The Latest in Longevity Skincare
Three products that harness regenerative science to slow the aging of your skin.
Anti-aging. It’s a highly contested term in skincare for good reason. The endless marketing of potions and procedures claiming to reverse time has made it tough to navigate what's real.
The truth is, we can’t stop aging. I wonder if in our quest to erase the visible effects of time, we’ve become disconnected to the root causes of our skin issues?
As someone who’s led beauty and wellness brands and now focuses on health optimization (while looking younger than my years), people often ask about my skincare routine. And my answer is always the same — and perhaps annoying to some:
I prioritize sleep, wear sunscreen and do not drink alcohol.
For me, skincare is a supplement to the essentials. In my opinion, no serum will save your skin if your lifestyle works against it.
However, the latest innovations in skincare integrate a longevity approach, and after some testing I’ve got the inside scoop on a few products that tackle aging at its core.
But first, a little science.
What is Skin Aging?
Skin aging is a multifactorial process driven by two main pathways:
Internal biological factors like genetics and hormones which affect skin regeneration and elasticity
External elements such as UV exposure, pollution, and lifestyle which accelerate oxidative damage to skin
As the skin ages, it progressively loses various molecules, cells, hormones and peptides that are essential for giving skin its youthful structure, elasticity, and regenerative capacity.
Collagen: Declines at about 1% per year, leads to loss of structure & strength.
Elastin: Loss of elasticity makes skin less firm and prone to wrinkles.
Stem Cells: Reduced stem cell activity slows skin repair and renewal.
Hormones: Declines in estrogen and progesterone cause thinner, drier skin.
Peptides: Decreased peptide production weakens skin’s repair processes.
NAD+: Lower NAD+ levels reduce cellular repair and increase oxidative stress.
“Estrogen enhances the production of skin collagen and elastin, proteins responsible for helping to keep your skin looking firm, strong, and youthful.”
— Somi Javaid, MD, a board-certified ob-gyn and founder of HerMD1
🚨 PSA: Aging starts slowly in our mid-20s with the visible effects like fine lines, hyperpigmentation and loss of volume showing up in our late 30s and 40s. The decline of our cellular function that comes with aging may be natural but how fast it happens can be influenced by your daily decisions!
Drinking alcohol, smoking, excessive suntanning (UV exposure), elevated blood sugar (glycation2), poor diet (low in nutrients), chronic stress, and lack of restorative sleep all contribute to accelerated collagen degradation and diminished cellular repair (aka literal aging from the inside out).
Targeting the Root Causes of Aging with Topicals
To counteract skin aging, longevity science focuses on replenishing declining levels of key molecules, peptides, and hormones through topical applications. These actives are some of the latest superstar ingredients being used in innovative new formulations that actually work.
NAD+ Precursors (Niacinamide, NMN): Boost NAD+ levels to improve cellular energy, reduce wrinkles, and enhance skin elasticity.
GHK-Cu Peptide: Promotes collagen production, improves skin texture, and reduces inflammation.
Estrogen/Estriol: Supports skin thickness, moisture, and collagen production, particularly for peri to postmenopausal women.
Adipose Stem Cell Conditioned Media: Contains growth factors and cytokines that stimulate collagen synthesis, accelerate healing, and enhance skin hydration.
By supplementing the skin with what it has lost, it's possible to slow (not stop) cellular aging, maintain a youthful complexion for longer and achieve optimal skin health.
Three Game Changing Products
As promised, I’m not gatekeeping the products* that I found to be efficacious (at least for my skin). I trialed each of these treatments for a month or longer with noticeable results and would recommend them to those 35 years and over as they help with all aspects of skin regeneration.
JOI Women’s Wellness | Luxe RX Skin Cream
This is a compounded formulation that is by prescription only as it contains estriol (a weaker form of estrogen), GHK-Cu peptide3, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. Estrogen, which declines rapidly during menopause, plays a critical role in stimulating the production of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid which keeps skin firm, hydrated and elastic.
My skin texture improved and my barrier felt much thicker with this product, which I used nightly on my face, neck and chest. Other friends have reported diminished fine lines and wrinkles.
30g | $248 (lasts 60+ days) | Use CELIA15 affiliate code for 15% off your first order.
Symbiome | The Answer Stem Cell Serum
This serum is still my ride or die after 3 years. It’s the most potent stem cell serum on the market, with only 6 clean ingredients including adult adipose stem cell conditioned media (contains naturally-occuring hyaluronic acid and pro-collagen).
Fast absorbing and weightless, it’s the first thing I put on a damp, clean face under moisturizer and it keeps my skin hydrated and bright. I’ve used it on breakouts and after microneedling to expedite healing with incredible results.
30ml | $200 (lasts 45-60 days) | Use CELIA20 VIP code for 20% of your first order.
Aramore | NAD+ Cell Energizing Treatment
This clinically-proven treatment features a proprietary NAD+ complex (made of NMN, fatty acids, ketone bodies and apigenin) to boost the metabolism of each skin cell, protecting against photoaging and oxidative stress.
My skin felt bouncy with a slightly matte finish after application, which I did every morning under my sunscreen. After a few weeks, I noticed a more even skin tone with less redness and faded sun spots. Note: there is a scent to this lotion and a slight tingle when applied, for those who are sensitive.
50ml | $92 (lasts 45-60 days)
The take-away: Think of skincare as a topical supplement. While advancements in longevity science to address the root causes of aging can work wonders, your whole body health is still a strong contributor to the regenerative capacity of your skin.
*Disclaimer: I was the former CMO of Symbiome which means I was integral in bringing this revolutionary serum to market and, after all of these years, I still believe it’s the absolute best. I was gifted an early sample of JOI’s Luxe RX Skin Cream and Aramore’s NAD+ Treatment to trial with no expectation of coverage. As with all products mentioned in my substack, I only write about those that I truly love and personally endorse to my clients, students and readers.
To no surprise, I love the way you communicate skincare here — As a teetotaler, sunscreen wearer and sleep prioritizer I couldn't agree more with everything, and always grateful for your recommendations. I started using estrogen cream (from Alloy) on my face a few months ago, and I definitely believe it's helping with hydration and firming skin.