Look younger

Why looking younger starts beneath the skin

Looking younger isn't vanity. It's a readable signal of what's happening inside your body. The condition of your skin, hair, and body composition reflects cellular processes like collagen turnover, oxidative damage, glycation, and hormonal shifts. Addressing these root mechanisms produces changes that no cream can match on its own, because visible aging is the outward expression of systemic biological aging.

A 2022 review in Inflammation Research confirmed that UV-induced chronic inflammation and immunosuppression are the primary drivers of skin photoaging, accounting for up to 80% of visible facial aging ^[1]. That single fact should shape your entire anti-aging strategy: protection first, repair second.

Skincare ingredients with real clinical evidence

Dermatological research has identified a short list of topical ingredients that actually work, backed by randomized controlled trials rather than marketing copy.

Retinoids (vitamin A derivatives) remain the gold standard. A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis of 25 RCTs found tretinoin consistently effective at reducing both fine and coarse wrinkles, with improvements visible as early as one month and persisting beyond 24 months ^[2]. Tretinoin works by inhibiting collagen-degrading matrix metalloproteinases and stimulating type I procollagen synthesis. Start low (0.025% tretinoin or over-the-counter retinol) and build tolerance over weeks to avoid irritation.

Broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30+) is the single most impactful anti-aging intervention for skin. UV radiation breaks down collagen and elastin while generating reactive oxygen species that accelerate every other aging pathway. Daily use, including on overcast days, is non-negotiable.

Active ingredients worth your attention

Vitamin C serums (L-ascorbic acid, 10-20%) provide antioxidant protection, brighten skin tone, and support collagen production. Niacinamide (vitamin B3) has been shown in clinical trials to reduce fine lines, hyperpigmented spots, redness, and texture roughness while strengthening the skin barrier ^[3]. Peptides such as Matrixyl signal increased collagen and elastin production. Hyaluronic acid holds up to 1,000 times its weight in water and plumps skin when applied to damp surfaces under a moisturizer.

Nutrition that shows on your face

A 2025 meta-analysis of 23 randomized controlled trials involving 1,474 participants found that oral collagen supplements significantly improved skin hydration, elasticity, and wrinkle depth ^[4]. The amino acids glycine and proline from hydrolyzed collagen peptides (10-15g daily) are incorporated directly into dermal tissue. Vitamin C is a required cofactor for collagen assembly, so pairing these two together makes biological sense.

What you eat matters beyond supplements. Sugar is a direct aging accelerant: advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) form when excess glucose bonds to collagen fibers, making them stiff and brittle. A 2022 review in Cosmetics documented that AGE accumulation triggers wrinkles, loss of elasticity, dullness, and impaired skin barrier function ^[5]. Reducing refined sugar intake is one of the most underrated anti-aging strategies available.

• Polyphenol-rich foods (berries, dark chocolate, green tea) combat oxidative stress that accelerates skin aging
• Astaxanthin, a carotenoid from algae, acts as an internal sunscreen that reduces UV damage from within
• Adequate protein intake (1.2-1.6g/kg body weight) provides building blocks for skin, hair, and nail renewal
• Omega-3 fatty acids from fatty fish reduce inflammation and support skin barrier function

The gut-skin connection

Your gut microbiome directly influences how your skin ages. A 2024 comprehensive review in Frontiers in Physiology found that microbial metabolites like short-chain fatty acids travel through the bloodstream and create an anti-inflammatory environment in the skin, while gut dysbiosis accelerates inflammatory skin aging ^[6]. Eating a diverse range of plant foods, fermented foods, and prebiotic fiber supports the microbial diversity that keeps skin healthy from the inside.

Lifestyle factors that show on your face

Chronic sleep deprivation increases cortisol, which breaks down collagen and accelerates skin aging. A clinical study found that poor-quality sleepers showed significantly more fine lines, uneven pigmentation, and reduced elasticity compared to good sleepers ^[7]. Aim for 7-9 hours in a cool, dark room.

Regular exercise improves skin health through multiple pathways. A 2024 narrative review confirmed that physical activity enhances cutaneous blood perfusion by roughly 8-fold during exercise, delivering nutrients directly to skin cells and supporting growth hormone release that drives collagen synthesis ^[8]. Chronic stress visibly ages the face by shortening telomeres and raising inflammatory markers. Meditation, breathwork, and time in nature offer real anti-aging benefits that compound over years.