Tretinoin and isotretinoin (Accutane) are prescription medications; discuss prescription retinoids with a dermatologist, do not self-start them
- In-clinic lasers/RF are elective procedures; consult a licensed provider
- Retinoids increase sun sensitivity; daily SPF is essential; retinoids are not for use in pregnancy
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