Skin Health & Longevity

Protect and improve skin health and longevity with evidence-based routines from named experts, covering nutrition, collagen, and sun protection.

Every claim below carries an evidence grade. What do these grades mean?

Bryan Johnson

SKIN

Run Bryan Johnson's daily routine

1Foundational longevity blend (One scoop of his core mix (provides creatine, ubiquinol/CoQ10, glutathione, amino acids and more))
2Essential micronutrients (His essentials capsules (B vitamins, vitamin D, selenium, iodine, calcium, probiotics) plus the softgels (K1, K2, lutein, astaxanthin), and a low dose of lithium orotate (1mg), which he includes for its proposed neurological effects; evidence in healthy adults at this dose is limited)
3Omega-3 (EPA/DHA) (A low-metal, high-purity fish oil daily)

What to buy

Plant protein blend ~$28

Multivitamin ~$30

Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega ~$32

Thorne Creatine ~$40

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SKIN

Fix your skin from the inside

1Wear broad-spectrum SPF daily (SPF 30+ every morning, reapplied when outdoors; this is the highest-impact step by far)
2Use a topical retinoid at night (Start low (retinol 2 to 3 nights/week, build up); prescription tretinoin is stronger; expect weeks to months)
3Add vitamin C serum and a moisturiser (Vitamin C in the morning under SPF; a moisturiser/hyaluronic acid to keep the barrier healthy)

What to buy

Retinol / retinoid ~$20

Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega ~$32

Broad-spectrum sunscreen ~$40

Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides ~$45

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Gary Brecka

SKIN

Use vitamin C for skin and joints

1Eat vitamin-C-rich foods every day (Brecka's examples are spot on: citrus, bell peppers, kiwi; also berries, strawberries, broccoli and leafy greens)
2Cover your needs, then stop (A few servings of fruit and veg meets the requirement; supplementing big doses if you are already replete adds little and is mostly excreted)
3Treat skin from the outside too (A topical vitamin C serum in the morning under daily SPF; this has better skin evidence than oral C for wrinkles)

What to buy

Vitamin C ~$16

Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides ~$45

Vitamin C serum + SPF

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Bryan Johnson

SKIN

Slow down skin aging

1Gentle cleanse, vitamin C serum, niacinamide, then mineral sunscreen (Cleanser; vitamin C serum; niacinamide; broad-spectrum mineral SPF; moisturizer on top)
2Cleanse, niacinamide, optional hyaluronic acid, tretinoin, then moisturizer (Cleanser; niacinamide; optional hyaluronic acid; tretinoin 0.025 to 0.1% (prescription); moisturizer to buffer irritation)
3Sun behavior (Avoid direct sun 10am to 4pm when possible; seek shade, clothing or a UV umbrella; reapply SPF if outdoors)

What to buy

Vitamin C serum + mineral sunscreen

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Bryan Johnson

SKIN

Slow and reverse hair loss

1Oral minoxidil, physician-prescribed (3.75 mg/day (started at 2.5 mg, titrated up under medical supervision))
2Compounded topical solution, physician-prescribed (1 mL to scalp once daily; his formula: minoxidil 7%, dutasteride 0.25%, latanoprost 0.004%, cetirizine 1%, melatonin 0.1%, caffeine 0.2%, tretinoin 0.0125%, vitamin D3 and E)
3Standard over-the-counter topical minoxidil (5% solution or foam, per product label)

What to buy

Topical minoxidil 5% foam ~$40

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Michelle WongCosmetic Chemist & Science EducatorLab Muffin Beauty Science Michelle Wong

ACNE

Evidence-Based Acne Routine

1Benzoyl peroxide, 2.5-5% (Research Wong references found 2.5% benzoyl peroxide performs about as well as 10% with less irritation, so a low strength is a reasonable starting point)
2Salicylic acid (BHA), 0.5-2% (A leave-on salicylic acid product at 0.5-2%, used regularly rather than occasionally)
3Azelaic acid (Used as a separate step for post-acne redness and dark marks, alongside (not instead of) the actives above)

What to buy

Moisturiser ~$18

Broad-spectrum sunscreen ~$40

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Andrea SuarezBoard-Certified DermatologistAmerican Board of Dermatology Andrea Suarez

SKIN

Rosacea & Eczema: The Barrier-First Approach

1Use a gentle, non-foaming cleanser (Wash with a gentle, non-foaming cleanser rather than a harsh, stripping one; avoid over-washing.)
2Apply a fragrance-free, ceramide-based moisturizer (Use a fragrance-free moisturizer containing ceramides, applied daily, to directly support the skin barrier both conditions share as a weak point.)
3Apply a daily mineral sunscreen (Use a mineral (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) sunscreen every day; sun exposure is a common trigger for rosacea flushing and can aggravate compromised eczema skin.)

What to buy

Moisturiser ~$18

Mineral sunscreen ~$36

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Shereene IdrissMDFounder, Idriss Dermatology (NYC) Shereene Idriss

SKIN

The Retinoid Layering Protocol: Go Low, Go Slow

1Start with the gentlest effective formulation (Choose a retinol ester or low-percent retinol rather than a prescription-strength tretinoin if you're new to retinoids)
2Apply only 1-2 nights per week at first (1-2 nights per week for the first few weeks only)
3Add one night every 1-2 weeks (Increase to 2x/week, then 3x/week, and so on, until nightly use is tolerated, typically over 6-8 weeks)

What to buy

Retinol / retinoid ~$20

Broad-spectrum sunscreen ~$40

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