Glowing Skin at 56: My 13 Secrets
Scuba diving, extreme altitude, jet lag, sun exposure, and decades of adventure—these are the 13 habits that keep my skin glowing at 56.
By Valérie Orsoni — Biohacker & Longevity Expert
Valérie Orsoni is a biohacker, author of 56 books, and founder of biohacker.fr. She has been tracking her biology through N=1 self-experimentation protocols since 1998. She is just finished her Stanford Medicine’s longevity research certification program and is starting a new certificate in Nutrition Science.
People often ask me what I do to keep my skin looking healthy despite spending thousands of hours scuba diving, climbing mountains, crossing deserts, sleeping in airplanes, facing freezing temperatures, harsh UV exposure, dry cabin air, and extreme altitude. Here are the 13 practices that have made the biggest difference for me.
For context, I am not a dermatologist.
I am a biohacker.
That means I test, measure, learn, adjust, and test again.
These are the strategies that have worked for me.
The goal has never been perfection.
The goal has always been healthy, resilient skin that can withstand a life of adventure.
P.S. I haven’t included the Botox® injections I’ve been receiving for the past 30 years, as they don’t really contribute to skin “glow”—they simply help reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
1. I Only Use Clean Beauty Makeup
The skin is our largest organ.
Many conventional makeup products contain ingredients I prefer to avoid, including endocrine disruptors, certain preservatives, synthetic fragrances, and compounds that can trigger irritation in sensitive individuals.
Because I wear makeup frequently for conferences, television appearances, photoshoots, and interviews, I pay close attention to what goes on my skin.
The goal is simple:
Less inflammation.
Less irritation.
Less unnecessary chemical exposure.
Healthy skin starts with what you stop putting on it.
Toxic Beauty: When Your Makeup Makes You Sick
I wear makeup every day (well, almost… maybe not while climbing a summit in Nepal, although…). Primer, foundation, blush, setting powder, lip liner, lipstick, gloss for a shiny finish, kohl, and brow powder. Among these products, many often contain PFAS
2. I Never Cleanse My Face With Water
This is probably the habit that surprises people the most.
The only water that touches my face is when I swim, scuba dive, shower normally, or get caught in the rain.
I never splash water on my face as part of a skincare routine.
Why?
Because excessive washing can strip the skin barrier and remove protective lipids that help maintain hydration.
Instead, I use gentle cleansing products designed to remove makeup, pollution, and debris without disrupting the skin’s natural protective mechanisms.
My skin feels calmer, less tight, and less reactive than when I used traditional cleansing routines.
3. No Sunscreen for Very Short Outdoor Exposure
This one will be controversial.
If I am stepping outside for five or ten minutes, I typically do not apply sunscreen.
Why?
Because brief sun exposure is part of our evolutionary history and can support vitamin D production and circadian rhythm regulation.
The key word is brief.
I’m talking about walking to the car, getting coffee, or spending a few minutes outdoors.
Not sunbathing.
Not lying by the pool.
Not spending an afternoon hiking.
4. Always Sunscreen Beyond 15 Minutes
Once exposure extends beyond approximately fifteen minutes, sunscreen becomes non-negotiable.
I spend a tremendous amount of time outdoors:
Mountain climbing.
Hiking.
Scuba diving.
Exploration.
UV exposure is one of the most powerful accelerators of skin aging.
Collagen breakdown.
Pigmentation.
Wrinkles.
Loss of elasticity.
Protecting your skin from excessive UV damage is probably one of the highest-return investments you can make for long-term skin quality.
5. Cryopreserved Stem Cells Microneedled Into The Skin
One of the most advanced interventions I use involves cryopreserved stem-cell-derived products combined with microneedling.
Microneedling creates thousands of tiny channels in the skin.
These channels may improve the penetration of growth factors and regenerative compounds.
The goal is to support repair processes, collagen production, and tissue renewal.
This is not an everyday treatment.
It’s something I use strategically.
The recovery and glow I observe afterward are remarkable.
I use the ACORN cryopreserved stem cells. I am an unconditional fan of their technique and protocol. I have done 3 treatments so far and my next one is planned for in 10 days, as soon as I return to San Francisco !
I talk about it in this article
🚀 RAADFest: The Ultimate Longevity Experience (And Yes, I Jumped in the Street!)
Dr. Melissa Petersen (follow her on instagram for tons of info on peptides!), who leads the Women’s Clinic at RAADFest, reached out and invited me to join a longevity panel alongside some of the top minds in the space.
6. Injectable GHK-Cu
GHK-Cu is one of my favorite peptides.
This naturally occurring copper peptide has been studied for its potential role in wound healing, tissue remodeling, collagen production, and skin rejuvenation.
As we age, natural levels decline.
I personally use injectable GHK-Cu as part of my broader longevity and regenerative strategy.
The improvements I have observed involve:
Better skin quality
Improved texture
Enhanced recovery
Healthier overall appearance
It has become one of my staple biohacks. I use the peptides from SOMA PEPTIDES (get yours at a discount here valerieorsoni.com)
7. I Never Do Face Yoga
Another controversial one.
