Your skin — the largest organ in your body — is a complex system with numerous functions beyond aesthetics. Among other things, it prevents germs from entering your body, helps regulate your temperature, and produces melanin, the molecule that protects you from the sun’s harmful effects. 

How your skin looks also reveals a lot about your health and lifestyle choices. While some external factors influencing your skin's appearance are beyond your control, there’s still plenty you can do to make it look youthful and slow down aging. 

A living proof of this statement is Bryan Johnson, a 47-year-old centimillionaire turned biohacking mogul, known as the world’s most measured human. When he started his project Blueprint, tests evaluated his skin age at 64. Today, they estimate his age at 37–42, validating his efforts to mitigate past negligence and the damage it’s caused.

You can learn a lot about skin health from Bryan Johnson’s skincare routine and the science behind it. While you probably won’t be able to replicate his regimen fully, modern technology offers many viable solutions to help you rejuvenate your skin even if you don’t have the resources Bryan Johnson does. 

The number one rule: Avoid sun damage 

The first advice Bryan Johnson gives regarding skin health is to avoid sun exposure. While sunlight is important because it boosts vitamin D levels and helps regulate your mood and sleep schedule, too much of it can have detrimental effects on your skin, potentially leading to:

• Lower production of collagen, the protein that supports skin structure

• Premature skin aging, wrinkling, dryness, and thickening

• Actinic keratosis, small and scaly patches of skin that don’t go away unless treated

• Increased risk of skin cancer (with repeated overexposure)

To ensure he gets the optimal amount of sunlight, Johnson goes outside when the UV index is below three, usually before 10 AM and after 4 PM. He even carries a UV-protective umbrella and has tinted windows that block 99% of UVA and UVB light coming into his home. 

Source: Bryan Johnson’s YouTube channel

When he’s out in the sun, Bryan always wears sunscreen that offers UVA and UVB protection. Bryan Johnson’s sunscreen of choice is mineral-based because this type is less likely to be absorbed by the skin and more eco-friendly, but he advises his followers to select theirs based on specific circumstances.

The daily protocol 

Bryan Johnson’s skincare routine includes various products that he uses on a daily basis. His current regime consists of the following creams and supplements:

| Product                | Application time    | Benefits                                                                                                 |
| ---------------------- | ------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Facial wash            | Morning and night   | Cleanses skin, removes debris and excess oils, and prevents irritation                                   |
| Moisturizer            | N/A                 | Prevents dryness and soothes the skin                                                                    |
| Vitamin C              | Morning             | Boosts collagen synthesis, protects from UV damage, helps with wound healing, and reduces signs of aging |
| Niacinamide (15mg)     | Morning and night   | Reduces wrinkles, fine lines, hyperpigmentation, red blotches, and other signs of aging                  |
| Tretinoin (.1%)        | Night               | Helps treat acne and photoaging (over-the-counter retinol also works, according to Bryan)                |
| Collagen (20–30g)      | Daily               | Improves skin’s firmness and moisture content                                                            |
| Hyaluronic acid (120g) | As needed           | Promotes skin hydration and smoothness, and has anti-aging properties                                    |
| Accutane (40g)         | Weekly (microdose)  | Prevents acne and ensures blemish-free skin                                                              |
| Sunscreen              | Before sun exposure | Prevents sunburn and other types of damage

As for the specific products, they often change depending on their effectiveness. If you’re interested in the products he’s currently trying, check out his website, where he documents his journey.

Johnson has emphasized that he avoids skincare products that contain endocrine disruptors, such as phthalates and triclosan. These chemicals are unsafe even in low doses and can alter your body’s natural hormone response and production, leading to health problems.

Bonus read: Learn more about Bryan Johnson’s project Blueprint, his book, and the treatments he uses, including supplements and gene therapy.

Red light therapy

Besides the above-mentioned products that he uses regularly, Bryan Johnson is trialing various other methods. One of the treatments he’s been experimenting with the longest is red light therapy, which involves exposing his whole body to low-intensity red and infrared light a few times a week. 

Studies indicate that this treatment can help combat discoloration, dark spots, and wrinkles and lead to smoother skin. If you’re interested in it, visit a professional clinic as the effectiveness of at-home devices hasn’t been tested yet. 

Source: Bryan Johnson’s YouTube channel

Tixel treatment

Another treatment that’s been part of Johnson’s routine for a while is Tixel, also known as “fractional skin resurfacing,” which he undergoes every four to eight weeks. The Tixel machine has a titanium tip that applies small amounts of heat to the skin. 

Some sources suggest that the treatment helps boost collagen production and rejuvenate the skin, but larger and randomized studies are needed to confirm these claims. 

