People Aren't Ageing Like They Used To…Here's Why! 💜 James Welsh

[@JamesWelsh]

whilst editing this video i realised how ridiculous this topic is like...who cares?! lol but its also kind of interesting! Of course saying millennials are ageing slower and that the generations above 'look their age' is a huge generalisation and just because someone looks older or younger, honestly we look our best when we look and feel healthy and happy at whatever age! And confidence in your own individuality is also gonna effect how people see you so just do whatever you want you know?! don't let people tell you how to age 'gracefully' or let people tell you how you should look at feel at your age!

[@marcellelewis1013]

It is great. I shared it to my Facebook profile. 💜💜💜💜

[@jojomarch]

It’s not ridiculous! It was good fun

[@Amila-ym7ny]

I like it! It even made me google the golden girls age thing because I was so curious lmfao

[@aprilrich807]

You’re the best, James. I actually was thinking that as well, but figured “whatever, I luv him!!”

[@deandrajohnson1973]

Very interesting topic and I tend to agree with this.

[@deeogorman1969]

I'm 32 and feel 87...this world is exhausting.

[@user-yf7oy8iu5d]

YES YES YES!! EXACTLY!!

[@m0L3ify]

I felt that way at that age, but life does get better. Hang in there.

[@IrisQueen1]

I feel you! I am 36 and feel 100 🙈

[@TJ_Michelle]

Same girl same

[@littlered5009]

Agree

[@thomasmartin8362]

I was born in 1977. I read a book when I was in high school that said that the sun is the cause of 90% of skin aging. Because of that, I’ve worn sunscreen most days of my life since I was around 16. 30 years on, I look much younger than most guys my same age. Honestly, this is something I’m thankful to myself for.

[@barbaralachance5836]

It definitely makes a huge different!

[@abundanz]

Exactly. Tell ”James Welsh (lol)” that. He thinks sunblock was discovered by millennials

[@knp447]

You also decreased your chances for skin cancer. ❤

[@annmarieknapp]

Fellow Gen Xer here and I am extremely fair in complexion. I feel like the sun sears me so I kept out of the sun as much as possible. I have worn sunblock starting at age 24 everyday of my life, rain, shine, snow, etc. I'm now 54 and people think I'm in my mid-30's. I use tretinoin and do work hard to protect my skin. I have friends ten and fifteen years younger and we look closer in age. Maybe millennials got this message more clearly than Gen X, but I see many Xers being careful with their skin. Drink water, no alcohol, no smoking, no drugs, and healthy food.

[@alexanderarreaga5421]

Same! Been using spf everyday since I was 18. I'm 41 n you can see the difference between my skin n my wrinkly friends with age spots.

[@organizedchaos7504]

When I was younger I remember my mom was shamed by her friends to cut her hair, they said her long hair was too young and she needed to grow up and cut it. I was so mad when she told me, this made me think about it, I think there might have been societal pressure to cut your hair and dress a certain way once you reached a certain age. I remember her friends would only shop at certain stores, they all had that eldery short hair cut, and they started wearing those dresses with the short sleeve jacket pre attached to it to weddings, there were unspoken rules they all abided by, we threw the rule book out.

[@candacebarlow9296]

Once you get the old lady haircut there's no going back 😅😂 I have a friend I went to school with and she looks at least 10 years older because she got a haircut that looks "old" and chunky outdated highlights

[@aleisterlilywhite1109]

That’s what I was going to comment. Our societal expectations are not as rigid as they used to be.

[@corvidsRcool]

I remember my mother complaining about a new teacher at my high school in the 80s looking like one of the students because she had long hair that she wore loose instead of up in a tight bun or whatever. It was hilarious to me at the time because the lady in question had very long straight hair which was not in fashion at all. Most of us had short hair or perms or both.

[@cleosdoc]

@@corvidsRcool haha oh them good ol’ 80’s perms and body waves lmao I remember that well especially when they’d just do the ends, so u would have straight hair except for the ends that were all curly/wavy lol.

[@sebumpostmortem]

Facts. The ajumma effect was a reality. Jeenie Weenie' s shorts are the living proof😅 She goes from 20 to 50 in 1 frame just modifying hair and clothes. 🧛🏻‍♀️🖤

[@nicolewhaley3864]

As a Gen X, I can say my parents and grandparents were very much into Stages, and by that I mean things like “Your too old for that, that’s for kids, that’s for adults only….”. But if you look at the younger generations, it’s very much into embracing what you love, no matter what age group it was designed for. Embracing your inner child instead of ruthlessly shunning those youthful desires….

[@vegemitegirl1971]

As a lady who is considerably older than you, I can tell you that attitudes toward ageing has changed too. Example - in the 70s and 80s a woman was not allowed to have hair below her shoulder once she hit 40. I only cut my hair (which was butt length) because I had constant migraines, caused by the weight of my hair. A particular haircut can age you badly.

[@BoundariesMaintained]

I’ve always called it Old Lady Easter Egg Hair. I watch old movies and wonder why so many pretty young women wore their hair like elderly matrons. Added about 10-15 years to their appearances.

[@salonas3126]

@@BoundariesMaintained I've always called it Q-tip hair.

[@butterbeanqueen8148]

I’ve always called it “I give up” hair.

[@TarynsTime]

I was born in the 70s and have always said the same thing. Besides the old mandatory short hair were what I've always called old lady clothes. The combination of short hair and drab clothing gave a look that made the prettiest still younger looking women look older immediately. (I have family members in 70s and 80s that still insist my hair is too long and I wear "children's clothes" 🤦‍♀️)

[@JillCee]

I knew a lot of older ladies with long hair when I was little. A cousin in 87 and hasn’t cut her hair since her teens. My mom always had short hair lol!

[@caitlinallen8400]

As a caregiver to the elderly, I see alot of places on their bodies that no one else does. Many elderly women, who never were out in the sun topless, (unlike men,) have much younger looking skin on their torso, etc. Even if their lower arms, faces, and necks look old, from getting sun for decades. Sometimes it can be a striking difference. Really shows the importance of protecting one's skin from the sun

[@gabrielalopez2760]

Yeah! I took care of my grandma and her back had any wrinkles

[@thawk2311]

There's something to that... my mema is 87 and wears driving gloves and dish washing gloves her face looks 87 but her hands look 45 🙃 best advice she ever gave me was take care of your hands and nails!

[@anneshirley9560]

@@thawk2311don't mind me, I'm just writing this down.... get driving gloves ✍️

[@ThatGirlJD]

​@@anneshirley9560Sunblock

[@HelenVoiHyvin]

Not me putting a sunblock now before stepping outside the house 😳

[@notjustanotherbrickinthewall]

I would like to add, I feel like our parents were pushed to dress more “grown up”. And they tried to pass it on us, but times changed. My mom thinks that every mature woman should have short hair. Long hair for her above the age of 45 is silly. When I was in my early twenties, she would ask me non stop when I will start dressing more maturely. Eventually she gave up. 😂

[@doctor-aesthetic]

This is real. In general there has been a huge societal shift away from pressure to look and dress a certain way. It's still there when it comes to really extreme versions of looks from various subcultures (someone in full punk gear will draw a lot of looks, if they're out and about), but if someone looks a little bit goth, or incorporates some 70s throwback pieces, or wears a 50s style dress, or embraces elements of hip hop fashion, none but the most rigid and conservative members of our society care to bat an eye.

[@notjustanotherbrickinthewall]

@@doctor-aesthetic yes, exactly!

[@LiveLaughLovecraft]

Good

[@canesugar911]

​@@LiveLaughLovecraftwhat's good?

[@LRWdesign]

I have almost always had a pixie cut. At 62 I still rock it. I style it, curl it, stick it in different directions, have dyed it pink, have dyed it blue Ombre. I think if your face shape likes short hair and you can rock it, do it. If it’s not for you don’t. 👍🥰 The days of perm, set and style are over. My mom and her friends would go and have that done. They all looked like carbon copies. 🤦‍♀

[@Amila-ym7ny]

I know it's said repeatedly but genetics is a make or break FOR REAL. My mom is 50 and her life has been so hard. She literally went through a war and genocide, smoked 20 years, and dealt with domestic abuse. Things you would literally expect to age you but people always tell her she looks significantly younger and I agree. It's hard to spot wrinkles on her. You have to be so close to her face. She's white, never wear sunscreen lol used to work out in the fields since her family had a farm likeeeeee!!!???!! I just pray I take after her lol

[@lilyz2156]

Which particular war at 50? I assume your mom was born outside US. I feel for your mom with the domestic violence, that is hard to go through and survive. She's a strong woman and good to know she is respected by you and others.

[@petrarkist]

You Balkan?

[@Amila-ym7ny]

@@lilyz2156 Bosnian War 1992-1995. She also gave birth in the midst of the Srebrenica genocide to my brother and had to worry about Serbs taking him and killing him and then raping her. It was insane stuff.

[@Amila-ym7ny]

@@petrarkist yesss

[@lilyz2156]

Oh my goodness! Wonderful for mom to survive that raise you and your brother!@@Amila-ym7ny

[@wildcatste]

I’d say beyond our obsession with sunscreen we millennials were the first generation that generally are pretty anti-smoking. In the USA I remember a lot of laws went on the books to limit smoking in public when I was a kid in the 90s and as you mentioned a lot of the anti smoking and drinking adverts were part of our childhood as well.

