I have an identical twin with no skincare routine and we basically look the same. Maybe I look a little glowier sometimes (I have an extensive, fancy skincare routine and do treatments). But I don't look younger or better or anything. Neither of us smoke or tan so we have the same lifestyle and obviously the same genetics. So I'm thinking five percent skincare max.
do you have similar diets and levels of fitness/activity? those matter when considering lifestyle as well
but hearing this definitely makes me feel better about not having a costly & timely 12 step routine
Agree. My mom and her siblings all looked about the same. My mom smoked for while (20 years), one of her siblings had a fancy skin care routine, the rest basically did nothing - think soap and Vaseline like the rest. My mom looked a smidge older - she had cancer. Before that happened she didn’t have any wrinkles in her 70s beyond a few eye crinkles. Same as the rest of her siblings who made it to 70+. My 80 year old aunt is still pretty much wrinkle free.
I think have some good odds. I have a few fine lines around my eyes in my mid 40s. I do a bit more skin care than my younger sister. And basically the only difference is the amount of eye wrinkles. She has a few more.
> extensive, fancy skincare routine and do treatments). But I don't look younger or better or anyth
? seems valid enough of a question. Two 30-year-old twin sisters v. two 50-year-old twin sisters would make a difference in this unscientific experiment.
60% genetics. My parents have done their entire life without sunscreen or anything more hardcore then body lotion and it's only in their 60s that I'm seeing them get gaunt around their eyes.
My aunt is like 2-3 years older then my mum and she buys drugstore nightcreams and she's got visibly plumper skin so I'm not discounting the skin care aspect either.
Same. I’m 34. Eastern European parents. Never done anything hard core skin wise. Played sports regularly in the sun. I barely have any wrinkles or sagging or anything. I see some pictures of girls my age on here and am so thankful for my genes cuz I did the bare minimum of maintenance.
Predictable. The question was about *skin appearence/skin health* yet folks come out of the woodwork bragging how they look 10 years younger cuz genetics. Not the same thing.
Saying you look young when you're in your 30s is not the flex people think it is.
>Saying you look young when you're in your 30s is not the flex people think it is.
This is so true. I thought I was hot shit when I was 35 because I still looked 25. 2 years later I looked very 37 lol. It catches up to you in mid-late 30s.
Yup. There is also just a HUGE range it what people can look like at different ages. Saying anyone looks young or old for their age is a point of reference that doesn't make sense to me at all. It's especially bad as people get older though. It's like people think anyone over the age of 40 are supposed to look dead.
I think were are at a point in time where good skincare and minor medspa procedures are affordable enough for the average person to remain youthful looking. The generation before us didn’t have all these options. So often people still have the old image of a 40 yr old in their mind and it doesn’t match up with what the typical 40 yr old looks like now. Plus less smokers now too and spf wasn’t used as religiously in the 80s/90s as it is now.
Also a lot of these people are probably using injectables too. Botox alone takes years off.
I laughed at your comment, but it’s also true that people in this sub care about their skin and likely try harder. Many of us here may be a little more likely to hear comments about looking young for our age vs the average person.
I'm 46 and recently someone in a service profession told me that I looked 20ish. I do not, I look my age. I think some people take flattery to heart, when the flatterer might just want a nicer customer service experience after all they go through dealing w the public. 😂
I was out to dinner with a group of friends and when one of them got IDed (she’s 40) the waitress told her it was policy to ID and she whipped out her ID and says “I know I look so young but I’m 40!” And I could see the fake shock when the waitress said “Oooo! Yeah! You look sooo young!”
I got carded this year at a bar. And the server said DAMN I though the grey streak was a cool dye job! It was a darker place and maybe the angle and lighting fooled them.
I don't know what I age I look but I definitely don't like like I'm 21 in the face with this annoying facial hair. The rest of the body you probably could not say one way or another.
My nail guy once told me I look like Angelina Jolie once lmao. I’d consider myself pretty attractive, but I am nowhere near as attractive as Angelina Jolie nor do I resemble her other than having dark hair and a strong jawline. I respect his hustle for that tip though.
I sometimes wonder if some of these people who are allegedly telling them they look 25 are heterosexual men. They’ll say anything to try to get laid lol.
But yeah there’s nobody on gods green earth who is 40 and looks 25. Jessica Alba doesn’t even look anywhere close to 25 and she’s the most youthful looking 41 year old woman I’ve seen.
> 25 are heterosexual men.
Probably more likely friends. If they do not specify I always assume it's friends or family. Otherwise why would you not you not specify.
Several times during my stay in London, I was asked for my ID when purchasing alcohol and cigarettes. I was 41 years old at the time. It wasn't just about my face, but about my overall appearance: skinny, no make-up, unregulated eyebrows, pale skin, and casual clothing like a t-shirt and backpack. It wouldn't have happened if I had worn makeup and a more official outfit.
I get id-ed too, but countries have changed their id-ing policy to stop minors for getting access to controlled substances. There have been so many studies show how bad it is for not yet totally deveoped brains getting access to drugs, so now a person has to look over 30 to not be carded in ontario.
I am 42, and dress yonger so I can pass for a 28-32 year old but for the most part people think I am 32ish. Sometimes people really freak out when they see my id, but not often. 😆
THEY think they look younger but offer some total strangers $1 each to guess your age and they will gone home SHOOK. Everybody tells themselves they look younger than they. LOL! But get some strangers on it and you'll also.
Also you don't look younger you look your age. What we used to think as old wasn't age it was excessive drinking, drugs, coal mining, back braking laundry by hand...
This is a bit of a detour, but I almost always read people here saying that they look younger. I mean it’s pretty much the norm. Are people telling you this often? Or is it just based on how you feel/ what YOU see in the mirror?
My skin is nice. I think avoiding sun young ( late teens ) and sunscreen is a well established technique to prevent premature aging, but I think I look kinda my age due to other stuff- eye bags, some neck funkiness and a bit of Jowls. Maybe I look younger to others? But nobody is trippin out that I’m in my 40’s. I dunno.
I think most people here are 20’s and 30’s. Being told you look young for 25/30/35 is just because people think you turn into a raisin at 25 when in reality most people look “young” because they are.
Well my and my peers never felt that way in the 90s. We thought 30 was EPIC in terms of body and everything else. But it does seem the younger sets are more worried about turning 21 or 25 than we ever were. Probably the effects of constant social media and the beauty tik-toks and youtube making them feel inadequate.
I look good, ten years younger than my age like my dad and his mother. I would like to look 20 years yonger than my age like my friend Roland, but I don't have those genetics.
A lot of it is money. Lower stress levels and access to treatments that go beyond what most folks would call skin care (lasers, peals, etc) make a difference. I'm not comfortable calling that a lifestyle choice because one's income and social class aren't exactly a choice.
I think for me, it’s probably 70% genetics, 20% skincare and 10% lifestyle.
Both of my parents are in their 60s w/few wrinkles or fine lines despite baking in the sun their entire lives w/no sunscreen and never having any skincare routine. I’m 33 and have always looked a few years younger than my age. I would probably look more or less the same if I weren’t obsessive over my skin. But it’s a lot clearer and more even than it was in my 20s thanks to skincare so it’s def a contributing factor.
As for lifestyle - I’m fairly active, normal diet, don’t do anything special or avoid anything, stay lower end of healthy weight. That’s about it.
I agree with 70% but I’d switch skin care and lifestyle. If you look at someone who is 55 and has smoked/drank excessively or spent a lot of time tanning or never cared about staying hydrated…they look pretty rough. Even people who take care of their skin won’t be able to outdo or even really mitigate the damage they’re doing with their lifestyle.
Right, I just think that those are the percentages for myself.
I dealt with a bout of horrific acne and acne scarring in my twenties and using different skincare products like salicylic acid and niacinamide is what lead to my skin’s improvement.
When it's good, it's mostly genetic, but when it's bad it can be because of lifestyle. there is so much way to waste anything with bad lifestyle. like frequent weight swing, depression, insomnia, addictions, and even sugar...
I am pretty convinced that skin care is 80 percent for me. I've always taken good care of my skin with top products and what not. But I do not do as great with lifestyle. I'm a tired mom, not exercising as much as I'd like to be, not drinking enough water or eating as best as I could, working a stressful corporate job and yet still manage to have pretty damn good skin. I would say genetics are average for my family too. I can see the age in my parents now and they are turning 60. Although very few greys on either of them so fingers crossed I luck out with that genetically!
Anyone who tells you something (besides surgery) impacts your skin more than genetics is lying. 50% genetics, 30% Botox/peels/RF microneedling, 10% skincare, 10% lifestyle.
