In this episode of Longevity Roadmap, host Buck Joffrey speaks with dermatologist Dr. Corey Frucht about why skin reveals our age so visibly, what drives skin ageing at the cellular level, and the strategies—scientific, practical, and cosmetic—that can help slow the process. The discussion also covers skin cancer, prevention, and the future of dermatology, including AI-driven screening.

Key Points:

The episode breaks down how UV exposure, collagen loss, and structural changes drive visible skin ageing—and how sun protection and retinoids remain the most reliable defences. While supplements have little proven benefit, lifestyle, antioxidants, and targeted dermatologic treatments (like lasers and microneedling) play supportive roles. Skin cancer remains widespread, but improved detection and immunotherapies are reshaping outcomes, with AI-based screening poised to further transform dermatology.

• What Makes Young Skin Look Young: Dr. Frucht explains that youthful skin is hydrated, even-toned, smooth, and largely free of fine lines and growths. With age, collagen declines, fat beneath the skin shrinks, and bone and muscle volume diminish—creating sagging and textural change.
• UV Exposure and Pigment Biology: UV radiation accelerates ageing by damaging DNA in skin cells. People with darker skin naturally produce more melanin, which provides built-in UV protection. UVA drives ageing; UVB causes sunburn and plays a major role in skin cancer.
• Sunscreen 101: What Actually Matters: The most important features are broad-spectrum protection and SPF 50+ (because people apply too little). Physical blockers like zinc and titanium offer broad protection but may be less cosmetically pleasant, while chemical sunscreens are easier to use. Physical protection—shade, hats, clothing—is the first line of defence.
• Lifestyle, Diet & Supplements: Healthy skin mirrors overall health: good sleep, hydration, fruits and vegetables, avoiding smoking, and limiting alcohol all help. Evidence for supplements (biotin, collagen, proprietary blends) is weak; biotin rarely helps unless someone is deficient, and oral collagen is simply broken down into amino acids.
• Effective Anti-Ageing Topicals: Only a few topical ingredients have strong evidence:

         -Retinoids (retinol, tretinoin) for increasing collagen, smoothing texture, and reducing fine lines.

        -Vitamin C and E as antioxidants that may reduce photoaging.

        Moisturizers help hydration but don’t reverse ageing.

• Skin Cancer: Scale, Signs & Advances: Skin cancer is extremely common—over five million non-melanoma cases and ~200,000 melanomas annually in the U.S. Basal and squamous cell cancers are usually curable if caught early. Melanoma is more dangerous but immunotherapy has dramatically improved survival. Dr. Frucht expects AI-assisted skin imaging to transform early detection within the next decade.