The Two Types of Anti-Aging: Why Most Skincare Is Just a Tarp On a Leaky Roof

A client recently asked me: "Is your system anti-aging?"

And I paused. Because the answer is... both yes and no.

It depends on what you mean by "anti-aging."

Let me explain.

The Biohacking Boom & What It Has to Do With Skin

As scientists, we keep a pulse on trends — even the ones outside of skincare.

And lately, you’ve probably heard the term biohacking — whether from a podcast, an article, or that one nephew who suddenly won’t shut up about his mitochondria.

So what is it?

Biohacking is the (sometimes cringey) name for optimizing your biology — making your body work better, longer. Think sleep trackers, bloodwork, ice baths, mitochondria-boosting supplements... all aimed at extending life and performance.

In that world, "anti-aging" means something specific:

• It’s not about looking younger

• It’s about functioning younger

In health circles, the buzzword is biological age versus chronological age.

• Chronological age = number of birthdays

• Biological age = how well your body’s systems are actually working

You could be 58 chronologically, but 48 biologically. Or vice versa.

The whole point of biohacking? Lower your biological age. Live longer. Function better.

Now contrast that with what "anti-aging" means in the beauty world.

The Beauty Lie: Cosmetic Anti-Aging vs. Biological Anti-Aging

In the beauty industry, "anti-aging" means this:

• Fewer wrinkles

• Tighter skin

• That temporary, glowy, smooth effect

But here’s the hard truth: Looking younger does not equal functioning younger.

Most skincare products only make you look younger — and only briefly. They don't actually help your skin function like it did 10 years ago.

The beauty industry has convinced us the two are the same. They’re not.

Type 1 vs. Type 2 Anti-Aging

Let’s break it down clearly.

TYPE 1: Cosmetic Anti-Aging

What it does: Makes your skin look younger — temporarily. How it works: Covers up, fills in, smooths over

Examples:

• Botox: Paralyzes muscles so wrinkles don’t form

• Fillers: Fills in lines and sagging

• Laser treatments: Resurfaces the skin’s top layer

• Most face creams: Plump the top layer for a few hours

Duration: Temporary. Botox fades in 3 months. Fillers dissolve. That serum? Stops working when you stop using it.

Analogy: It’s a tarp over a leaky roof.

TYPE 2: Biological Anti-Aging

What it does: Helps your skin function younger — at the cellular level. How it works: Repairs the cause, not just the symptom.

Examples:

• Restoring skin’s ability to retain moisture (not just applying more)

• Reactivating collagen synthesis pathways

• Inhibiting enzymes like hyaluronidase that destroy hyaluronic acid

• Rebuilding the lipid barrier to protect and prevent future damage

Duration: Cumulative. The longer you do it, the better your skin gets.

Analogy: Actually fixing the damn roof.

Why This Matters: The Biology of Skin Aging

Just like your organs have a biological age, your skin does too.

What defines it?

• Barrier strength

• Collagen and elastin production

• Hyaluronic acid content

• Inflammation levels

Here’s what happens with age:

• By age 50, skin has 50% less hyaluronic acid [1]

• Collagen production drops by 1% per year starting in your 20s [2]

• Enzyme activity that breaks down skin structures increases — especially hyaluronidase [3]

That last one’s critical.

Hyaluronidase is like pulling the drain plug on a bathtub. You can pour all the hyaluronic acid and peptides in the world on top... But if the drain’s open? It’s gone in hours.

The Industry’s Favorite Trick: Fill, Don’t Fix

Most skincare brands offer Type 1 solutions:

• Add more hyaluronic acid

• Add more collagen

• Add more moisture

But they never address why your skin can’t hold those things anymore.

It’s a revolving door model:

• You get the glow for 3 hours

• You feel good

• It fades

• You reapply (and re-buy)

Great for business. Not great for biology.

What We Do Instead: Rebuild Function, Not Just Appearance

We built our system around Type 2 anti-aging:

• Stop the breakdown (inhibit hyaluronidase)

• Restore internal hydration capacity

• Support natural collagen production

• Rebuild the barrier

Here are the key components:

🧪 Gamma PGA (Polyglutamic Acid)

Clinically proven to be 4–5x more hydrating than hyaluronic acid [4]. Also shown to inhibit hyaluronidase activity [5].

🧪 TriGuard™ Matrix

A proprietary blend designed to neutralize enzymes that destroy structural proteins and HA.

🧪 Ceramides, Cholesterol, Squalane

Restore the lipid matrix to protect from further breakdown and inflammation [6].

🧪 Urea + Glycerin

Natural moisture factors (NMFs) that rehydrate and regulate pH for barrier stability.

Real Anti-Aging Isn’t Flashy. It’s Functional.

Looking good for 3 hours is nice. But skin that functions better — every day, for years to come — is a different game entirely.

It’s the difference between:

• Flash results vs. slow, steady restoration

• Fragile glow vs. resilient skin

• Appearance vs. actual age reversal (on the biological level)

If you’ve been using our system? Keep going. Because every day, it’s helping your skin:

• Rehydrate from within

• Rebuild structure

• Strengthen its barrier

• And yes, age in reverse

The Takeaway: Don’t Just Look Younger. Function Younger.

You don’t need another plumping serum that fades by noon. You need a strategy that helps your skin hold onto its own resources.

That’s what real anti-aging is. Not a cosmetic cover-up. A biological comeback.

So when people ask: “Is this anti-aging?”

The answer is yes. But not the kind you’re used to.

It’s not about tricking the mirror. It’s about training your skin to work the way it used to.

And that? That lasts.

SOURCES:

[1] Papakonstantinou E, Roth M, Karakiulakis G. "Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging." Dermatoendocrinol. 2012;4(3):253–258.

[2] Varani J, et al. "Decreased collagen production in chronologically aged skin." Am J Pathol. 2006;168(6):1861–1868.

[3] Stern R. "Hyaluronidases in cancer biology." Semin Cancer Biol. 2008;18(4):275-280.

[4] Nishimura M, et al. "Moisturizing effects of polyglutamic acid in humans." J Cosmet Sci. 2007;58(5):527–537.

[5] Uemura T, et al. "Inhibitory effect of poly-gamma-glutamic acid on hyaluronidase." Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2010;74(10):2077–2080.

[6] Elias PM, et al. "Stratum corneum lipids: the barrier function and regulation." J Invest Dermatol. 2005;125(2):183–200.