Skincare can only go so far and even though ours can run a marathon, if you want to level-up to ultra-marathon status, then I recommend adding the following weapons to your arsenal. First, a quick disclaimer: We are not sponsored or have any affiliation with these products. When we recommend a product or a service it is because we have seen and believe in the impacts. We are not in the business of wasting your time or your money.

Now let’s get into it...

1. Hypochlorous Acid (HOCl) for Calmer, Clearer Skin

This is one of those rare skincare ingredients that is both incredibly simple and surprisingly intelligent. It is a molecule your own immune system already makes as part of its natural defense response. When your skin is dealing with irritation, bacteria, inflammation, or a compromised barrier, hypochlorous acid helps create a cleaner, calmer environment without behaving like a harsh antiseptic. That is what makes it so compelling for sensitive, reactive, acne-prone, post-workout, or redness-prone skin. It is antimicrobial, but not aggressive. It helps reduce unwanted bacterial load on the skin while still being far gentler than ingredients like alcohol, peroxide, or traditional disinfectants.

As a chicken breeder and a sufferer of rosacea, this one, inexpensive product has quite literally changed the game for me. It resolved pink eye (you can spray it directly in your eyes!), reduced my bacterial acne by 90%, and reduced rosacea flares substantially. I use it every day after my barrier cleanser. I typically like to let it sit on my skin for at least a minute to let the anti-bacterial action work, so this is a great time to brush my teeth. I will let it either dry completely on my face or wipe it off and then continue my toner and the rest of my ritual. The only edit is when I am exfoliating, I will spray after exfoliation, and then continue with toner, serums, and creams.

Add this one dirt-cheap product and watch your skin issues start to reduce by dramatic numbers. I use Magic Molecule, which was recommended to me years ago by my dermatologist, and I’ll never be without it.

2. Clean Skin Club Clean Towels XL for reducing bacteria exposure

These dumb, stupid, expensive face wipes. I literally hate them and love them at the same time. Not only can I personally hear Mother Nature crying every time I use one, but because I wash my face so frequently, they are literally piled up and overflowing on any given day in my bathroom trash can. But alas… They are amazing. You will sense a theme here in terms of what I prioritize for my face. Reducing harmful bacteria is job number one for someone like me that has their face in chicken coops all day long. Bacteria causes so many issues for our skin, which is why even just touching our face throughout the day can irritate it.

Not all bacteria is bad, though. Probiotics and postbiotics like Bifida are beneficial bacteria which is why you will find Bifida in our hydrating peptide toner and both our serums. First, we need to control the bad, and then we need to flood the good. This helps create an ecosystem of biome protection that keeps your skin looking healthy and clear. And these dumb, expensive wipes are a huge part of doing that. Why? Because if you’re using your bathroom towel, you might as well just stick your face in the toilet because both are just as laced with bacteria.

Often times products that purport to help with x, probably really do help with x, but many users are using dirty, bacteria-infested towels to undo whatever that product just tried to do in the first place.  That said, these towels are a luxury in my opinion, especially if you wash your face regularly. You can’t use them twice (because otherwise, what’s the point? Just use your towel lol), and the costs add up fast. But, here they sit.. on my bathroom counter, probably for eternity, until I can come up with a cheaper option for you people.

But, seriously.. stop using your towel if you can, or at a minimum, change it frequently.

3. Sunscreen for preventing collagen breakdown and pigmentation

What kind?  LITERALLY ANY.  FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, STOP LISTENING TO PEOPLE SAYING SUNSCREEN ACTUALLY CAUSES MORE SUN DAMAGE. THESE PEOPLE NEED TO GO TOUCH SOME GRASS.  OK, now that that’s out of the way, let’s get serious. If your reason for not using sunscreen is because you a) have a sensitivity, b) have endocrine issues like EDS or similar and can’t find one that doesn’t affect you, c) you are allergic to the sun (PMLE) and the sunscreen you’ve tried in the past doesn’t work, or d) you are allergic to zinc and every single ingredient in any sunscreen you find, then you are momentarily excused from number 4. Momentarily… Because I am certain, if given the time, I could probably find something that works for the majority of people, even if it is straight zinc-based.

Zinc is an essential mineral, and internally it plays a role in helping regulate copper balance in the body. But in sunscreen, zinc oxide is doing a different job: it sits on the skin as a mineral UV filter, helping protect against UV damage without relying on chemical sunscreen filters.