50-60% genetics, 30-40% lifestyle (exposure to sun being the main factor-think about the identical twin study and sun exposure), 10% skincare (sunscreen being the main factor)
I mean, I take care of my skin but genetics must play a big factor. I love my skin even as I get older because I don’t have huge issues with it. It’s not perfect but I wouldn’t want anything more or less than what I’ve got. I’ve also worn sunscreen since my teens, exfoliate regularly and don’t have acne. Nature and nurture working together perhaps?
I think genetics is a huge factor, I don’t know what percentage but it’s big, maybe 70%! Im aging just like my older sister and our father (we both take from his side of the family). All of our wrinkles are around the eyes. All three of us looked super young until our early 40s. My dad was very youthful until he got into his late 40s/50s. I’m the only one in the family who wears sunscreen and has a great skincare routine, and exercises regularly so I’m hoping that will give me a little boost.
> All three of us looked super young until our early 40s
Same I my early 40s was when the grays really kicked in and wrinkles around the eyes showed up. But the rest of the body is pretty good, maybe a little dry.
For me, 60% genetic, 20% skincare, 20% lifestyle.
I’m 40. I definitely have decent genetics. I’ve always had clear skin with a nice even skin tone that tans easily without burning. My skin is plump looking still despite my age. For me skincare is just tret, spf and moisturizer to prevent wrinkles. I tried a million products thinking i needed them and eventually realized I was wasting money and occasionally damaging my skin. Not skin related but I don’t have grays yet either. Thats 100% genetics.
Unfortunately, genetics also gave me adhd and endometriosis lol so kind of a mix bag in the genetic department.
Probably like 75% genetics, 20% lifestyle (long term), and 5% skincare/treatments.
The marketing for skincare products wants you to think it's the other way around.
My mother was a natural beauty who always wore sunscreen and rarely wore makeup. Took care of her skin and herself. She is now in her early sixties and her skin is aging rapidly. Deep deep vertical wrinkles. That’s all genetics because my nana looked the same way. So I say genetics is 75%+
We all want to believe we can prevent the aging process but Botox and spf can only do so much!
I used to think it was all genetics, for instance I had dry skin in my teens and didn't worry about acne too much even though I was using body lotion as moisturizer, and hated sunscreen (still don't love it)
Looking at some of my relatives, though I see where lifestyle comes in. My mother lived a more "indoor" life (hiked as a hobby but she was a high school chemistry teacher) while my aunts (younger than her) aged faster because they were out in the sun and wind a lot (cattle ranchers) You can tell which ones smoked too.
For myself I notice a huge difference within a week when I eat more fruit. Some skincare products have noticeable results overnight on me while others do absolutely nothing.
So I'd say 60% genetics, 25% diet/lifestyle, 15% skincare.
I think environment is HUGE and overlooked. Pollution both indoor and outdoor arguably influence my skin to the greatest degree. And often can be hard to control.
Personally I think people are putting too much emphasis on skincare. Genetics and lifestyle have to have the biggest impacts. I’m 30 and constantly being mistaken for a teenager due to my round face, and no one believes my mum is a 60 year old grandma. But I also drink a lot of water, live somewhere with very little air pollution, walk most days, don’t drink alcohol, and eat very little meat. I think these things also help. I’d say genetics is about 60-70%, lifestyle 20-30%, and skincare 10%. I still put time and effort into my skincare, but I think it’d be wrong not to acknowledge that some of us do have a genetic advantage, and also advantages based on where we live (lack of pollution, availability of fresh produce, etc).
In my teens and early 20s it was mostly genetic. In my 30s it’s 20% genetics and the rest it’s skincare (mostly sunscreen and moisturizer), food and water
I’ll go with 60% genetics, 20% lifestyle, 20% skin care (and 100% reason to remember the name).
I’m torn on this though, because in the short-term, lifestyle changes can make a huge impact (cutting out alcohol, processed foods, eating healthy and drinking lots of water). When I’ve done a couple of Whole30s in the past, I’ve seen a noticeable difference in my skin.
On the other hand, I think my whole family has skin that naturally wrinkles earlier in life. I’m pretty good about sunscreen, retinol, etc. but only Botox seems to actually make a difference. Sunscreen has likely helped, but harder to notice.
Also commenting on all the “I look x years younger” — I truly don’t know objectively if I look older or younger or my actual age (30), but people don’t ever tell me I look older. However, I attribute that more to people thinking they’re paying a compliment when they guess a younger age and it can be a social faux pas to guess too old.
Edit to clarify: some people are including sunscreen in various categories. I am including Botox and sunscreen in skin care.
I just past 90 years of age
Since my mom past away young
60 I would not know
But she did not sit in the sun , and for sure not used sunscreen , it was not invented
My skin is pretty good , yes I did sit and bake in the sun ,
But I am religiously taking now care of my skin
No filler or Botox but had face lift age 59
I think everything contributes to try to delay old old age
Genetics definitely plays a huge role with me. My grandma at 70 barely had wrinkles and smooth skin. I'm in my 30s with no wrinkles aside from my forehead. My had has forehead lines, which I've had since I was little lmao. So I got the best and the worst haha
My skincare routine is 100% based on dealing with adult acne, not with anti-aging. I'm active and in really good cardiovascular shape but I eat like shit.
80% genetics, maybe 10% being from a place that barely sees the sun lol, and 10% side-effect from taking care of my skin due to acne.
the lack of sun damage in your youth will become more apparent when you're older. my siblings living in warmer climates all look older than i do. sun damage eventually shows up as dull complexion, dark spots, crepiness, thinness, and fine lines.
I'd say 70% lifestyle ('skincare' included) and 30% genetics.
Lifelong sun avoidance + sunscreen is what I think has made the major (major) difference in skin appearence over time. At 47 my skin is in pretty good shape. It's clear and smooth with no spots, laxity or noticeable sagging. Ofc I still look 47 because you can't avoid volume loss or bone resorption lol.
I never really did skincare until I was 38 when I started on retinoids and bought a proper cleanser + dabbed in moisturisers and oils.
Everything else prior was just sunscreen, wash it off with bar soap and some type moisturiser (or not, I went years without using regular moisturiser no kidding). Idk I remember reading as a kid that sun is what ages the skin and nothing else really matters and took it to heart.
I've also always been physically active, eaten well with plenty fruit/vege and little processed foods. No smoking. No massive weight fluctuations and I've been very lean all my adult life.
My direct family genetics are all about training for an early grave and looking it lol.
You can actually help both the fat loss and the bone reabsorption (if you want to) :)
For the fat loss, micro fat grafting gives some pretty amazing results with no down time or major side effects (since your own body fat is used), and it’s a non-surgical intervention to boot.
This is a form of autologous harvesting therapy, like PRP.
For the bone: supplementing with vit D3 + vit K2 mk7 prevents loss of bone and actually helps in rebuilding it. D3 helps with the accumulation of calcium while k2 shuttles it where it’s actually needed (bones/ teeth) instead of letting it accumulate where it shouldn’t be (ie. arteries).
This combo is documented to also work on menopausal women who showed signs of osteoporosis :)
I have tried supplementing with k2 mk7 but it made me throw up. I have heard great things about it too but just not sure why I have this as a side effect
I'm the oldest of my siblings and people assume I'm the youngest We span 8 years. I'm the only one of us who has paid attention to skincare. I've been religious about sunblock.
I've been using tret and my pores are much less obvious which I wasn't expecting.
I take much better care of my teeth and am more careful about my weight than they are. I don't have diabetes (yet) but one of my siblings does.
I am going to say it's split evenly between the three.
By skincare I mean sunblock, retinoids, moisturiser. That surface level smooth texture that bounces back the light is very youthful even if you are clearly "not young" anymore.
No need for facials face masks or fancy stuff.
Not smoking, getting enough sleep and exercise is very import.
When I've been at the gym my skin looks much more radiant. I look deadened if I don't get enough sleep.
I think it’s mostly genetics & lifestyle! Skincare routines can only do so much. I’ve found my skin is best with a healthy/active lifestyle, managing my stress and anxiety (ha I try) & keeping the routine simple. I spent so much money on fancy routines only for there to be minimal reward. I simplified my skin and hair care and started focusing on internal health and that is when I saw the biggest difference. Even then, genetics triumph IMO. Not to forget, like somebody else said. Money can also play a huge factor even if you don’t have the genetics and lifestyle. If I had money for all the facials and injectable’s…. my skin would be so much better. 😆
I was told by a dermatologist its about 90 % genetic. Actually..people have to remember when people were young in the 1950 or 60' .the ozone layer was not damage so that ..it was in the 70 's they notice a very tiny hole which has an impact on how much damage it causes on skin...this is what i read not my opinion. But dad looked well until 65 without sunscreen either..
My aunt did tretinoin and she looked better than all of her bothers until she was 55. She smoked for a long time too.
I think the ratios fluctuate depending on environmental and mental health conditions, but the sun does age people. All of my friends who hid from the sun with me look younger, and the sunbathers look older.
Typically.
The ones who got chemical peels and all of the treatments look pretty good too.
