They've been repeatedly reviled by Boomers and Generation Z, but a surprising win for Millennials is their youthful looks.
As the oldest members of Generation Y approach their mid-40s, many people are puzzled by the fact that the group is aging much more slowly than the generations before and after them.
Healthier diets, better knowledge of skin care and improved makeup mean that those born between 1980 and 1997 appear younger than older generations of the same age.
Surprisingly, however, this trend has not continued to Generation Z (those born between 1998 and 2012), who are aging differently than the generations above them.
While Millennials learned how to use good skin care techniques in their late teens and twenties, Generation Z may have become overly familiar with the techniques and started using products incorrectly, leading to premature aging, several experts have revealed to FEMAIL.
Aesthetics experts have explained that a love of vaping, exposure to blue light and too-young tweaks also make celebrities and influencers in their late teens and early 20s look decades older than their predecessors.
“Overuse or unnecessary application of fillers and toxins at a young age can interfere with natural facial development and cause younger patients to look older than their age,” said prominent cosmetic doctor Dr. Rasha Rakhshani-Moghadam told FEMAIL.
“Millennials generally have a greater awareness of skin care and nutrition compared to previous generations and often take a more holistic approach to wellness.” “This shift includes a greater emphasis on preventive skin care practices and a focus on balanced nutrition.”
It's hard to believe that 22-year-old Gen Z influencer Emma Chamberlain (left) is 12 years younger than 34-year-old Taylor Swift (right).
Meanwhile, Taylor, pictured aged 17 in 2007, still looked incredibly young as a teenager
The phenomenon has been noticed by writers and many social media users, with TikTok often debating “why Millennials look younger than Generation Z.”
“Why don’t millennials age” has more than 20 million views on TikTok. Quora and Reddit are full of conspiracies about why millennials look so young.
Hundreds of people took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to ask the question.
Some joked that this is because “Millennials suffer from depression, so they go outside less,” meaning their skin is not exposed to the sun, while others said that growing up with social media and camera phones causes this Millennials are more image conscious than previous generations, which keeps them more youthful.
The aging of Generation Z may be due in part to higher nicotine consumption in their teens and early 20s.
“Millennials age differently than this oldest and newest generation,” says Gen Z Tiktok star Jordan the Stallion.
“Millennials look way too old or way too young for their age.” “The newest generation all look too old,” he explains in a now-viral video.
His comments were full of people saying the same thing: “We don't age because we nap and we have a morbid sense of humor lol we laugh at everything,” one said.
Influencer Jesse Greenwood, who is “almost 40,” said she is constantly told she “doesn’t look her age.”
According to her, this is because “normal aging” is a result of patriarchal oppression and Millennial women have become “more protective of their energy.”
Avril Lavigne, 39, (right), is old enough to be the mother of 19-year-old Millie Bobby Brown (left), but the couple could pass for the same age
Born in 1997, Kylie Jenner straddles the line between Millennial and Gen Z, but tweaks make her look the same age as her sister Kim Kardashian, who is 17 years her senior
Jack Harlow, 25, is a Generation Z superstar, but baby-faced Thomas Brodie-Sangster (right) is 33
“It's not uncommon to see 18-year-olds with lip fillers,” said Dr. Ross Perry, medical director of Cosmedics Skin Clinics, told FEMAIL.
“20-year-olds use Botox and fillers and semi-permanent makeup in the form of eyebrows and lips, all of which can make you appear older, but once you're down that path, it's very difficult to follow. “ to be completely natural again, especially when the “affirmations” start on social media.
“For example, in combination with lifestyle and environmental factors, it has become “fashionable” to get a tan again. Statistics have shown us that tanning bed use is increasing and not only will this put you at risk of skin cancer further down the line, but premature aging will also occur much faster.'
Amish Patel, award-winning esthetician and skincare expert at Intrigue Cosmetic Clinic, added: “We know that lifestyle choices also have an impact on the aging process – vaping, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, poor diet, not wearing high.” All SPF affect your skin. So if you start making poor lifestyle choices at a young age, it makes sense that you won't live well into your 30s and older. Developing good skin care habits is important, but they don't have to be overly complicated or expensive for Gen Z.
“The exaggerated trend of overstuffed cheeks and lips also distorts the face and masks the natural youthfulness you possess in your twenties.” In fact, it can make you look much older than you actually are. '
Dr. Sophie Shotter, who runs the Medical Cosmetic Skin Clinic in London, added that it was due to “lifestyle and beauty trends” that were causing Generation Z to age prematurely.