Source: Bryan Johnson’s YouTube channel

Other treatments

At the moment, Bryan Johnson is also experimenting with the following treatments:

• Sculptra: An injectable dermal filler based on poly-L-lactic acid, which aims to stimulate collagen production, smooth wrinkles, and boost skin elasticity

• Sofwave: A non-invasive ultrasound device that uses ultrasound technology to help tighten the skin and mitigate fine lines

• Non-bleeding microneedling with hyaluronic acid: A non-invasive procedure that entails the puncturing of the skin with thin needles to stimulate collagen production and treat imperfections such as wrinkles and pores

• Renuva: A non-surgical alternative to fat grafting, which aims to reverse age-related facial volume loss and restore your contours

• PRF (platelet-rich fibrin): An injectable treatment with your own blood, which aims to promote tissue repair, improve skin texture, and boost hair regrowth

• Cutera Excel V coolview & genesis: A precision laser treatment that can help with vascular and pigmentation issues and lead to a clearer complexion

• Fotona Dynamis Pro 4D: A non-invasive laser facelift that is supposed to bring various benefits, including more even skin tone and texture, wrinkle reduction, and volume restoration

• Microbotox: Small botox injections that help shrink facial pores and wrinkles

Trial and error 

A large part of Bryan Johnson’s skincare regime is regular monitoring. In his at-home clinic, he uses various methods to track his progress and biological age, analyzing markers such as:

• Spots

• Wrinkles

• Pores

• Texture

He uses assessment methods, such as autofluorescence and multispectral imaging, to detect subtle signs of skin damage and aging. 

Source: Bryan Johnson’s YouTube channel

By monitoring changes, Bryan Johnson’s team can evaluate the effectiveness of specific products and treatments. Based on the results, he can eliminate treatments that don’t improve the above-mentioned markers, making room for new ones in his regime.

Health practices beyond skincare

Your skin typically reflects the general state of your body. That’s why Bryan Johnson’s skin protocol extends beyond topicals and devices. To maintain youthful-looking skin, he manages his overall health through:

1. Diet: Bryan Johnson’s vegan diet comprises 2,250 calories a day, which amounts to 70 pounds of veggies a month. He also takes over 100 supplements each day.

2. Sleep: Johnson has been dedicated to achieving high-quality sleep for years. The essential elements of his sleep protocol include a blacked-out room, consistent bedtime, and one-hour downtime before bed. 

3. Exercise: Bryan Johnson works out for an hour each day, and his routine includes strength training, mobility and posture exercises, and cardio.

Source: Bryan Johnson’s YouTube channel

What you can do

Bryan Johnson’s skincare routine is highly effective with visible results, but it’s ultimately unsustainable for most people. It’s challenging to maintain such a lifestyle without having substantial resources. Still, this shouldn’t discourage you from taking ownership of your health.

Modern technology, namely whole-genome sequencing (WGS), can help you discover and manage rare and common health risks related to not only your skin but your whole body. As a result, you can protect and boost your overall health and thus secure a more youthful-looking skin.

To get your genome decoded, check out Nucleus, a platform that can analyze nearly 100% of your DNA. By taking this simple at-home test, you can get detailed insights that can help you shape your life trajectory and ensure a healthier future.

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Unlock the secrets to better health with Nucleus

With Nucleus Premium, you can have almost all of your 6 billion DNA bases analyzed using the most advanced whole-genome sequencing technology. Aside from your genetic makeup, Nucleus also considers non-genetic factors like age and BMI to provide personalized, realistic, and extensive health insights, including your risk for developing up to 170 conditions.

Source: Nucleus

Nucleus offers genetic screening for cancer, heart disease, and many other conditions, including rare ones that most other DNA tests overlook. Its test can also show you how your genes affect traits such as susceptibility to severe acne and male-pattern baldness so you can take measures to mitigate their effects.

Although Nucleus’ reports are actionable and easy to understand, the platform can still connect you with a genetic counselor if you have any concerns or need further advice.

Nucleus is fully regulated and works with CLIA-certified and CAP-accredited labs, demonstrating its commitment to quality and accuracy. It’s also HIPAA-compliant and employs industry-standard measures to ensure the safety of your data.

How to get started with Nucleus Premium

Although whole genome tests often cost thousands of dollars, Nucleus Premium comes at an accessible price of $399. When you purchase the test, you’ll get all available reports as well as updates based on new research and your lifestyle changes. 

To get Nucleus Premium, all you need to do is:

1. Sign up

2. Provide personal details

3. Place an order

Once your kit arrives, you only need to swab your cheeks and mail back the samples. Your results will be available on your Nucleus account within six to eight weeks. 

Featured image source: Lumin