Zinc oxide in sunscreen is one of the most well-tolerated UV filters we have, which is why it is so often recommended for sensitive skin, rosacea-prone skin, melasma-prone skin, post-procedure skin, pregnancy, kids, and people who react to everything except maybe purified air and emotional support.

It is a physical mineral filter, meaning it primarily works by sitting on the surface of the skin and helping protect it from UV radiation. It is not there to “detox” you, disrupt you, poison you, or personally ruin your mitochondria. Its job is boring. And I love boring when the alternative is collagen destruction and hyperpigmentation. :)

That said, sunscreen is not one-size-fits-all. Some people do genuinely react to certain formulas. It usually means that formula is not right for their skin. The culprit may be fragrance, preservatives, botanical extracts, chemical UV filters, texture agents, or even the base of the product.

So, if you have tried sunscreen and hated it, the answer is not “sunscreen is bad.” The answer is “that sunscreen was bad for you.” Very different. There are mineral sunscreens, chemical sunscreens, hybrid sunscreens (my personal fave), tinted sunscreens, fragrance-free sunscreens, water-resistant sunscreens, gel sunscreens, milk sunscreens, and formulas designed specifically for sensitive or post-procedure skin. Your skin may be annoying, but it is probably not impossible.

And if you have PMLE, melasma, rosacea, very fair skin, a history of pigmentation, or you are using actives that increase photosensitivity like retinoids, sunscreen is not optional skincare. It is ESSENTIAL. You must wear it because UV exposure is one of the most consistent, well-documented accelerators of inflammation, pigmentation, collagen breakdown, and visible skin aging. The goal is not to avoid the sun like a Victorian ghost. The goal is to enjoy your life without letting UV radiation write checks your skin barrier cannot cash. My personal favorite is EltaMD Ultra Clear 46. I absolutely love it not only for its high spf rating, but also for the following hero reasons:

• It disappears after a few minutes and doesn’t leave me looking like I am getting ready to apply the rest of my clown costume

• It reduces my rosacea redness considerably (hence the CLEAR part of the promise)

• It doesn’t sting my eyes when I sweat/workout

• It melts and softens my skin perfectly without leaving it sticky

  
  

Sold. And if you want to know why we haven’t rolled out our own yet, the answer is.. it’s coming. But SPF is actually federally regulated differently than skincare. It’s basically listed as a prescription-level topical. So, it requires a different operational approach than what we are using for our skincare. Stay tuned…

4. Red Light Therapy for stimulating collagen production, reducing redness, and supporting recovery

   
   

   Red light therapy is one of the more interesting places where modern skincare meets something ancient: the sun. The sun is, technically, the most powerful red and near-infrared light source we have access to. Those wavelengths are part of natural sunlight, and they play a role in cellular signaling, energy production, and tissue repair. The problem, of course, is that sunlight also comes packaged with UV exposure, heat, pigmentation risk, collagen degradation, and inflammation. So, while I love the concept of light as a biological signal, I do not love the idea of chasing red light benefits through unprotected sun exposure.

   
   

   That is where LED masks become useful. A good red-light mask gives you targeted red and near-infrared wavelengths without the UV baggage. In skincare, red light is primarily used to support collagen production, improve the appearance of fine lines, calm visible redness, support healing, and improve overall skin tone and texture. Near-infrared light penetrates a little deeper than visible red light, which makes it especially interesting for inflammation, recovery, and deeper skin renewal.

   
   

   For at-home masks, the two I like are Shark CryoGlow and Solawave Wrinkle Retreat Pro. Shark is the more “tech-forward” option, imho. It uses red, blue, and infrared light, with 480 light sources across 160 tri-wick LEDs (that just means they can emit different wavelengths/colors of light), plus under-eye cooling, which is a smart add-on if puffiness or inflammation is part of your skin story.

   
   

   Solawave is the sleeker, more streamlined option. Its Wrinkle Retreat Pro uses red light at 630 nm¹ and near-infrared at 830 nm, which are near the upper bounds of what you want in a red-light device, and the brand also describes broader coverage with red, deep red, amber, and near-infrared wavelengths depending on the model.

   
   

   My quick take: Shark is better (and the one I personally use) if you want a more robust device with multiple modes, cooling, and acne-supportive blue light. I also really like how it sits on my face with little risers instead of making direct contact on my whole face like most RLT masks do.

