The Dr. Josh Axe Show: The BIGGEST Causes of Fast-Aging Skin (How to Reverse Aging) Release Date: April 3, 2025

Introduction

In this enlightening episode of The Dr. Josh Axe Show, Dr. Josh Axe delves into the multifaceted causes of skin aging and shares actionable, natural strategies to slow down and even reverse the aging process. Emphasizing that skincare extends beyond topical applications, Dr. Axe explores the profound impact of diet, stress, sleep, environmental factors, and cutting-edge biohacking techniques on skin health. The episode culminates with an expert interview featuring Dr. Carolina Reese Oliveira, the founder of OneSkin, who provides deep insights into the role of peptides in combating skin aging.

1. The Holistic Approach to Skincare

Dr. Axe sets the stage by highlighting that effective skincare is an integrative process involving not just creams and serums but also internal factors such as nutrition, stress management, sleep quality, gut health, and environmental exposures.

"Skin is a reflection of what's going on inside your body. So whether you are male or female, whether you're 18 years old or 80 years old, we want to take care of our skin because again, it's a reflection of what's going on internally."
— Dr. Josh Axe [02:10]

He emphasizes that maintaining youthful skin is not merely a vanity concern but a marker of overall health and longevity.

2. Environmental Factors: UV Radiation and Pollution

Dr. Axe addresses the significant role of environmental factors in skin aging, particularly focusing on UV radiation and air pollution.

• UV Radiation: Responsible for up to 80% of visible skin aging, UV rays cause both direct DNA damage and indirect damage through free radical formation, increasing risks of skin cancer and accelerating telomere damage, which is crucial for cellular longevity.

  "Up to 80% of your visible skin damage is due to sun damage."
  — Dr. Josh Axe [05:30]

• Air Pollution: Toxins and chemicals in the air contribute to oxidative stress and inflammation, leading to wrinkles, sagging skin, and premature aging.

Dr. Axe advises a balanced approach to sun exposure—ensuring adequate Vitamin D synthesis while protecting the skin from excessive UV exposure through natural sunscreens, dietary antioxidants, and protective measures like wearing hats and sunglasses.

3. Lifestyle Factors: Stress, Sleep, and Diet

The conversation pivots to how lifestyle choices profoundly impact skin aging.

• Stress: Elevated cortisol levels from chronic stress lead to collagen breakdown, resulting in wrinkles and sagging skin. Dr. Axe shares a relatable anecdote comparing presidential stress to rapid physical aging.

  "Emotional stress is one of the things that age you the fastest."
  — Dr. Josh Axe [09:15]

• Sleep: Lack of quality sleep is identified as the single biggest factor accelerating skin aging. A study cited indicates significant reductions in skin hydration and elasticity after just one day of sleep deprivation.

  "Getting that eight hours of quality, especially deep sleep, that's the key."
  — Dr. Josh Axe [12:45]

  Dr. Axe recommends using tools like the OURA ring to monitor sleep quality and heart rate variability (HRV), which are critical markers for longevity and skin health.

• Diet: High sugar intake leads to glycation, the breakdown of collagen and elastic fibers, contributing to skin aging. Dr. Axe underscores the importance of a diet rich in collagen, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. He advocates for consuming bone broth, collagen supplements, and antioxidant-rich foods like berries, pomegranates, and green leafy vegetables.

  "Sugar is the number one thing that will cause you to age more quickly dietarily."
  — Dr. Josh Axe [17:20]

4. Cellular Senescence: The Role of Zombie Cells

Dr. Axe introduces the concept of cellular senescence, likening senescent cells to "zombie cells" that perpetuate aging by releasing inflammatory toxins.

"Senescent cells are like a car that's broken down in the middle of a road... creating toxins, these inflammatory chemicals that accelerate aging of the other cells."
— Dr. Josh Axe [35:10]

These cells disrupt normal cellular functions, leading to thinning skin, wrinkles, hair loss, and increased risk of diseases like cancer. Strategies to combat cellular senescence include:

• Antioxidant-Rich Foods: Pomegranates, berries, and green tea extract help neutralize free radicals.
• Autophagy: Induced through intermittent fasting by restricting eating windows to promote cellular cleanup.
• Peptides: Targeted compounds like GHK-Cu that support collagen production and reduce inflammation.

