Skin aging? Why most people are tackling it from the wrong end.

In your mid-20s, hardly anyone thinks about skin aging. A few years later, serums, salon appointments, and injections are on the list. In between, the simplest and cheapest step is often overlooked.

Here, you’ll learn what happens in the skin as it ages, what expensive treatments can do, and why most people focus on the wrong things. Above all, you’ll find out what really helps and what you can skip, so you can get started today. Our position is clear: we believe you should take a holistic approach to skin aging, combining strong basics with the right active ingredients rather than relying on isolated quick fixes.

Why you can trust us

• We’ve been developing products for skin and nutrition for years. Every day, we talk to people about their routines.
• We check every claim against studies and expert organizations, with sources listed at the end.
• We’ll tell you clearly what’s worth it and recommend only what we believe in ourselves.

Experts distinguish between two processes. Intrinsic skin aging follows your genes, hormones, and the rhythm of your cells. External skin aging is caused by what affects the skin from the outside, such as UV radiation, air pollution, smoking, alcohol, diet, and sleep (Hussein and colleagues, 2025).

The most important external factor is the sun. According to the Federal Office for Radiation Protection, UV-A radiation penetrates deep into the skin, where it produces free radicals and can damage the collagen in connective tissue. At the same time, new collagen production is inhibited, and the skin loses firmness (BfS, 2026). So a large part of your skin aging isn’t in your genes but in your daily habits.

Why most people start at the wrong end

All three address the visible result, not the cause. And they only work as long as you keep repeating them. Many people invest in the final step before laying the groundwork. We believe it works better the other way around. First, build the foundation, then add targeted active ingredients, and only after that, if at all, consider a treatment.

A study from Australia shows how much of a difference starting early can make. A total of 903 adults under 55 were randomly divided into two groups. One used sunscreen every day, while the other used it as they saw fit. After four and a half years, the group using sunscreen daily showed no measurable increase in skin aging. Overall, their skin aged 24 percent less (Hughes et al., 2013).

Anti-aging has long focused on fighting the symptoms; longevity asks where they come from. We explain the difference in the article Anti-Aging or Longevity.

How to put the 80/20 basics for skin aging into practice

According to the 80/20 rule, a few things deliver most of the impact. For skin aging, these are the five.

• Wear sunscreen every day. Even in winter. This was the exact step that showed a measurable effect in the Australian study.
• Good sleep. In a small study funded by Estée Lauder involving 60 women, those who slept well had fewer signs of intrinsic skin aging. Their skin barrier recovered 30 percent better (Oyetakin-White et al., 2015). A clue, not proof.
• Don't smoke, and limit alcohol. Both are external factors in skin aging (Hussein et al., 2025).
• Eat well. Diet is also one of the external factors. Plenty of vegetables, enough protein, and fresh juices are a simple everyday way to make a difference.
• Skincare with a plan. A few good active ingredients instead of ten products, for example, a serum with vitamin C in the morning and an active ingredient that supports renewal in the evening..

Our article on the routine for clear skin shows what a simple routine looks like. The article on the gut-skin axis explains why your gut affects your skin.

A cream does not relax muscles, so it is not a Botox alternative in the strict sense. Its strength lies elsewhere. Good active ingredients support skin renewal and structure, every day and without an appointment at the clinic.

Three topics are at the heart of our series on skin aging. The first is retinal, a form of vitamin A used in skin care to promote renewal. The second is NAD+, a molecule your cells need for energy. We explain what NAD+ means for your skin in our article on the effects of NAD+. The third is collagen, a building block. Our new Glow Mask brings these three together in one skin care product: retinal, NAD+, and collagen. Until it’s available in the shop, you can find suitable products for your routine in our facial skin care range.

Skin aging isn’t a flaw you need to fix, but a natural process with internal and external factors. Expensive treatments have their place, but they’re the last step, not the first. The biggest way to prevent premature skin aging is simple: sun protection, sleep, no smoking, good food, and a few suitable active ingredients. Here’s what to do: start with the basics, then use retinal, NAD+, and collagen together. We believe in this approach, and that’s exactly what our products are designed for.