EP 1442
1442. Dave’s Anti-Aging Skincare Routine: Exosomes, Methylene Blue & NAD+
Host Dave Asprey sits down with Amitay Eshel and Anastasia Khodzhaeva, co-founders of Young Goose, to explore the science of skin longevity, cellular aging, mitochondrial function, exosomes, NAD+, red light therapy, and what it may take to keep skin functioning younger for longer. Amitay and Anastasia explain why wrinkles may be only one visible sign of deeper biological changes involving cellular energy, oxidative stress, barrier function, mitochondrial dysfunction, and senescence. They break down emerging ways to measure skin aging, including metabolomics, proteomics, AI-based skin analysis, and tests designed to assess skin metabolic age. The conversation also goes deep into methylene blue, NAD+ precursors, spermidine, copper peptides, ergothioneine, superoxide dismutase, ectoin, gotu kola, and other compounds being explored for skin health and cellular repair. Dave and the Young Goose team discuss platelet-derived “Vampire Exosomes,” microRNAs, growth factors, klotho, senomorphic compounds, and why extending the functional life of healthy cells may become a major frontier in longevity science. They also explore how to stack red light therapy with topical compounds, what happens to skin during travel and dry environments, why some traditional skincare approaches may not support long-term skin function, and how personalized testing could change the future of skincare. Essential listening for anyone interested in anti-aging skincare, skin longevity, exosomes, methylene blue, NAD+, red light therapy, mitochondria, collagen, senescent cells, cellular repair, peptides, metabolomics, proteomics, biohacking, and longevity.
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Visit https://www.younggoose.com/ and use code ASPREY10 to save on the skin longevity products discussed in this episode.
Host Dave Asprey sits down with Amitay Eshel and Anastasia Khodzhaeva, co-founders of Young Goose, to explore the emerging science of skin longevity, cellular aging, mitochondrial function, exosomes, NAD+, red light therapy, and what it may take to keep skin functioning younger for longer.
Anastasia is a biologist, biohacker, and co-CEO of Young Goose who began her career in biomedical research focused on liver fibrosis and breast cancer before moving into wellness, product development, and longevity-focused skincare. Amitay is co-founder and CEO of Young Goose and host of the Biohacking Beauty podcast, with more than a decade of experience across health, wellness, beauty, and business development. Together, they focus on applying longevity science and performance optimization to skin health.
Amitay and Anastasia explain why wrinkles may be only one visible sign of a much deeper biological process involving declining cellular energy, weakened barrier function, oxidative stress, senescence, and changes in how skin cells repair themselves. They break down how newer approaches to skincare are moving beyond surface-level hydration toward targeting the cellular mechanisms associated with aging.
The conversation goes deep into testing, including a metabolomics-based approach designed to assess skin metabolic age from a small blood sample and analyze 17 different metabolites. They also discuss emerging proteomics testing that can examine thousands of proteins involved in processes such as collagen production, oxidative stress, mitochondrial function, and cellular repair.
Dave, Amitay, and Anastasia explore some of the most unusual compounds now being used in skin longevity, including methylene blue, NAD+ precursors, spermidine, ergothioneine, superoxide dismutase, copper peptides, ectoin, and gotu kola. They explain how these compounds may interact with mitochondrial energy production, oxidative stress, mitophagy, collagen signaling, and the broader hallmarks of aging.
They also break down red light therapy and why combining light with certain topical compounds may influence the response. The discussion covers methylene blue and electron transport, copper peptides and mitochondrial biogenesis, light-activated DNA repair enzymes, photodamage, reactive oxygen species, and why dose and timing may matter when using red or near-infrared light.
The episode also dives into platelet-derived “Vampire Exosomes,” how exosomes carry cellular instructions through microRNAs, why formulation and stability matter, and how these signaling particles may influence skin repair, inflammation, collagen production, and senescence. Dave and the Young Goose team also discuss growth factors, klotho, senomorphic strategies, cellular longevity, and why extending the functional life of healthy cells may become an important frontier in longevity science.
They also explore practical skincare routines, including how to layer products, what Dave uses while traveling, how airplanes and dry environments affect skin, why aggressive acids may not always fit a long-term skin longevity strategy, and how AI-based skin analysis could make skincare increasingly personalized.
This is essential listening for anyone interested in skin longevity, anti-aging skincare, exosomes, methylene blue, NAD+, red light therapy, mitochondrial health, senescent cells, collagen, peptides, cellular repair, metabolomics, proteomics, biohacking, and the future of personalized skincare.