“We can't necessarily say whether this is due to their actual biological age, but certainly due to their appearance.”
“I think perhaps it's partly due to having used wrinkle relaxing injections and fillers at a young age and taking an approach that homogenizes faces, particularly in the reality TV and celebrity influencer cohort.”
“There is a right age to start treatment, and for most people it is not before age 30 for age management reasons.”
“There are very few people under this age who will really benefit from anti-wrinkle injections at a younger age, although there are some and this needs to be decided on a case-by-case basis.”
“If these treatments are performed before they are truly needed, it can sometimes make someone appear older (in the wrong hands) and look almost mask-like,” she added.
Tiktok star Alix Earle, 22, (left) looks older than influencer Amelia Dimoldenberg, 29 (right)
Billie Eilish is 21, while Sarah Hyland, 33, (right) is 12 years her senior
Sabrina's Carpenter's heavy makeup and styling (left) ages her beyond her 22 years, while Selena Gomez (right) looks young for 31
Selena, pictured in 2008, aged 16, and Zac Efron, aged 18
London's leading aesthetic doctor, Dr. Joney De Souza, added that growing up on social media increases this effect.
While Millennials are the first generation to grow up online, Generation Z has had social media in their lives since childhood, creating insecurities and leading them to seek more treatment.
“They undergo aesthetic treatments at an earlier age, including dermal fillers and even plastic surgery, which can often distort their appearance to achieve their unrealistic goal of conforming to their filtered ideals,” he added.
Dr. Sophie Shotter said trends also play a role.
While Millennials are known for a more natural makeup look, ditching bright orange foundation and concealer lips in the '00s, Generation Z's trends are leading them to look completely glam every day.
“These heavily contoured and made-up looks make people look more mask-like than more beautiful.”
“And I think maybe that's the key – that mask-like appearance makes some people look older,” said Dr. Sophia.
Lifestyle factors certainly play a role too.
While Millennials, often referred to as the “wellness generation,” drink and smoke less than any other generation, Generation Z smokes more than any other age group.
If you scroll through TikTok, you'll find accounts of vendors promoting a selection of the “bars” on offer, with the tag “vapinguk” racking up several million views; Peanuts compared to the three billion views under “#vaping” and 16.6 million under “#vapingtricks”.
Additionally, a report from Action On Smoking And Health (ASH) found that 7 percent of 11- to 17-year-olds were smokers this year, compared to 3.3 percent in 2021 and 4.1 percent in 2020.
Meanwhile, the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) will be launched next month to “develop and promote the £1bn e-cigarette industry” and host a forum and awards dinner.
Fillers and Botox that Gen Z stars like Molly-Mae, 24, love are aging them prematurely, while healthy lifestyles of millennials like Bianca Lawson, right, 44, are keeping them young
Both Paris Hilton, 42, and Priyanka Chopra, 41, look incredibly youthful
Andrew Garfield, 40, regularly plays characters 10 or 15 years younger than he really is
Many TIkTok stars were shocked by the comparisons between Millennials and Gen Z
One influencer says that despite being in her 30s, she is constantly mistaken for Generation Z
“Lifestyle factors such as alcohol consumption and use of nicotine and e-cigarettes all affect the skin and contribute to premature aging.”
“As are the increased levels of processed foods and refined sugar in many diets.”
“Some people also believe that stress is a factor in premature aging, coupled with the fact that Generation Z was the first generation to grow up with the internet and social media and therefore typically spends more time in front of screens than previous generations.”
“A more sedentary lifestyle with less fresh air and exercise as a result could also be a factor.”
Dr. Glyn Estebanez, from Prima Aesthetics, said: “This generation is often associated with an awareness of health and wellbeing, as well as being less likely to smoke and more likely to exercise than previous generations.”
“These lifestyle factors all have a major impact on the health of our skin and therefore our appearance.”
“Millennials are considered the generation that cares about their health and well-being and combines a healthy diet with exercise.” In fact, I read that Millennials eat more fresh and frozen vegetables than other generations and buy more organic food.
“In addition, another study found that Millennials spend more on skin care than any other generation.” So it could be that they were among the first generations to have access and availability to better skin care products and also had the disposable income to to be able to afford these. Combined with a healthy diet, this has an extremely positive effect on the health of our skin and therefore our appearance.”