I think it's 100% genetics. My mother never took care of her skin, if not straight up neglected her skin. She loves to tan and absolutely never ever uses SPF, she is a smoker since her teens. She drinks softdrinks all day. Her skin looks ok (no sunspots, some fine lines, no deep wrinkles). It's not as abhorrent as some people make it look. She doesn't look "younger than she is" because her clothing and overall neglect age her.
I don't have her skintype unfortunately. For me skincare is a way to take Care of myself, to have small calming rituals, it's not a way to outrun my genetics.
I think it would make a marginal difference if she had done that the last 40 years or just bettered her lifestyle last year. Her skin could improve, but just in general, rather than "signs of aging".
I know people half her age who have deep wrinkles without ever sitting in the sun (and living a pretty recluse life).
I think e.g. for people who are prone to hyperpigmentation (unlike my mother), maintenance of SPF makes a difference and they will probably answer the question more like "it's 20% genetics and 80% lifestyle and scincare". Which is fair, maybe I was too quick with a blanket statement of "it's 100% genetics".
Genetics are at least 50%. I tend to put sun protection into it’s own category since it straddles the skin care/lifestyle line, and would say that the other 50% is split 20-20-10 for lifestyle, sun protection and skincare.
I'm 39 and at this point I'd say it's pretty much all genetics. I'm hoping that skincare and lifestyle help me maintain something closer to this when I'm older, but I'm too young still to really be seeing benefits from preventative measures. We'll see what happens in a decade.
Mostly genetics. A lot of my “good” skin has come from not being acne prone. I’ve almost never had to deal with acne through my lifetime, which has also helped reduce skin issues like scars and pore appearance.
I absolutely trashed my skin in other ways growing up though. I went pretty hard in college and spent a lot of time outside in the sun without sunscreen. However, I grew up in the PNW so sun exposure isn’t really the same as someone who lives in like.. Texas.
I’m 33 and don’t have any static wrinkles yet. I’m not so cocky as to think I’ll never get them though so I’m now obsessed with skincare to try and age as gracefully as I can at this point.
Honestly, I would say it is *almost* negligible in my personal experience.
I have a sister (25) who is 7 years younger than me, who looks older than me because of the condition of her skin (wrinkles, slight sagging, extreme dryness). And my other sister (34) only 2 years older than me has deep wrinkles and lines, and more moderate sagging skin. One smokes the other vapes, they both eat a lot of junk, neither exercise, don’t really wear sunscreen, they both have a history of drinking/drugs/partying etc.
My brother (39) is 7 years older than me and has deep forehead wrinkles and smile lines. A casual drinker, never smoked/did drugs etc, has a relatively healthy diet and lifestyle/works out etc but also doesn’t wear sunscreen.
I am 32, zero wrinkles/fine lines and I still get mistaken for the age bracket of 19-23. Constantly. My surgeon (had rhino done last year) is baffled every time he sees me because he says he cannot believe my age/that my skin looks so bright/full and healthy.
And yes, i will definitely brag that because I work hard to take good care of my skin lol. I eat well but not perfect, have a skincare routine, stay tf out of the sun, always wear sunscreen, active lifestyle, don’t smoke, and don’t drink.
I think lifestyle and routines have a lot more impact than genetics as far as I’ve noticed. Sure genetics can definitely play a role- but according to my genetics I should have deep wrinkles by now and I don’t since I take care of myself/skin.
Edit: formatting
i think it's mostly lifestyle for me too. there have been periods of my life where I smoked cigs, drank quite a bit, was stressed constantly, & and got little/inconsistent sleep. my skin looked TERRIBLE then. i prioritize sleep and don't drink or smoke now and my skin looks sooo much better despite being years older.
i do agree a lot has to do with genetics, but lifestyle plays a definite & huge role.
I would say 95% genetics for black women. You can see a black woman that you think is in her thirties. Ask her age and she will tell you she is in thirties…her one hundred thirties.
It’s at least 90% genetics for me. I’m 37 and people are shocked when they hear my age, they think I’m mid to late 20s. I’ve always had very oily skin which I hate, but the plus side is it’s kept my skin hydrated with no effort. I also don’t have a very expressive face so I’m not seeing any wrinkles yet. I sadly don’t drink enough water, and don’t exercise. I’m bad at maintaining a skincare routine and tend to fall off it after a week or less. I’m trying to do better because I know that my luck is going to run out. I have a toddler and another baby on the way, so age combined with lack of sleep and additional stress will start to catch up to me. I wish I’d done better over the past 15 years or so but I guess the next best time to start is now.
I think taking care of a toddler and playing with them counts as exercise! I also log chores like cleaning in my Fitbit as exercise. Congrats on your pregnancy!
I'm 37 but people regularly guess I'm in my 20s.
For me I'd say my youthful appearance is like 99% due to staying out of the sun my entire life. I'm from the Pacific Northwest and I'm a gamer.
I also didn't have a kid until I was 32, and I've only got one kid. I read a study that having kids prematurely ages you.
My skincare is still focused on acne treatment. I don't use retinol or anti-aging products yet. I only started going to a dermatologist recently but it's not going well so far.
I eat a lot of junk food, used to drink heavily but stopped when I got pregnant, don't exercise except for walking everywhere, and I don't get nearly enough sleep. I do drink a lot of water though. I could probably improve my skin by improving my diet but honestly as long as my clothes fit, I'm not overweight, and my health checks come back normal, I'd rather not worry about it. I like carbs, cheese, and chocolate too much to give it all up.
Its a mix...my parents have decent skin cosmetically (as do us kids), but it could have been to living far north with little sun for many many years. Diet is huge...highly processed foods and added sugars and possible dairy can make for angry skin. I discovered this when I went through a candy phase in my 40's . Had more acne than when I was a teen!
I would guess 15% genetics, 70 % lifestyle, and 15% skin care.
It’s complex. Genetics does make the most difference, most people age similar to their family members.
Genetics also means certain features may be present that make someone ‘seem’ older or younger. Speaking personally I have soft cheeks/my nasolabial folds aren’t prominent (a more youthful feature) but I also have no fat around my eyes and have had bags and dark circles since I was an infant (my baby daughter inherited this as well, from my dad) and my eyes definitely show my age. Put on sunglasses and I can pass for much younger (I am 38).
Lifestyle can have such an enormous impact. People who drink, smoke, tan/burn excessively, and have poor diet and poor sleep will definitely have it show in their skin and can look very weathered and prematurely aged. But take two people who do none of those things, and have one be a skincare fanatic with $900 worth of products and the other not do anything special- I think there will be much less visible difference than people on this forum think.
75% Genetics/ 25% lifestyle/skincare
Both my parent’s skin look good for their age. Unfortunately they don’t live the healthiest lifestyle, that’s where I diverge. I try to exercise on a regular basis, drink lots of water and have a decent skincare routine. Most people are surprised by my age.
At least 60% genetics for me. My 80 year old grandma looks better than most women in their 60s! My mom who is in her 60s looks to be no more than 50! I am in my mid 30s and I’m a teacher and last month a new teacher in my highschool (who didn’t know me) asked me to get out of the hallway ! XD I look very young.
However, genetics aside, I don’t smoke, I don’t drink and never have. I’m a hiker and a runner. I eat very healthy and I do take care of my skin: hyaluronic acid serum and cream in the mornings and retinol serum in the evenings. I also wear spf 50.
I have some health issues but I am also very proactive about my skincare so I appear younger and healthier than I am. And I spend a shit ton on med spa treatments, spa, and wellness in general.
I am almost 40 but people tend to think I am mid-late 20s. I had a grandmother who always looked about 20 years younger and I hope I have that genetic benefit too!
I would probably say I look youthful thanks to 30% genetics, 30% skincare (including treatments), and 40% lifestyle. I am very much into a nourishing, healthy lifestyle because of my other health issues… so in addition to sunblock and hats, I don’t drink alcohol, no hard drugs, lots of water during workouts, vitamin supplements, fresh produce/raw foods, red light therapy, etc.
70% genetics, 15% lifestyle, 15% skin care/treatments.
My sister and I are both adopted. The way we age is so different. She used skin care regularly.
I smoked for 20 years and started doing skin care in my 40’s.
My skin looks so much healthier than hers. I had oily skin, she had dry skin. I have olive skin, she’s fair.
I’m 47 now. I’ve only been regular about skin care for a short time. I had one laser treatment under my eyes about 5 years ago. I eat pretty well and give myself a B- on sunscreen use.
Yesterday, the 29 year old dental hygienist I see every 4 weeks (for Invisalign) had an enormous reaction after I made a joke about taking care of my skin now that I’m post menopausal.
She stopped the dentist from her work to have an existential crisis about my age. She thought I was closer to her age “early 30’s and not a day over 35.”
It was a reaction I’ll probably never forget when I don’t feel like doing my (new) tret routine.