[@biazacha]

Meanwhile the tabaco industry got Gen Z in their chokehold with vaping, so no wonder they’re already looking older than they actually are… even if you don’t consume this stuff, just hanging out with people vaping is not different than older generations with smoker friends, you’ll inhale the stuff.

[@kellymcphaul2793]

Good point.

[@katarh]

This is also definitely part of it. Friends who are my age who smoke look a decade older than their actual age. I'm 43 and never smoked and people always are shocked when they learn my age, because between sunscreen and not smoking, I look early 30s. I stick with a minimal skincare routine, but sunblock and a retinol night lotion throughout my adult life has kept my crow's feet and facial wrinkles very low.

[@madimoe8331]

Bot.

[@伏見猿比古-k8c]

Weren't there also a lot of gen z who got hooked on vaping, that could also explain why a lot of gen z look older.

[@triumphantpeanut5726]

I’m 43 and still wear baby clips and pig tail braids or space buns as well as crop tops, glittery winged eye makeup and cute jeans and shoes. It definitely helps the tips at work and people never guess my age 😅 idk, dress yourself the way you feel and the way you want to be perceived (if that’s important to you). I dress younger now than I did in my 20s when i was much less comfortable with my body.

[@StoneyB]

Me too! My sister who is 7 years my senior always takes advantage of these opportunities to tell me “I’m getting too old to wear XYZ etc” and I always say girl, speak for yourself! 😂

[@triumphantpeanut5726]

@@StoneyB yes exactly! I’ve been married for 23 years and the only man who I want to get attention from is my husband. The makeup and clothes and hair are just something I do for myself to make me happy. He loves it and so do I. Other people complimenting me is just a bonus but not something I’m thriving on.

[@k3ramatbabe]

I love this, i just hit 40 last December and i feel if you wear any fashion confidently you can look younger 🤗 also at our age most people do have the capacity and salaries to wear whatever we want compare to when we were in our 20s..haha just my opinion

[@triumphantpeanut5726]

@@k3ramatbabe I just don’t see what the problem is, ya know? Rock what you want, no matter your age (only exception is a child in booty shorts 👀).

[@StoneyB]

@@triumphantpeanut5726 Agreed. Our first round judge is: us as in you, me (first person). Second round judge is your man eyeing us up and third round judges are other women. Hahaha. At this age we are dressing simply for ourselves. Like she said, anyone else is a bonus.

[@NighttimeBird]

You also forgot to mention the social-economic impact. Our parents and grandparents at 35 had already 3 children, were married for more than 10 years, had a stable job for almost 20 years, etc and had a house of their own. We at 35 are mostly childless or have one child at most, can’t afford a house, proper healthcare, are in debt to pay for education, are still going out to clubs with friends, need to have more diplomas and certificates to get a better job,. etc. The mentality is extremely different. We dress young, have tattoos, cooler hairstyles and fashion because we're at a young place in our lives. We get older later.

[@NighttimeBird]

@@HK-fu1bt so what? SO WHAT? it's not about you! It's about how politics, economy and material reality have changed throughout the years and how they impacted the whole world. Our parents and grandparents lived in a very different world than the one we're living in right now

[@mikayylaa22]

​@NighttimeBird Uhh, don't blame other people if you've made bad choices in life and are still clubbing in your late 30s 😂

[@NighttimeBird]

@@mikayylaa22 are you brain-dead?

[@LolaOpheliac]

lmao get a grip on your life then

[@elzbietanowak6142]

children make you older - lack of sleep and time toake care of yourself, more stress and troubles, money to cover children needs etc - all those are not present in gen Y or Z life. in general childless women could easly look younger.

[@IncandescentLightbulb00]

That last comment about millennials looking different as teens is so true! Back then we didn’t really have anywhere to learn what makeup looks good and how to style hair and stuff. I looked awfully awkward as a 16yr old and I swear I look younger now in mid 30s it’s hilarious.

[@kuritheking]

We were cute dorks (younger end millennial here) 😂

[@TB-rx1ue]

Omg so true *cringe*

[@Anavaeebaee]

Yes spot on! I’m 30 now and I look so much younger than when I was 16 it’s freakin crazy! 😂😂

[@beautyonabarnbudget]

UVA -u vill age UVB-u vill burn. Great way to remember. But, fyi-you should get 5 min of sun without sunscreen per day though.

[@nattievoices]

I have looked the same since I was 14. Like I have aged but it’s not by much. A person mistook me for a 17 year old the other day. It was nuts.

[@carolperdue7534]

I think hair, clothing and not smoking are huge factors. I’m in my early sixties and when I think about how I dress compared to my grandmother at that age, it’s amazing. I mostly wear jeans, shorts, t shirts, sandals, etc. My grandmother always wore dresses even to do housework. I color my hair, I wear contacts, just so many things that are different even though I’ve never done any procedures. Also, not smoking and not living in a home with smokers is really huge.

[@eeaotly]

I would love to wear dresses! It's just that it is very hard to find something suitable for my body (and also comfortable, and also of quality, and easily to store and maintain...). 😅 I often binge watch "Murder, she wrote" and "Columbo", and many times I found myself distracted from the story by the elegance of those people! They all look superb! And they look superb at any age. Nowadays, many times I literally lose my food appetite when I see how some people are dressed and how unflattering is for them. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean that I am necessarily "dressing well", but I try...

[@Wee162]

Not smoking, avoiding sun damage, knowledge about healthy lifestyles, and cultural changes that encourage youthfulness.

[@MayYourGodGoWithYou]

@@eeaotly My solution is to sew my own clothing, I don't like trousers (unless it's really raining, it rains a lot in Ireland), haven't worn jeans in decades and prefer (have done since childhood) maxi dresses and skirts. Being short and not slender I make my own as buying is not only very expensive but the styles are either too small/long or made from artificial (plastic) fabrics and I prefer cotton/linen/wool. So I hand sew everything.

[@amandasarae5175]

About the absence of a clearly defined style for recent decades I say 'thank you God'! I love how this gives you infinite styling possibilities and almost no constraints. I love mixing styles and inventing a new me on a day-by-day basis. Colours, hairstyles, textures, fabrics etc. I can pick up from any decades I like and mix them! This is more freedom than before imo

[@staycurious51]

So true! I was an 80s teen and the styles were absolutely lock step. I noticed that begin to change in the 90s and I think it's wonderful!

[@erinshaw6266]

🙌

[@NeidaTeresa]

I remember when I realized the Golden girls were in their late 40s/early 50s, I was like OMG why’s everyone acting like they’re SO OLD and decrepit

[@mallyb132]

It reminded me of Steven Martin in the way he seems to be the same age for 30 years

[@itsmeAshley84]

Right!!!! I will be 40 next year and I feel like a teenager 😂

[@sierrarmcclain]

Ohmygosh! I would have guessed 60s and 70s!

[@anitathompson326]

@@itsmeAshley84Umm ma’am, you LOOK like a teenager!! 😅

[@cleosdoc]

Because they did look old and slightly decrepit. Sunscreen, people, wear lots of it

[@aficklefangirl2566]

Vsauce has a great video on a similar topic diving into the 'styling' question! The video is called 'Did People Used to Look Older?' and talks about how our perception of age is often defined by the trends of the generation or two above us so those people inherently look older to us in photos because they have all the signifiers we associate with age, even if they look younger. This likely explains part of 'hair theory'! Our grandmas always had the short-cropped-curly look so we associate that with age, even if it is on a young person(barb is stranger things for example).

[@jaye8103]

Very true. Young people from the 60's often look younger to me than young people from the 80's,because of how I have more familiarity with what "old" looks like for the generation just before mine

[@triciac.5078]

Yes! I was thinking of that video while watching.

[@maryeckel9682]

I find pictures of soldiers through history heartbreaking, they look so young.

[@siobhanmairii]

And the footballers in that video look so old! It’s absolutely crazy.

[@MsMrReason]

@@maryeckel9682 Soldiers were young but after war they are aged. There is a difference between fighting a war and fighting in KZbin comments

[@JujulieHH]

I'm a Xennial (born in 81) meaning I'm in limbo between generation X and Millennials. I'm 42 and people think I'm 29-30 y.o. It's really about skin care for me. My mom is a trained aesthetician and instilled really good skin care during my teenage years. I also refuse to dress, and act my age 😂 I noticed that not having children helps a lot too.

[@missdenisebee]

I’m 41 & people think I’m in my late 20s/early 30s, too. Although I think good genetics played a big role for me…both my parents looked a lot younger than their age until they hit their 70s. I’m living the Peter Pan life without kids, too, which definitely helps my stress levels lol

[@MadameChouette800]

I was born in 82 and my colleague thought i was 25 😂. I avoid the sun so i guess it helps.

[@jonahandthewolf]

Not having children does help preserve your age, having them in this day and age plus me wanting a more social and less planned out life, makes me want them less. I'm happy not to have them

[@dinasilva9263]

Lol i was born in 84 and i definitely can relate with this comment. 😂

[@dutchessfury]

Same. I'm 42, and my partner is 35. People think I'm younger than him. Luckily, he isn't offended when people make that mistake. 😂

[@Beautybytracilei]

I can notice a significant difference in makeup trends by looking at KZbin makeup videos from 10 years ago vs. those you see today. Today’s looks are much more refined in general, with more muted colors, smoother, more seamless blends, less obvious contouring. Some of that may be due to the improvements in cosmetics formulas, but I also think the trend has moved more towards a softer aesthetic that appears a bit less makeup-y.

