valentine gifts + age reversing skincare
figuring out Blueprint/"Don't Die"'s Bryan Johnson's skincare routine
I just watched Don’t Die: the Netflix documentary about Bryan Johnson, a centi-millionaire who is aging in reverse - getting his body to optimal health markers while experimenting with the latest science in aging. A lot of people on the internet are making fun of him or are being critical. But I think that is a boring take. I’m intrigued and impressed and I hope this will gain traction so it might revolutionise Western medicine, hopefully transforming from symptom treatment to accessible preventative care.
There is a scene with Bryan in his bathroom and there is a lot of skincare there. Of course I couldn’t let that slide without pausing and trying to identify the jars and pumps, they were turned away with their brands and names from the camera for obvious reasons. Bryan has been open in the past about some products and he is always experimenting so his routine is in flux.
Some products and ingredients we know for sure he has been using for a while now:
But this is what I’ve deciphered from his bathroom shelf in the documentary:
The Ordinary - AHA 30% BHA 2% Peeling solution
Sunday Riley - A+ retinoid serum
Sunday Riley CEO glow oil
Biologique Recherche P50
CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser
Aquaphor Body cream
Balmain hair conditioning spray
Can you make out more, did I miss anything? All products make sense to me since they contain great active ingredients in the right dosages and have lots of positive user reviews. Although I must add that Sunday Riley got sued in 2019 for posting fake positive reviews on their website, and I don’t love their free-from marketing approach.
I like that Bryan is using CeraVe, one of the few brands that are not too scared (by which I mean scared of the wildly misinformed public opinion caused by clean beauty brands) to use Parabens in their formulas.
Bryan has been talking about his skin protocol before, on twitter. He shared a very basic skincare routine without naming products: containing vitamin c, niacinamide, hydration and sunscreen. Next to that :
If I were to advice Bryan on a routine, I would tell him to to let go of:
The Ordinary’s 30% AHA 2% BHA. For Bryan specifically, I think an exfoliating product with lower percentages would be better. He micro-needles a lot and uses lasers quite often, and he needs to keep his skin barrier in tact. But maybe he’s already checking all the skin barrier metrics.
CEO glow oil: I would swap this one for a vitamin C serum with a higher percentage.
In-office Sculptra treatments, my personal opinion on this not very positive. I think we need more research to what it does to the face long term. I have read that it is not the best type of collagen that is being “naturally produced” by Sculptra, and I’ve seen many plastic surgeons warn against using too much Sculptra.
I would advice him to keep using Good Genes, they haven’t disclosed the percentages but I think it’s most likely between 1 and 4 % lactic acid. On other days a simple AHA exfoliant like the Glycolic acid 7% toner works wonders and keeps the barrier in tact for someone like him.
It’s probably only a matter of time before Blueprint would start it’s own skincare line. As a product developer, I would develop the following products for them:
I would take a science-first approach, so no clean beauty decisions. Combining innovation with ingredients that are backed by years of scientific research. A focus on simplicity and efficacy. I would have them invest in clinical trials that are bigger than the industry standard. I would develop stable products in (truly) airless packaging, maybe even take the time to explore innovation in packaging that can regulate its own temperature or is biodegradable but doesn’t affect the formula’s stability. All active ingredients in optimal dosages, no “marketing ingredients”. I would develop a vitamin c serum that combines classic ascorbic acid (= most research backed) with more innovative, stable forms of vitamin c. The rest of my ideas I’m not revealing lol. You can contact me if you want to develop products together :)
Valentines gift guide
Although current global events - or Dutch people in traffic - seem to tell us otherwise, we all LOVE love.
Valentines day is upon us, and people love being appreciated. So make sure to craft or write or buy something for your loved ones, including yourself (all parts of you!)
A love or celebration letter to a friend will probably create more love ripples in the universe than buying anything material. Think of the adventures you’ve been on together, the times you couldn’t stop laughing, or those hours on the phone being there for one another. Write it all in a letter and spray it with your favourite scent. Friendship is not transactional, so why buy anything? well, some of us have a more materialistic love language, and that’s okay. I’ve gotten to know myself better the older I gotten and I now know that in romantic relationships, I want to be spoiled like a princess, with gifts and special adventures. But even while that’s true, a letter is the thing I would hold onto for life, and I can’t say that about a material gift (unless its fine jewellery of course<3). Do you know what your closest relationships would love to get as a valentines present?
Some gifts inspired by the documentary above
Although still in the early days of scientific research, this is the most scientifically backed supplement to support cellular repair and boost NAD+ levels: TruNiagen. And this supplement is great for joints and potentially your skin: Collagen powder.
Some non material gifts for the non material girlies
Give a substack subscription of a substack you love, or adopt an animal in need for your loved one!
Shelfie proof skincare from Medicube, The Ordinary and Sunday Riley
A book every relationship can use, (not just romantic): Non violent communication
Valentines edition diptyque candles
Tekla towels in my favourite colour combo: red wine and dusty pink
I hope you enjoy the ripple effect of love this month <3
Speak soon! xoxo
soft glow
I’m loving this commentary and advice to Bryan. It’s interesting he uses BR P50… I wonder if he will be stocking up now!
Thanks for the valentine tips 🕵️