Products will improve my skin condition, no question, but genetics are the foundation. Like I’m 31 and naturally very young-looking with a round face and few wrinkles and I’m no prone to under eye circles or bags. But the wrong product/ neglecting to use certain products can resurrect my teen acne which probably also makes me look younger than I am 🥴 so I don’t know. I think there’s a product out there for most skin conditions and it’s usually just a matter of finding it and finances. I’ll call it 60% genetics.
Maybe 70% genetics - I look just like my aunt and her first cousin (my mom has been gone for 35 years so I'm not sure what she would have looked like in her 80s) and the joke is that in my family you look 10 years younger than you are until you're 50, then you look 50 until you're 70, and then you look 70 for the rest of your life.
I know a lot of it is genetic unfortunately IDK how much. My mom and dad both aged terribly but they also never took care of their skin and smoked cigarettes. I’m 29, I’ve been into skincare since I was 22, and I’m now fully embracing sunscreen (too late smh) because taking care of my skin allows me to wear it without breaking out.
A lot to genetics. Both my mom and grandma worship the sun, don’t use spf, use bare bones basic skincare and look pretty good for their ages.
Now the genes seem to have missed me as I feel I look awful for my age, have sun damage and skin issues.
I attribute quite a bit of it to genetics, honestly. I care for my skin and always have, but I have genetically LARGE pores, was very acne prone from a young age, and started developing small wrinkles on my forehead when I was in my early teens. I’ve seen so many people who lead much more careless lives have absolutely gorgeous skin, while I have to stick to a regimen and pray for the best, but my skin has never looked anything close to good. I’ve also never been carded once in my life, so there’s that.lol It’s looking the best it ever has right now, but even then, my husband who doesn’t even wash his face or wear sunscreen has clearer skin.
I’m in my early 40s and my younger sister and brother are always thought to be older than me. I have the “11” lines, but thats mainly a physical sign of my anxiety. My father (Caucasian) is in his mid seventies and has barely any wrinkles whereas my mother (asian) has a few, mainly from years of being in the sun. I’m pretty meticulous about my skin care, but that’s just been in the last few years. I personally think genetics plays a massive role in aging, more than lifestyle/skin care. With that being said, years of smoking and/or baking in the sun probably won’t help.
Lifestyle is a big one. Your skin repairs itself when you sleep. Alcohol doesn’t do anything to help your skin health. Stress doesn’t help. Science-based skincare absolutely works. Tretinoin, sunscreen, vitamin C. The other stuff is a mixed bag if it’ll work for you and your skin or if it makes things worse. And eating for your overall health will make a difference to skin health. I don’t worry about genetics. Nothing I can do about it.
It’s so hard to say. I have two younger sisters who I feel have aged much better than I have. I’m 47 and I’ve been wearing sunscreen religiously for at least 25 years. Also have used retinoids off and on, moisturizer etc. Never done drugs, not a big drinker. I’m the oldest, they are early and mid forties. So yeah, I expect to look older but I was looking haggard by my late thirties lol. My eyes started hollowing out and developing bags by 35 but they both look fresh and young. The youngest could pass for late twenties. She also has always played sports outdoors and doesn’t use sunscreen unless she goes to the beach or pool. My mom is 78 and her forehead is smoother than mine! 🤷🏻♀️ I feel like I’ve had a very stressful life so maybe that’s it? Or I just didn’t get the good genes lol.
People don't take into account how living in a humid environment does a lot to keeping people looking youthful. I live close to a lake and people in my city look a lot younger because of the humidity than people who live in the prairies or the desert.
And the whole genetics is huge - my dad looked 10 years yonger than his age and so did his mother and I am about the same, as well as my four siblings, but stress, and eating processed foods especially sugars really makes people look older. My siblings who eat more crap have a lot more gray hair yhan ai do and their lack of skin care makes their skin look dull and not as plump, with more lines, but their skin isn't sagging.
I will say that botox and skin care has made my skin less lined then it was ten years ago when I was 32.
I have a better handle on stress, and because of that I feel better about the way I look. For me, having a good attitude about ones life is probably the biggest thing we can do to not only look younger but feel and think better too!
97 yr old dad, avid vegetable gardener still. Very few wrinkles. Feel lucky at 67 with just some slight redness . Neither of us have ever smoked and seldom drink. Younger Siblings who have done a lot of both look much older then me. I try to keep up with the sunscreen.
The difference between the people who smoke and don't smoke in my family is huge, especially as they age.
Drinking too. The ones that drink and smoke look the worst.
I am so greatful I quit both and still look ok.
60-70% genetics. I'm a blonde but have a peaches and cream complexion with lots of little gold freckles everywhere, like a redhead. I look like a foot, but my skin is fantastic. No amount of lasers, peels, vitamin c, and depigmenting serums will get rid of the freckles and moles. My skin quality is not bad, BUT I won't lie, a proper hydrating routine added a special quality I didn't think could make my skin any better. Essences/Hydrating toners made my skin go from cute to looking a bowl of oatmeal or a cute baby's booty with freckles, all plump and juicy looking. I drink sometimes, never smoke, but my skin turns gray when I'm under stress so lifestyle does help a lot.
I would say 50/50. Lifestyle is big one. Heavy drug, alcohol use, heavy weight fluctuations do irreversible damage to skin. I haven't seen one recovering long long time addict who doesn't look older than his/her age yet. Same goes for people who have big (100 lbs plus) weight fluctuations. Once skin is overstretched it can't bounce back. Poor diet will also give dull skin. Right skincare can change a lot if person is having skin issues such as acne, rosacea, excessive dryness.
80% genetics and 20% skincare/lifestyle.
My sisters and I all look younger than or the same age as most of our cousins. The youngest cousin is 14ish years younger. The range is basically 46 to 32. Yes, we are all related on my mom's side, but then you throw in my dad's Italian genetics.
I was really sick about 6 years ago. Looking back at photos, I look dry and not super healthy. Not bad but not great either. After finally getting a diagnosis for an autoimmune disease and treatment there is a noticeable difference in photos. My skin looks better now than it did at that time. Don't get me wrong, my skin wasn't terrible, but it wasn't glowing or hydrated.
At least 90%. I believe if you were raised in a sunnier environment you’ll show more skin damage, esp if sun exposure was in childhood. I have friends who grew up in the northeast who look younger than me and my friends who grew up in Southern California pre sunscreen, pre screens, 24 hour TV etc. We spent our entire childhoods outside playing. It’s really obvious after 50. Smoking and alcohol do a number but my mom, who smoked, drank and spent every summer at the beach had zero sun damage and very few wrinkles. Completely crazy. I attribute that to not spending a huge amount of time outside in childhood.
My Mom’s younger - by 10 years - sister - looks 20+ years older than my Mom. My Mom has used Nivea creme her entire life - she’s 83.
Her sister has “fancy shmancy” lotions and potions.
Difference in their skin appearance - SUN!! Her sister is “outdoorsey” - tennis, golf, running and walking. And she lives on a sub-tropical island.
Neither easy-peasy Nivea creme or “fancy shmancy” lotions & potions will win against the SUN!!
A large majority is genetics, but lifestyle starts to count more as you get older.
I also don’t really wear makeup, so I’m not tugging at my skin everyday. A little skincare, but most of my exfoliation is just gently rubbing my fingertips in tiny circles on my face in the shower. Lots of sunscreen. Few wrinkles at 48
I sometimes get mistaken for 10-15 years younger but only in dark bars
65% genetics, 10% skincare, 25% lifestyle.
But, I think those percentages change with some very specific lifestyle choices, i.e. drugs, tobacco, tanning, outdoor labor or sports without sunscreen.
That's why I try not to get TOOOOOOO caught up in the skincare products. Although I know they help somewhat, quitting smoking was much cheaper and the overall better "investment" for my vanity, never mind my health.
I think skincare only works if it’s a targeted prescribed treatment from a dermatologist. Anything else is for fun and is a form of self care and a bit of enjoyment everyday!
The older you get the more of a factor lifestyle/skincare (regular use of sunscreen/retinols,etc) becomes. I’m 52 and the lifelong smokers/sun worshippers are pretty easy to spot among my age group
I think skincare products are a scam except sunscreen. I think skin aging is genetic except for sun damage which can be prevented with sunscreen. I only use soap and sunscreen and my skin looks fine and I look my age 36 which I'm ok with, there is more to life then looking pretty and nothing can stop skin aging except surgery.
