How far the research has got

Exercise

Recommended in health guidelines worldwide. Large long-term studies link it to longer, healthier lives.

Free, for almost everyone · 316 human trials · 1,251 observational · 257 lab and animal

Daily sunscreen

A randomized trial found daily use slowed visible skin aging.

Over the counter · 82 human trials · 77 observational · 69 lab and animal

Tretinoin

Approved for sun-damaged skin after decades of trials.

Prescription · 107 human trials · 42 observational · 53 lab and animal

GLP-1 drugs

Approved for diabetes and weight. Large trials are now looking at heart, kidney and brain aging.

Prescription · 30 human trials · 61 observational · 140 lab and animal

Metformin

Studied for aging mostly through observational data. A large aging trial has been proposed.

Prescription, approved for diabetes · 32 human trials · 71 observational · 277 lab and animal

Minoxidil

Over the counter (scalp liquid or foam) · 206 human trials · 157 observational · 126 lab and animal

Finasteride

Prescription · 76 human trials · 87 observational · 62 lab and animal

Botox and other wrinkle-relaxing injections

Prescription injection, given in clinics · 279 human trials · 241 observational · 9 lab and animal

Hyaluronic acid fillers

Injected in clinics · 196 human trials · 233 observational · 15 lab and animal

Collagen-stimulating injections (Sculptra)

Injected in clinics · 82 human trials · 142 observational · 35 lab and animal

Red light therapy

Small trials for skin, of mixed quality.

Clinics and home devices · 103 human trials · 112 observational · 38 lab and animal

Omega-3 fatty acids

Food, supplements and a prescription form · 142 human trials · 192 observational · 658 lab and animal

Vitamin D

Over-the-counter supplement · 194 human trials · 759 observational · 603 lab and animal

Berberine

Over-the-counter supplement · 36 human trials · 6 observational · 247 lab and animal

Plasma exchange and young plasma

Clinics and clinical trials · 6 human trials · 10 observational · 222 lab and animal

Calorie restriction and fasting

Free; a change in eating · 129 human trials · 73 observational · 2,880 lab and animal

Testosterone therapy

Prescription · 151 human trials · 154 observational · 91 lab and animal

Menopause hormone therapy

Prescription · 1,437 human trials · 2,887 observational · 318 lab and animal

Rapamycin

Extends lifespan in mice. Human studies so far are small.

Prescription, used off-label for aging · 25 human trials · 36 observational · 1,019 lab and animal

NAD+ boosters

Small human trials show NAD+ rises in the blood. Effects on aging are not yet known.

Over-the-counter supplements · 18 human trials · 5 observational · 180 lab and animal

Senolytics

Clear results in animals. Early human trials are small.

Mostly inside clinical trials · 20 human trials · 19 observational · 371 lab and animal

Fisetin

Clears aged cells in mice. Human trials have only started.

Over-the-counter supplement · 1 human trials · 2 observational · 44 lab and animal

BPC-157 peptide

Studied almost only in animals.

Not approved for use in people · 0 human trials · 1 observational · 202 lab and animal

NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide)

Over-the-counter supplement · 9 human trials · 0 observational · 134 lab and animal

NR (nicotinamide riboside)

Over-the-counter supplement · 9 human trials · 3 observational · 46 lab and animal

NAD+ IV and injections

Clinics and IV wellness centers · 2 human trials · 1 observational · 67 lab and animal

Urolithin A

Over-the-counter supplement · 32 human trials · 3 observational · 177 lab and animal

Spermidine

Over-the-counter supplement · 8 human trials · 13 observational · 205 lab and animal

Resveratrol

Over-the-counter supplement · 27 human trials · 16 observational · 505 lab and animal

Pterostilbene

Over-the-counter supplement · 7 human trials · 4 observational · 318 lab and animal

Alpha-ketoglutarate (Ca-AKG)

Over-the-counter supplement · 1 human trials · 1 observational · 114 lab and animal

Taurine

Over-the-counter supplement · 8 human trials · 13 observational · 323 lab and animal

Creatine

Over-the-counter supplement · 62 human trials · 10 observational · 46 lab and animal

CoQ10 (coenzyme Q10)

Over-the-counter supplement · 23 human trials · 12 observational · 237 lab and animal

GlyNAC (glycine and NAC)

Over-the-counter supplements · 1 human trials · 0 observational · 5 lab and animal

Collagen peptides

Over-the-counter supplement · 51 human trials · 9 observational · 159 lab and animal

Quercetin

Over-the-counter supplement · 20 human trials · 10 observational · 316 lab and animal

Astaxanthin

Over-the-counter supplement · 14 human trials · 6 observational · 92 lab and animal

Retinol

Over the counter (creams and serums) · 30 human trials · 11 observational · 10 lab and animal

Vitamin C serum

Over the counter (serums) · 32 human trials · 17 observational · 16 lab and animal

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy

Hospitals and private clinics · 6 human trials · 6 observational · 48 lab and animal

Cell reprogramming (Yamanaka factors)

Not available as a treatment; studied in labs · 0 human trials · 2 observational · 102 lab and animal

Thymus regeneration

Clinical trials only · 3 human trials · 18 observational · 374 lab and animal

Gene therapy for aging

Not approved for aging · 11 human trials · 16 observational · 352 lab and animal

Stem cell therapy

Clinics, often abroad; clinical trials · 18 human trials · 28 observational · 233 lab and animal

Full-body MRI scans

Private clinics, self-paid · 30 human trials · 151 observational · 5 lab and animal

Laser resurfacing (CO2 and fractional lasers)

Dermatologists and med spas · 249 human trials · 327 observational · 62 lab and animal

IPL photofacial (intense pulsed light)

Dermatologists and med spas · 93 human trials · 97 observational · 13 lab and animal

Microneedling (including RF microneedling)

Dermatologists, med spas and home rollers · 46 human trials · 55 observational · 8 lab and animal

Radiofrequency skin tightening (e.g. Thermage)

Dermatologists and med spas · 63 human trials · 88 observational · 19 lab and animal

Ultrasound skin lifting (Ultherapy)

Dermatologists and med spas · 39 human trials · 53 observational · 9 lab and animal

Chemical peels

Dermatologists, med spas and mild home peels · 47 human trials · 46 observational · 9 lab and animal

PRP for skin and hair (platelet-rich plasma)

Dermatologists, med spas and hair clinics · 92 human trials · 82 observational · 31 lab and animal