[@QueenCole89]

I think what he's picking up on is that there used to be only one acceptable look at a time (70s were gold and tan, for example) which was the ideal to aim for. But the last 20ish years, there's been a lot more space for different looks because millennial and Gen Z are open to other types of expression and types of people. Punk, goth, emo, scene, POC representation and so on became more accepted and mainstream.

[@KGG2]

I think this is only what someone interested in make up would notice. Someone who isn’t into it and just looks at faces wouldn’t tell the difference

[@reneenevermore2771]

I do feel like some of our trends are aging though. That overlining the lios, man. It looks terrible a d like theyre trying too hard which is aging in my opinion.

[@ashleydaugherty3373]

I’m 32 years old and graduated high school in 2010. During all 4 years of high school and even in middle school it was highly popular to get as tan as much as u can. We had a tanning bed in my house, tanning in the sun w baby oil and iodine 🤦🏼‍♀️ I’m already seeing the repercussions of it with dark spots, fine lines, and horrible uneven texture. So glad things have changed. I already force my 8 year old daughter to wear sunscreen everyday year round and when she asks why I jus point to my face 😂

[@katie7748]

Make sure you're doing your homework on sunscreen and using the right ones...those big name ones cause a lot of problems (due to ingredients) but no one wants to talk about it.

[@John-zr6cv]

@@katie7748 Mineral Sunscreen is the way to go.

[@pollysshore2539]

I’m Gen X (born in 1975) and my parents always put sunblock on me as a child and I’ve been wearing sunblock daily since 1989 (when Clinique launched the first mineral sunscreen). Most Millennials I know look older than me. My millennial nephews have more gray hair than me. On that note… I’m glad to see more women in my generation embracing the grays. They aren’t embracing bad haircuts but the heath of their hair. So many had their roots done every 3 weeks. You have to use permanent dye to cover grays or a lot of bleach and then color if you’re blonde. Eventually most end up with their roots looking 3 shades lighter than the rest of their hair due to their roots being completely white/silver. You either have to get a short cut or embrace and rock the silver.

[@heysaras]

2010 - everyone knew tanning was bad and caused aging at least a decade earlier

[@cindybatesclampitt2154]

As a 51 year old Gen X, sunscreen has helped me look younger. I have worn it under my makeup since my 20s back in the 90s, and it has consistently taken 10 years off my look. So my younger friends, use sunscreen, don’t get tans, and you will look younger for years to come!! It also helps that I am pale and can’t tan. Used to get bullied by classmates because I didn’t tan like they did. Look younger than them now!!😄 Also- I have never smoked!

[@NoFear69262]

Me too! I’m 54 but because I just burned I always shunned the sun so I look younger than I am. Happy accident 😂

[@GaiaCarney]

So many more people smoked ciggies ‘back in the day’ If they didn’t smoke, someone they lived with probably did 🤢

[@einePerson777]

I am tanned but I always use sunscreen as well. People ask me, if I am 18 yet... I will become 30 next year 😅. It's annoying because I feel old since I am 22 😅.

[@kathleenking47]

Smoking aged women before

[@kathleenking47]

@@GaiaCarney that aged people, especially after 25

[@Tjnovakart]

My mom was born in 1969, and has noticed just how varied fashion is now vs when she was younger. In the 80s you had to do your hair a certain way, wear the right brand and cut of jeans, and have a tan to fit in. As to where now, being a little unconventional in how you dress can often be seen as a good thing. I dress primarily in 1960s fashion and early 2010s twee fashion when I go out, and I always get compliments on my more eccentric clothing pieces (skirts with cats all over them, bright red t strap heels, etc.). I’m glad to live in an era where self expression isn’t so limited.

[@CatBatss]

I definitely disagree about the 2010s not having a distinctive fashion style. Maybe not in the celebrity high fashion world it wasn't as noticeable but for every day people I can tell you that there were distinctive trends that held a chockhols on everyone. Things like the color turquoise, galaxy print, infinity scarves, Lita style boots, and Chevron stripes to name a few. I was in highschool from the 2010 to 2014 so trust me, the fashion choices were definitely not things I'd wear today lol 😅

[@ms_913]

"This was 2013 but could be today" *shows a picture of a dress with a peplum and another with a high low hem*

[@madysonoster4759]

I was in middle school around that time, but duct tape and anything mustache as well as those plastic glasses with the slits and those thug ballcaps with the superman symbol or other stuff written on them were REALLY popular.

[@BigBri7647]

*choke-hold

[@nikkiboom91]

Belts around the waist for no reason lol big chunky necklaces, cheetah and leopard print , those cheap suede thigh high boots. Cheap looking flat shoes lol chiffon tops or however you spell it…striped shirts…Yea I graduated HS in 2010 I never really felt comfortable in that fashion! It was a time though lol

[@aakkkbbb]

​@CB-vw5fl since s and d are next to eachother I assume it was a simple typo. Not worth pointing out.

[@Thechangelingpnw]

I tried to tan in the 90s and quickly learned I’m just not made for it, began to embrace being pale and my skin thanked me. Sunscreen is a battle because it often breaks me out, even in my 40s, but it’s worth the search for a good one. Hair and clothing most certainly makes a difference in perceived age, you gave some great examples!

[@novietakes]

New theory: the rise of the internet giving access to all sorts of fashion and makeup information allowed us to just choose what we like and embrace our individuality. You’re right, we can choose what kind of makeup we want for which styles we are wearing. But I feel like that’s a result of what we are able to look to for inspiration. That pool is far more vast now than it was in the 90’s, 80’s, 70’s etc.

[@lilamiranda33]

Yes! This guy acts like we can’t start taking better care of ourselves later in life and preserve ourselves at any age. We have access to so much more information than we did coming up as Gen X or generations before ….the arrogance is astounding.

[@jdkilpatrick2000]

I think it really boils down to styling, genetics, and lifestyle. I’m an ICU nurse, and have seen how much genetics and lifestyle can oppose each other, or can synergize with each other. Sometimes it’s a crapshoot. I’m 38 now, and most people think I’m in my mid-to-late 20’s (including my coworkers who are literally in their mid-20’s). I’ve worked night shift for about a decade, so that’s a major lifestyle factor that is aging me at an accelerated rate. I also work a high stress job on top of my high baseline anxiety. And I used to *try* to tan a lot when I was younger (my pale ass wouldn’t tan, or even burn…I just perpetually looked like a ghost until I embraced sunless tanner💀😂). But, I have super oily skin (which sucks trying to find a foundation that can hold up to that, but does work anti-aging wonders), have basically not seen the sun for the almost decade that I’ve worked night shift, have invested in quality skincare, have exercised 7 days a week since I was 15 y.o., have never smoked, and don’t have the stress of kids. Working in a hospital setting is kind of a great equalizer regarding style…almost all of the employees are in scrubs with limited attention to hair/makeup, and the patients are all in the same gowns with limited ability to tend to hair/makeup. I remember having one pt who was in his mid-90’s, and I would have sworn that he was one of the healthiest 60-somethings I’d ever seen. It was the first time he’d ever been hospitalized for anything in his life, and he moved around at least as well as I did at that time in my early 30’s (better than I could have during a plantar fasciitis flare up 😂). Then I’ve had patients around my age in their 30’s who’ve easily look like they were in their 50’s due to life circumstances and choices. And I’ve worked with nurses in their mid-to-late 60’s who’ve looked younger than and could more than hold their own against violent patients half their age. What I can’t get over are those odd cases like Morgan Freeman and Steve Martin. They looked like they were in their 60’s when they were in their 40’s, but look like they’ve only aged by about 10-12 years over the last 30+ years. 😮 🤷‍♀️

[@CaitFalconer]

My dad is 72, never smoked, doesn’t drink much at all and never to get drunk. No chronic issues, only one medication. He just had a few emergency surgeries in a row for a post-prostate cancer issue, but every nurse that walks in comments on how good he looks for his age. They seem genuinely amazed that he’s as old as he is. I can’t tell if it’s just a thing they say to make him feel better, because to me he looks like death. But so many say it…

[@MissChrys]

I’m 38, and have always had oily skin. People are surprised when they learn my age. When someone asks how old I am (usually after I say something about my children - 8 and 11) I’ll usually tell them to guess, and I usually hear 26. What foundation do you use? Ive just been using a BB cream or tinted moisturizer, because I hate the cakey shiny look from the oils in my face.

[@bornonthesun]

​@@MissChrys People with oily skin tend to age better

[@kaecarter7116]

My stepmom was a "sun bunny" as my dad calls her. Recently she said "my skin is so wrinkled" and I told her its cause she doesn't wear sunscreen and she didn't in the past, I told her to start wearing it. She responded with "eh I don't know." She's Gen X obviously but it was still strange to me why she complains about the wrinkles but still won't wear sunscreen lol

[@CustardCream22]

My mum is the same. She wants to lose the wrinkles and doesn't like aging, but won't wear sunscreen because she likes to look tanned as she thinks it looks "healthy" xD

[@BoundariesMaintained]

I’m Gen X. I don’t have any wrinkles at almost 45, not even forehead lines. It’s a combination of genetics and staying out of the sun. When I was a teen, I knew a girl my age who had beautiful Lily-white skin and spent all her time in tanning beds, desperately trying to get a tan. Extremely fair-skinned people often just get crispy without the tanning. I sometimes wonder what her skin looks like now, and I hope she figured it out sooner rather than later, regarding sun damage.

