Anti-Aging Starts at the Surface

Introduction: Understanding the Skin-Aging Connection

Aging is a natural process, but premature aging is largely influenced by external factors - many of which are within our control. In today’s urbanized world, our skin is constantly exposed to pollution, stress, and environmental imbalances that disrupt its natural defense system.

Historically, humans coexisted with a diverse microbiome that helped protect the skin from external aggressors such as UV radiation, toxins, and pathogens. However, modern lifestyles, characterized by pollution, reduced biodiversity, and excessive use of synthetic skincare ingredients, have weakened the skin’s natural resilience.

At LABRAINS, our primary goal is to develop skincare that enhances the skin’s tolerance to stressors. Our formulations are designed to work in any climate, season, or skin condition, ensuring optimal skin health without irritation. To learn how to customize your skincare, visit the LABRAINS section "What Should I Use".

True anti-aging skincare isn’t just about deep treatments - it starts at the surface, with a strong, well-maintained skin barrier that reduces inflammation and enhances the skin’s natural defense mechanisms. That’s why LABRAINS avoids all potential irritants - whether synthetic or natural - to create truly clean, premium skincare.

The Impact of Urban Living on Skin Health

Modern city life presents unique challenges to skin health, including:

• High pollution levels – Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and environmental toxins causes oxidative stress, breaking down collagen and accelerating aging. This damage can be reduced with LABRAINS' 3-step cleansing method.
• Reduced biodiversity – Unlike our ancestors, we are exposed to a much smaller range of microorganisms, leading to microbial imbalances that make the skin more vulnerable to inflammation and irritation.
  LABRAINS products (all serums, Night Restoration Architect Cream and Renovation Sculptor Cream, both Rosa Cease & Strike Back and Rosa Cease & Pore Perfect creams, YoungDali and DermaTreat creams, as well as the cleansers Micellar Water & Tonic, Oil-to-Milk, Nordic Mud, Pore Perfect Cleanser and Cleansing Cream)contain ferments to support the microbiome balance.
• Chronic stress – Excess cortisol production from stress weakens the skin barrier, increases sensitivity, and slows down skin regeneration.
• Blue light & UV radiation – Prolonged exposure to screens and sunlight without proper protection contributes to wrinkles and pigmentation.
  All LABRAINS BB creams offer blue light protection.

All these factors lead to chronic skin inflammation, one of the primary drivers of accelerated aging. Inflammation forces the body to use its energy reserves for repair, breaking down collagen and elastin.

As the skin’s repair mechanisms slow down, the lymphatic system also weakens, leading to waste buildup, puffiness, and a sluggish complexion.
To improve lymphatic drainage, we recommend massaging the skin using Pore Perfect Serum or Renovation Sculptor Serum.

Inflammation is the Root of Aging

Chronic inflammation - triggered by pollution, stress, poor skincare choices, and microbiome imbalances - weakens the skin barrier and accelerates cellular aging. 
Here’s how:

• Oxidative stress – Free radicals damage skin cells, leading to premature wrinkles and loss of elasticity.
• Microbiome imbalance – A lack of beneficial bacteria increases sensitivity and worsens conditions like acne, rosacea, and eczema.
• Reduced lymphatic drainage – With age, the body struggles to remove toxins, causing puffiness, dullness, and inflammation.

Without early intervention, these factors compound over time, making the skin less resilient and more prone to deep-set wrinkles, pigmentation, and sensitivity.

All LABRAINS products are formulated with antioxidants and stress-protection compounds to prevent premature aging caused by inflammation.

What to Avoid: Ingredients That Accelerate Aging

Many commercial skincare products compromise the skin’s defense mechanisms, accelerating premature aging. Avoid the following:

Microplastics & Synthetic Emollients

• Dimethicone, acrylates, PEGs, and carbomers create a false sense of hydration while suffocating the skin and disrupting the microbiome.
• These compounds accumulate in the lymphatic system, making it difficult for the body to detoxify properly.

Did you know? Studies estimate that we absorb up to 250 grams of plastic per year from skincare and personal care products. For daily skincare, avoid creams containing microplastics - save foundation or tinted creams for special occasions.

Harsh Preservatives & Solvents

• Even in organic cosmetics, benzyl alcohol, butylene glycol, propanediol, benzoic acid, and sodium benzoate can break down the skin barrier, causing sensitivity and irritation.
• LABRAINS' dermatological tests showed that participants using products with propylene glycol, propanediol, or benzoic acid did not see significant skin improvements, even though these ingredients are considered “organic.”

Alcohol & Penetration Enhancers

• Alcohol and propylene glycol can increase penetration of harmful substances by up to 14,000 times, leading to toxicity and irritation.
• LABRAINS completely avoids alcohol in all formulations.

Essential Oils as Irritants

• Limonene, linalool, citronellol, and geraniol, commonly found in essential oils, should not be used in daily skincare as they can trigger oxidative stress and allergic reactions.

How to Strengthen the Skin Barrier & Slow Down Aging

Instead of aggressive treatments, prioritize skin barrier health and microbiome balance.

Support Your Microbiome

• Use probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics to restore microbial diversity.
• The easiest way? Use LABRAINS Micellar Water & Tonic after cleansing to quickly rebalance the microbiome and skin pH.
• LABRAINS serums and creams contain natural oils and trace minerals that nourish beneficial bacteria.

Avoid Overwashing & Harsh Cleansers

• Even natural sulfates strip essential lipids and accelerate aging.
• LABRAINS excludes all sulfates, using only non-allergenic glucosides or ultra-gentle glycolipids, which cleanse without disrupting the skin barrier.

Adopt a Smart Cleansing Routine (3-Step Method)

1. Oil-to-Milk Cleanser – Removes oil-based impurities (makeup, SPF, sebum).

2. Nordic Mud Cleanser – Deeply cleanses water-soluble dirt and pollutants—ideal for urban environments.

3. Micellar Water & Tonic – Restores pH balance, hydrates, and supports the microbiome.

For Special Skin Needs:

• Eczema-prone skin → Use LABRAINS Oil-to-Milk and/or Cleansing Cream followed by Micellar Water & Tonic, and Skin Perfecting Peeling mask.
• Breakouts/acne-prone skin → Use Pore Perfect Cleanser, Skin Perfecting Intense Peeling Mask (coming soon), and Micellar Water & Tonic.
• Perioral dermatitis (winter care) → Avoid extra moisturizers (serums); cleanse only with Oil-to-Milk cleanser, remove with Micellar Water & Tonic, then apply DermaTreat & ABC Deep Nourishing Cream.
• Rosacea acne or acne → Use Nordic Mud Cleanser, Pore Perfect Cleanser, Micellar Water & Tonic, and apply a peeling mask (Skin Perfecting Intense peeling mask (coming soon) for acne and Skin Perfecting Peeling mask for rosacea acne) on breakouts daily for one week.

Final Thoughts: Anti-Aging Starts with Prevention

Aging gracefully doesn’t start with invasive treatments—it starts with daily habits that protect the skin barrier, reduce inflammation, and support the microbiome.

• Avoid synthetic ingredients that weaken the skin barrier.

• Strengthen the microbiome with ferments and natural oils.

• Follow a structured cleansing routine to prevent pollution buildup and inflammation.

• Shield against urban stressors like pollution and UV exposure—prevention is easier than reversal.

By making smart skincare choices, you can age naturally, beautifully, and healthily.