Skin Anarchy – “Decoding Skin Longevity with Timeline: The Mitochondrial Revolution”

Host: Dr. Ekta
Guest: Jaimee Holmes, Chief Brand Officer, Timeline
Date: September 22, 2025

Episode Overview

This special episode launches Skin Anarchy’s master class series in partnership with the longevity-focused skincare brand Timeline. Host Dr. Ekta engages Jaimee Holmes, Chief Brand Officer at Timeline, in a wide-ranging discussion on the science of skin health, the pivotal role of mitochondria, the meaning of longevity beyond “anti-aging,” and how Timeline is leading innovation in both skincare and nutrition. Listeners are offered a behind-the-scenes look at the research, philosophy, and product strategies that define Timeline’s approach to truly transformative skin health.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Shifting the Narrative: From “Anti-Aging” to Skin Longevity

• Timeline’s Perspective: Instead of focusing on erasing the signs of aging, Timeline emphasizes supporting “skin health span”—helping skin function optimally throughout life.
  • “We don't use the words anti aging for a reason... For us, it's really about feeling your best, feeling your healthiest for as long as possible.” — Jaimee Holmes [01:21]
• Aging as a Privilege: Holmes stresses the importance of appreciating lived experience.
  • “We don't want to erase signs of living. Living is beautiful. It's a privilege to age.” — Jaimee Holmes [03:00]

2. The Central Role of Mitochondria in Skin Health

• Analogy: Holmes likens mitochondria to a car battery, vital for powering cellular function and, by extension, the skin’s energy and vitality.
  • “If the mitochondria within your cells are not healthy and optimized... you're going to really start to see the impact of that in your skin vitality.” — Jaimee Holmes [03:38]
• Early Signs of Cellular Aging:
  • “You tend to really notice first is dehydration in the skin and loss of elasticity. Those will be the first two signs.” — Jaimee Holmes [05:18]

3. Where Conventional Skincare Falls Short

• Surface vs. Cellular: Many products offer only superficial or immediate effects. Timeline’s research aims for deep, lasting cellular impact through effective active ingredient levels.
  • “We're never going to be a brand who's putting something in there at 0.00001% just so that we can claim it on an ingredient label.” — Jaimee Holmes [07:02]

4. The Science of Urolithin A and “Mito Pure”

• What Is Urolithin A? A unique postbiotic nutrient critical for mitochondrial health, which stimulates mitophagy—the clearing out of damaged mitochondria.
  • “Urolithin A is... designed to stimulate the process of mitophagy... cleaning out damaged mitochondria, recycling and regenerating them with healthy new ones.” — Jaimee Holmes [07:43]
• Why Supplement? Most people cannot naturally produce urolithin A, regardless of diet quality.
  • “For most people... you cannot produce this naturally within your own systems.” — Jaimee Holmes [08:03]
• Innovation: Timeline’s “Mito Pure” is the only precise, clinically dosed topical urolithin A for skincare [08:12].

5. Nutrition First: The Brand’s Development Journey

• From Supplements to Topicals: Timeline began with ingestible nutrition products, gathering consumer feedback and witnessing strong results before expanding into skincare.
  • “The natural progression in question became, okay, now what else can we do with this ingredient?...how far can it go?” — Jaimee Holmes [10:25]
• Performance Proof: Measurable skin mitophagy effects were seen as quickly as 15 days into use [11:45].

6. Product Development: Formulation, Testing, and Experience

• A Thoughtful Routine: The brand invested a year and a half in R&D, with up to 36 formula submissions for cleanser/exfoliator alone.
  • “We went through no less than combined altogether, probably 36 rounds of formula submissions...” — Jaimee Holmes [15:30]
• Aesthetics Matter: Combining high scientific rigor with sensorial appeal to create enjoyable products that people genuinely want to use.
  • “If you don't like the way something feels on your skin, you're not going to come back to it and use it again and again.” — Jaimee Holmes [16:53]

7. Packaging & Design: User Experience and Sustainability

• User-Focused Details: Custom pumps for hygienic dispensing, mini cryo spoons for eye cream application, and tactile packaging.
  • “We’ve introduced a pressed pump...a mini cryo spoon...double-ended... to depuff, soothe, boost circulation.” — Jaimee Holmes [18:13]
• Sustainability Commitment: Use of reusable materials like aluminum, glass, and PCR plastics only when absolutely necessary.