[@stephaniec0625]

I'm Gen X and don't have wrinkles. But you have a very good point about sunscreen. I just have good genes but I also didn't overdo the sun thing. We used sunscreen too.

[@mickenziewilliams5796]

It’s because they equate a tan with beauty. Being pale is a big NO NO

[@TarynsTime]

​@@BoundariesMaintainedThat's the perfect description of me as a teen and I got to a point I'd tan year round in tanning beds for a few years then spent hours in the sun to deepen the tan more. I don't have many wrinkles thanks to genetics and stopping constant tanning in mid 20s but the signs of sun damage is beginning to show and I feel certain I'll have skin cancer (as one of my parents did without as much exposure). I feel like it's a miracle I don't look like tanned leather.

[@amberbrehaut7045]

Style/fashion and hair styles really do make a huge difference. I'm a late 80's baby and back then it seemed like as soon as you hit 50 you chopped your hair off , got a perm and became an old lady. I'm 37 I couldn't imagine doing that 13 years from now lol.

[@bootsmade4walking]

😂😭

[@vvitch-mist20]

Same. I want my hair down to my back, and there's no way I'm gonna chop it at 50.

[@51178becca]

Plus we are way more into working out than previous generations

[@vegemitegirl1971]

I'm now in my 50s and do not have short or dyed hair. In Australia in the 1970" and 80's, it was unacceptable to have long hair once you turned 40.

[@michelleflores8072]

I know right it was like time to dress in old lady floral clothes ugh and the short hair perm I refuse to do this. I'm 38 I have 3 nose piercings , and a septum ring. I have 7 kids , 1 cat , 2 dogs I think I look old trying to be young I don't even get carded for alcohol so I know my kids have aged me lol but still I'll be like Madonna I will never dress my age whatever that is supposed to be.

[@fegrace_1]

I am in my 40s people are constantly telling me they thought I was in my late 20s or early 30s! It is funny when I have been told that I act mature for my because I have been hearing that all of my life! For me I attribute my looks to so many things: my faith, my wholistic lifestyle, my genes, how I learned to manage stress, and I worked through and healed from trauma. I don’t wear make up, 90% if my diet is whole-food plant based, I don’t do drugs, smoke, or drink alcohol… I protect my peace, practicing gratitude, and find joy in the small things. To be honest, I have had to do a double take when some Millennials and Generation Z brag about their age but I thought they were close too if not my actual age!

[@justdoingnothing]

I do think styling makes a big difference. There was a trend on TikTok with gen z dressing their parents in their clothes and you couldn't tell they were from different generations!

[@amoryahart4963]

This hits. I’m Gen-x. I had anxiety attacks and nervous bowels all thru my teenage years. Was smoking and drinking a Bud Lime in my own tanning bed IN MY HOUSE in my 20’s. My genZ nieces have their shit together. They’re meditating, using sun screen, taking care of their mental and physical health. Love them and am sure they’ll save us all ❤❤😊

[@Am-kinda5501]

These are all good points! One more reason for the difference is that adults nowadays are choosing to have having less kids or choosing to have no kids at all which will absolutely help. Pregnancy, sleepless nights and the stress of parenting is a huge factor in how we age.

[@jaye8103]

It's a cold fact, but parents almost always look older than their child free peers.

[@somerandomviewer7803]

Mom of 3 at 34 people and the kids at my boys school mistake me for a student even my husbands coworkers joke about me looking like I’m a 14 yr old. Of course the only people that think I look like I did when I was 14 never seen me when I was that age. But kids though can be a factor in increasing stress I definitely think aging is more of genetics with stress. Sleep of course is a huge factor as well I have always been adamant one proper sleep for my family because I’m very schedule oriented regardless of all my other unhealthy habits that should have “aged me”.

[@notjustanotherbrickinthewall]

My mom is still like: I don’t need sun screen. Then proceeded to complain how her skin looks wrinkly. I tried to get her into skincare but she’s not into it. Also, I’m 33 now. People often tell me I look like I’m in my early twenties. But also I started using skin care around the age of 22. Not much, but I did wash my face and used a face cream. I gradually learned more and more.

[@stephaniebateman2637]

Yes!! My mom barely wears sunscreen. Like spf 15 in her moisturizer. She’s 55 and has tons of wrinkles and sunspots. Still uses makeup remover wipes and never washes her face otherwise. She won’t listen to me.

[@notjustanotherbrickinthewall]

@@stephaniebateman2637 I bought my mom a whole skin care routine and she still had the products 4 months later telling me she definitely uses them. 🤣

[@MsMrReason]

I am black and had to wear sunscreen for sun sensitive skin and stay out of the sun - so unlike the other misrable grannies who are moaning now - I have preserved my youth.

[@anonymousa-uy1hk]

@@stephaniebateman2637 Yeah, I have a friend who does the same. Complains about wrinkles and sagging but won’t wear sunscreen if her life depended on it.

[@nerdmaid1240]

My wife’s mum and auntie do that thing of complaining and then not wearing sunscreen. And in fact would swear blind that it’s bad for your skin, doesn’t let the vitamins in, etc etc.

[@dianehiltz1193]

Fantastic video…💜 So disagree on his quote about a 50 year old looking 50. I have more times than not have had to show my driver license to prove my age and I’m 50+. Hair, makeup and skincare make a huge difference in how we age ourselves… Love your channel 💜

[@laurynblele9929]

I loved watching this! First, I’m a cosmetologist and second, I was born in 1993. Everything you said is so relatable! We definitely have more education on skin care and wellness for sure. The beauty industry and technology just keeps getting better and better. Botox is amazing and made all my forehead lines that I’ve had since like 19 disappear! And yes! The right hairstyle makes all the difference! ❤ love your vids. 😊

[@bevishhh]

We were told from like age 4 that we need to choose a career and go to uni and then every year it was more and more pressure until work experience time and then it was like *"HAVE YOU DECIDED WHAT YOU WANT YO DO WITH YOUR LIFE YET AT THIS RIPE AGE OF SIXTEEN???"* 😳 Er.....a vet?? Animals are nice?

[@m0L3ify]

I remember that and it was hell. I didn't actually figure out what I wanted to do until I was 26, so I dropped out of college twice. I'm not putting that pressure on my son.

[@zsuzsuspetals]

In my world it was ONLY girls who were pressured this way. This was the 80s/90s. And at the time was world was revolved around church. So we're talking conservatives 30 years ago. And in our adult singles group every single woman had a degree or was in college and none of the men did. My brother is only 2 years younger and I can clearly remember feeling so much pressure with everyone asking me what I wanted to be and nobody asking him. Other women my age have said the same thing. It's only gotten worse for girls. They are still being told what they must do.

[@Lizzie-ve7kt]

I agree that the shift from being a smoking to non-smoking society has definitely been another huge factor as to why people don’t seem to look their age as much as older generations since so many old Hollywood legends were lifelong smokers and tended to look much older in their 40s than what we think of when we see modern celebs in their 40s.

[@kuritheking]

So glad I quit smoking, it was just kicking my ass

[@talon_craft4734]

Mid gen Xer here (51 y). I started wearing sunscreen every single day since age 15, tretinoin since 30. GIANT difference from my peers. Wear sunblock, it will pay off.

[@manooshdjadali3531]

I love this!

[@Liska78]

I’m 45 and I agree completely! I think the importance of sunscreen was being talked about a lot around the time I started getting into skin care so I’ve been using it since I was young. It makes a huge difference! Also I’ve used retinoids in some form since I was around 30

[@juliereynolds3488]

Great video! I'd like to make a distinction between the "older generations" that immediately precede Millennials, because I feel like Generation X often gets lumped into the same group as Baby Boomers, and we are very different. As a Gen Xer myself (those born between about 1965 and 1980), I don't at all think we, as a group, are aging any faster than millennials will age. My friends and I have always been diligent about quality skin care, sunscreen, etc. and we look far younger than women who were our current age looked, say, 50 years ago. The Baby Boomers (1946-1964) is *our parents'* generation - and that's where you really start to see the distinction. *They* were sunning themselves all day back before high--powered sunscreen was available. Absolutely agree that the decline of cigarette smoking is another factor in why people don't age as rapidly today. When I was a child back in the 1970s, seemingly almost every adult smoked, and they smoked *everywhere* - in offices, while shopping, airports, hospitals, and in their own homes. Nobody thought of stepping outside to smoke, so even non-smokers' skin was constantly exposed to it.

[@AprilShapril]

The second-hand smoke was everywhere. Even if you weren't smoking, you were. And the actual smokers inhale through the filter, while their children are raw dogging the second-hand smoke from the wrong end of the cigarette. I got a whipping for breaking the filter off one of my mom's cigarettes because I thought I might be able to use it to breathe clean air.

