10–15 minute read

In this article:

• Why Skin Needs More as It Ages
• Topical treatments vs Nutrition – what works better for skin ageing?
• What Drives Ageing?
• The Skin Exposome: How Modern Life Ages Our Skin
• How It Works: The Six Pillars of Skin Longevity
• Collagen & Structural Support
• Tone, Pigmentation & Radiance
• Cellular Energy & Ageing Defence
• Sun & Oxidative Stress Protection
• Inflammation & Inflammageing
• Glutathione & Cellular Defence
• Ingredient Summary
• Who Is Rewind Edition For?
• The Beauty of Ageing Well

At Equi, skin health has always been central to what we do. For over a decade, supporting skin from the inside out (alongside intelligent topical care) has been a core part of our philosophy. Not because we, like so many of you, simply love having healthy, beautiful skin, — though of course we do! But because supporting the skin through diet and lifestyle rarely benefits the skin alone. Time and again, we see that the very nutrients and habits that help skin thrive also support overall health and resilience.

Rewind Edition was formulated with this in mind — a more advanced, targeted approach to skin ageing that reflects the very latest research, built for women whose skin needs more than surface-level glow.

Over the past seven years, the science has naturally evolved. As our understanding of how skin ages has deepened, Rewind Edition takes everything that makes a great skin formula and elevates it further — keeping the glow-boosting foundation, while introducing a more advanced, targeted approach to skin ageing.

Why Skin Needs More As It Ages

As skin matures, it doesn't just need more "glow" — it needs deeper, more intelligent support. Years of SPF neglect, blue light exposure, hormonal fluctuations, pollution, chronic stress, disrupted sleep and burning the candle at both ends, combined with the natural decline in collagen that begins as early as our mid-late 20s, all begin to leave their mark.

Modern research shows that these internal and external pressures do not act in isolation. Instead, they converge at a cellular level, influencing how efficiently skin cells produce energy,¹ repair damage, regulate inflammation and maintain the connective tissue framework that keeps skin firm, elastic and even-toned.

This is why ageing skin often feels different before it looks different — slower to recover, less resilient, more reactive. And it is why surface level solutions alone are rarely enough.

So led by Alice, our co-founder and head of nutrition, our team of nutritionists went back to the lab, and using Glow Edition as our foundation, we explored emerging science and new ingredients that could better support skin's structural integrity, such as collagen pathways, cellular metabolism and long-term resilience. It took time to get the balance right, but this upgraded complex brings together the key ingredients that help skin age well, using the very best science available.

Topical Treatments vs Nutrition – What Works Better?

Ageing well isn't about resisting time — it's about supporting our inner physiological functions. As Dr. David Sinclair, Professor of Genetics at Harvard Medical School puts it — "Ageing is a loss of information — and if we can preserve that information, we can preserve function."

Many of us jump first to aesthetics — and make no mistake, modern aesthetic treatments offer powerful tools that can dramatically improve how skin looks at the surface. Injectables, tweakments, resurfacing treatments and advanced laser technologies can all play a valuable role in addressing lines, volume loss and texture. Used well, they can help skin look fresher, smoother and more rested.

However, even the most advanced surface treatments cannot change how skin cells behave beneath the surface.

Dr Howard Murad, dermatologist & associate professor of medicine at UCLA explains — "Your skin is a reflection of your internal health. Treating it only from the outside ignores half the picture."

Ageing is not something that happens only to the skin — it happens throughout the body; however science shows us that it is fundamentally driven by changes in cellular energy production, oxidative stress, inflammation, collagen turnover, circulation and repair capacity. These internal processes determine how resilient skin is, how well it recovers, and how luminous it appears day-to-day.

Nutrition works at a fundamentally different level to topical treatments. By supplying the nutrients that support cellular metabolism, antioxidant defence and structural integrity, it influences the systems that govern how skin functions over time. We believe this is why there is nothing quite as radiant as truly healthy skin — skin that glows from the inside out, not because it has been treated, but because it is well supported.