8. Longevity Movement: Meeting All Types of Consumers

• Performance, Science, Simplicity: Striking a balance between the biohacker/performance audience and the broader, curious consumer.
  • “We wanted to make sure that we were still speaking to [biohackers]... but also thinking about more broadly how we can reach other consumers.” — Jaimee Holmes [20:00]
• Invitation for Everyone: Positioning the brand as gender-neutral and accessible for those new to longevity as well [21:12].

9. Product Synergy & Simplification

• A Streamlined Routine: Designed as an integrated, simplified system—"one brand, one system" approach.
  • “It's about being mindful... for your best skin health. And that doesn't need multiple products. Like it can be a really edited collection.” — Jaimee Holmes [22:08]
• Flexibility: Products integrate seamlessly into existing routines [22:40].

10. Visual Identity & Ingredient Transparency

• Butter Yellow: Formula and packaging color comes from the natural pigment of urolithin A, highlighting transparency and natural sourcing.
  • “Anyone who tries our formula will...see and experience that the color of the formulas comes from [the ingredient]...” — Jaimee Holmes [25:41]

11. Inclusive/Unisex Appeal

• Gender-Neutral by Design: The product design and communication are meant to appeal to all genders, backed by positive market feedback.
  • "That is our desire... to just reach everyone without being so gender specific." — Jaimee Holmes [26:56]
  • Humorous note: “Anyone, any women out there, I guarantee your husbands are going to be stealing this.” — Dr. Ekta [27:30]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Redefining Aging:
  • “Living is beautiful. It's a privilege to age.” — Jaimee Holmes [03:00]
• Explaining Mitochondria’s Role:
  • “Think about it like your car battery... optimized mitochondria means optimized skin.” — Jaimee Holmes [03:38]
• Industry Critique:
  • “We're never going to be a brand who's putting something in there at 0.00001% just so that we can claim it on an ingredient label.” — Jaimee Holmes [07:02]
• On Ingredient Innovation:
  • “Mitophagy is a real thing. It's something that we have to actually understand and the role that it plays.” — Dr. Ekta [09:25]
• On Longevity Consumers:
  • “The longevity or sort of biohacker consumer, they're really looking for performance first and foremost. They want the results, they want to know intimately the science behind it.” — Jaimee Holmes [20:00]
• On Brand Purpose:
  • “Timeline is positioned in a way that even if you aren't into this…mindset of longevity yet, you can definitely discover it through the brand.” — Dr. Ekta [21:12]
• Design & Color:
  • “It's this really beautiful, buttery, golden yellow color…It's natural, it's honest and true.” — Jaimee Holmes [25:41]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Redefining "Anti-Aging" & Longevity – [01:03]–[03:19]
• Mitochondria & Cellular Health – [03:19]–[05:36]
• Why Most Skincare Falls Short – [06:00]–[07:15]
• Urolithin A & The Science of Mitophagy – [07:43]–[09:22]
• Timeline’s Nutrition-First Approach – [10:25]–[12:29]
• Product Development & Consumer Input – [12:57]–[16:15]
• Balancing Science with Sensory Appeal – [16:53]–[19:14]
• Longevity Lifestyle & Consumer Trends – [19:14]–[22:08]
• Routine Simplification & Product Integration – [22:56]–[24:01]
• Brand Aesthetics & Ingredient Transparency – [25:41]–[26:19]
• Unisex Skincare & Market Research – [26:56]–[27:47]

Conclusion

This episode delivers an insightful and inspiring look at how Timeline is raising the bar for evidence-based, mitochondria-powered skin longevity. Jaimee Holmes and Dr. Ekta move beyond the clichés of “anti-aging,” inviting listeners to celebrate a long, healthy, and beautiful life. With innovation in both science and aesthetics, Timeline makes a compelling case for holistic, simplified, and accessible skin health for everyone.