Dr. Karolina Rees Oliveira and her three co-founders started with a simple observation: the anti-aging skincare market was full of empty promises backed by weak science.
What began as a biotech lab validating products turned into a mission to address skin aging at its biological root.
Their approach? Target the cellular drivers of aging rather than just surface symptoms.
And after testing over 900 peptides across five years, they identified one that could genuinely reverse markers of skin aging.
Jump to:
- The Problem With Most Anti-Aging Products
- What Actually Drives Skin Aging
- The Five-Year Search For OS-1
- Why Lifestyle Factors Hit Skin Harder Than You Think
- Your Skin Is Your Largest Organ—And It Matters More Than You Think
- The Menopause Skin Shift: What Happens and Why
- The Rich Cream Solution: Rebuilding What’s Lost
- The Truth About Collagen Drinks
- Vitamin C, Retinoids, and Copper Peptides: What Actually Works
- Choosing a Safe, Effective Sunscreen
- Your Skin Microbiome Matters
- Beyond Your Face: Lips, Scalp, and Body
- Rethinking Aggressive Treatments
- The Daily Toxic Load From Beauty Products
- Red Light Therapy and Skin Care
- Skincare for Teens: Navigating Acne Without Damage
- Building a Simple, Effective Routine
- The Bigger Picture: Skin as a Longevity Organ
- Sources
The Problem With Most Anti-Aging Products
Dr. Oliveira’s team grew human skin samples in the lab and measured their biological age by analyzing DNA markers. When they tested popular anti-aging products, the results were sobering.
A lot of the products that we test they were not able to actually reverse the age of the skin. Some of them were actually causing some inflammation and toxicity.
The fundamental issue? These products targeted symptoms like wrinkles and dryness, not the underlying cellular damage driving skin aging.
If you want something simple that actually works, this is one of the most effective tools I’ve used to build strength, conditioning, and endurance without needing a full gym setup.
- Full-body training with one weight using swings, squats, and presses
- Solid cast iron build that feels stable and lasts for years
- Comfortable grip that makes high-rep workouts easier to handle
No one was addressing what happens at the DNA level when skin ages.
What Actually Drives Skin Aging
Skin aging comes from two directions: extrinsic and intrinsic factors.
Extrinsic aging includes UV exposure, pollution, radiation, and diet. Intrinsic aging is driven primarily by genetics.
The encouraging part? Genetics account for only 20 to 30 percent of how your skin ages. The rest is determined by lifestyle choices within your control.
Eventually cells start to accumulate damage, they start to become old and they stop functioning well. Some of these cells enter in this state that we call senescence or zombie-like cells.
These senescent cells stop producing collagen and building the skin barrier. Worse, they secrete inflammatory signals that turn neighboring cells into zombies too.
It’s a cascade effect, like one moldy fruit spoiling the entire basket.
If you want something simple that actually works, this is one of the most effective tools I’ve used to build strength, conditioning, and endurance without needing a full gym setup.
- Full-body training with one weight using swings, squats, and presses
- Solid cast iron build that feels stable and lasts for years
- Comfortable grip that makes high-rep workouts easier to handle
The Five-Year Search For OS-1
Dr. Oliveira’s team began with a library of 200 antimicrobial peptides, testing whether any could reduce senescent cell accumulation in lab-grown skin.
After 48 hours of exposure, they stained and counted senescent cells to measure each peptide’s effectiveness.
Four peptides showed promise. Using machine learning algorithms, they generated 800 more variations to optimize the active portion of those peptides.
We found bigger reductions in reducing the level of senescent cells and increasing the pool of the healthy cells because that’s what you want in the end.
The winning peptide, OS-1, reduced senescent cells by 40 to 50 percent in skin models and decreased the skin’s biological age by 2.5 years.
By shrinking the population of aging cells, healthy cells regain space to replicate, produce collagen, reduce inflammation, and restore younger skin function.
Why Lifestyle Factors Hit Skin Harder Than You Think
Sleep deprivation shows up on your face for a biological reason. Quality sleep allows skin recovery and cellular repair.
If you want something simple that actually works, this is one of the most effective tools I’ve used to build strength, conditioning, and endurance without needing a full gym setup.
- Full-body training with one weight using swings, squats, and presses
- Solid cast iron build that feels stable and lasts for years
- Comfortable grip that makes high-rep workouts easier to handle
Chronic stress elevates cortisol, which activates enzymes called matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) that break down collagen.
High sugar intake creates advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which literally cross-link collagen fibers and make skin stiff and less elastic. This damage is difficult to reverse.
Exercise increases blood flow and circulation, delivering more nutrients and oxygen to skin cells.
All of those lifestyles and what you put internally in your body affects your skin. And I think vice versa is also true—what you put in your skin also affects your internal body.