In reality the most effective approach to ageing well is not either/or, and the joy is that we can do both to give the best results — inside-out support alongside intelligent topical and aesthetic care work together to maintain skin health at every level.

What Drives Ageing?

Ageing is natural.
Accelerated ageing is not.

Skin ageing is now understood as a multi-factorial biological process, rather than a simple function of time. It is shaped by intrinsic factors such as genetics, hormonal shifts, cellular ageing, mitochondrial decline and reduced collagen production, as well as extrinsic factors including UV exposure, pollution, stress, diet, sleep disruption and smoking.^2–5

Intrinsic factors — Include genetics, hormonal shifts, cellular ageing, mitochondrial decline, reduced collagen production and changes in antioxidant capacity.

Extrinsic factors — Include UV exposure, pollution, chronic stress, inflammation, diet, alcohol, lack of sleep, blue light exposure and smoking.

Together, these factors determine how effectively skin cells generate energy, renew themselves, repair damage and maintain the connective tissue framework responsible for firmness, elasticity and even tone.

A growing body of research also highlights the central role of mitochondria (the energy-producing organelles within each cell) in this process. Once thought of simply as cellular "powerhouses", mitochondria are now understood to be deeply involved in stress signalling, inflammation, immune responses, gene expression and our capacity for cellular repair.¹

Mitochondrial dysfunction is increasingly recognised as a key driver of biological ageing and tissue decline. Many visible signs of ageing such as dullness, uneven pigmentation, fine lines and loss of firmness, can be reflections of declining cellular energy and resilience, rather than surface changes alone.

While topical skincare plays an important role in barrier protection, it cannot influence these deeper biological systems. This is where nutritional support becomes transformative.

The Skin Exposome: Why Modern Life Ages Skin Faster

Dermatology research increasingly refers to the skin exposome — the totality of environmental and lifestyle exposures that impact skin over a lifetime.

This includes UV radiation, pollution, blue light, psychological stress, sleep disruption, nutrition and alcohol intake. These exposures increase oxidative stress, accelerate collagen breakdown and place continuous demand on mitochondrial energy production. Over time, the cumulative effect is visible ageing.

Supporting antioxidant pathways, cellular energy and repair mechanisms from within helps skin better tolerate this load — complementing topical protection rather than replacing it.

How Rewind Edition Works: The Six Pillars of Skin Longevity

Rewind Edition is built around four interconnected pillars that reflect how skin ages.

1. Collagen & Structural Support

Collagen decline begins in our mid-20s and accelerates through perimenopause and menopause. While collagen supplements can play an important role in replenishing raw materials, collagen production and maintenance depend on far more than collagen alone. Vitamin C, sulphur-containing compounds, antioxidant protection and efficient cellular metabolism are all key here and without these co-factors, collagen cannot be effectively produced, stabilised, or protected from breakdown.⁶

This is why Rewind Edition is not a collagen product (we have our Collagen Edition for that!) but instead focuses on supporting the pathways that allow collagen to function properly and in so doing it forms part of a much broader nutritional toolkit for skin health and ageing:

• Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation and helps protect collagen fibres from oxidative stress.⁶
• N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) supports glutathione production, one of the body's most important antioxidant systems, helping protect collagen and skin cells from cumulative oxidative damage.⁷
• OptiMSM® (methylsulfonylmethane) provides bioavailable sulphur, a structural component of collagen, elastin and dermatan sulphate. In a 16-week clinical study of women aged 35–59, MSM supplementation was associated with significant improvements in skin firmness, elasticity and the appearance of fine lines, compared with placebo.⁸ This highlights the importance of sulphur-containing compounds in maintaining skin structure.

Used alongside collagen supplementation, these nutrients can help enhance results, supporting firmness and resilience more effectively than collagen alone.

2. Tone, Pigmentation & Radiance

Hyperpigmentation is one of the most persistent and stubborn skin concerns, and many women find that it makes their skin look and feel uneven — often impacting confidence, particularly as skin ages. It may improve during the winter months when sun exposure is reduced, but in summer, unless SPF, hats and shade are used very diligently, pigmentation can reappear and become difficult to cover.