[@Leesa111_0]

I'm a 48 year old Gen X I only look in my mid 30s & I look way younger than my mum was at my age. I've never had botox, but I've always had a good skin care routine & spf 50 daily is a must have. I do have a tca peel once year too which is great for rejuvenating the skin ❤

[@lilamiranda33]

Same!

[@elkewtf]

Me too! People frequently think that my son is my boyfriend.

[@Leesa111_0]

@@lilamiranda33 😁💗

[@Leesa111_0]

@@elkewtf 😁💗

[@JENSATFAR]

I’m 47 and went back to college to finish my undergraduate degree in 2010. I made a lot of younger friends with whom I’ve kept in contact, and I’ve made many new friends who are younger. That truly helps me feel and act younger. Also, I’ve become much better about my skin care thanks to you James. I do have good genes, but it’s not all about genetics. I have purple highlights in my hair, which I love. My clothing is modern. I drink a lot of water. I’ve updated my makeup thanks to Robert. And, as someone else said, I have not had kids. I do have some problems… sleep issues, stress, and chronic pain. But I refused to let them make me look or feel old (most of the time 😉)!

[@marti8053]

@JENSATFAR The problem with hanging out with people younger than yourself is that even if you don’t look older, they will always look at you as being old(er).

[@carmelacristoforo262]

​@@marti8053In my case l was always the older one, but never considered that. I was the one who looked young for my age and acted as such. My circle of friends came from college and work ( I worked in an industry which definitely had younger employees). I will say many of my friends from school and work didn't age as gracefully. I'm thankful I did.

[@maruskaehrensdorfer]

@@marti8053 yes, but I don't care about that because I did the same when I was their age. I'm Gen X. In fact, I enjoy mentoring younger people, but I also enjoy hanging out with younger people because I still feel young in my head. Due to chronic pain and chronic fatigue my body doesn't agree, but I will forever feel like I'm young in my head! Not having kids certainly helped! Also, I've never smoked, I drink a lot of water, I exercise regularly, I gave up alcohol when I was 35 yrs old and due to my fair skin which burns very quickly I've always shunned the sun, which now makes me look 10 yrs younger than I am (I'm 48 but people are shocked when I tell them my age and they don't believe me). But I HAVE noticed that Gen X men in general look a lot older than their age. It's also socially more acceptable for Gen X men to look their age or older. The biggest factors which have aged me and which continue to age me is stress and sleep deprivation and I'm forever fighting it.

[@dinasilva9263]

I'm almost 39 and people still think i'm 27 or 28. And i definitely notice that happening also with most of my friends and Family. I appreciate this type of vídeos very much. Thanks James 💜

[@flavialm1]

I went back to college to get a second degree when I was 30, once a teacher saw my wallpaper in my notebook, it was from my wedding, she said I was too young to be married. When I told her my age she kept facing me for a few minutes, like her mind went blanck lol.

[@BLK2000]

its weird isnt it..... iv looked the same for yrs, im 37, and still get asked for i.d. to buy stuff in shops. its mad!! it makes me smile, my son, is almost 18, (any they still think i dnt look 18, like,wth?) :)

[@m0L3ify]

Same. I had a kid and was working as a temp at my old university when I was 32 and one of my coworkers said I was too young to have a kid. When I told him my age, he was shocked. Then a few years later I was at a different job out at the bar with my coworkers after work and I mentioned I was 36. They were like "what??" They had all assumed I was 26. I used to hate people thinking I was young when I was in my early 20's because it came with a lot of disrespect, but now I like it.

[@destinychild4659]

@@m0L3ify I felt the same way. Enjoy while it lasts. 😎 It doesn't last forever.

[@m0L3ify]

@@destinychild4659 Too true! I'm 47 now and it's finally catching up with me 😅

[@baileydubs]

My mom and aunt are almost the same age (60ish). A few years ago my aunt cut her hair short and doesn’t wear makeup, whereas my mom still wears light makeup and has shoulder length hair that she styles and wears trendier clothing. My mom looks at least 15 years younger than my aunt, and when I was growing up they definitely looked the same age

[@milliondollartrooper]

This topic is not ridiculous at all. You're observations are relevant. I've also noticed people are aging differently. What would be interesting to see, is if people's fertility will extend way into their fifties to have kids naturally. I think that's something to watch out for😅. We're definitely on the path of longevity 👍🏻

[@dreamscape405]

I'm Gen X, and yes, styling has a lot to do with looking younger. I have long, wavy blonde hair, but when I've cut it short, it ages me 10 yrs, at least! I'm 51 now, and people tell me I look 37, which is great, I'll take that😅 my skin care routine definitely helps too...but styling plays a big part.

[@danithemoongoddess]

I agree with this video so much but as a black women speaking for the black community, you can DEFINITELY tell the difference between our 2000s looks and our 2010s looks. It’s such a stark difference. You can look it up on google and see some of our high school photos, or college photos. I think it’ll make you giggle a little bit but also appreciate the culture. If anything I think now, we are less unique looking than back then.

[@megauxvasse6797]

I think I'm ok with not looking as unique as I did back,then. My unique was not great looking by any means. & I like to mix up my style now and not hold to any specific rules,like I had to when I was younger.

[@courtneywitherspoon8584]

That's true! I feel like hair especially was more creative. Fewer bundles down to the ankles lol. My prom hair was a piece of art honey! Lol

[@نجمة-ت8د]

Yes definitely with the different hair styles in the us at least I’m not sure abt other places

[@callieadams3671]

I think one big reason why millennials look so young is they don't go outside, I'm 47 and when I was little kids still played outside nowadays you hardly ever see kids outside so . ... no sun no wrinkles.....

[@blueismylove3128]

This and black gen Z definitely don't ALL look like their in their 20s 😂😂. I'll be 21 in about a week and have stayed looking 16 since I was 16. My 22 year old sister is the same way and my 15 year old sister looks 15. It's like once we become middle aged teenagers we just stop aging 😂.

[@aprilrich807]

The inserted video of the woman talking about hairstyles made me so happy. It seems as though EVERY time a makeover is shown, the stylist goes for the friggin’ “mom bob”..,I hate it on most - so intolerably aging. My husband has been trying to get me to cut my hair to mid-neck length, and I know it’ll look like utter crap on me. This is one arena that I’ll stand my ground in. No contest.

[@ellissseven5486]

The "mom bob" gives me flashbacks to America's Next Top Model makeovers. Those hair styles aren't good on ANYONE 🤣

[@aprilrich807]

@@ellissseven5486 yup! Never mind that 99% of the time the stylists themselves have long hair!!!

[@sebumpostmortem]

No matter how many photos this woman shows. The vast majority of hairstylists (and people in general🙄) will give you a mombob "because it' s refreshinggg, it rejuvenatttesss, it flatters your face structaaah!!!" We all have perfect long necks, amazing jawlines and tiny ears, obviously😂😂😂 *ARE THEY BLIND????!* Have you seen how J fuck*ng Lo looks?😤🤷🏻‍♀️ 🧛🏻‍♀️🖤

[@helenkane8594]

Good for you ! Take your own counsel, the short hair thing is such bunk. 😊

[@AnnieIsaLau]

I think it depends on how you cut it. The pictures shown here are only like short curly hair kinda ... Maybe if it's short with straight hair, it can look younger. But I don't care, I am 45 and my hair is super long and it'll stay that way because everytime I cut them, I regret LOL

[@lisaduchateau]

I'm a GenXer & I completely agree that particular hair, clothing, and make-up can age you completely. Honestly a lot of the women that I graduated with still look pretty youthful, but the guys not so much! Taking care of your skin is a must, and since I've adopted a hydrating skincare regimen a few years back, my skin looks so much better. I don't get Botox or fillers at all, but I totally get why people do. I think people seem older when they start acting that way too. Meaning, one should never lose the longing to learn new things, try new things, and experiment with your look. I think those things definitely keep me feeling less my age.

[@siobhanmairii]

That’s the opposite of my graduating class of 2002 - the guys look the same ish but the women all look older than their biological age. And they’ve all had kids

[@ericaerica8031]

I’m also Gen X and wonder why everyone our age is so ready to get old. Don’t you hate all of those, “I guess it’s because I’m 50!” memes?

[@ArtistJane]

I was born in 1979, so I’m right on the cusp of the millennials/end of gen x! I can’t tell you what a blessing having to slather on sunscreen as a kid ended up being for me. At the time, I felt like a freak because there were other young GIRLS putting on suntan lotion. Teens tanned in the sun and when you’d open up magazines back then, there would be full page advertisements for companies like coppertone suntan oils/lotions. I tried to tan in a tanning bed once to be cool or whatever when I was 14 & got sun poisoning (imagine having the chicken pox and sunburn at the same time. You want to scratch so badly but when you do, it’s like fire ants on your skin. I haven’t used a tanning bed since then). I guess I’m a vampire lol. Also I stopped smoking when I was 32, and of course it’s always the sooner the better to quit, but I feel like had I continued that terrible habit, I would look much older than I do now. I’m 44 and wear sunscreen every day, use retinol, serums, etc. I feel like in general we’re just wiser as to how we treat our skin and the aging process. One last thing: my dad who is very fair (he passed that onto me) got skin cancer a few years ago. Seeing him having to change his bandages every day until his scars on his face healed was a sobering moment in time. They had to take skin from his forehead and place it on his nose where they’d cut a 1/4 inch piece off where the skin cancer was. I asked him what he thought caused it. He said “working outside all those years without sunscreen. I should’ve known better”. He now wears a hat and sunscreen anytime he’s working outside. It’s real, people. Very real.

