Bryan Johnson's Daily Skincare Protocol
Bryan Johnson's day-to-day face routine is built on consistency and a selection of evidence-based active ingredients. He applies products morning and night, and emphasizes sun protection as the most crucial element for preventing accelerated aging.
Morning regimen
- Cleansing: Johnson begins by washing his face with a gentle cleanser to remove impurities. A salicylic acid cleanser has been previously mentioned.
- Serums and treatments: He applies a potent Vitamin C serum to combat free radical damage and boost collagen synthesis. Niacinamide is also applied for its anti-inflammatory and barrier-strengthening properties.
- Hydration: Johnson applies a face moisturizer, often mentioning CeraVe products in his protocol.
- Sunscreen: A mineral-based sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher is a non-negotiable step to shield against UV damage. He has previously used EltaMD UV Clear.
Evening routine
- Cleansing: The routine is repeated with a face wash to remove the day's buildup.
- Targeted treatments: At night, the focus shifts to cellular repair and renewal. He applies prescription-strength Tretinoin (a powerful retinoid) to boost cell turnover and reduce the appearance of fine lines. He also uses niacinamide again and has applied hyaluronic acid.
Bryan Johnson's Advanced Cosmetic Procedures
Beyond his daily skincare products, Johnson incorporates more intensive, high-tech treatments to maximize his anti-aging results. These procedures are typically performed by professionals and are backed by his extensive data tracking.
- Red Light Therapy (RLT): Johnson uses whole-body RLT panels several times a week. This non-invasive treatment exposes the skin to red and near-infrared light, which stimulates collagen production, improves skin tone, and accelerates healing.
- Lasers and Resurfacing: He undergoes regular laser and fractional resurfacing treatments like Tixel, BBL (BroadBand Light), and Moxi. These procedures use heat and light to address issues like fine lines, wrinkles, and pigmentation, with the goal of rejuvenating the skin.
- Injectables: Johnson has experimented with various injectables to restore lost facial volume and stimulate collagen. These include Sculptra, Renuva, and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF). He famously had an adverse reaction to a fat-derived injectable in 2024, highlighting the experimental nature of his quest. He also reportedly uses microbotox to minimize pores.
- Microneedling: To further stimulate collagen, he includes non-bleeding microneedling with hyaluronic acid in his routine.
The Broader Context: Lifestyle's Role in Skin Health
Johnson's facial routine is part of his much larger "Blueprint" project, which treats skin health as an indicator of overall systemic health. For him, a healthy complexion is a byproduct of his highly optimized diet, sleep, and fitness regimen.
- Diet and Supplements: Johnson follows a strict, calorie-restricted vegan diet and takes over 100 supplements daily. For skin, this includes oral collagen peptides, hyaluronic acid, and powerful antioxidants like Vitamin E, Ferulic acid, and EPA. He also microdoses Accutane weekly for blemish control.
- Sun Avoidance: Johnson actively avoids sun exposure during peak UV index hours and uses protective measures like UV-tinted windows and a UV umbrella.
- Sleep Quality: As a "professional sleeper," he optimizes his sleep to support cellular repair and regeneration.
- Exercise: His intense daily workout regimen enhances circulation and overall health, benefiting the skin's appearance.
Comparison of Daily vs. Advanced Skin Procedures
| Feature | Daily Topical Routine | Advanced Cosmetic Treatments |
|---|---|---|
| Application | Self-administered morning and night. | Administered by professionals, with varying frequency (e.g., weekly, monthly, quarterly). |
| Primary Goal | Protect skin from daily damage and improve texture with active ingredients. | Target deeper skin layers to address advanced aging concerns. |
| Key Components | Cleansers, moisturizers, mineral sunscreen, and serums with Niacinamide, Vitamin C, and Tretinoin. | Lasers (BBL, Moxi, Tixel), injectables (Sculptra, PRF), and microneedling. |
| Cost | Relatively affordable and accessible. | Very expensive, often requiring millions of dollars annually. |
| Risk Factor | Low, with minimal risk of adverse reactions from topical use. | High, with potential for side effects, allergic reactions, and significant downtime. |
| Effectiveness | Provides incremental, consistent improvement and maintenance. | Capable of more dramatic, visible, and faster results. |
Conclusion
Bryan Johnson's face routine is an extreme example of quantified self-care applied to dermatology, combining a daily regimen of scientifically-backed topicals with cutting-edge, and at times risky, cosmetic treatments. The routine's most accessible components include daily cleansing, sun protection, and the use of well-established anti-aging ingredients like Tretinoin, Niacinamide, and Vitamin C. However, his reliance on expensive and experimental procedures like fat injections and various laser therapies moves his complete routine far beyond the average person's means and risk tolerance. Ultimately, his skincare protocol serves as a testament to his holistic Blueprint approach, but underscores that skin health is intrinsically linked to broader lifestyle factors like diet, sleep, and UV protection, which are more universally applicable lessons.