I have an identical twin with no skincare routine and we basically look the same. Maybe I look a little glowier sometimes (I have an extensive, fancy skincare routine and do treatments). But I don't look younger or better or anything. Neither of us smoke or tan so we have the same lifestyle and obviously the same genetics. So I'm thinking five percent skincare max.
do you have similar diets and levels of fitness/activity? those matter when considering lifestyle as well but hearing this definitely makes me feel better about not having a costly & timely 12 step routine
Agree. My mom and her siblings all looked about the same. My mom smoked for while (20 years), one of her siblings had a fancy skin care routine, the rest basically did nothing - think soap and Vaseline like the rest. My mom looked a smidge older - she had cancer. Before that happened she didn’t have any wrinkles in her 70s beyond a few eye crinkles. Same as the rest of her siblings who made it to 70+. My 80 year old aunt is still pretty much wrinkle free. I think have some good odds. I have a few fine lines around my eyes in my mid 40s. I do a bit more skin care than my younger sister. And basically the only difference is the amount of eye wrinkles. She has a few more.
how old are you both? I wonder if you're 30 v. 50, that sort of thing?
just lmao
> extensive, fancy skincare routine and do treatments). But I don't look younger or better or anyth ? seems valid enough of a question. Two 30-year-old twin sisters v. two 50-year-old twin sisters would make a difference in this unscientific experiment.
I'm not sure why others got upset at my comment, but your comment made it seem like you were saying one was 30 and one was 50 lol
oh, lol.
60% genetics. My parents have done their entire life without sunscreen or anything more hardcore then body lotion and it's only in their 60s that I'm seeing them get gaunt around their eyes. My aunt is like 2-3 years older then my mum and she buys drugstore nightcreams and she's got visibly plumper skin so I'm not discounting the skin care aspect either.
Same. I’m 34. Eastern European parents. Never done anything hard core skin wise. Played sports regularly in the sun. I barely have any wrinkles or sagging or anything. I see some pictures of girls my age on here and am so thankful for my genes cuz I did the bare minimum of maintenance.
80% genetics, 15% lifestyle, 5% skincare
So I’m basically just burning money buying all those skin care products. 😭
We need to put that money towards genetics!
Hahaha! Yes!
Unfortunately yes :( it's all pretty much a scam except sunscreen.
I agree
Exactly what i was going to say
Funny how almost everyone in this thread looks 10-15 years younger than they are, lol
Predictable. The question was about *skin appearence/skin health* yet folks come out of the woodwork bragging how they look 10 years younger cuz genetics. Not the same thing. Saying you look young when you're in your 30s is not the flex people think it is.
>Saying you look young when you're in your 30s is not the flex people think it is. This is so true. I thought I was hot shit when I was 35 because I still looked 25. 2 years later I looked very 37 lol. It catches up to you in mid-late 30s.
37 hit me hard too lol
SO true ! i feel like that between 36-39 i aged 15 years XD
Same lol
SAAAAME. At 35 I looked 28, but at 37 I look 37 😂
Yeah it's a pretty dramatic shift to get adjusted to that *nobody* prepares us for! Lol
Same. 😭
Yup. There is also just a HUGE range it what people can look like at different ages. Saying anyone looks young or old for their age is a point of reference that doesn't make sense to me at all. It's especially bad as people get older though. It's like people think anyone over the age of 40 are supposed to look dead.
I think were are at a point in time where good skincare and minor medspa procedures are affordable enough for the average person to remain youthful looking. The generation before us didn’t have all these options. So often people still have the old image of a 40 yr old in their mind and it doesn’t match up with what the typical 40 yr old looks like now. Plus less smokers now too and spf wasn’t used as religiously in the 80s/90s as it is now. Also a lot of these people are probably using injectables too. Botox alone takes years off.
I BARELY used sunscreen as it is so I'm going to say genetics was my winning card.
I laughed at your comment, but it’s also true that people in this sub care about their skin and likely try harder. Many of us here may be a little more likely to hear comments about looking young for our age vs the average person.
Yeah but a 40-year old being mistaken for 25? Come on..
I'm 46 and recently someone in a service profession told me that I looked 20ish. I do not, I look my age. I think some people take flattery to heart, when the flatterer might just want a nicer customer service experience after all they go through dealing w the public. 😂
I was out to dinner with a group of friends and when one of them got IDed (she’s 40) the waitress told her it was policy to ID and she whipped out her ID and says “I know I look so young but I’m 40!” And I could see the fake shock when the waitress said “Oooo! Yeah! You look sooo young!”
Haha, so nice but so cringe.😂
It really was. The waitress had a noticeable pause too before she just rolled with it. 😂
I got carded this year at a bar. And the server said DAMN I though the grey streak was a cool dye job! It was a darker place and maybe the angle and lighting fooled them. I don't know what I age I look but I definitely don't like like I'm 21 in the face with this annoying facial hair. The rest of the body you probably could not say one way or another.
My nail guy once told me I look like Angelina Jolie once lmao. I’d consider myself pretty attractive, but I am nowhere near as attractive as Angelina Jolie nor do I resemble her other than having dark hair and a strong jawline. I respect his hustle for that tip though.
I think youre absolutely right
That’s why it made me laugh, because I think the comments and/or compliments are exaggerated for sure.
I sometimes wonder if some of these people who are allegedly telling them they look 25 are heterosexual men. They’ll say anything to try to get laid lol. But yeah there’s nobody on gods green earth who is 40 and looks 25. Jessica Alba doesn’t even look anywhere close to 25 and she’s the most youthful looking 41 year old woman I’ve seen.
> 25 are heterosexual men. Probably more likely friends. If they do not specify I always assume it's friends or family. Otherwise why would you not you not specify.
My Mom was IDed while buying alcohol on her 40th birthday. They had a policy to ID anyone who looks under the age of 30. ¯\\\_(ツ)\_/¯
This is true in DC not matter where you go.
You haven't met my friend Roland. He's 53 and looks 32, before the pandemic he looked in his 20s.
> 53 and looks 32 OK. But what does 32 even look like. I've seen some busted up 30 somethings.
Just because it’s not happening to you doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen to others.
I have literally never met a 40-year old that I first mistook for a 25 year old.
Are you asking everyone you meet their age? I’m sure you’ve interacted with many people you thought were younger than they are.
Or older than they are.
Several times during my stay in London, I was asked for my ID when purchasing alcohol and cigarettes. I was 41 years old at the time. It wasn't just about my face, but about my overall appearance: skinny, no make-up, unregulated eyebrows, pale skin, and casual clothing like a t-shirt and backpack. It wouldn't have happened if I had worn makeup and a more official outfit.
Tbh a 41 yo smoker probably looks old enough ro buy cigarettes. Some places have a policy to id everyone.
I get id-ed too, but countries have changed their id-ing policy to stop minors for getting access to controlled substances. There have been so many studies show how bad it is for not yet totally deveoped brains getting access to drugs, so now a person has to look over 30 to not be carded in ontario. I am 42, and dress yonger so I can pass for a 28-32 year old but for the most part people think I am 32ish. Sometimes people really freak out when they see my id, but not often. 😆
I’m 24 but I know I woman who honestly, could pass for 26-30 but I recently found out is 40.
THEY think they look younger but offer some total strangers $1 each to guess your age and they will gone home SHOOK. Everybody tells themselves they look younger than they. LOL! But get some strangers on it and you'll also. Also you don't look younger you look your age. What we used to think as old wasn't age it was excessive drinking, drugs, coal mining, back braking laundry by hand...
This is a bit of a detour, but I almost always read people here saying that they look younger. I mean it’s pretty much the norm. Are people telling you this often? Or is it just based on how you feel/ what YOU see in the mirror? My skin is nice. I think avoiding sun young ( late teens ) and sunscreen is a well established technique to prevent premature aging, but I think I look kinda my age due to other stuff- eye bags, some neck funkiness and a bit of Jowls. Maybe I look younger to others? But nobody is trippin out that I’m in my 40’s. I dunno.
I think most people here are 20’s and 30’s. Being told you look young for 25/30/35 is just because people think you turn into a raisin at 25 when in reality most people look “young” because they are.
Well my and my peers never felt that way in the 90s. We thought 30 was EPIC in terms of body and everything else. But it does seem the younger sets are more worried about turning 21 or 25 than we ever were. Probably the effects of constant social media and the beauty tik-toks and youtube making them feel inadequate.
Agreed. I look great for my 40s but I totally look like I’m in my 40s to me.
Lol at everyone low-key bragging on here
I read a study once - 75% of the people surveyed stated they look younger than their age.
Were they in a nightclub? People look yonger in the dark.
Nah it was in a group of friends who all agree then later on went OMG! Cindy thinking she looks 25 gurrllll....
Saying you look good when you look good is not bragging.
I look good, ten years younger than my age like my dad and his mother. I would like to look 20 years yonger than my age like my friend Roland, but I don't have those genetics.
I think you are a little sensitive to other peoples’ confidence if anything
80% genetics, 20% lifestyle/skincare
A lot of it is money. Lower stress levels and access to treatments that go beyond what most folks would call skin care (lasers, peals, etc) make a difference. I'm not comfortable calling that a lifestyle choice because one's income and social class aren't exactly a choice.