[@GooberFace32]

Born around the same time. I remember when people would rub baby oil all over themselves to get a better tan outside.

[@InnateNobility]

39 and I feel and look in my mid-20's. It's all about how early you start skincare, and the choices you make in life. My cousins around my age all look older than me because they wanted to grow up fast when we were teens, and they look worse for wear. Put yourself and your peace of mind first, and take each day as it comes.

[@kizryuver]

So true! I'm 25 & I may've prematurely aged since 16-19 due to lack of sleep & whenever my sleep cycle got better after that the eye bags under the eyes going away was magical. I started with sunscreen & skincare at 23 & low/no junk a bit earlier because could not find a good sunscreen till then, moisturizer broke me out, didn't have time to learn about skincare & health due to formal education. And now I look better than I used to look at 12-16 years old. it's not always about being young but treating your body right many times too. 🔸MY DAD FEELS YOUNG & I FEEL OLD 😅 🔹My dad is 60+ and has a less back pain than I did from age 12 to 25 because he takes more care of his body (exercise & less laptop use) & while I tried to having to write super fast & wrong posture are educational & occupational hazards that I try to minimize. people always tell him he looks & talks so energetically that he seems very young. While I feel like 80 yo. trying to improve that though 😅.

[@nicoles2159]

I feel like styling (clothes, makeup, and hair) is the biggest contributor. My mom looked older at 40 than she does at almost 60 because of the way she dressed tbh. I think once my brother and I got older, she had more time and energy to focus on herself and her style really changed. She also works with teens now so she sees what's trending and sort of incorporates it into her style!

[@JessicaN555]

I'm 45, Gen X, but definitely look younger than my age. I 100% credit starting quality skin care at 12 years old. My mom was huge on it, and I picked up her habits! Styling definitely has a lot to do with why ppl in older pictures look older. V Sauce touched on this!

[@Tina_GenX]

I'm 47, so definitely GenX. I started using moisturizer daily when I was in 7th grade. I did my fair share of tanning (until about age 28) and I smoke. I've done damage, but countered that with good skincare from a young age. I may be conceited, but I know I don't look like I'll be 48 next month. I feel like a lot of us GenXers have aged 'well'.

[@kathleenking47]

Boomers aged better than their parents

[@fitvegancatmama]

Gotta disagree. I'm 46 and I do look at least 10 years younger than my age for a multitude of reasons (no fillers or surgeries tho) and some gen x females do too BUT few gen x males look good for their age. We grew up in a time of suntanning, smoking and generally not giving a crap. And most men of the time were raised to think certain things were "manly" and others not so much. Tolerance and acceptance in those days was very low and I think it reflects on how the generation as a whole has aged.

[@Shirayuuki1]

those black ombre nails are giving me life!

[@mgrisale]

I think there are real reasons and I think you touched on a lot of them. From health issues like sun tanning and smoking, to access to healthcare and cosmetic procedures, better skincare and cosmetics, and finally, lifestyle and work as well. I think the other item you started to touch on is the proliferation of digital (and with it edited) images of people.

[@hannahbradshaw2186]

While it's a huge part due to genetics and better sun protection (and more plastic surgery these days), I think it's also got a lot to do with styling. The Golden Girls was filmed in the 80s and 90s, and the fashion/hair styles from that period we now associate (consciously of unconsciously) with being outdated etc. So if you styled the Golden Girls according to 2023, they'd definitely look a lot "younger" to us. Edit: just got to the part where James talks about this haha!

[@zy510]

I feel like we don't talk enough about how reversible topical skincare can be. I had always wanted good skin and I followed the "cleanse, tone, moisturise rule" but didn't really get into skincare ingredients and figuring out what I really needed until I was 29. Throughout my teens and 20s I was constantly mistaken for being a lot older than I was (30s, even 40s). Now I'm 33 and after just a few years of proper skin hydration and reversing sun damage, (and no Botox, fillers, or surgery), I often get mistaken for about 24/25 or so. I feel like millennials got into skincare at a time when they didn't have too much skin damage and have been able to reverse it and look younger, whereas someone who's in their 50s or 60s getting in to skincare tend to look their age with great skin

[@SleepyMoon98]

James: “while we are stressed, we handle it, we handle it just fine” Me: *literally throwing up, crying, and calling out of work bc of how stressed I am* 😭

[@veronicamaine3813]

Yeah - we have a mental health crisi in under 40s. The kids are most definitely not okay.

[@Eden_Rivers]

I'm a Gen Xer and I stayed out of the sun and wore sunscreen every day starting at 16, and that has definitely helped the aging process for me. You are very right that the looks now cannot be put in a timeline. Weird.

[@AuntieMamies]

That was an amazing part about how just your hairstyle can age you. The contrast between these women with long or short hair was crazy. I will have long hair all my life now

[@AmoreMiu]

I’m 26 and people still think I’m a highschool student or a college student. I stopped purposefully tanning around age 15 and wearing sunscreen, never smoked or done drugs and make sure to get some exercise in every now and then. I’ve had a lot of stress throughout my life and do have like one or two white hairs pop up but that’s it. Genetics is also a blessing, my mom is in her mid 50’s and looks like she just turned 40.

[@Kc-dq7zj]

I'm 41. I haven't had anything done to my face (no fillers or botox, yet) and I don't have a single fine line or wrinkle on my face. I also don't dress like I'm 20, but I don't dress like 40 year olds used to. Another thing, I keep up on makeup and fashion trends. The only thing that tells my age....... My eyebrows. You can tell I was a teen during the pencil, thin eyebrow area. They've never grown back to the way they were before that.😆

[@candacebarlow9296]

I recently bought an "age appropriate " outfit, because I thought I needed it. I hate it. I wore it once and even though it fits and looks fine I felt uncomfortable the whole time

[@sebumpostmortem]

​@@candacebarlow9296Wait some days and the amount of 👍🏼 your comment is gonna have!... Because we are a huuuuge army💁🏻‍♀️✨ 🧛🏻‍♀️🖤

[@siobhanmairii]

I regret letting my best friend pluck my eyebrows in middle school in the 90’s! 😅

[@elzbietanowak6142]

do you have children?

[@marthalouise701]

Last year my son came outside as I was sitting in the sun and he asked me what was wrong with my face. I had to tell him that my sun spots were coming out due to daily tanning when I was younger and not using sunscreen. I also told him I wouldn’t give up one minute of my time in the sun for perfect skin! That being said, I’ve stayed out of the sun mostly this year, wore sun screen, and worked on my hyperpigmentation and melasma. I’m blessed to see it fading away now, I just hope I didn’t do any permanent damage.

[@hellopome2260]

AS USUAL, everyone on KZbin is talking about how great they still look but no one is mentioning how good Blanche looks with that long hair! 😮❤ We definitely ARE a self centred generation! Lol!!

[@SFSteph23]

YES! Thank you! I ❤ the Golden Girls!

[@tracevicente]

Sunscreen, exercise, less alcohol/smoking, and skincare. I’m 50 now and I started wearing sunscreen at age 30. I also have been very obsessed with skincare, fitness, and nutrition.

[@annaparry4045]

This has been going on for a long time. My grandmother died in her early 70s and she definitely looked like an old lady. My older sister is about that age now, but looks at least 20 years younger. It’s partly to do with skin care but I also think it has a link to mindset, a refusal to believe that we’re getting old! My sister and I are both boomers by the way, we never sunbathed as we have vvery fair skin that just burnt.

[@tarcisiasiniscalchi6641]

I think mindset plays a crucial role

[@StoneyB]

I am am early 80’s baby and both sets of my grandparents died in their 70’s, looked old as heck and were said to “have lived a long, good life” at the time of their deaths.

[@StoneyB]

I’m also extremely fair skinned and I have always stayed out of the sun with the exception of a few burns. I burn and freckle and so realized early that tanning was not something I could do. Now 40, I later the spf 50 😂

[@akellerhouse83]

I don't know. My mother is 60 and I'm 40. So she's technically a boomer. My entire life I always heard everyone freak out about how young my mother looked. She still looks younger than 60. And I have always gotten the same thing. People freak out when I tell them I'm 40. I think it can run in the family.

[@kai_maceration]

my mom's in her 50s and I'm 19, i think she still looks like she's in her 40s haha i feel like it'll take me several years before i actually look like an adult, i know I'm technically still a teen but i feel like i just look like a tall 14yo because of the baby fat on my face lol

[@shireads2954]

My grandmother is 96, my mom is in her 50s, I'm 34, and my sister is 25. People guess I'm younger than I am. People guess my sister is older than she is. People don't try to guess with my mom, but are always shocked that she's already in her 50s, and my grandmother has only looked her age for the last 5 years or so. The funny part is that no one can figure out how we're related. They think I'm my sisters mom or my mom's sister or my grandmother's daughter. But then they somehow think my sister is my grandmother's daughter. It makes no sense. People just have no clue with us.

[@helenelittmann8875]

I'd add that even way back in the 1970s it was noticeable that Japanese women had way younger skin for their age than North American or British Caucasian women. The Japanese women avoided tanning and had access to different products, along with having more olive toned light skin. Over the past several decades we've adopted a lot of this in the West including sun protection and Japanese and now Korean skincare products. But not tanning is the huge one. You can even see on your own body the difference with the places that never see daylight. Of course outdoor exercise is super important for fitness and health too, so everyone needs to figure that out too.