Bryan Johnson Blueprint: A Closer Look at His Daily Regimen
Bryan Johnson's intensive daily protocol goes far beyond the face, forming a holistic approach to longevity that impacts his skin's appearance from the inside out. His day begins early and is meticulously timed and measured to optimize every biological function. After rising without an alarm, he performs his first set of health metrics and takes over 90 supplements. His first meal, often a nutrient-dense "Green Giant" drink, includes skin-supporting ingredients like collagen. A significant portion of his day is dedicated to a rigorous exercise routine, followed by his second vegan meal, the "nutty pudding". He avoids social media and screens in the evening to optimize sleep, a cornerstone of cellular repair. While his expensive and invasive treatments garner significant attention, the foundation of his skin health is his unwavering commitment to these highly disciplined, quantifiable, and comprehensive lifestyle choices.
Comparison of Skincare Philosophies
| Aspect | Bryan Johnson (Blueprint) | Traditional Dermatology |
|---|---|---|
| Approach | Hyper-optimized, experimental, data-driven, and holistic. | Evidence-based, risk-averse, focusing on established and approved treatments. |
| Tools and Techniques | High-tech devices, invasive treatments, and aggressive topicals. | Standardized prescriptions, over-the-counter products, and approved in-office procedures. |
| Cost | Extremely high (millions annually) due to personalized medical team and experimental procedures. | Varies widely, from affordable drugstore products to more expensive but predictable cosmetic procedures. |
| Measurement | Quantified biomarkers, multispectral imaging, and deep facial analysis. | Visual assessment, patient history, and standardized clinical observation. |
| Accessibility | Limited to those with significant financial resources due to cost and risk. | Widely accessible through standard medical and consumer channels. |
| Philosophy | Pushing boundaries and reversing aging to achieve unprecedented biological youth. | Managing and slowing the signs of aging with safe, proven, and moderate methods. |
Conclusion: The Final Verdict on Bryan Johnson's Face Routine
Bryan Johnson's extensive and highly regimented face routine is the direct result of his broader anti-aging strategy, Blueprint, which aims to reverse his biological age. By combining daily topicals like sunscreen, Vitamin C, Niacinamide, and prescription Tretinoin with advanced procedures such as lasers, microneedling, and injectables, he addresses skin aging from multiple angles. Crucially, this is all supported by his optimized diet, exercise, and sleep habits. While the daily topical routine offers a blueprint for effective skincare that is accessible to most, his experimental and costly advanced treatments, along with his extreme lifestyle, make the full protocol unattainable and potentially risky for the average person. The most significant takeaway is his dedication to consistency, sun protection, and integrating skin health into a holistic wellness plan. He showcases what is possible with immense resources, but the core principles of good skincare remain within reach for everyone.
What are the key products in Bryan Johnson's face routine?
Bryan Johnson uses a combination of cleansers, moisturizers, and active-ingredient serums. Key products include a salicylic acid cleanser (he has used CeraVe), a mineral sunscreen (he has used EltaMD), Vitamin C serum, Niacinamide, and a prescription-strength Tretinoin cream applied at night.
What advanced treatments does Bryan Johnson use for his face?
He undergoes various advanced procedures, including Red Light Therapy (RLT), fractional skin resurfacing (like Tixel, Moxi, and BBL), microneedling with hyaluronic acid, and injectables like Sculptra and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF).
Has Bryan Johnson ever had a cosmetic procedure go wrong?
Yes, in 2024, Bryan Johnson experienced a severe allergic reaction after receiving an injection of a fat-derived extracellular matrix, which caused significant facial swelling.
How does diet and lifestyle affect Bryan Johnson's skin health?
Johnson views skin health as an extension of overall health. His strict, calorie-restricted vegan diet provides essential nutrients, and his consistent sleep and exercise routines support cellular repair and circulation, all of which benefit his complexion.
Is Bryan Johnson's face routine affordable for the average person?
No, while his daily topical products are accessible, the full cost of his advanced cosmetic treatments, medical team, and comprehensive lifestyle is estimated at millions of dollars annually, making it financially unattainable for most.
What is the most important part of Bryan Johnson's skin protocol?
According to Johnson, avoiding sun damage is the number one rule for healthy skin. This is demonstrated through his strict sun avoidance habits and consistent use of mineral sunscreen.
Does Bryan Johnson use fillers or Botox?
Johnson has used injectables, including microbotox for pore shrinkage and Sculptra to stimulate collagen production. He has also experimented with fat-derived injectables, though one instance resulted in a severe allergic reaction.