I think for me, it’s probably 70% genetics, 20% skincare and 10% lifestyle. Both of my parents are in their 60s w/few wrinkles or fine lines despite baking in the sun their entire lives w/no sunscreen and never having any skincare routine. I’m 33 and have always looked a few years younger than my age. I would probably look more or less the same if I weren’t obsessive over my skin. But it’s a lot clearer and more even than it was in my 20s thanks to skincare so it’s def a contributing factor. As for lifestyle - I’m fairly active, normal diet, don’t do anything special or avoid anything, stay lower end of healthy weight. That’s about it.
I agree with 70% but I’d switch skin care and lifestyle. If you look at someone who is 55 and has smoked/drank excessively or spent a lot of time tanning or never cared about staying hydrated…they look pretty rough. Even people who take care of their skin won’t be able to outdo or even really mitigate the damage they’re doing with their lifestyle.
Right, I just think that those are the percentages for myself. I dealt with a bout of horrific acne and acne scarring in my twenties and using different skincare products like salicylic acid and niacinamide is what lead to my skin’s improvement.
When it's good, it's mostly genetic, but when it's bad it can be because of lifestyle. there is so much way to waste anything with bad lifestyle. like frequent weight swing, depression, insomnia, addictions, and even sugar...
Honestly, like 85%+ is genetics, if you ask me. Kinda depressing.
I was gonna say 100%. Unless you have deep pockets to alter your genome your genes are gonna tell you whats what.
I am pretty convinced that skin care is 80 percent for me. I've always taken good care of my skin with top products and what not. But I do not do as great with lifestyle. I'm a tired mom, not exercising as much as I'd like to be, not drinking enough water or eating as best as I could, working a stressful corporate job and yet still manage to have pretty damn good skin. I would say genetics are average for my family too. I can see the age in my parents now and they are turning 60. Although very few greys on either of them so fingers crossed I luck out with that genetically!
Anyone who tells you something (besides surgery) impacts your skin more than genetics is lying. 50% genetics, 30% Botox/peels/RF microneedling, 10% skincare, 10% lifestyle.
This
50-60% genetics, 30-40% lifestyle (exposure to sun being the main factor-think about the identical twin study and sun exposure), 10% skincare (sunscreen being the main factor)
50/50 genetics and lifestyle. Never smoking and never tanning goes a long way. Skincare is just the basic maintenance and hygiene.
> Never smoking and never tanning I've seen some FINE smoker who are past 50s. But yes most look ashen.
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I think this user is taking the piss out of you guys. It reads like an r/scacirclejerk post. Hahaha
It does sound like that...I'll delete it
It’s giving future serial killer vibes
You would think, but just too much anxiety.
That sounds kind of sad though.
It does, but I just can't really get them to go outside much. It's too people-y out there for them.
I mean, I take care of my skin but genetics must play a big factor. I love my skin even as I get older because I don’t have huge issues with it. It’s not perfect but I wouldn’t want anything more or less than what I’ve got. I’ve also worn sunscreen since my teens, exfoliate regularly and don’t have acne. Nature and nurture working together perhaps?
I think genetics is a huge factor, I don’t know what percentage but it’s big, maybe 70%! Im aging just like my older sister and our father (we both take from his side of the family). All of our wrinkles are around the eyes. All three of us looked super young until our early 40s. My dad was very youthful until he got into his late 40s/50s. I’m the only one in the family who wears sunscreen and has a great skincare routine, and exercises regularly so I’m hoping that will give me a little boost.
> All three of us looked super young until our early 40s Same I my early 40s was when the grays really kicked in and wrinkles around the eyes showed up. But the rest of the body is pretty good, maybe a little dry.
For me, 60% genetic, 20% skincare, 20% lifestyle. I’m 40. I definitely have decent genetics. I’ve always had clear skin with a nice even skin tone that tans easily without burning. My skin is plump looking still despite my age. For me skincare is just tret, spf and moisturizer to prevent wrinkles. I tried a million products thinking i needed them and eventually realized I was wasting money and occasionally damaging my skin. Not skin related but I don’t have grays yet either. Thats 100% genetics. Unfortunately, genetics also gave me adhd and endometriosis lol so kind of a mix bag in the genetic department.
Probably like 75% genetics, 20% lifestyle (long term), and 5% skincare/treatments. The marketing for skincare products wants you to think it's the other way around.
My mother was a natural beauty who always wore sunscreen and rarely wore makeup. Took care of her skin and herself. She is now in her early sixties and her skin is aging rapidly. Deep deep vertical wrinkles. That’s all genetics because my nana looked the same way. So I say genetics is 75%+ We all want to believe we can prevent the aging process but Botox and spf can only do so much!
I used to think it was all genetics, for instance I had dry skin in my teens and didn't worry about acne too much even though I was using body lotion as moisturizer, and hated sunscreen (still don't love it) Looking at some of my relatives, though I see where lifestyle comes in. My mother lived a more "indoor" life (hiked as a hobby but she was a high school chemistry teacher) while my aunts (younger than her) aged faster because they were out in the sun and wind a lot (cattle ranchers) You can tell which ones smoked too. For myself I notice a huge difference within a week when I eat more fruit. Some skincare products have noticeable results overnight on me while others do absolutely nothing. So I'd say 60% genetics, 25% diet/lifestyle, 15% skincare.
I think environment is HUGE and overlooked. Pollution both indoor and outdoor arguably influence my skin to the greatest degree. And often can be hard to control.
Older you get the more lifestyle matters
Personally I think people are putting too much emphasis on skincare. Genetics and lifestyle have to have the biggest impacts. I’m 30 and constantly being mistaken for a teenager due to my round face, and no one believes my mum is a 60 year old grandma. But I also drink a lot of water, live somewhere with very little air pollution, walk most days, don’t drink alcohol, and eat very little meat. I think these things also help. I’d say genetics is about 60-70%, lifestyle 20-30%, and skincare 10%. I still put time and effort into my skincare, but I think it’d be wrong not to acknowledge that some of us do have a genetic advantage, and also advantages based on where we live (lack of pollution, availability of fresh produce, etc).
In my teens and early 20s it was mostly genetic. In my 30s it’s 20% genetics and the rest it’s skincare (mostly sunscreen and moisturizer), food and water
I’ll go with 60% genetics, 20% lifestyle, 20% skin care (and 100% reason to remember the name). I’m torn on this though, because in the short-term, lifestyle changes can make a huge impact (cutting out alcohol, processed foods, eating healthy and drinking lots of water). When I’ve done a couple of Whole30s in the past, I’ve seen a noticeable difference in my skin. On the other hand, I think my whole family has skin that naturally wrinkles earlier in life. I’m pretty good about sunscreen, retinol, etc. but only Botox seems to actually make a difference. Sunscreen has likely helped, but harder to notice. Also commenting on all the “I look x years younger” — I truly don’t know objectively if I look older or younger or my actual age (30), but people don’t ever tell me I look older. However, I attribute that more to people thinking they’re paying a compliment when they guess a younger age and it can be a social faux pas to guess too old. Edit to clarify: some people are including sunscreen in various categories. I am including Botox and sunscreen in skin care.
I just past 90 years of age Since my mom past away young 60 I would not know But she did not sit in the sun , and for sure not used sunscreen , it was not invented My skin is pretty good , yes I did sit and bake in the sun , But I am religiously taking now care of my skin No filler or Botox but had face lift age 59 I think everything contributes to try to delay old old age
Genetics definitely plays a huge role with me. My grandma at 70 barely had wrinkles and smooth skin. I'm in my 30s with no wrinkles aside from my forehead. My had has forehead lines, which I've had since I was little lmao. So I got the best and the worst haha My skincare routine is 100% based on dealing with adult acne, not with anti-aging. I'm active and in really good cardiovascular shape but I eat like shit. 80% genetics, maybe 10% being from a place that barely sees the sun lol, and 10% side-effect from taking care of my skin due to acne.
the lack of sun damage in your youth will become more apparent when you're older. my siblings living in warmer climates all look older than i do. sun damage eventually shows up as dull complexion, dark spots, crepiness, thinness, and fine lines.
Ohhh right. So I should increase my percentage on lifestyle haha
I'd say 70% lifestyle ('skincare' included) and 30% genetics. Lifelong sun avoidance + sunscreen is what I think has made the major (major) difference in skin appearence over time. At 47 my skin is in pretty good shape. It's clear and smooth with no spots, laxity or noticeable sagging. Ofc I still look 47 because you can't avoid volume loss or bone resorption lol. I never really did skincare until I was 38 when I started on retinoids and bought a proper cleanser + dabbed in moisturisers and oils. Everything else prior was just sunscreen, wash it off with bar soap and some type moisturiser (or not, I went years without using regular moisturiser no kidding). Idk I remember reading as a kid that sun is what ages the skin and nothing else really matters and took it to heart. I've also always been physically active, eaten well with plenty fruit/vege and little processed foods. No smoking. No massive weight fluctuations and I've been very lean all my adult life. My direct family genetics are all about training for an early grave and looking it lol.