Face yoga is incredibly popular.
But personally, I avoid it completely.
My concern is simple:
Many facial wrinkles are formed by repetitive muscular contractions.
If we spend decades creating expression lines through repeated movement, why would adding thousands of additional facial contractions necessarily improve the situation?
Some people swear by face yoga.
I don’t.
For me, less repetitive facial strain makes more sense.
8. I Never Get Facials
I know.
This sounds almost criminal coming from someone who cares about skin.
But I rarely, if ever, get facials. And only if it is HIGHLY technical as I can do my own scrubs and apply sheet masks.
Many facials involve excessive manipulation, irritation, exfoliation, or products that don’t align with my personal approach.
I prefer technologies and treatments that stimulate regeneration rather than temporary inflammation.
My philosophy is:
Support the skin.
Don’t assault it.
9. I Make My Own GHK-Cu Cream
One of my favorite DIY biohacks.
I take GHK-Cu powder from a vial and mix it directly into a simple, non-greasy cream.
That’s it.
No fancy branding.
No luxury packaging.
No miracle marketing.
Just the active ingredient I want.
This allows me to control the concentration and apply it exactly where I want it.
Simple often wins.
10. Radio Frequency Every Other Day
I use a Tripollar radio-frequency device every other day.
Radio frequency works by delivering controlled heat into deeper skin layers.
The objective is to stimulate fibroblasts and encourage collagen remodeling.
Collagen is the structural framework that keeps skin firm and resilient.
As collagen declines with age, sagging becomes more noticeable.
Radio frequency is one of the non-invasive tools I consistently use to support skin firmness.
The only limitations of this device?: You cannot charge it and need to sit next to an outlet while using it.
11. Galvanic Current Every Other Day
On alternating days, I use my NuFACE device.
Microcurrent technology delivers very low electrical currents that mimic the body’s own bioelectrical signals.
Some users report improvements in muscle tone, facial contour, and overall appearance.
Personally, I love the immediate effect.
It’s one of the few interventions where I often notice a visible difference right after treatment.
For someone who spends a lot of time on camera, that’s valuable.
12. Red Light Therapy Every Day
If I had to keep only one skin biohack, this might be it.
I use red light therapy daily with my Mito Red Light devices (get yours at a discount on ValerieOrsoni.com, this is where I list the best deals I can find for you). They just came out with their newest face mask called MITOGLOW.
Red and near-infrared light have been studied for their ability to support mitochondrial function, cellular energy production, collagen synthesis, and tissue repair.
The beauty of red light therapy is that it doesn’t simply cover up problems.
It works at the cellular level.
Over time, I have noticed:
Better skin quality
Faster recovery
Improved glow
Healthier appearance overall
It has become as essential to me as brushing my teeth.
13. I Take 20 Grams of Hydrolyzed Collagen Every Day
People spend fortunes on anti-aging creams while forgetting that skin needs building materials.
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body and accounts for approximately 70–80% of the dry weight of the skin.
Beginning in our twenties, collagen production declines naturally. For women, this process accelerates significantly around menopause.
Every day, I take 20 grams of hydrolyzed collagen containing 10 different collagen types, with a molecular weight below 2,000 Daltons.
Why?
Because smaller peptides are generally easier for the body to absorb and utilize.
Collagen is not just important for skin. It is found throughout the body, including:
Skin
Tendons
Ligaments
Cartilage
Bones
Blood vessels
Hair follicles
Nails
For skin specifically, collagen contributes to:
Elasticity
Hydration
Firmness
Structural integrity
Recovery
Numerous studies have demonstrated improvements in skin hydration, elasticity, and wrinkle appearance following consistent collagen supplementation.
I often tell people that collagen is not a Botox replacement.
It’s more like supplying bricks to a construction site.
If your body lacks the raw materials needed to maintain connective tissue, rebuilding becomes difficult.
My rule is simple:
20 grams every single day.
No breaks.
No cycling.
No excuses.
Among all the supplements I take, collagen remains one of the few that simultaneously supports skin quality, joint health, connective tissue integrity, recovery, and healthy aging.
Final Thoughts
People often assume glowing skin comes from expensive creams.
In my experience, the opposite is true.
The biggest wins come from:
Protecting the skin barrier
Managing UV exposure intelligently
Supporting collagen production
Improving cellular energy
Minimizing unnecessary inflammation
Using regenerative technologies strategically
Being consistent for years, not days
The reality is that I spend far more time preventing damage than trying to repair it.
After decades of scuba diving, mountaineering, world travel, extreme environments, and outdoor adventures, that philosophy has served me remarkably well.
The secret to glowing skin isn’t finding a miracle cream.
It’s creating an environment where your skin can thrive.
Valérie Orsoni
Biohacker since 1998 | Longevity Expert
Instagram : Valerie Orsoni
My fave brands + super promo codes here ==> ValerieOrsoni.com
My made-in-the-usa, clean, no fillers supplement line ==> ZellNova
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