3 Minutes a Day Could Keep Your Skin Healthier as You Age
Your skin-longevity routine probably doesn't need another serum. It may just need to be simpler.
Elena Jones, MD , a board-certified dermatologist with more than 20 years of experience, says the best long-term skin-care strategy is surprisingly brief: cleanse, gently exfoliate, moisturize, and apply sunscreen . The point isn't to chase every new ingredient clogging your social feed. It's to build a routine simple enough to follow daily.
"Skincare isn't about doing 12 steps," Jones tells Men's Journal . "It's about doing three steps every single day."
Photo by Getty Images
Related: Drink Diet Soda Every Day? A Major Study Found a Surprising Brain-Health Link
The New Conversation Around 'Inflammaging'
Dermatologists are paying closer attention to "inflammaging," the low-level chronic inflammation associated with getting older. For skin, years of ultraviolet exposure and other environmental stressors may contribute to visible changes such as wrinkles, discoloration, and lost elasticity.
A scientific review published in 2022 found that UV radiation can trigger inflammatory processes involved in photoaging. Jones says diet, pollution, stress, hydration, and sleep may also influence how efficiently skin recovers.
"When I look at a patient's skin, I'm not just seeing wrinkles or sun spots," she says. "I'm seeing years of lifestyle choices."
That doesn't mean a green juice will erase crow's-feet. It means your face is keeping a longer score than you might realize.
Related: The 3 Worst Habits for Your Liver and the Simple Routine That Can Help Reverse Damage
The 3-Minute Routine Worth Trying
Jones, a longtime dermatologist to Grammy-winning music producer Pharrell Williams, recommends a simple three-step routine: cleanse, exfoliate, and moisturize. Humanrace's Three-Minute Facial Routine Kit combines all three to remove buildup, hydrate the skin, and support its protective barrier.
Exfoliation removes dead surface cells, while moisturizer helps support the skin barrier—but restraint matters. The American Academy of Dermatology warns that overusing exfoliants can damage that barrier and leave skin irritated. Follow the product directions, and scale back if your face starts feeling tight, raw, or unusually sensitive.
The same basic formula works below the neck: exfoliate carefully, then apply moisturizer while the skin is still slightly damp.
The Step That Does the Heavy Lifting
None of this matters much if you ignore sunscreen. Jones recommends broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher every day, including on easy-to-forget areas such as your neck and hands.
The American Academy of Dermatology also recommends reapplying roughly every two hours outdoors—and after swimming or sweating. Sunscreen should be paired with shade and protective clothing; for extra coverage, the wide-brimmed Hemlock Monterrey Straw Rancher Hat offers a more polished alternative to the standard beach hat.
Treat skin care like training: Keep it simple, stay consistent, and let the results compound.
Next: Harvard Researchers Say There's a Strength Training 'Sweet Spot' for Longevity
This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Aug 5, 2026, where it first appeared in the Health section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