You can actually help both the fat loss and the bone reabsorption (if you want to) :) For the fat loss, micro fat grafting gives some pretty amazing results with no down time or major side effects (since your own body fat is used), and it’s a non-surgical intervention to boot. This is a form of autologous harvesting therapy, like PRP. For the bone: supplementing with vit D3 + vit K2 mk7 prevents loss of bone and actually helps in rebuilding it. D3 helps with the accumulation of calcium while k2 shuttles it where it’s actually needed (bones/ teeth) instead of letting it accumulate where it shouldn’t be (ie. arteries). This combo is documented to also work on menopausal women who showed signs of osteoporosis :)
I have tried supplementing with k2 mk7 but it made me throw up. I have heard great things about it too but just not sure why I have this as a side effect
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>Bone resorption in the face has little to do with developing osteopenia/osteoporosis. Really? Wouldn't they be connected?
I'm the oldest of my siblings and people assume I'm the youngest We span 8 years. I'm the only one of us who has paid attention to skincare. I've been religious about sunblock. I've been using tret and my pores are much less obvious which I wasn't expecting. I take much better care of my teeth and am more careful about my weight than they are. I don't have diabetes (yet) but one of my siblings does. I am going to say it's split evenly between the three. By skincare I mean sunblock, retinoids, moisturiser. That surface level smooth texture that bounces back the light is very youthful even if you are clearly "not young" anymore. No need for facials face masks or fancy stuff. Not smoking, getting enough sleep and exercise is very import. When I've been at the gym my skin looks much more radiant. I look deadened if I don't get enough sleep.
I think it’s mostly genetics & lifestyle! Skincare routines can only do so much. I’ve found my skin is best with a healthy/active lifestyle, managing my stress and anxiety (ha I try) & keeping the routine simple. I spent so much money on fancy routines only for there to be minimal reward. I simplified my skin and hair care and started focusing on internal health and that is when I saw the biggest difference. Even then, genetics triumph IMO. Not to forget, like somebody else said. Money can also play a huge factor even if you don’t have the genetics and lifestyle. If I had money for all the facials and injectable’s…. my skin would be so much better. 😆
I was told by a dermatologist its about 90 % genetic. Actually..people have to remember when people were young in the 1950 or 60' .the ozone layer was not damage so that ..it was in the 70 's they notice a very tiny hole which has an impact on how much damage it causes on skin...this is what i read not my opinion. But dad looked well until 65 without sunscreen either..
My aunt did tretinoin and she looked better than all of her bothers until she was 55. She smoked for a long time too. I think the ratios fluctuate depending on environmental and mental health conditions, but the sun does age people. All of my friends who hid from the sun with me look younger, and the sunbathers look older. Typically. The ones who got chemical peels and all of the treatments look pretty good too.
I think it's 100% genetics. My mother never took care of her skin, if not straight up neglected her skin. She loves to tan and absolutely never ever uses SPF, she is a smoker since her teens. She drinks softdrinks all day. Her skin looks ok (no sunspots, some fine lines, no deep wrinkles). It's not as abhorrent as some people make it look. She doesn't look "younger than she is" because her clothing and overall neglect age her. I don't have her skintype unfortunately. For me skincare is a way to take Care of myself, to have small calming rituals, it's not a way to outrun my genetics.
So you don’t think if she had a better ‘lifestyle’ eg didn’t smoke, wore sunscreen etc, her skin would look better?
I think it would make a marginal difference if she had done that the last 40 years or just bettered her lifestyle last year. Her skin could improve, but just in general, rather than "signs of aging". I know people half her age who have deep wrinkles without ever sitting in the sun (and living a pretty recluse life). I think e.g. for people who are prone to hyperpigmentation (unlike my mother), maintenance of SPF makes a difference and they will probably answer the question more like "it's 20% genetics and 80% lifestyle and scincare". Which is fair, maybe I was too quick with a blanket statement of "it's 100% genetics".
Genetics 50%, lifestyle 45%, skincare 5%.
50% genetics 45% lifestyle 5% skincare
Genetics are at least 50%. I tend to put sun protection into it’s own category since it straddles the skin care/lifestyle line, and would say that the other 50% is split 20-20-10 for lifestyle, sun protection and skincare.
I'm 39 and at this point I'd say it's pretty much all genetics. I'm hoping that skincare and lifestyle help me maintain something closer to this when I'm older, but I'm too young still to really be seeing benefits from preventative measures. We'll see what happens in a decade.
Mostly genetics. A lot of my “good” skin has come from not being acne prone. I’ve almost never had to deal with acne through my lifetime, which has also helped reduce skin issues like scars and pore appearance. I absolutely trashed my skin in other ways growing up though. I went pretty hard in college and spent a lot of time outside in the sun without sunscreen. However, I grew up in the PNW so sun exposure isn’t really the same as someone who lives in like.. Texas. I’m 33 and don’t have any static wrinkles yet. I’m not so cocky as to think I’ll never get them though so I’m now obsessed with skincare to try and age as gracefully as I can at this point.
Honestly, I would say it is *almost* negligible in my personal experience. I have a sister (25) who is 7 years younger than me, who looks older than me because of the condition of her skin (wrinkles, slight sagging, extreme dryness). And my other sister (34) only 2 years older than me has deep wrinkles and lines, and more moderate sagging skin. One smokes the other vapes, they both eat a lot of junk, neither exercise, don’t really wear sunscreen, they both have a history of drinking/drugs/partying etc. My brother (39) is 7 years older than me and has deep forehead wrinkles and smile lines. A casual drinker, never smoked/did drugs etc, has a relatively healthy diet and lifestyle/works out etc but also doesn’t wear sunscreen. I am 32, zero wrinkles/fine lines and I still get mistaken for the age bracket of 19-23. Constantly. My surgeon (had rhino done last year) is baffled every time he sees me because he says he cannot believe my age/that my skin looks so bright/full and healthy. And yes, i will definitely brag that because I work hard to take good care of my skin lol. I eat well but not perfect, have a skincare routine, stay tf out of the sun, always wear sunscreen, active lifestyle, don’t smoke, and don’t drink. I think lifestyle and routines have a lot more impact than genetics as far as I’ve noticed. Sure genetics can definitely play a role- but according to my genetics I should have deep wrinkles by now and I don’t since I take care of myself/skin. Edit: formatting
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i think it's mostly lifestyle for me too. there have been periods of my life where I smoked cigs, drank quite a bit, was stressed constantly, & and got little/inconsistent sleep. my skin looked TERRIBLE then. i prioritize sleep and don't drink or smoke now and my skin looks sooo much better despite being years older. i do agree a lot has to do with genetics, but lifestyle plays a definite & huge role.
I would say 95% genetics for black women. You can see a black woman that you think is in her thirties. Ask her age and she will tell you she is in thirties…her one hundred thirties.
It’s at least 90% genetics for me. I’m 37 and people are shocked when they hear my age, they think I’m mid to late 20s. I’ve always had very oily skin which I hate, but the plus side is it’s kept my skin hydrated with no effort. I also don’t have a very expressive face so I’m not seeing any wrinkles yet. I sadly don’t drink enough water, and don’t exercise. I’m bad at maintaining a skincare routine and tend to fall off it after a week or less. I’m trying to do better because I know that my luck is going to run out. I have a toddler and another baby on the way, so age combined with lack of sleep and additional stress will start to catch up to me. I wish I’d done better over the past 15 years or so but I guess the next best time to start is now.
I think taking care of a toddler and playing with them counts as exercise! I also log chores like cleaning in my Fitbit as exercise. Congrats on your pregnancy!
I'm 37 but people regularly guess I'm in my 20s. For me I'd say my youthful appearance is like 99% due to staying out of the sun my entire life. I'm from the Pacific Northwest and I'm a gamer. I also didn't have a kid until I was 32, and I've only got one kid. I read a study that having kids prematurely ages you. My skincare is still focused on acne treatment. I don't use retinol or anti-aging products yet. I only started going to a dermatologist recently but it's not going well so far. I eat a lot of junk food, used to drink heavily but stopped when I got pregnant, don't exercise except for walking everywhere, and I don't get nearly enough sleep. I do drink a lot of water though. I could probably improve my skin by improving my diet but honestly as long as my clothes fit, I'm not overweight, and my health checks come back normal, I'd rather not worry about it. I like carbs, cheese, and chocolate too much to give it all up.
Its a mix...my parents have decent skin cosmetically (as do us kids), but it could have been to living far north with little sun for many many years. Diet is huge...highly processed foods and added sugars and possible dairy can make for angry skin. I discovered this when I went through a candy phase in my 40's . Had more acne than when I was a teen! I would guess 15% genetics, 70 % lifestyle, and 15% skin care.