Your Skin Is Your Largest Organ—And It Matters More Than You Think
Your face represents only 3 percent of your total skin. The other 97 percent often gets neglected until crepiness and fragility become obvious in your 50s or 60s.
When skin barrier function declines with age, it doesn’t just affect appearance. A compromised barrier can increase systemic inflammation.
Dr. Oliveira’s team conducted a study on people over 60 using body lotion for three months. They collected blood samples before and after.
If you want something simple that actually works, this is one of the most effective tools I’ve used to build strength, conditioning, and endurance without needing a full gym setup.
- Full-body training with one weight using swings, squats, and presses
- Solid cast iron build that feels stable and lasts for years
- Comfortable grip that makes high-rep workouts easier to handle
By restoring their skin health on their body, their skin barrier, we could actually see a decrease in inflammatory markers in their blood just by fixing their skin.
They observed significant reduction in the inflammatory cytokine IL-8 and trends in other markers. The study showed improvements in hydration and transepidermal water loss, indicating stronger barrier function.
Strengthening skin externally reduces internal inflammation because aging skin constantly secretes low-grade inflammatory signals into the body.
The Menopause Skin Shift: What Happens and Why
Around midlife, skin aging accelerates dramatically. By your mid-20s, senescent cells begin accumulating. The load compounds through your 30s.
Then estrogen decline hits during perimenopause and menopause, creating what Dr. Oliveira calls the “density shift.”
Fibroblasts, the cells that produce collagen, have estrogen receptors. When estrogen drops, fibroblast activation decreases sharply.
- Collagen production declines
- Hyaluronic acid synthesis decreases
- Elastin production drops
- Skin barrier weakens, leading to increased water loss
- Lipid metabolism changes, further compromising the barrier
This compounding effect explains why skin suddenly feels like it’s “drinking” moisturizer and never retaining hydration.
If you want something simple that actually works, this is one of the most effective tools I’ve used to build strength, conditioning, and endurance without needing a full gym setup.
- Full-body training with one weight using swings, squats, and presses
- Solid cast iron build that feels stable and lasts for years
- Comfortable grip that makes high-rep workouts easier to handle
Women were layering another heavier moisturizer on top of our product because they were not getting all the hydration that they needed.
The Rich Cream Solution: Rebuilding What’s Lost
Understanding the biology of mature skin led Dr. Oliveira’s team to create a product specifically for the density shift phase.
Most heavy moisturizers only provide temporary hydration or create an occlusive barrier. Hours later, or after washing your face, you’re back where you started.
The Face Rich Cream takes a different approach: delivering immediate hydration while working with skin biology to rebuild structural molecules.
Lab testing over five days showed:
- 28% increase in collagen production
- 77% increase in the gene that synthesizes hyaluronic acid
- 108% increase in the gene that synthesizes elastin
Clinical studies with women using the product showed 100% improvement in hydration. More importantly, 93% reported their skin could hold moisture for longer.
Users also saw improvements in firmness, fine lines, and wrinkles—uncommon outcomes for a rich moisturizer.
If you want something simple that actually works, this is one of the most effective tools I’ve used to build strength, conditioning, and endurance without needing a full gym setup.
- Full-body training with one weight using swings, squats, and presses
- Solid cast iron build that feels stable and lasts for years
- Comfortable grip that makes high-rep workouts easier to handle
The Truth About Collagen Drinks
Can you drink collagen and expect it to go directly to your skin?
Dr. Oliveira’s answer is measured. You’re supplying building blocks—peptides your body needs to build collagen. But there’s no guarantee those building blocks go to your skin.
We can’t guarantee that the collagen that you intake is going to your skin. It’s going to whatever your body needs the most. If it needs it in your tendons, if it needs in different parts of your body, it’s going to go there.
Some studies suggest oral collagen can improve skin, but results remain mixed. The jury is still out.
That said, quality collagen supplementation isn’t harmful and may support cartilage, tendons, and overall connective tissue health.
Vitamin C, Retinoids, and Copper Peptides: What Actually Works
Vitamin C
Vitamin C functions as a co-factor for the enzymes that produce collagen. Without it, those enzymes can’t activate.
Topical application ensures delivery directly to skin. Ascorbic acid is the most active form but can irritate sensitive skin and oxidizes quickly (turning brown in the bottle).
If you want something simple that actually works, this is one of the most effective tools I’ve used to build strength, conditioning, and endurance without needing a full gym setup.
- Full-body training with one weight using swings, squats, and presses
- Solid cast iron build that feels stable and lasts for years
- Comfortable grip that makes high-rep workouts easier to handle
Lipid-soluble vitamin C versions are gentler, more stable, and equally effective.
Retinoids
Retinoids are vitamin A derivatives that accelerate cell turnover, smoothing lines and wrinkles by encouraging upper skin layers to shed and regenerate.