While sun exposure is a primary trigger, oxidative stress, inflammation, hormonal changes and impaired microcirculation all play a role. This is why hyperpigmentation is particularly common during pregnancy and perimenopause,⁵ where it reflects temporary hormonal shifts in melanin activity rather than anything being "wrong" with the skin. Although it may be more pronounced during pregnancy, pigmentation can linger for years afterwards, leading many people to invest heavily in lasers and prescription treatments — often without realising that internal oxidative stress and circulation also influence how pigmentation develops and how well it responds to treatment. This is where nutrition can play a valuable supportive role.

Rewind Edition includes a targeted phytonutrient complex designed to address pigmentation from within:

• Pine bark extract has been shown in human studies to improve pigmentation irregularities, alongside skin elasticity and smoothness. In a 12-week study, supplementation was associated with reductions in age spots and improvements in skin elasticity and hydration.⁹
• Bilberry extract supports capillary integrity and microcirculation, contributing to improved skin brightness and tone. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 66 women aged 35–65, fermented bilberry extract taken daily for 84 days resulted in significant improvements in skin texture, firmness, elasticity and complexion (including objective measures of uneven tone and antioxidant capacity) compared with placebo.¹⁰
• Resveratrol supports antioxidant defences and helps protect skin cells against UV- and pollution-induced oxidative stress.¹¹

Together, these nutrients help support a more even, luminous complexion from within. They also work synergistically with carotenoids such as lycopene and lutein (more below) to help protect skin against the development of pigmentation in the first place.

3. Cellular Energy & Ageing Defence

Ageing is increasingly understood as a process rooted in cellular energy decline, and this is a new aspect we wanted to give special focus to when formulating Rewind Edition.

Mitochondria were once thought of as our cells' energy producers. However, emerging research — including work by scientists such as Dr Martin Picard, who is doing ground-breaking research into cellular energetics — shows that mitochondria are deeply involved in regulating inflammation, stress responses, immune signalling and cellular adaptation.¹

Mitochondria are dynamic and responsive to lifestyle, nutrition, stress and sleep. Their health influences how cells cope with challenge and how tissues age over time, and skin is particularly sensitive to mitochondrial decline. As a metabolically very active tissue, it relies heavily on efficient energy production to support renewal, repair and defence. When mitochondrial function slows, skin cells become less efficient, more reactive and slower to recover.

CoQ10 has been included in Rewind Edition to support its role within the mitochondrial energy pathway, but also its antioxidant effects within our all-important cell membranes. Levels of this nutrient naturally decline with age and whilst we can obtain it through the diet (red meat, organ meat, fatty fish), human studies have shown that CoQ10 supplementation can improve mitochondrial function, reduce oxidative stress and improve skin smoothness and wrinkle depth.¹²

By supporting cell function at the most minute level, Rewind Edition helps skin cells maintain energy, resilience and adaptability, supporting youthful behaviour at a cellular level.

4. Sun & Oxidative Stress Protection

Up to 80% of visible skin ageing is attributed to cumulative UV exposure. Even with diligent SPF use, oxidative stress accumulates over time due to daily environmental exposure.

Carotenoids such as lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin act as internal antioxidants, helping protect skin cells from UV-induced oxidative stress. Lycopene in particular is one of the most studied dietary carotenoids for skin health. It has been shown in human studies to improve skin texture, elasticity and resistance to UV damage, and research shows that it accumulates in the skin when taken orally, increasing antioxidant protection and helping skin better tolerate UV-induced stress over time.^{13 14}

These nutrients do not replace sunscreen — but they provide systemic protection, supporting the skin's natural defence mechanisms from within and helping reduce the long-term impact of environmental stressors.

5. Inflammation & Inflammageing

Ageing can be accelerated by a state of chronic, low-grade inflammation, often referred to as inflammageing.¹³

Unlike acute inflammation, which is protective and short-lived, chronic inflammation quietly accelerates tissue breakdown over time. In skin, this contributes to collagen degradation, impaired barrier function, uneven pigmentation and delayed repair.