[@نجمة-ت8د]

What is a British Caucasian woman?

[@prunelicious7437]

I learned not long ago that Caucasians don’t actually mean white and that not all white people are “Caucasians” and not all Caucasians are white lol and now I’m lost I don’t know how to refer to white people other than white people.

[@kiaradoesart9682]

@@نجمة-ت8دBritain isn’t a mono-ethnic place and hasn’t been in living memory, despite how clueless a lot of white Brits are about it

[@MsMrReason]

It is amazing how Black Carribean people living in the UK have always been ignored when it comes to our skin care . The Anglo BRITS have to go to Japan - to compare skin ageing - meanwhile we are right there next to British Caucasian - Anglo Saxon women in our millions. Never mind I will continue to enjoy people thinking I am in my 30s for decades - Peace! When I retire people will just assume I went for another job - tsk!!. If it was not for Koreans and other back women giving me compliments I would assume I was invisible You aso want to know what ages people having a bad mind, having bad thoughts and general nastiness. The moment people looked at Japanese women from the UK is the moment they gained 60 more wrinkles. 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@MsMrReason]

@@نجمة-ت8د British white women - So researchers could not BEAR to look at the millions of Black, Indian or Pakistani women in their own country and had to look at Japanese halfway across the world. And they wonder why they look old and haggard. A ngeative disposition is another ageing factor - I have never seen a nasty person that has aged well - they cant hide it when they are sleeping - cortisol goes up, frown and scowl lines are etched on the face. It is mother nature's way of warning us to be aware! Also nasty people dont listen to advice from people they feel are inferior even if it benefts them

[@ingusch3783]

The sunscreen!! I'm turning 31 soon and people usually estimate me to be younger. Been using sun screen most days of my life since I was about 17 or 18, I honestly believe it's helped enormously. That and the fact that I went to a tanning salon ONCE at 18 and was bored out if my mind for the 20 mins I was in, so I never felt a desire to go back. 😂

[@elizabethm7163]

I get it! I'm going go be 35 in a couple weeks and my brother will be 40 in a few months. It's mind-boggling. I don't understand it (I do, but also I don't.) I do think skincare and everything else you mentioned here is a factor, but I also think advances in medicine play a part. My parents are older, 76 and 72. They are currently on the last few days of a four-week trip around Europe. Four weeks in their 70s!! Their parents would not have been able to do such a thing. A) because they didn't live to be that age but B) they physically wouldn't have been able to do it in their later years. Their physical ailments wore them down much, much more than my parents' ailments have worn them down. Something is definitely different. And I do think the lower smoking rates have an effect. I'm sitting here thinking my hardest but I can't think of any Millennial I know who smokes. Some did and stopped, but everyone I know who smokes is Gen X or older. Those ad campaigns worked!!

[@dvara.p]

I noticed a while ago that I can barely ever guess someone else's age correctly anymore if they are between early 20s and late 30s (I'm 28), while people from the same age group can barely guess my age correctly either :D very interesting topic, thank you for your thoughts!

[@Hanbanane]

Ever since the pandemic hit, I swear my skin has aged so much 😢 I went from not having any wrinkles or texture to now having both even though now I look after my skin the best I ever have. I genuinely put it down to how stressed I've been the last few years 😂

[@Betty98985]

Same!! Also I’m a nurse I feel like working in health care is aging me 🥲

[@Hanbanane]

@@Betty98985 Being a nurse is certainly a challenging job! I've also recently got my glasses prescription changed so now I can see things even better, ugh 😅

[@sierrabird3817]

Stress absolutely will age you

[@JennMartinello]

Same! Everything has changed for me...

[@AnnieIsaLau]

I noticed improvment in my skin when I stopped using so many skincare products. I wash my face only at night, use rice water that I make myself and moisturize... oh yeah and sunscreen. I've stopped wearing makeup everyday. Drink lots of water. But you are right that stress probably impatcs a lot, especially if you don't sleep enough.

[@foxwaffles]

My mom has god tier aging genes. Shes been through so much and didnt have any access to sunscreen or skincare until she came to the USA but she looks so young. Hopefully i inherited some of that 😅

[@Amila-ym7ny]

LITERALLY SAME

[@mollyapteros]

Same, my dad is 74 and a redhead who worked outside most of his life before sunscreen was really a thing. Obviously the man never touched proper 'skincare' in his life. Maybe Irish Spring on his face sometimes. 😂Despite all that he barely has any wrinkles and if he wasn't going grey you'd think he was like 50 max.

[@socialliz6805]

My family all has the looking young genes. My parents are in their 70s and barely have wrinkles, despite literally zero skincare and hardly any sunscreen. I always looked in my early 20s even when I was 40. However, I inherited an immune disease from my dad and had to go on immune suppressants. All my minor wounds started taking forever to heal, and I visually aged from 25 to 42 in about 2 years, from my actual ages of 40 to 42. I look my age now. Based on this experience, I think looking young can be a sign of a strong immune system more than anything. At least it was for me, and I suspect it's the case for my elderly parents who still look in their 50s.

[@winterfire1376]

it’s actually really interesting to look at what sunscreen was like for my parents as kids (1960s-70s) dad never wore sunscreen despite going to the beach every weekends and his mum wore tanning oil, my mum was a more health conscious family and wore sunscreen but the only spf available then was so low it can’t have helped much

[@Aerie925]

My sister and I were talking about this a couple months ago. I told her that I thought it was b/c there’s more of an emphasis on skincare now than there was, say in the 80s or prior. But it’s really a combination of multiple factors. Skincare, hair style, clothes, stress, genetics.

[@DADDYCHAD875]

And don't forget nutrition and exercise too! Those play a huge factor on how good you age too!!!

[@kittensaremyjam362]

I recently found a picture of my mom from when she was 18, and I look around the same age as her in that pic and I'm in my 30's. It was mindblowing. Then again, I'm obsessed with SPF and she has never said no to a tanning bed 😬

[@labornurse]

Self Tanner didn't start getting decent until the late 90s. Now we have better options to look darker.

[@funsizedi88]

I feel you. I'm 35 and I look the same as my mother in her early to mid 20s. She used to lay out in the sun with baby oil. I have been in. Tanning bed 3 times, and hated it. I do not do sun bathing, om pale AF.

[@youraftermyrobotbee]

At 31 I'm starting to see fine lines, but that's mainly because I didn't adequately protect my fivehead from the sun in my teens. My coworker who worships the tanning bed has deeper lines than mine at 24. (24! She knows better! I don't understand how people who know better can still do that!) Remember, ☀the sun is a deadly lazer☀

[@gameplaygirl3268]

I'm always shocked when people I know say they're going on the sunbeds. I started going on when I was 14ish, but it was totally normal then. When I was about 16/17 some days I was going on twice a day, and still applying fake tan too 😮 From about 19 to mid 20s I went in sporadically. Couldn't imagine ever going on again, have been tempted with covering up my face but honestly I prefer to just stick to fake tan now. Back when I was younger, fake tans all ended up one shade.. orange, now you can get different colour bases for your undertone but just shocks me that people I know who are into skin are and anti aging still use the beds even though it's the main cause of aging, not to mention skin cancers, dark spots, melasma etc

[@tonapittman]

There's been studies finding that tanning beds are addictive to some people, so that's one probable explanation. Another; it's some kind of body dysmorphia.

[@alexsummers1897]

I’m very similar, 33 and noticing those fine lines for the first time. Cousin who is 27 and never uses sunscreen, she had fine line start to appear around 23/24

[@RR-kz4hq]

31 is normal for fine lines

[@kathleenking47]

You need some sun..but not too much

[@danicee]

I recently went to see a dermatologist and she didn’t believe that I was as old I as was and I’m Gen Z. Apparently because of my height (I’m petite), my face shape (round) and my skin she thought I was around 20. Styling definitely helps a lot with aging/reverse aging because I actually dress down for when I take photos - I take street photos - and people think I’m a student because of what I wear but I’m not. As for procedures, there’s less stigma about Botox and cosmetic procedures but we care more about maintenance than convenience so only people with a lot of disposable income will invest in those procedures. So many people I know go to the gym regularly, avoid certain foods, and try to minimize stress whenever possible. Plus, I have a theory that because less women are having kids and many women in older generations had children younger, their hormones would change and they would age faster. Idk if there are studies about this but the women in my family think this is true.

[@starseed5738]

Sooo interesting! I agree with a lot of what you said. My mom looks younger now than she did 30 years ago 😂 no Botox or fillers .. just hair style, makeup, dressing “flattering” etc,. Wild. I think about this stuff often lol

[@esmeralda3858]

Thank you for putting into words something I've felt for a long time. It was much easier until the 1990s to identify the styles of each decade, but now there is no particular 'look' in fashion, makeup or hairstyles. That can be a good thing, as many people don't feel pressure to look a certain way. However, I think there are downsides i.e. with fast fashion microtrends. There are trends that don't last long enough (and are not worn by enough people) to define a decade, but people who do follow trends feel pressured to buy throwaway fashion.

