Gen Xers often appear younger due to a combination of improved sun protection, advancements in skincare (like retinols), and healthier, more active lifestyles. Compared to previous generations, many in this group adopted preventative beauty routines earlier, reduced smoking habits, and now utilize minimally invasive procedures such as Botox and fillers.
Experts say people born between 1985–1995 often look younger than Gen Z — and honestly… we see it. Better skincare, healthier habits, less stress chasing, and more self-care might be the real glow-up. Millennials are proving that youth isn't about age — it's about how you take care of yourself.
Generation Z, often shortened to Gen Z, is the term generally applied to those born between 1997 and 2012. Recent viral theories suggest this generation may be aging faster than others, particularly in the way they look.
Many teenagers smoked cigarettes. Fashion was absurd. We WANTED to look older, and took steps to achieve that goal. Skincare products were not as good, and typically just for ``old ladies''. Few people used sunscreen back then, and the rest actively and purposely baked in the sun to tan.
The 2010 OkCupid study found that female desirability to its male users peaks at age 21, and falls below the average for all women at 31. After age 26, men have a larger potential dating pool than women on the site; and by age 48, their pool is almost twice as large.
You might be surprised to know that your face is not actually the part of your body that ages the fastest. It is, in fact, your breasts. A study, published by the journal Genome Biology has found that breast tissue is the part of the body that's most sensitive to the affects of ageing.
Skin becomes loose and sagging, bones lose their mass, and muscles lose their strength as a result of time spent living life. Most people begin to notice a shift in the appearance of their face around their 40's and 50's, with some also noticing a change in their 30's.
What does psychology say about people who look younger?
Psychology research indicates that maintaining a positive mindset is linked to looking younger because it affects how we experience stress, how we take care of ourselves, and even how our facial muscles settle over time.
It is a known fact that lifespan increases with each generation. For baby boomers, the average life expectancy is 70 years, for Gen X its 85, and newer generations like Gen Z and Alpha will likely exceed the 100-year mark.
Instead, it occurs in two bursts: once in your mid-40s and again at age 60. It's during these times that our body's molecules and microorganisms go through two massive shifts, researchers from Stanford Medicine discovered, and these changes likely influence our health.
Our skin, hair and teeth are benefiting from less cigarette smoke and physical toil, as well as an ever-expanding collection of cosmetic interventions designed to make us look younger.
While skeletal muscle has been a central focus, new evidence shows that regular physical training may also slow aging in the heart, liver, fat tissue, and even the gut.
Healthy aging looks like being intentional about the food we put in our bodies, a great exercise routine that involves strength, flexibility, and functional movement. It looks like great consolidated and restful sleep, hormonal balance, stress management, and positive relationships.”
You can see it in old family photos where your grandparents at 35 looked like they were 50. This isn't just your imagination playing tricks on you. The difference comes down to three main factors: better sun protection, healthier lifestyles, and advances in skincare science.
Alcohol: Drinking too much alcohol can dehydrate and damage your skin over time, leading to signs of premature aging. Poor sleep: Studies show that low quality (or not enough) sleep makes your cells age faster. Stress: When you're stressed, your brain pumps out cortisol, a stress hormone.
They also found that happiness across lifespan exists on a spectrum of valleys and peaks over time: Satisfaction with life declines between ages nine and 16, rises to reach its peak at age 70, then declines again until age 96 (the oldest age recorded in the study).
1. HandsAlways exposed to the elements, your hands probably give away your age more than any other body part. Experts say sun damage is the biggest culprit. As a result, you should apply sunscreen to the backs of your hands, in addition to a good hand cream at least once a day.
