Southern Style Cooking: Longevity Skincare is Evolving

Collagen renewal, antioxidants that beat wrinkles, microplastics in skincare, and more! ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Issue #31 I March 6th, 2025

Photography by Raymond Forbes

Welcome back to The Mindset by Super Age.

Skincare is evolving, and prevention is the new anti-aging. This week, we’re diving into science-backed skin-care interventions—from a red light therapy mask that boosts skin elasticity by 340% to a 15-year study linking antioxidant-rich diets to fewer wrinkles, and more! Plus, the Super Age team shares their go-to skincare essentials.

The Science of Deep Skin Renewal

The future of anti-aging may be as simple as turning on a light. A recent study in Advanced Materials found that using a new kind of face-forming red light LED mask resulted in a 340% improvement in deep skin elasticity, reducing wrinkles, and enhancing overall dermal health. The research found that these masks, which provide more uniform light exposure, significantly increased collagen synthesis and cellular turnover after consistent use.

Why does this work? Red light therapy penetrates deep into the skin, stimulating mitochondrial function, increasing adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, and supporting strong skin structure and collagen production.

What This Means for You:

Until the new masks become available, consider trying a flexible red light therapy mask three to five times per week for wrinkle reduction and skin firming.
Opt for FDA-cleared LED devices that deliver clinically validated wavelengths for optimal results.
Our pick: The Omnilux Contour Face.

LED therapy is non-invasive, painless, and scientifically backed, making it one of the most exciting frontiers in longevity skincare.

All featured products are selected independently and objectively by the author. Super Age may receive a share of sales via affiliate links in content.

Antioxidant-Rich Diets = Fewer Wrinkles

Science confirms that what you eat directly impacts how you age—especially when it comes to skin health. A 15-year longitudinal study published in The Journal of Investigative Dermatology analyzed the impact of dietary antioxidants on skin photoaging and found that people with higher intakes of antioxidant-rich foods showed 10% less photoaging over 15 years, with significantly fewer wrinkles, better hydration, and less sun damage compared to those with lower intakes.

Why does this work? Antioxidants neutralize free radicals, the unstable molecules that accelerate aging by breaking down collagen and elastin. The study found that individuals with higher dietary polyphenol intake (vegetables, fruits, unrefined cereals, tea, and oily fish and lower intakes of red meat and soft drinks) were less likely to develop deep wrinkles as they aged.

How to Optimize Your Diet for Skin Longevity:

🍊 Vitamin C (Citrus, bell peppers, strawberries): Boosts collagen production

🥑 Vitamin E (Almonds, sunflower seeds, avocados): Reduces oxidative stress

🍫 Polyphenols (Green tea, dark chocolate, berries): Neutralizes UV-induced damage

🍣 Astaxanthin & Lycopene (Salmon, shrimp, tomatoes): Prevents photodamage

Pro Tip: Pair vitamin C with vitamin E—studies show that together, they enhance each other’s antioxidant capacity.

The Unseen Threat to Your Skin

Microplastics are an unavoidable pollutant in modern life—but recent research suggests they could also be harming your skin. A 2024 study in the Journal of Hazardous Materials found that microplastics in cosmetic products (including foundations, sunscreens, and exfoliating scrubs) may penetrate the skin barrier, leading to inflammation, oxidative stress, and accelerated aging.

Key Findings:

A typical facial scrub product was estimated to contain 300 billion nanoparticles per gram of product.
Long-term exposure can weaken skin barrier function, making the skin more prone to wrinkles, dryness, and sensitivity.

What You Can Do:

✅ Check labels for these common microplastics: Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP), Nylon, Polystyrene (PS), Acrylates Copolymer, and Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA).
✅ Look for Natural Exfoliants: Before plastic microbeads were introduced, brands used oats, apricot kernels, pumice, sugar, salt, and almond shell powder as exfoliants. Many brands are now returning to these natural options.
✅ Switch to EWG-approved (Environmental Working Group) brands with low toxin ratings.
✅ Use mineral sunscreens instead of chemical sunscreens, which often contain microplastic additives.

Brands like Dr. Hauschka and La Fervance are leading the way with microplastic-free, environmentally conscious skincare. And Revlon just launched the first EWG-verified mass-market clean cosmetic.

All featured products are selected independently and objectively by the author. Super Age may receive a share of sales via affiliate links in content.

How Stress Speeds Up Skin Aging—And How to Stop It

Stress doesn’t just impact your emotional health—it wreaks havoc on your entire body, including your skin. A recent study in Mechanisms of Ageing and Development says that chronic stress reduces your skin’s ability to stay firm, plump, and youthful by raising certain hormone levels like corticotropin-releasing hormone and cortisol, which can break down collagen and elastin.

How Does Stress Affect Your Skin?

Lowers collagen and hyaluronic acid levels, which are essential for keeping skin smooth and hydrated. Over time, this leads to thinner, weaker skin that’s more prone to wrinkles and sagging.
Disrupts skin cell function, affecting keratinocytes (which form the outer skin barrier) and fibroblasts (which produce collagen and elastin)—making skin more fragile and less resilient.

The good news? Regular meditation practice can reduce stress hormones and inflammation. Here’s a five-minute meditation from Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction founder Jon Kabat-Zinn that he calls a “radical act of sanity.” Try it!

Photography by Anastasia Mihaylova

Super Age Staff Picks: Skin Care

Skincare is personal, and at Super Age, we’re always on the lookout for products that deliver clean, effective, and science-backed results. Here’s what our team swears by for healthy, resilient skin.

David Harry Stewart, Founder of Super Age, uses One Skin.
Heather Hurlock, Founding Editor, loves Mother Hylde’s Wild Rose Cream, made by a local Pennsylvania folk herbalist.
Nicholas Pardon, Founder & CEO of Pardon (the family office & venture studio behind Super Age), loves Tata Harper products.
Nathaniel Koloc, Managing Partner of Pardon, recommends Dr. Barbara Sturm serums.
Tatiana Ayazo, Senior Creative Director, swears by The Dewy Serum from Japanese Skincare brand Tatcha.
Sylvia Baptista, Senior Director of Email Operations, loves cruelty-free brand Drunk Elephant.

What are your favorite products and skin care tips? Write and tell us!

All featured products are selected independently and objectively by the author. Super Age may receive a share of sales via affiliate links in content.

How Are Today’s Choices Shaping Your Future?

80% of your health is shaped by what you do every day—not just genetics. See how your choices stack up and discover simple, powerful shifts to help you thrive longer, with purpose and vitality.
Take the Super Age Quiz.

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