[@maryeckel9682]

My parents both looked pretty youthful well into their 70s. Neither of them really loved the sun, although they didn't wear sunscreen until the 80s, and my dad kept having moles removed. Mom used gentle face soaps and Oil of Olay all her life, and rarely wore a full face of makeup -- it was lipstick and mascara and brows, done. She kept me from broiling myself in the 70s and 80s like many of my friends. I'm 62 now and objectively look 10-20 years younger than some others my age. My body is a lot older due to chronic illnesses, but that's the way it goes. Oh, and no kids and no tobacco.

[@mzmerryweather]

This was a fun and interesting topic. You hit some ideas spot on - sun damage and being out in the environment working (exposed to the sun, wind etc) and then skin care/genetics can sway how one's skin ages or not. I look younger than my 60 yr old self, yet my white hair tends to give me away yet..its the younger generation that always appreciates it. The generation before me ( i am between boomers & GenX, and really seem more GenX) are the ones who say oh, cover that grey/white you look old! I say naw...it is what it is and *I* like how I look. Sun damage from swimming and skiing has shown up yet skin care and the new tools have sure made a world of difference. Do what is right for you and your body, that's what is important. And James, you & Robert being millennials and not aging is so true...yet we all know you're both time lords, so we will look forward to seeing how you turn out 50yrs from now 😉

[@emberthestylesage]

I've been thinking about this a lot also in terms of how you can't really look outdated now because it will just look intentional. On days when my outfit skews really 2012 or If i see somebody with the thin brows of the aughts , thats on purpose, and nobody is really even thinking it isn't. I think its also because we're filtering through microtrends so quickly, and people will latch onto and keep what they want more frequently because we're not growing out of it before the trend ends, so we end up with a lot more variety of aesthetics.

[@uroborous1660]

I also think the reason kids look older these days is beacase of the lack of tween and teen fashion. 13 year olds are having the same clothing, hairstyle and trends as a 25 year old. They are no longer (allowed to) have awkward phase, therefore not having youthful, experimental, confused phase, making them (forcing them) to look matured.

[@jessicaeuleigh4154]

Loved this! Crazy to see the comparisons of different generations. I just turned 34 but feel 27! 😅 not sure how I look, but it’s all in the attitude!

[@jen7916]

I’m (just turned) 54. During the pandemic I decided I was not having my hair colored anymore, just going to embrace the greys and it is what it is. Turns out I’ve got a pretty cool greying pattern lol, and I’ve completely embraced it. That being said, I have chronic pain issues, and some conditions that flare from time to time, so most of the time I feel 84 instead of 54😢 But, it is what it is and I’ve accepted that. Also, sunscreen wasn’t a thing growing up….i mean yes there was sunscreen, but I don’t know one person that used it, and now we’re kind of paying for the that

[@christinebainbridge2354]

I’m 53. I remember Coppertone SPF 4 when I was a kid😂

[@jen7916]

@@christinebainbridge2354 yes! I’m 54, and I remember my grandmother saying “you have to put this sunscreen on”….what was 4(!) going to do for us??🤣

[@Rhondas_Flippin_Life]

I'm 45, almost 46. I never used sunscreens, went tanning almost daily, used to smoke for over 20 years, and until recent years, I didn't use too much skin care. I get told all the time I dont look my age and more like late 20's early 30's 😊 Only time in my life where I've been grateful for my beyond oily skin 🙌 Also, when i was 13 I looked like I was more like 21. I was even able to go to clubs and bars no questions asked. That was in the early 90's so my hair, make-up and the fact that I dressed up like i was much older played a huge part. Best times of my life... I miss the 90's 😢

[@jessislistless]

Sounds like you hit the genetic jackpot

[@Rhondas_Flippin_Life]

@jessislistless I think it's because I've had extremely oily skin for the majority of my life. Even at 45, it's oily, but nothing like it used to be finally lol

[@tarcisiasiniscalchi6641]

They are lying to you. It’s small talk. Meaningless compliments 😊

[@tarcisiasiniscalchi6641]

Ok, but Botox and fillers are no substitute for a facelift. This type of comments stems from ignorance of facial anatomy. A facelift is meant to resuspend the deep structures

[@Rhondas_Flippin_Life]

@@tarcisiasiniscalchi6641 what are you even talking about? Your replies have nothing to do with what was said by me or under my comment...

[@mallyb132]

The Golden Girls is my comfort show to fall asleep to

[@ginamorris4520]

Grew up in a hot country where people love the beach. The 11-am to 4pm sun has always hurt my skin since i can remember. So i always use umbrella and seldom go out during those times. Sunscreen was not a thing back in my 20s but i stumbled on them on a real small designated shelve for summer items and started using it hoping it will help the pain(yeah we were less educated about skincare then). I looked odd in the beach with my umbrella and sunscreen and one person laughed at my face saying,'It's the beach,cmon!'. I know i got weird looks but my skin burns man😢. Anyways, in my late 40's now but i always got compliments for having nice skin and doesn't look my age. That sunscreen regimen i did saved me,tho my intention was different at first.

[@LLOriginal]

Agree 💯 I'm 37 and people always think I'm 5-10yrs younger... I think it's style. We all have a very casual style even if it's business or formal. And a chill sense of humor.

[@michellej5616]

I'm 52, GenX. I appreciate your points. We did know some things about skin care. Sunscreen was not a thing in my teens, but moisturizers were, and that was a start. Sunscreen happened in my late 20s. Fortunately for me, I found tanning boring so I didn't. The second biggest thing is styling hair and makeup. I have long hair extensions and I keep up with makeup and skin care now. Some friends and colleagues do, and the ones that still have 80s styled hair look our age.

[@MzVicky]

I'm 63 which is considered a boomer. I think if someone uses good skincare for most of their lives they can have good skin. I like to believe if I didn't sunbathe as a teenager, I might not have any wrinkles. You can bet sunscreen is on my face every day even if I'm not going outside. I think it's important to make sunscreen a habit. Tretinoin has played a part of my regimen for 20 years. I have had no botox or fillers. I just haven't felt the need and I admit I don't want to spend the money on that stuff. I'd rather spend it on good products and my budget won't allow both.

[@teri2466]

💯

[@hollywebster6844]

Are you finding that the retinoid is still working? I've read that after a couple of years your skin becomes accustomed to the dosage and you have to increase. Did you find that to be true for you?

[@RimmélPondue]

​@@LaurenLPageTotally! Looking no more than 45!

[@maylipkind]

I didn’t even wear sunscreen until recent couple of years, I simply avoided being under the sun during the day or stayed in the shadow/inside. As a result my skin has no sun damage even though it’s very fair. But ofc sunscreen protects even better.

[@Whiskin87]

I think it’s interesting how different generations approach and view age and aging. Yes, our skincare and procedures are better. But there is so much less emphasis on dressing or acting your age. And doing makeup “suitable” for your age. We are just doing what we want. Even with all the stressors, I think that just dressing and looking how we want, and not caving to the pressure of doing to what’s “appropriate,” keeps us looking younger.

[@hananelbendary4465]

Thank you for this enlightening video from UK. I for one am very age proud and tend to go for older age when asked. Don’t forget the type of prestige linked to success in your work . I am an absolute skincare and makeup fanatic but I will be 55 next birthday and hope to continue receiving compliments on my skin and age❤🎉 16:22

[@laurielaliberte5873]

Regarding stress: I think previous generations didn't really talk about mental health issues the way we do now. The subject was taboo until Prozac took the mental health community by storm in the 80s. It started a conversation that we avoided for decades. I'm Gen X, and until mental health suddenly became a huge news topic, we didn't talk about it at all. By being more aware of our issues, and dealing with them, we've taken a lot of stress off of our minds, bodies, and skin. Also, the technology of skincare has come so far just since the 90s, that I'm now aging backward. LOL

[@SheilaMarguerite]

Have to say that I myself was never able to follow any kind of structured life path, along with most of the ppl I grew up with, none of us could afford it... Also have to say I'm 50, and I definitely don't think I look it!! Probably because I burn easily and I've always made an effort to stay out of the sun. 💜💜💜

[@candacebarlow9296]

As a gen Xer I am so glad I always hated being in the sun. I burn in seconds 😂, so I always wore sunscreen even as a kid (thanks Mom) and I think I look ok for my age

[@AzDesertFoxx]

Absolutely nothing wrong with looking your age. As Gen X-er , I think we've aged well. Plastic surgery, fillers, etc. as well as filters have helped the new generations lood great. ;) I've earned every wrinkle I have. Ageism is NEVER a good look.

[@Dee-V-Dee]

I'm 30 and people usually guess my age as being between 24-26 and are normally surprised when I say I'm older. I think it's probably the way I dress and how I avoid the sun honestly. I got seriously sunburnt when I was 16 (I was trying to get a good tan). My arms and shoulders were so badly burnt I had blisters and scabs forming all over them 😭 my face luckily didn't really burn, but it traumatized me and I don't leave the house with sunscreen now.

[@bloodliriel]

You are so right about the sun tanning! I grew up in the 80s. My parents owned sunscreen factor 4 and didnt buy anything above, we as a family took hours of sunbaths, I had multiple sunburns a year. And my parents are academics, so not exactly uneducated! Thinking back about what I did to my skin unknowingly, I cringe and bless my good genes to not look like I should. Thank you for your insight!