   
   

   Solawave is better if you want something lighter, simpler, and very easy to commit to consistently. They claim you get 10 minutes' worth in only 3, and frankly, that’s a big hook for busy people to stay committed. And consistency is the whole game with red light. This is not a one-and-done treatment. It is cumulative, quiet, and supportive. Think of it less like an exfoliating acid and more like a recovery tool for the skin: helping the skin look calmer, firmer, brighter, and a little more resilient over time.

   
   

   Pro Tip: Spray your face with HOCI before and after therapy, and spray the inside of your mask, too, before and after use. The primary reason most people abandon RLT masks is, you guessed it, they can make you break out. Most people attribute that incorrectly to the RLT itself, but it’s the bacteria on the mask and on your face that is activating the irritation. Used correctly, RLT is actually proven to help with acne as well as all of the other issues outlined above, so just keep it bacteria-free and you should see great results with consistent use.

5. HALO and Exosomes for supporting advanced skin renewal

   
   

   I am lumping both of these into the last recommended tool because they vary widely in their approach, efficacy, and use. But when you find ones that work, get ready to supercharge any skincare regimen you are using. I consider both of these approaches as luxuries and very, very nice-to-haves. We can get you pretty darn close to the margins with products like our GHK-Cu Night Cream and other targeted signal peptides, but adding in laser resurfacing and direct regeneration will close the gap and give you additional mileage (not to mention it will significantly lengthen your skincare’s effectiveness).

   
   

   For lasers, my personal favorite is HALO. HALO² is a hybrid fractional laser, meaning it uses both ablative and non-ablative wavelengths in the same treatment. In plain English: one part helps resurface the top layer of the skin, while the other works deeper to support collagen remodeling and improve the appearance of sun damage, texture, pores, fine lines, and uneven tone. It is not a casual “lunchtime facial,” and you should absolutely do it with a highly qualified provider, but the results can be incredible when it is done well. The pain is similar to giving birth without an epidural. I am just keeping it real. Your face and body will LAUGH OUT LOUD at the topical numbing agent they use. Be prepared and maybe find a provider that offers other numbing/black-out options lol.

   
   

   Then there are exosomes, which are essentially tiny cellular messengers. In skincare, they are used to help signal repair, calm inflammation, and support regeneration after procedures or during periods of skin stress. I like CALECIM because it is not just throwing the word “exosome” on a bottle and hoping everyone gets distracted. Their Professional Serum uses a proprietary ingredient called PTT-6® the brand describes as containing growth factors, proteins, and exosomes, and it is positioned specifically for skin repair, fine lines, hyperpigmentation, and post-treatment recovery.

   It comes from the stem cells of cord blood from the New Zealand red deer, yes you read that correctly. It is supposedly ethical and cruelty-free and all the other boxes you would want to check but take this information as you will.

   
   

   I used their serum after my HALO treatment, and in 24 hours, I was completely pain-free. Once again, sold lol. (Rookie turned Pro-Tip: Do NOT.. I repeat.. DO NOT put straight white vinegar on your face after HALO. I sh*t you not, I thought I literally gave myself third-degree burns. Thank GOD for the Calecim because it undid my idiot mistake and then got to work on what it’s good at… recovery).

   
   

   Whether it really had an impact on full regeneration the way it claims, I can’t really tell you. Personally, I attribute the dramatic results I had with HALO to the laser itself and using my skincare. When I say I looked 20 years younger, this is not an exaggeration. I plan to get them every 12 to 18 months until I die, and even then, I might arrange for an esthetician in the morgue.

   
   

   So, now you have 5 additional biohacking strategies to support your skincare goals that will help you reach the pinnacle of what is possible (for now). Pairing even one of these strategies with Alchemy 21/12 products is going to exponentially increase your outcomes and value for your investment.

   
   

   Skincare is not a one-and-done action. Until we can turn down the sun, reduce gravity, take all pesticides and pollution out of the planet, and make celery taste like filet mignon, we will have to rely on some heavy-hitting interventions. But seriously, avoid the vinegar and wear your sunscreen.

   
   

   ¹ nm stands for nanometer and it’s how infrared light is measured. In the case of RLT, you want a range in your device of 630-660 for Red Light and 810-850 for Far Infrared. They both penetrate differently, with Far Infrared going the deepest. You want both, and any good device you use should hit those ranges.

   ² I have not yet tried Co2 facials because I simply don’t need that much resurfacing. I have done full fractionals and HALO, and have been incredibly happy with them. Just like botox, the earlier you start, the better the results.