Bryan Johnson Skincare: Routine and Products in 2024

Bryan Johnson is a Silicon Valley entrepreneur turned multi-millionaire. In 2021, he began a project to reverse the quantified biological age of all 70 of his organs; including his skin.

He developed a unique protocol of nutrition, exercise, supplementation, skincare, and medical treatments to achieve this goal.

After two years on the protocol, Bryan reportedly reduced his rate of aging by 28%. In addition to improving his biomarkers of aging, his physical appearance changed substantially too.

A cornerstone of Bryan’s protocol is a complex daily skincare routine, which can be broken down into four stages:

Cleansing the skin to eliminate excess bacteria and prepare it for the application of other products.
- CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser
Treating certain skin conditions like acne with targeted activity.
- Active creams
- Vitamins C, E, B3 ferulic and azelaic acids
- Tretinoin .1%
Moisturizing, reinforcing, and balancing the skin barrier.
Protecting the skin from UV and environmental damage.
- EltaMD UV Clear Face Sunscreen, SPF 46

Table of Contents

Below we will look at each of the 4 stages of Bryan’s skincare routine.

Stage 1: Cleansing Products

Our skin is continually subjected to environmental pollutants. Cleansing helps rid it of excess dirt, bacteria, and oils. Face washes, whether gels or foams, lay the groundwork for any skincare routine, as products work best when applied to a clean canvas.

When used regularly, facial cleansers help maintain the skin’s optimal pH balance of nearly 5.5 and reduce the risk of acne, mainly caused by clogged pores¹.

Key ingredients that boost the efficacy of cleansing products include:

Glycerine – this molecule moisturizes and helps maintain skin lipids healthy.
Gluconolactone – an acid that removes dead skin cells and makes skin thicker².
Niacinamide – Vitamin B3, important for wrinkle smoothing and hydration.

According to his protocol, Bryan uses the CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser as a daily face-cleansing product.

The CeraVe gel contains 2% salicylic acid, which helps purify and narrow skin pores. It also regulates skin oil and maintains its protective barrier with Niacinamide and Phytosphingosine.

Cleansing products vary based on skin types and needs. Bryan prefers the Acne Control face wash with acids; however, this gel might harm dry skin. It’s important to consider one’s skin type when choosing an appropriate cleanser. This test helps define one’s type and which products may suit it.

A product similar to CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser yet with more gentle acids is La Roche Posay Effaclar Medicated Acne Face Wash.

Additionally, Neutrogena Men Skin Clearing Daily Acne Face Wash, has similar ingredients to balance skin prone to acne.

Stage 2: Treatment Products

Treatment products address skin issues or unique needs, such as predisposition to acne and inflammation, lack of moisture, or wrinkles. They contain acids, vitamins, and substances capable of long-lasting positive impacts on the skin.

Common ingredients for treatment products include:

Azelaic acid – which has an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect on skin prone to acne³.
Retinol, or Vitamin A – is a powerful anti-aging treatment with a skin-smoothing and brightening action. Bryan Johnson’s skincare routine includes Tretinoin .1% – a Vitamin A metabolite.
Ceramides – lipids vital for skin moisturizing and helping generate a better barrier to reduce dryness.

Although Bryan does not mention any particular skin issues in his protocol, it’s notable that the routine includes active creams with vitamins that help:

Reduce acne
Smooth wrinkles
Sustain moisture

Products with Azelaic Acid

He also applies azelaic acid to reduce skin inflammation, yet he does not mention any particular treatment cream or serum with this ingredient. The following products are rich in azelaic acid:

Paula’s Choice BOOST – with 10% Azelaic Acid.

Naturium Azelaic Acid Emulsion – with 10% azeliaic acid and niacinamide.

According to the protocol, Bryan uses Vitamin B3 and Tretinoin .1% (Vitamin A metabolite) as a wrinkle treatment. Both ingredients stimulate collagen production, improving skin elasticity⁴.

Products with Vitamin B3

Vitamin B3 participates in ceramide development, which is essential for maintaining a strong skin barrier and reducing environmental harm to one’s skin⁵. Vitamin B3 is the critical ingredient in these treatment products:

La Roche-Posay Retinol Serum – with vitamin B3.

Paula’s Choice CLINICAL with 20% Niacinamide (B3) Concentrated Serum

Products with Retinol

Bryan applies Tretinoin 0.1% daily, which promotes cell regeneration and consequently reduces wrinkles.

This compound belongs to the retinoids family, derived from vitamin A. While tretinoin requires a prescription, there’s an over-the-counter alternative called retinol. Although milder, retinol shares similar benefits. Here are some examples of products containing retinol:

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair – with retinol and hyaluronic acid.

CeraVe Skin Renewing Serum – with retinol.

Paula’s Choice Skin Recovery Serum with Retinol.

Now that we’ve covered the topic of skin treatments, we’ll move on to moisturizers below.

Stage 3: Moisturizing Products

Moisturizing is important for hydration, skin barrier enforcement, and wrinkle minimization. Dry skin feels uncomfortable, is more susceptible to damage, and is prone to aging⁶. One should make hydration foundational for their skincare routine to promote long-lasting health.