Inflammation can be driven by multiple factors including UV exposure, pollution, psychological stress, poor sleep, metabolic imbalance and nutrient deficiencies. Over time, this inflammatory burden can disrupt cellular signalling and accelerate visible ageing.

Rewind Edition includes several ingredients selected specifically to help modulate inflammatory pathways, rather than simply suppress symptoms.

• Resveratrol has been shown to downregulate pro-inflammatory cytokines and reduce oxidative stress at a cellular level, supporting skin resilience.¹⁵
• Pine bark extract has demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects alongside improvements in skin elasticity and hydration, helping reduce UV- and pollution-related inflammatory damage.¹⁶
• Turmeric (curcuminoids) supports inflammatory balance and has been widely studied for its role in modulating NF-κB signalling, a key pathway involved in skin ageing and tissue breakdown.¹⁷

6. Glutathione & Cellular Defence

Another new exciting ingredient in Rewind Edition is N-acetyl cysteine (NAC). This is the lesser known but equally as important nutrient that supports glutathione — often referred to as the body's master antioxidant.

Glutathione plays a central role in:

• Neutralising reactive oxygen species
• Supporting detoxification
• Protecting mitochondria
• Regulating inflammation
• Preserving collagen integrity

Glutathione levels naturally decline with age, chronic stress, environmental exposure and illness. When glutathione capacity is reduced, oxidative damage accumulates more rapidly — accelerating both intrinsic and extrinsic ageing.

NAC is included in Rewind Edition as a gentle way to support the body's own antioxidant defences. NAC provides cysteine — a key building block the body uses to synthesise glutathione, one of its most important endogenous antioxidants. Rather than supplying glutathione directly, NAC supports the body in producing what it needs, when it needs it, allowing glutathione levels to be regulated naturally in response to oxidative stress and metabolic demand.¹⁸

This makes NAC a supportive, adaptive ingredient — helping maintain cellular defence and skin resilience over time without overriding the body's own control systems.

Human clinical research has shown that NAC supplementation increases intracellular glutathione levels and improves markers of oxidative stress and inflammation.^{18 19} In skin-related research, supporting glutathione pathways has been associated with improved skin clarity, brightness and resilience, particularly in the context of environmental stress exposure.²⁰

This makes NAC a cornerstone ingredient for long-term skin defence, not just short-term radiance.

Who Is Rewind Edition For?

Rewind Edition is designed for anyone whose skin wants more than surface-level glow.

• Late 20s–30s: Supports early collagen pathways, antioxidant defence and cellular energy.
• 40s–50s: Addresses hormonal shifts, pigmentation changes, structural decline and energy metabolism.
• Post-menopause: Supports cellular resilience, repair capacity and long-term skin vitality.

Rewind Edition can be used either preventatively or as targeted support as skin's needs evolve. It can be taken alongside other Equi beauty products such as Beauty Oil Edition or Beauty Sleep Edition or combined with Menopause Formula or Energy Formula for more targeted skin support.

While Rewind Edition can also be taken alongside Beauty Formula, there is some ingredient overlap. For this reason, we recommend combining the two for shorter periods — for example, a one-month glow boost ahead of an event such as a wedding — rather than long-term use together.

Ingredient Summary

The Beauty of Ageing Well

Ageing is a privilege.
Ageing well is a science.

Rewind Edition supports the physiological processes that keep skin healthy, resilient and radiant as the years go by — from collagen integrity and mitochondrial vitality to pigmentation balance and oxidative defence. Because when skin is supported at a cellular level, it doesn't just look younger — it winds back to help skin behave younger, and that's when you see and feel the real results.

The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Rewind Edition and other Equi products are food supplements and should not be used as a substitute for a varied, balanced diet or healthy lifestyle. If you have a diagnosed medical condition, are taking prescription medication, or are under medical supervision, please consult your GP or healthcare professional before starting any new supplement. Individual responses to supplements can vary, and any persistent skin concerns or health symptoms should always be assessed by a qualified healthcare professional. Rewind Edition is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

References

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