5. Peptides: The Future of Anti-Aging

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to peptides, particularly their role in skin regeneration and anti-aging.

• GHK-Cu Peptide: Demonstrated in studies to be more effective than Vitamin C and retinoic acid creams in improving collagen production and reducing wrinkles.

  "This peptide was more powerful than vitamin C, was more powerful than other forms of antioxidant creams when it came to anti-aging of the skin."
  — Dr. Josh Axe [38:00]

• OneSkin's OS1 Peptide: Developed by Dr. Carolina Reese Oliveira, OS1 targets senescent cells, enhances collagen production, and improves skin elasticity and hydration. Clinical studies showcased significant improvements in skin thickness, barrier strength, and reduction of wrinkles.

  "Our peptide can increase DNA repair capacity... reducing those aging cells allows healthy skin cells to replicate."
  — Dr. Carolina Reese Oliveira [44:35]

Dr. Axe highlights the groundbreaking nature of peptides in reversing skin's biological age and encourages listeners to explore products like OneSkin’s OS1 for scientifically backed results.

6. Integrative and Traditional Medicine Approaches

The episode explores how traditional medicine systems like Ayurveda and Chinese medicine contribute to skin health.

• Ayurveda: Focuses on balancing the three doshas—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha—to address different skin types and their specific aging concerns. For example, Vata imbalances necessitate hydration to combat dryness and wrinkles, while Pitta types benefit from anti-inflammatory and cooling foods.

• Chinese Medicine: Utilizes herbs like goji berries, schisandra berries, and snow fungus to enhance skin hydration and reduce inflammation. Practices like red light therapy and infrared saunas are recommended for their regenerative benefits without the harmful effects of UV exposure.

7. Expert Insights: Dr. Carolina Reese Oliveira of OneSkin

Dr. Axe brings on Dr. Carolina Reese Oliveira, a leading expert in peptide research and the founder of OneSkin, to discuss the development and efficacy of advanced peptides in skincare.

• Development of OS1: Born from extensive research, OS1 was created to specifically target senescent cells and promote DNA repair, thereby rejuvenating skin at the cellular level.

  "By lowering the levels of inflammation overall, we can allow the healthy skin cells to replicate again."
  — Dr. Carolina Reese Oliveira [44:35]

• Clinical Benefits: Participants in studies using OS1 showed a 70% improvement in collagen production, outperforming traditional Vitamin C and retinoic acid creams.

• Universal Application: OS1 is formulated to suit all skin types, whether oily, dry, or acne-prone, making it a versatile solution for diverse skincare needs.

• Additional Recommendations: Beyond peptides, Dr. Carolina advises on maintaining skin health through diet, avoiding excessive UV exposure, and incorporating traditional medicinal practices to support overall skin resilience.

8. Practical Strategies for Anti-Aging

To wrap up, both Dr. Axe and Dr. Carolina offer comprehensive strategies to combat skin aging:

• Balanced Sun Exposure: Aim for around 20 minutes of sunlight daily while using natural sunscreens to protect against excessive UV damage.

• Nutrition: Incorporate collagen-rich foods, antioxidants, and healthy fats like omega-3 fatty acids from wild-caught fish and extra virgin olive oil.

• Supplements: Utilize high-quality supplements such as bone broth, collagen peptides, and probiotic-rich foods to support gut-skin axis health.

• Lifestyle Habits: Prioritize stress management through meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises and ensure adequate, quality sleep using tools like the OURA ring.

• Advanced Therapies: Explore biohacking methods like red light therapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy to enhance cellular regeneration and skin vitality.

Conclusion

This episode of The Dr. Josh Axe Show provides a comprehensive exploration of the factors contributing to skin aging and offers evidence-based strategies to maintain youthful, healthy skin. By addressing environmental exposures, lifestyle choices, and leveraging advanced scientific solutions like peptides, listeners are empowered to take a holistic approach to their skincare regimen. The expert insights from Dr. Carolina Reese Oliveira further enrich the conversation, highlighting the promising role of peptides in anti-aging skincare.

Listeners are encouraged to adopt a balanced approach, combining traditional wisdom with modern science to achieve optimal skin health and longevity.

Note: For those interested in exploring OneSkin’s OS1 peptide and other advanced skincare solutions mentioned in the episode, visit OneSkin Co. and follow them on Instagram @1SkinCo and TikTok.