Effective moisturizing products include these ingredients⁷:

Hyaluronic Acid – a natural molecule that participates in the water-binding process in cells and helps maintain skin surface hydration.
Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) – participates in synthesizing free fatty acids, cholesterol, and ceramides essential for healthy, moisturized skin.
Cholesterol is a natural component of the skin barrier that helps maintain hydration.

In Bryan’s mission to combat aging, moisturizing maintains his skin in healthy conditions and helps it produce new, younger cells. The products Bryan uses have the ingredients mentioned above, confirming the effectiveness of his skincare routine.

Bryan lists multiple moisturizing products in his skincare protocol:

CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion

Morning Moisturizers

Bryan applies CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30 every morning because the product combines optimal, long-lasting hydration with sunscreen.

A more economical alternative to CeraVe products is Olay Face Moisturizer Complete All Day Moisturizer with Sunscreen with similar ingredients.

Whole Body Moisturizing Creams

Bryan Johnson’s skincare routine includes CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, which can be applied to the whole body. This product’s key ingredients are hyaluronic acid and ceramides, which are efficient for hydration and skin restoration.

Another similar and effective product for long-lasting hydration is the Advanced Clinicals Retinol Body Lotion Moisturizer, which also has a wrinkle-smoothing effect.

Evening Moisturizing Creams

Before bedtime, Bryan uses CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion as part of his moisturizing skincare routine. The lotion contains Dimethicone, a valuable ingredient that smooths skin and has scar-treating action.

Cetaphil Redness Relieving Night Moisturizer is a functional alternative for those whose skin requires additional treatment. Its skin-restoring action also helps soothe redness-prone skin.

Stage 4: Sun Protection Products

Sun exposure is an inevitable part of human life, and although it has benefits like Vitamin D and nitric oxide production, its Ultraviolet (UV) radiation can age the skin prematurely. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends using skincare products with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) greater than 15 all year around.

Image shows 61 year old twins with differing amounts of sun exposure. Twin B had an average of 10 extra hours of sun exposure per week than Twin A – source

UV protection skincare products differ in their interaction with the UV: physical sunscreens reflect the rays, and chemical sunscreens absorb them.

The following ingredients of skin care products provide UV protection:

Zinc Oxide – mineral-based physical ingredient with the broadest sunscreen range.
Titanium Dioxide – a highly stable physical sunscreen whose contents give products a white, unabsorbable tint⁸.
Avobenzone – a chemical sunscreen agent with a non-irritative effect on one’s skin.
Octocrylene – an oil-soluble chemical sunscreen, is frequently used with Avobenzone for optimal and long-lasting protection.

Since UV radiation promotes aging, Bryan aims to decrease its effect on the skin. He uses sunscreen as part of his morning routine, but not night time (for obvious reasons). According to his protocol, the sun protection products he uses include:

Ferulic acid, Vitamin C, Vitamin E
EltaMD UV Clear Face Sunscreen, SPF 46

Above we discussed two types of UV barriers; physical and chemical sunscreens. In addition to these, it’s also possible to use antioxidants such as Ferulic acid, Vitamins C and E⁹. They work by neutralizing free radicals that are created in the skin from UV damage. Used on their own, they aren’t as effective as sunscreens, but used in combination, they improve the amount of UV protection offered.

For example, the Timeless Skin Care Vitamin C Plus E 10 Percent Ferulic Acid Serum is a wrinkle-smoothing serum with UV protective features.

Bryan Johnson’s skincare product for UV protection is the EltaMD UV Clear Face Sunscreen, SPF 46. The cream combines high sun protection with acne treatment. It also has Zinc Oxide as a natural sunscreen agent, beneficial for maintaining skin balance.

Eucerin Sun Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 has similar Zinc Oxide mineral sun protection and is appropriate for sensitive skin.

Bryan applies UV environmental filters daily as a part of his UV protection routine. The filters reflect and scatter light and absorb UVA and UVB radiation to prevent skin harm¹⁰.

Supplements for Skincare

Healthy and good-looking skin requires the influence from the inside, which can be achieved with supplementation. Bryan takes the following skincare supplements:

Hyaluronic Acid – 300 mg
Collagen peptides – 20 grams
EPA – 500mg with Vitamin E – 5 mg

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid (HA) binds to water molecules and transfers them through the body to keep hydration in balance. Approximately 50% of the total HA produced by one’s body is contained in the skin, and the acid promotes its elasticity and smoothness¹¹.

Bryan takes the Hyaluronic Acid 300 mg by Pureclinica with a meal.

Collagen peptides

Collagen peptides reduce skin dryness and decrease the quantity of wrinkles¹². Collagen is the protein that maintains the structure of skin, bones, organs, and tissues, and its natural production reduces with aging.

Bryan regularly takes 20 grams of Collagen peptides to support his skin’s elasticity and help it smooth wrinkles.

EPA and Vitamin E

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is an Omega-3 acid with anti-inflammatory action that reduces skin redness and prevents acne breakouts. Vitamin E, as a strong antioxidant, protects the skin from radical reactions on the cellular level [13]. Together, these supplements provide a sustainable positive impact on skin health.

Bryan takes EPA 500 mg with Vitamin E 5 mg daily upon waking up to maximize the effect of the supplements.