Kourtney Kardashian's daughter Penelope Disick, 11, is an avid skincare enthusiast
Seven-year-old twins Haven and Koti from Oklahoma have also gained popularity on TikTok
And while skin care can be incredibly important in the anti-aging space, many skin care brands are aimed at younger people who don't need retionoid products.
Dr. Ross Perry, medical director of Cosmedics' skin clinics, told FEMAIL: “It's a good idea to start skincare in your teens, but the products you use should be tailored not only to your skin type but also to your age.”
“For example, you shouldn't use retinol in your twenties as it is too harsh for young skin and not only causes irritation but could damage skin down the line.”
“Here, too, marketing is at an all-time high, especially with advertising and false promises in things like 'Tik Tok' stores.”
Dr. Sophie Shotter added: “Most children/teens will benefit from starting a routine from the earliest stages of puberty.”
“And it has been shown that most girls now begin this process in primary school, with girls starting their periods as early as eight years old and primary school-aged girls particularly suffering from outbreaks.”
“The key is to adopt a very simple skin routine from a young age to develop the habit of cleansing, moisturizing and applying sunscreen without applying perfume products or too many products with active ingredients.”
What are retinols?
Retinols are vitamin A compounds that accelerate cell renewal, the formation of new collagen and elastin, and more – with known complexion-improving results.
That's why retinols are hailed as the gold standard against damage and have become an obsession for skin lovers everywhere.
However, “when they are good, they are very good, but when they are bad, they are terrible,” retinols must be used with caution.
While they can promote aging complexion, they also have a reputation for being abrasive and causing redness, inflammation (ironically, a major skin aging factor), and even burning.
“But we must acknowledge that a skincare routine is helpful in preventing acne at this stage of life – it's just a matter of choosing the right products.” As always, it's important to consult experts for advice.”
Even pre-adolescents are starting skin care earlier than ever, and the beauty industry is recognizing Generation Alpha as an increasingly important customer base.
The age group, which includes those born between 2010 and 2024, is known for its strong connection to digital media and technology and has never known a world without iPhones, Wi-Fi and social media.
Children as young as seven are now becoming influencers and sharing their beauty routines. Experts say skin care is not a luxury but a “part of everyday life.”
Perhaps the most famous Gen Alpha influencers are North West, 10, and Penelope Disick, 11, who regularly share their skincare routines with their millions of followers.
Dr. Saniyya Mahmood, aesthetic doctor and medical director of Aesthetica Medical Clinic, added: “Young people today are increasingly incorporating anti-aging products and treatments into their beauty routines.” Makeup trends have a big influence on teenagers a lot look older.
“Social media like Tik Tok also plays a big role.” The latest TikTok trend “Aged Filter” shows our generation’s unhealthy attitude towards aging. This filter shows you an aged version of yourself.
“Another video recently went viral showing a fourteen-year-old who has an anti-aging routine that includes using retinol twice a day.
“While using some of these products may not be physically dangerous for a fourteen-year-old, it is concerning how self-critical children are today.”
“The use of retinol can even be prescribed to relieve acne, but a doctor must first be consulted before starting to take retinoids at this age.”
“Because our skin begins to change during puberty, many dermatologists often recommend using skin care products around age 12 or at the start of puberty.”
“Taking care of our skin from a young age will lead to healthier skin in the long term.” However, it is important to understand what products teenagers use and why they use those products.
Hundreds of people have taken to X, formerly known as Twitter, to wonder why Generation Z looks older than Millennials
“A 14-year-old, for example, doesn't need complicated skin care, especially anything that's anti-aging for their age.” For most teens, using a gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and SPF is more than enough.
Dr. Sindhu Siddiqi from No Filter Clinic added: “Every generation has been surrounded by different beauty standards and trends, which ultimately play a big role in it.”
“Although Millennials grew up with social networks and media, Generation Z was introduced to social media like TikTok and Instagram from a young age, where insights and information on cosmetic procedures, trends and appropriate skin care are available at the click of a finger.”
“While this is not always beneficial, it does mean that they have grown up with a greater awareness and knowledge of aesthetic offerings, as many practitioners and brands use these platforms to promote their offerings.”
“This has also led to Generation Z trying more aesthetic treatments and paying greater attention to key skin health and anti-aging ingredients such as SPF, retinoids, topicals and more.” Millennials are also very aware of this and ultimately have it more knowledge than, for example, Generation X.”