You’ll Learn:
- Why wrinkles may be a downstream sign of deeper cellular aging
- How skin metabolic age can be assessed using metabolomics and multiple biological markers
- What methylene blue may do inside mitochondria and why it pairs with red light
- How NAD+ precursors, spermidine, copper peptides, SOD, and ergothioneine may support skin biology
- Why platelet-derived “Vampire Exosomes” are being studied for cellular signaling, repair, and senescence
- How red light therapy interacts with mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, and DNA repair
- Why some traditional acids and surface-level skincare strategies may not address long-term skin function
- How proteomics and AI could change the way skincare is measured and personalized
- What Dave and the Young Goose team use to support skin during travel and other high-stress environments
Dave Asprey is a four-time New York Times bestselling author, founder of Bulletproof Coffee, and the father of biohacking. With over 1,000 interviews and 1 million monthly listeners, The Human Upgrade brings you the knowledge to take control of your biology, extend your longevity, and optimize every system in your body and mind. Each episode delivers cutting-edge insights in health, performance, neuroscience, supplements, nutrition, biohacking, emotional intelligence, and conscious living.
New episodes are released every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday (BONUS). Dave asks the questions no one else will and gives you real tools to become stronger, smarter, and more resilient.
Keywords: Amitay Eshel, Anastasia Khodzhaeva, Young Goose, Biohacking Beauty, skincare, anti-aging skincare, skin longevity, skin aging, younger skin, exosomes, vampire exosomes, platelet-derived exosomes, methylene blue, NAD+, NAD precursors, red light therapy, mitochondria, mitochondrial health, mitochondrial dysfunction, cellular aging, cellular repair, senescent cells, senescence, senomorphics, collagen, copper peptides, GHK-Cu, spermidine, ergothioneine, superoxide dismutase, SOD, ectoin, gotu kola, mitophagy, metabolomics, proteomics, skin metabolic age, klotho, oxidative stress, peptides, skin barrier, DNA repair, photodamage, biohacking, longevity
Resources:
- Visit https://www.younggoose.com/and use code ASPREY10 to save on the skin longevity products discussed in this episode.
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"As we grow older, the wrinkle is just a symptom. What happened underneath? It might be declining cellular energy. It might be the barrier is compromised, and it has much lower resilience."
Amitay Eshel
00:00 — Trailer
Dave introduces the idea of biohacking skin and previews the science behind keeping skin younger for longer.
01:09 — Skin Testing & Metabolomics
Amitay and Anastasia explain how skin metabolic age can be assessed using biomarkers, metabolites, AI imaging, and emerging personalized testing.
04:48 — Longevity Skincare Paradigm
The conversation shifts from surface-level skincare to targeting the cellular processes that drive aging, including energy production, barrier function, and the hallmarks of aging.
07:50 — Airplane Skincare Routine
Dave asks how to protect skin during travel, leading to a practical routine involving hydration, serums, moisturizers, masks, sunscreen, and methylene blue.
11:15 — Tardigrade Juice & Antioxidants
They break down ectoin, ergothioneine, superoxide dismutase, oxidative stress, and the unusual compounds being used to protect skin cells.
16:00 — Mitochondrial Dysfunction
Dave and the Young Goose team explore mitochondrial damage, methylene blue, electron transport, mitophagy, and why dysfunctional mitochondria may accelerate skin aging.
21:00 — Skincare Ingredients: Old vs New
They compare traditional ingredients like caffeine and acids with newer approaches involving NAD+ precursors, peptides, mitophagy, and cellular signaling.
27:20 — Vampire Exosomes
The group dives into platelet-derived exosomes, why they are difficult to formulate, how they carry cellular instructions, and how they may support skin repair.
32:30 — Red Light Therapy Stacking
They explain how red light can be combined with methylene blue, copper peptides, and light-activated compounds to influence mitochondria, DNA repair, and oxidative stress.
38:00 — Proteomics & Klotho
Amitay and Anastasia discuss testing thousands of skin proteins, measuring cellular function, and exploring whether exosomes may influence longevity-related proteins such as klotho.
41:00 — Exosome Safety, Growth Factors & MicroRNAs
The conversation covers growth factors, scarring risk, exosome sourcing, and why specific microRNAs may be more important than simply having more exosomes.
44:00 — Senescent Cells & Senomorphics
Dave explores zombie cells, senescence, senolytics, senomorphic compounds, and the possibility of extending the functional life of healthy cells.
47:00 — Skin Longevity Takeaways & Outro
Dave reflects on the most promising tools from the conversation, including methylene blue, exosomes, red light, and the broader shift toward treating skin aging at the cellular level.
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