The trade-off? Dryness, flakiness, and irritation during the adjustment period.
I was flaking and red all the time and I thought that this was fine. I thought, oh, this is actually me getting younger. And now I understand, no, this is not good for you.
If your barrier is compromised and flaking, you’re more vulnerable to sun damage, pollution, and irritation from other actives.
The sandwich method: Apply a barrier-supporting moisturizer first, then retinol on top (or reverse the order on alternate nights). This builds tolerance without destroying skin integrity.
Copper Peptides
There’s excitement around copper peptides, with clinical studies suggesting benefits for skin and hair. But Dr. Oliveira’s preliminary lab tests didn’t show the collagen production increases many products claim.
If you want something simple that actually works, this is one of the most effective tools I’ve used to build strength, conditioning, and endurance without needing a full gym setup.
- Full-body training with one weight using swings, squats, and presses
- Solid cast iron build that feels stable and lasts for years
- Comfortable grip that makes high-rep workouts easier to handle
Key issues with copper peptides:
- Quality varies significantly between suppliers
- Oxidizes quickly, reducing effectiveness
- High molecular charge makes skin penetration difficult without proper formulation
In their tests, the OS-1 peptide increased collagen more than the copper peptides they evaluated. Still, Dr. Oliveira sees promise if stability, delivery, and oxidation issues are addressed.
Choosing a Safe, Effective Sunscreen
Chemical sunscreens absorb into the bloodstream, and high, repeated exposure may pose toxicity concerns. Physical or mineral sunscreens offer a safer alternative.
Mineral sunscreens use zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to create a protective layer on the skin without penetrating it.
The old problem? Thick white paste and terrible texture. Modern formulations have solved this.
If you try our sunscreen, it has a little tint. It has a lot of moisturizers. It actually has vitamin C, other antioxidants, so you can replace your vitamin C serum.
You’re protecting skin, getting antioxidant benefits, and achieving a light foundation effect—all without compromising safety or texture.
If you want something simple that actually works, this is one of the most effective tools I’ve used to build strength, conditioning, and endurance without needing a full gym setup.
- Full-body training with one weight using swings, squats, and presses
- Solid cast iron build that feels stable and lasts for years
- Comfortable grip that makes high-rep workouts easier to handle
Your Skin Microbiome Matters
Your skin hosts an entire ecosystem of bacteria, fungi, and microorganisms. Disrupting this balance causes inflammation, sensitivity, and accelerated aging.
Skin pH sits around 5.5—slightly acidic. Alkaline soaps and harsh cleansers disrupt this balance and strip protective oils and beneficial bacteria.
Dr. Oliveira’s team uses third-party testing to ensure their products support microbiome health. Their formulations actually balance the microbiome, decreasing harmful bacteria associated with aging skin and increasing beneficial strains.
Cleansing guidelines:
- Use a gentle, pH-balanced cleanser at night to remove dirt, makeup, and sunscreen
- Skip morning cleansing unless you have very oily skin—your skin is already clean from the night before
- Avoid physical scrubs with harsh granules that damage the skin barrier
- If you need deeper exfoliation, use chemical exfoliants like AHAs, BHAs, or plant enzymes
Beyond Your Face: Lips, Scalp, and Body
Lips
Lip skin is the most vulnerable on your face. It’s thinner, lacks sebaceous glands, and has no melanin.
Lips dry out faster, accumulate damage more easily, and lose volume with age. Treating them with the same care as facial skin prevents premature aging.
If you want something simple that actually works, this is one of the most effective tools I’ve used to build strength, conditioning, and endurance without needing a full gym setup.
- Full-body training with one weight using swings, squats, and presses
- Solid cast iron build that feels stable and lasts for years
- Comfortable grip that makes high-rep workouts easier to handle
One Skin offers a hydrating lip mask for nighttime use and a tinted lip SPF that doubles as a gloss for daytime protection.
Scalp
Scalp is skin too. A disrupted scalp microbiome leads to flakiness, redness, and poor hair growth.
One Skin’s hair serum showed strong clinical results for increased density and thickness, though results take three to six months of consistent use.
Body
Neglecting 97% of your skin until crepiness appears is a missed opportunity. Body skin becomes fragile, tears easily, and bruises more as barrier function declines.
The Body lotion addresses crepiness and increases skin thickness. But the bigger benefit? Fortifying skin now so it remains resilient in your 70s and 80s.
Rethinking Aggressive Treatments
The old skincare philosophy glorified inflammation. Peeling, redness, and downtime were seen as signs of effectiveness.
If you want something simple that actually works, this is one of the most effective tools I’ve used to build strength, conditioning, and endurance without needing a full gym setup.
- Full-body training with one weight using swings, squats, and presses
- Solid cast iron build that feels stable and lasts for years
- Comfortable grip that makes high-rep workouts easier to handle
Dr. Oliveira rejects this approach. Constantly stripping and inflaming skin weakens the barrier and creates long-term vulnerability.
