What is Skin Longevity? An Expert Interview
Are you wondering what the Skin Longevity trend is all about and what makes our Skin Longevity series so special? In our expert interview with Dr. Henrike Neuhoff, scientific director at lavera Natural Beauty, we answer the most important questions on this topic.
Longevity is currently on everyone's lips – but what is really behind it scientifically?
Dr. Neuhoff: Longevity literally means "long life" – but it means more than just living a long time. The focus is on the question of how we can stay healthy, capable, and vital for as many years as possible. Modern research shows that aging is shaped by certain biological processes – such as chronic inflammation, declining cellular energy, or reduced repair capacity of the body. Longevity addresses exactly this: the goal is to support the body's own protection and regeneration mechanisms – especially through a healthy lifestyle with exercise, balanced nutrition, good sleep, and stress reduction. Thus, longevity does not stand for a short-term anti-aging trend, but for a scientifically based approach to gaining healthy years of life.
What distinguishes Skin Longevity from classic anti-aging – is it just a new word for the same thing?
Dr. Neuhoff: Skin Longevity is not just a new word for anti-aging – it represents a paradigm shift in skin research. While traditional anti-aging mainly addresses visible signs like wrinkles, loss of elasticity, or pigmentation disorders, Skin Longevity targets the biological causes of skin aging. The focus is on processes such as cellular senescence, chronic microinflammation (“inflammaging”), mitochondrial dysfunction, and the age-related decline of NAD+.
Research in the field of cellular aging – for example in the context of sirtuins by David Sinclair – shows that these mechanisms act systemically and also affect the skin. Skin Longevity therefore pursues a long-term, cell-biological approach: the goal is to maintain the functionality of skin cells for as long as possible, rather than merely masking visible symptoms. It’s about cell resilience, energy supply, inflammation regulation, and structural stability. In short: Anti-aging smooths. Skin Longevity preserves.
Thus, Skin Longevity marks a development from cosmetic correction towards preventive, scientifically based skin health.
Which active ingredients are in the lavera Skin Longevity series – and why exactly these?
Dr. Neuhoff: The lavera Skin Longevity series combines carefully selected high-tech longevity active ingredients that work at the cellular level and together form a complete longevity system for the skin. TIMELYS® activates longevity genes, while Power-Peptides stimulate collagen and elastin production. NMN (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide) acts as an NAD⁺ booster, supports cellular energy production, and promotes DNA repair at the cellular level – through liposomal encapsulation (using lavera’s own liposome technology), maximum bioavailability of the active ingredient is ensured. The formula is complemented by two proven organic extracts from herbal medicine: Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), which comes from Ayurveda and provides antioxidant protection, stimulates collagen production, and rejuvenates the skin at the cellular level – and Astragalus, a key plant in Traditional Chinese Medicine, which has been shown to protect telomeres, stimulate telomerase activity, and thus counteract cellular aging. Each individual active ingredient fulfills a precise function – together they form a scientifically based longevity system that holistically supports the skin at the cellular level.
Discover our Skin Longevity series
Does it make sense to combine all the products in the series, or can I also use individual ones selectively?
Dr. Neuhoff: Both are possible and sensible. Each product in the series is effective on its own and can be used specifically. However, those who want to achieve the maximum Longevity effect benefit from the combination: The serum delivers the highest concentration of active ingredients and forms the perfect base, the day care with SPF 15 protects against UV-induced skin aging, and the night care uses the regeneration phase of sleep to build collagen and stabilize the skin barrier. Serum, day, and night – that is the complete Longevity system.
From what age is the use advisable – age or skin condition?
Dr. Neuhoff: The crucial question is not the calendar age – but the condition of the skin and the point at which you want to take preventive action. Longevity means prevention: the earlier you start to slow down cellular aging processes, the more sustainable the effect. If you notice the first wrinkles, if your skin loses elasticity, or if you feel environmental stress and lack of sleep – you are a good candidate for Skin Longevity. A good practical guideline: from 25, because that’s when the skin changes.
Which biological processes are the main drivers of aging – and which can be influenced?
Dr. Neuhoff: Modern longevity research shows: The most important drivers of skin aging are biological processes at the cellular level – and many of these can be actively influenced. Key mechanisms include the shortening of telomeres with each cell division, the age-related decline in NAD⁺ levels, which weakens cellular energy supply and DNA repair, the accumulation of senescent "zombie cells" that trigger inflammatory processes and accelerate collagen breakdown, the continuous loss of collagen and elastin, as well as oxidative stress caused by environmental and metabolic factors.
The lavera Skin Longevity series targets these processes precisely: TIMELYS® from the Schisandra berry activates longevity genes and counteracts epigenetic changes, NMN increases cellular energy and promotes DNA repair as a liposomally encapsulated NAD⁺ booster, Astragalus protects telomeres and stimulates telomerase activity, power peptides and Brahmi stimulate collagen and elastin production, while Brahmi and Astragalus together act as potent antioxidants protecting against oxidative stress.
Each active ingredient specifically addresses one of the biological aging mechanisms – together they form a scientifically
based system that not only visibly reduces skin aging but slows it down at its root.
What would be your personal 3-point plan for a holistic skin longevity start?
My personal 3-point plan for a holistic skin longevity start begins with understanding:
First: skin aging begins at the cellular level long before it becomes visible – those who understand their skin and its biological needs can specifically and effectively counteract it. This is exactly where the lavera Skin Longevity series comes in, which, with active ingredients like NMN, TIMELYS®, Astragalus, Brahmi, and power peptides, not only treats the skin surface but directly targets the cellular aging mechanisms.
The second point is the lifestyle: Skin Longevity does not end in the bathroom – sufficient sleep, an antioxidant-rich diet, regular exercise, and consistent sun protection are not optional extras but the essential foundation on which every skincare routine is built.
And thirdly: consistency instead of perfection. Longevity active ingredients need time to work at the cellular level – those who start early and see skincare as a long-term investment in their skin health will achieve the most sustainable results. In short: understand how the skin ages. Consider lifestyle as an active part of skincare.