People Are Debating Whether Millennials Actually Look Younger Than They Are, And It's So Interesting
If you're a millennial who's ever been told "there's no way you're that old" or gotten carded well into your 30s, you're part of a bigger trend. The phenomenon of millennials looking younger than their actual age has become a hot topic across social media, with everyone trying to figure out what's behind our apparent age-defying powers. So when u/Logical-Plum-2499 asked if millennials generally look younger than they really are and why, the responses revealed some pretty fascinating insights about everything from our sunscreen habits to lifestyle choices. Here's what people had to say:
1."I have barely ever seen my boomer parents drink a glass of water. Every millennial I know has a giant emotional support water bottle."
—u/No_Shelter_4434
2."Let's just talk about air quality. Since the 1970s, we have reduced air pollution by roughly 90% in North America. I'm thinking this is a key factor."
"I'm wondering if millennials in other countries with poor air quality also look younger or if they look more aged."
—u/douche9000
3."The lip fillers. They age people up so fast. I'm sure there are a lot of women walking around with really well-done fillers so you can't even tell, but why are you fucking with your face in your 20s?!"
—u/lasthorizon25
4."In my experience, it isn't plastic surgery or filler — it's mostly that older generations' skin looked rougher and drier, and they styled themselves so dowdy and frumpy. They looked like they'd all had four kids and were too tired to brush their hair."
—u/Zizi_Tennenbaum
5."Millennials are younger-looking at the same age than the generations before us because fewer of us smoked, and we were more health-conscious in general. There are definitely millennials in their 40s who are now getting into all the things that are supposed to make you look younger, but we're generally doing it at the age it was designed to help. We are the beneficiaries of the research that was done by boomers looking for the same effect. Gen Z looks older than we did at that age because some of their beauty regimens take an actual toll."
"This is my wife's theory that I think holds water. Sunscreen became a thing at an age where it was still going to do us some good. But if you're doing Botox and fillers and removing buccal fat or what-have-you at 20, you are setting yourself up in a race against yourself for the rest of your life. Because if you think you needed that at 20, where do you go when you've been doing that to yourself for 10 years and now you're 30?"
—u/faceintheblue
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6."Sunscreens have greatly improved in my lifetime. In the '80s, you could find SPF 4, 8, and maybe 16. They claimed to be waterproof but didn't last very long in water. Parents didn't understand that you need to reapply. I'm Irish, so I had some second-degree burns from a day at the pool or beach. SPF 50 probably came along in time to prevent major burns for millennials and Gen Z. The waterproof factor has also become so much better."
—u/jendet010
7."My dermatologist said millennials are her lowest-risk group for skin damage because we were the first kids to have helicopter parents chasing us around with sunscreen. Guess all that embarrassing poolside sunscreen application paid off."
—u/CharmingLady22
8."Many of the younger crowd don't go outside nearly as often as people used to — less damage from the sun, so skin stays younger."
—u/Firstevertrex
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9."My facialist recently remarked on younger people undergoing buccal fat removal, and said this is one of the worst things people can do as 'you'll need that fat as you age.' Otherwise, you end up with a sunken-looking face."
—u/TelephoneShot8539
10."Our style of dress plays a big role. I remember growing up, women over 35 often dressed matronly. It was common to give up things like sex appeal or wearing short skirts, spaghetti straps, crop tops, etc. — unless you were a celebrity. These days, women don't really follow the whole 'what to wear when you're over 30' mindset. They're not locked into specific hairstyles or clothing based on age, and that shift changes how old someone looks a lot."
"Now, this could be a chicken or the egg thing. If you look younger, you might pull off trends easier than if you look old, and therefore, feel comfortable in them. But I do think it's a contributing factor to the age thing."
—u/nononanana
11."Less of us have kids, so we have less stress."
—u/Hezza_21
"This is what I have noticed in my peers, late 30s to mid 40s. The lack of sleep and constant worry and stress of raising kids — and/or having them for bio moms — is hugely noticeable. People my age are having fewer kids, or forgoing parenthood altogether, and it definitely shows."
—u/abqkat
12."Less of us perform physical jobs that are outside all day, too."
—u/ExoMonk
13."Perspective is part of it. The older I get, the younger young people look to me. Same as how sometimes people my parents' age will say I'm youthful-looking, yet I see a badly aging slug."
—u/invisiblebyday
14."I don't think millennials look younger than they really are. I think millennials look their age. If anything, previous generations looked older than they were because of smoking, sun tanning, lead poisoning, and haircuts that have aged poorly. Meanwhile, Gen Z thinks millennials look young because they think anyone over 25 is geriatric."
—u/Atmosck
15."Gen Z has social media during their teen years, so their style is very curated compared to millennials. That's why when you compare high school pics, Gen Z looks so much older. The poorly put-together outfits and teenage awkwardness (seen with millennials) makes people look properly young."
"I also imagine the surgical or near-surgical beauty enhancements will take a heavy toll on Gen Z as they age. That said, Gen Z being sad little homebodies who are obsessed with fitness and not drinking may help out in a big way in a few years. Drinking ages people, and Gen Z are too hyper-aware or afraid of being cringe to drink like millennials did."
—u/Xianio
16."I think we look younger because Gen Z makes themselves look so much older."
—u/anemia_
17."The delayed-aging millennial vs. premature-aging Gen Z that kids these days are fretting about is by far my favorite pop culture trend. Warms the cockles of my cold, dead heart."
—u/FartChugger-1928
What do you think — do millennials really look younger than previous generations did at the same age? Have you noticed this trend in your own life? Share your theories and observations in the comments below!
Note: Responses have been edited for length/clarity.
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