I’m not a fan of the big abrasive treatments. And I honestly don’t think long term this is good for us.
Modern dermatology offers less aggressive options. Biostimulators and targeted lasers work in deeper skin layers without completely disrupting the epidermis.
The new philosophy: build a strong, healthy foundation with daily skincare, then add targeted professional treatments for fine-tuning.
Overly aggressive treatments may erase every wrinkle, but they often leave skin looking immobilized, overdone, and fragile.
The Daily Toxic Load From Beauty Products
Women are exposed to approximately 200 extra chemicals daily just from beauty and personal care products.
It’s not about one product causing immediate harm. It’s the cumulative burden over decades, especially as hormones shift during perimenopause and menopause.
If you want something simple that actually works, this is one of the most effective tools I’ve used to build strength, conditioning, and endurance without needing a full gym setup.
- Full-body training with one weight using swings, squats, and presses
- Solid cast iron build that feels stable and lasts for years
- Comfortable grip that makes high-rep workouts easier to handle
Many of these chemicals act as endocrine disruptors, interfering with hormone balance.
Dr. Oliveira’s team prioritizes ingredient safety. They test products with third-party organizations like the National Eczema Association and Skin Safe Products to ensure formulations are gentle even for highly sensitive, vulnerable skin.
We are doing our best not only to deliver all the benefits that we want, but without compromising, without delivering any of these potential harmful ingredients.
Red Light Therapy and Skin Care
Red light therapy activates mitochondrial function, calms skin, and reduces inflammation. It complements topical skincare by working through a different mechanism.
Dr. Oliveira hasn’t tested the combination in her lab but expects synergistic benefits based on biology. Many customers report enhanced results when combining red light therapy with One Skin products.
She also uses red light for hair growth and scalp health, reinforcing that scalp skin deserves the same attention as facial skin.
Teenagers facing acne often turn to aggressive treatments like Accutane or high-dose retinoic acid. These work, but at a cost: chronic redness, flaking, and compromised barrier function.
If you want something simple that actually works, this is one of the most effective tools I’ve used to build strength, conditioning, and endurance without needing a full gym setup.
- Full-body training with one weight using swings, squats, and presses
- Solid cast iron build that feels stable and lasts for years
- Comfortable grip that makes high-rep workouts easier to handle
I remember being very embarrassed about that all the time. Your skin is not in its healthy place.
Dr. Oliveira suggests combining necessary treatments with barrier-supporting products that soothe, hydrate, and enhance DNA repair capacity.
Emerging research on the skin microbiome may offer gentler solutions. Acne is often linked to microbiome imbalances, and restoring balance could reduce severity without harsh side effects.
The goal isn’t just clearing acne—it’s clearing acne while maintaining healthy, resilient skin.
Building a Simple, Effective Routine
Dr. Oliveira’s philosophy emphasizes simplicity. Even with new product launches, the goal is never to overwhelm.
You don’t need both Face and Face Rich Cream. Use Face in the morning and Rich Cream at night, or choose the one that suits your skin best.
A minimalist routine might look like:
If you want something simple that actually works, this is one of the most effective tools I’ve used to build strength, conditioning, and endurance without needing a full gym setup.
- Full-body training with one weight using swings, squats, and presses
- Solid cast iron build that feels stable and lasts for years
- Comfortable grip that makes high-rep workouts easier to handle
- Morning: Face serum or Face Rich Cream + tinted mineral SPF
- Evening: Gentle cleanser + Face Rich Cream or retinol (using the sandwich method)
- Weekly: Gentle chemical exfoliation if needed
- Body: Body lotion several times per week
- Lips: Lip mask at night, tinted SPF during the day
Consistency matters more than complexity. A simple routine you stick with long-term beats an elaborate regimen you abandon after two weeks.
The Bigger Picture: Skin as a Longevity Organ
One Skin positions itself as a longevity brand, not just a cosmetics company. Skin is your largest organ, and its health directly impacts systemic inflammation, immune function, and overall resilience.
The study showing reduced inflammatory markers in blood after three months of body lotion use illustrates this connection beautifully.
What we put on our skin matters. The health and the strength of our skin matters. We want to optimize this so not only we look at our best, but also the skin maintains strong and resilient to continue to do its job.
When you strengthen skin externally, you’re not just improving appearance. You’re reducing internal inflammation, fortifying barrier function, and supporting long-term health.
That’s a fundamentally different way to think about skincare—and a far more empowering one.
Sources
- National Eczema Association – Product certification and safety testing: https://nationaleczema.org
- Skin Safe Products – Third-party ingredient safety verification: https://www.skinsafeproducts.com
- One Skin published research on inflammatory markers and skin barrier improvement: https://www.oneskininc.com/pages/science
