Global Study Reveals What Really Drives Aesthetic Patients
A study published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal found that confidence, self-expression and self-care – not simply the…


Leading dermatologists, Prof. Caitriona Ryan and Prof. Nikki Ralph officially launched ID Formulas, a next-generation supplement developed to bridge the gap between aesthetic medicine, dermatology and longevity science. Designed to support the biological mechanisms of ageing rather than simply addressing its visible manifestations, the supplement represents a significant shift in the rapidly evolving field of evidence-based skin health.
Developed from years of clinical experience and guided by emerging longevity research, ID Formulas combines 32 carefully selected active ingredients in a comprehensive formulation targeting multiple hallmarks of ageing.
Rather than positioning itself as another beauty supplement, the founders describe it as a systems-based approach designed to optimise cellular health, with improvements in skin and hair forming part of a broader strategy to support health span and physiological resilience.
According to Prof. Caitriona Ryan, the concept behind ID Formulas arose directly from conversations with patients.
“Many patients were asking us about supplements for skin, hair and visible ageing,” she explains. “However, when we look at the biology of ageing more closely, it becomes clear that these visible changes are downstream effects of deeper cellular processes.”
Instead of focusing solely on cosmetic outcomes, the formulation was designed around the biological drivers of ageing, including mitochondrial dysfunction, impaired DNA repair, oxidative stress, inflammatory signalling and structural protein decline.
“These mechanisms influence not only skin quality, but also energy, cognition, recovery and overall physiological resilience,” says Prof. Ryan. “We wanted to create a formulation that supports the biology of ageing itself, with healthier skin and hair being one component of wider systemic benefit.”
While the supplement market is crowded with products promising youthful skin, Prof. Ryan believes ID Formulas differentiates itself through both formulation philosophy and scientific validation.
Unlike many conventional beauty supplements that focus on isolated ingredients or cosmetic endpoints, ID Formulas has been developed as a synergistic formulation targeting multiple interconnected biological pathways involved in ageing.
The supplement contains 32 active ingredients selected for their complementary effects on mitochondrial energy production, DNA repair, antioxidant defence, inflammatory balance and structural tissue integrity.
Equally important is the evidence-generation strategy behind the product.
“We’re conducting a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial alongside a structured real-world observational programme called The Circle,” Prof. Ryan explains.
The Circle integrates longitudinal patient outcomes with biometric data collected through a partnership with WHOOP, allowing researchers to assess sleep quality, recovery and physiological strain alongside subjective improvements. The company is also undertaking a dedicated photobiology study evaluating the effects of oral photoprotective ingredients on ultraviolet response.
“This combination of mechanistic design, clinical testing, biometric tracking and real-world evidence is unusual within this category,” she says.
Rather than relying on a single hero ingredient, ID Formulas combines a broad spectrum of compounds selected to work together.
Among the key ingredients highlighted by Prof. Ryan are nicotinamide, included at clinically relevant levels to support DNA repair and NAD-dependent cellular pathways; creatine, recognised for its role in ATP regeneration and emerging cognitive benefits; and coenzyme Q10, essential for mitochondrial energy production.
The formulation also incorporates antioxidants including astaxanthin, resveratrol and quercetin, alongside marine collagen, hyaluronic acid, silica and MSM to support collagen synthesis, connective tissue and keratin structures.
Omega-3 fatty acids contribute additional benefits through inflammatory regulation and cell membrane support, extending potential advantages beyond skin into cardiovascular and neurological health.
“These ingredients form part of our longevity synergic matrix,” Prof. Ryan explains. “The intention is to target both biological ageing pathways and structural tissue support in parallel.”
From a dermatological perspective, ID Formulas has been designed to address the processes underlying visible skin ageing rather than focusing solely on superficial appearance.
The formulation supports barrier function, hydration, collagen integrity and dermal architecture while helping to mitigate oxidative stress and environmental damage associated with photoageing. Hair density and follicular health also form important components of the formulation’s intended benefits.
However, Prof. Ryan emphasises that these visible improvements should be viewed within a wider biological context.
“By supporting cellular energy production, inflammatory balance and repair mechanisms, we’re addressing the underlying processes that drive skin ageing. Improvements in skin and hair represent one aspect of a broader effect on physiological ageing.”
Scientific validation has been central to the product’s development.
The ongoing randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluates multiple domains associated with ageing, including biological age through GlycanAge testing, cognitive performance, skin quality, hair health, sleep and vitality.
Skin assessments utilise validated instrumental technologies, including cutometry to measure elasticity and firmness, corneometry for hydration, transepidermal water loss measurements to assess barrier function, Bazin wrinkle grading scales and high-resolution imaging for objective hair analysis.
Alongside the clinical trial, the dedicated photobiology study investigates oral photoprotection, while The Circle provides real-world observational data integrating patient-reported outcomes with wearable biometric monitoring.
Together, these complementary research programmes provide a robust evidence framework rarely seen within the nutritional supplement sector.
Prof. Ryan believes ID Formulas is designed to work alongside, not replace, clinic-based procedures.
“Procedural dermatology and aesthetic treatments address structural and visible changes at a tissue level,” she explains. “However, their outcomes are influenced by the underlying biological environment, including inflammation, cellular energy and repair capacity.”
Supporting these internal biological processes may optimise treatment response, enhance recovery and contribute to longer-lasting clinical outcomes.
“It isn’t a replacement for procedures,” she adds. “It’s an adjunct that aligns internal biology with external treatment.”
The founders see growing patient interest in longevity science as the ideal backdrop for the launch.
“There has been a clear shift in how ageing is understood,” says Prof. Ryan. “Patients are moving away from purely cosmetic solutions towards approaches that address the biology underlying ageing.”
She also points to advances in biomarker testing, wearable technology and digital health monitoring that now allow interventions to be evaluated using measurable physiological outcomes.
“This is the right time to introduce a formulation that reflects both scientific progress and changing patient expectations.”
Ultimately, ID Formulas was created to address what Prof. Ryan describes as a significant unmet need.
Patients were increasingly seeking clinically credible advice on supplementation, yet many existing products remained fragmented, under-dosed or unsupported by robust scientific evidence.
By integrating contemporary longevity science with evidence-based dermatology, ID Formulas aims to move supplementation beyond single-benefit formulations towards a comprehensive strategy supporting healthy ageing from within.
As aesthetic medicine continues to embrace regenerative and longevity-focused approaches, the launch of ID Formulas marks another step towards integrating systemic health with skin health. This reflects a future in which optimising biology may become as important as treating appearance.
Gain full access to peer-reviewed protocols, our extensive digital archive, and the Tri-annual print edition delivered to your clinic.
£
250
Per Year
Subscribe
Auto-renews annually. Cancel anytime.
Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest insights from the aesthetics industry.
Subscribe Now