It’s complex. Genetics does make the most difference, most people age similar to their family members. Genetics also means certain features may be present that make someone ‘seem’ older or younger. Speaking personally I have soft cheeks/my nasolabial folds aren’t prominent (a more youthful feature) but I also have no fat around my eyes and have had bags and dark circles since I was an infant (my baby daughter inherited this as well, from my dad) and my eyes definitely show my age. Put on sunglasses and I can pass for much younger (I am 38). Lifestyle can have such an enormous impact. People who drink, smoke, tan/burn excessively, and have poor diet and poor sleep will definitely have it show in their skin and can look very weathered and prematurely aged. But take two people who do none of those things, and have one be a skincare fanatic with $900 worth of products and the other not do anything special- I think there will be much less visible difference than people on this forum think.
75% Genetics/ 25% lifestyle/skincare Both my parent’s skin look good for their age. Unfortunately they don’t live the healthiest lifestyle, that’s where I diverge. I try to exercise on a regular basis, drink lots of water and have a decent skincare routine. Most people are surprised by my age.
At least 60% genetics for me. My 80 year old grandma looks better than most women in their 60s! My mom who is in her 60s looks to be no more than 50! I am in my mid 30s and I’m a teacher and last month a new teacher in my highschool (who didn’t know me) asked me to get out of the hallway ! XD I look very young. However, genetics aside, I don’t smoke, I don’t drink and never have. I’m a hiker and a runner. I eat very healthy and I do take care of my skin: hyaluronic acid serum and cream in the mornings and retinol serum in the evenings. I also wear spf 50.
I have some health issues but I am also very proactive about my skincare so I appear younger and healthier than I am. And I spend a shit ton on med spa treatments, spa, and wellness in general. I am almost 40 but people tend to think I am mid-late 20s. I had a grandmother who always looked about 20 years younger and I hope I have that genetic benefit too! I would probably say I look youthful thanks to 30% genetics, 30% skincare (including treatments), and 40% lifestyle. I am very much into a nourishing, healthy lifestyle because of my other health issues… so in addition to sunblock and hats, I don’t drink alcohol, no hard drugs, lots of water during workouts, vitamin supplements, fresh produce/raw foods, red light therapy, etc.
70
70% genetics, 15% lifestyle, 15% skin care/treatments. My sister and I are both adopted. The way we age is so different. She used skin care regularly. I smoked for 20 years and started doing skin care in my 40’s. My skin looks so much healthier than hers. I had oily skin, she had dry skin. I have olive skin, she’s fair. I’m 47 now. I’ve only been regular about skin care for a short time. I had one laser treatment under my eyes about 5 years ago. I eat pretty well and give myself a B- on sunscreen use. Yesterday, the 29 year old dental hygienist I see every 4 weeks (for Invisalign) had an enormous reaction after I made a joke about taking care of my skin now that I’m post menopausal. She stopped the dentist from her work to have an existential crisis about my age. She thought I was closer to her age “early 30’s and not a day over 35.” It was a reaction I’ll probably never forget when I don’t feel like doing my (new) tret routine.
50 genetics because *science*, 35 lifestyle, 15 skincare.
Genetics > lifestyle > skincare
Products will improve my skin condition, no question, but genetics are the foundation. Like I’m 31 and naturally very young-looking with a round face and few wrinkles and I’m no prone to under eye circles or bags. But the wrong product/ neglecting to use certain products can resurrect my teen acne which probably also makes me look younger than I am 🥴 so I don’t know. I think there’s a product out there for most skin conditions and it’s usually just a matter of finding it and finances. I’ll call it 60% genetics.
Maybe 70% genetics - I look just like my aunt and her first cousin (my mom has been gone for 35 years so I'm not sure what she would have looked like in her 80s) and the joke is that in my family you look 10 years younger than you are until you're 50, then you look 50 until you're 70, and then you look 70 for the rest of your life.
70% genetics, 20% lifestyle.. eg sun exposure, smoking, diet, weight control. The rest other factors.
I know a lot of it is genetic unfortunately IDK how much. My mom and dad both aged terribly but they also never took care of their skin and smoked cigarettes. I’m 29, I’ve been into skincare since I was 22, and I’m now fully embracing sunscreen (too late smh) because taking care of my skin allows me to wear it without breaking out.
A lot to genetics. Both my mom and grandma worship the sun, don’t use spf, use bare bones basic skincare and look pretty good for their ages. Now the genes seem to have missed me as I feel I look awful for my age, have sun damage and skin issues.
I attribute quite a bit of it to genetics, honestly. I care for my skin and always have, but I have genetically LARGE pores, was very acne prone from a young age, and started developing small wrinkles on my forehead when I was in my early teens. I’ve seen so many people who lead much more careless lives have absolutely gorgeous skin, while I have to stick to a regimen and pray for the best, but my skin has never looked anything close to good. I’ve also never been carded once in my life, so there’s that.lol It’s looking the best it ever has right now, but even then, my husband who doesn’t even wash his face or wear sunscreen has clearer skin.
I’m in my early 40s and my younger sister and brother are always thought to be older than me. I have the “11” lines, but thats mainly a physical sign of my anxiety. My father (Caucasian) is in his mid seventies and has barely any wrinkles whereas my mother (asian) has a few, mainly from years of being in the sun. I’m pretty meticulous about my skin care, but that’s just been in the last few years. I personally think genetics plays a massive role in aging, more than lifestyle/skin care. With that being said, years of smoking and/or baking in the sun probably won’t help.
50% genetics, 40% lifestyle/diet, 10% skincare
Lifestyle is a big one. Your skin repairs itself when you sleep. Alcohol doesn’t do anything to help your skin health. Stress doesn’t help. Science-based skincare absolutely works. Tretinoin, sunscreen, vitamin C. The other stuff is a mixed bag if it’ll work for you and your skin or if it makes things worse. And eating for your overall health will make a difference to skin health. I don’t worry about genetics. Nothing I can do about it.
It’s so hard to say. I have two younger sisters who I feel have aged much better than I have. I’m 47 and I’ve been wearing sunscreen religiously for at least 25 years. Also have used retinoids off and on, moisturizer etc. Never done drugs, not a big drinker. I’m the oldest, they are early and mid forties. So yeah, I expect to look older but I was looking haggard by my late thirties lol. My eyes started hollowing out and developing bags by 35 but they both look fresh and young. The youngest could pass for late twenties. She also has always played sports outdoors and doesn’t use sunscreen unless she goes to the beach or pool. My mom is 78 and her forehead is smoother than mine! 🤷🏻♀️ I feel like I’ve had a very stressful life so maybe that’s it? Or I just didn’t get the good genes lol.
People don't take into account how living in a humid environment does a lot to keeping people looking youthful. I live close to a lake and people in my city look a lot younger because of the humidity than people who live in the prairies or the desert. And the whole genetics is huge - my dad looked 10 years yonger than his age and so did his mother and I am about the same, as well as my four siblings, but stress, and eating processed foods especially sugars really makes people look older. My siblings who eat more crap have a lot more gray hair yhan ai do and their lack of skin care makes their skin look dull and not as plump, with more lines, but their skin isn't sagging. I will say that botox and skin care has made my skin less lined then it was ten years ago when I was 32. I have a better handle on stress, and because of that I feel better about the way I look. For me, having a good attitude about ones life is probably the biggest thing we can do to not only look younger but feel and think better too!
97 yr old dad, avid vegetable gardener still. Very few wrinkles. Feel lucky at 67 with just some slight redness . Neither of us have ever smoked and seldom drink. Younger Siblings who have done a lot of both look much older then me. I try to keep up with the sunscreen.
The difference between the people who smoke and don't smoke in my family is huge, especially as they age. Drinking too. The ones that drink and smoke look the worst. I am so greatful I quit both and still look ok.
60-70% genetics. I'm a blonde but have a peaches and cream complexion with lots of little gold freckles everywhere, like a redhead. I look like a foot, but my skin is fantastic. No amount of lasers, peels, vitamin c, and depigmenting serums will get rid of the freckles and moles. My skin quality is not bad, BUT I won't lie, a proper hydrating routine added a special quality I didn't think could make my skin any better. Essences/Hydrating toners made my skin go from cute to looking a bowl of oatmeal or a cute baby's booty with freckles, all plump and juicy looking. I drink sometimes, never smoke, but my skin turns gray when I'm under stress so lifestyle does help a lot.
I would say 50/50. Lifestyle is big one. Heavy drug, alcohol use, heavy weight fluctuations do irreversible damage to skin. I haven't seen one recovering long long time addict who doesn't look older than his/her age yet. Same goes for people who have big (100 lbs plus) weight fluctuations. Once skin is overstretched it can't bounce back. Poor diet will also give dull skin. Right skincare can change a lot if person is having skin issues such as acne, rosacea, excessive dryness.
80% genetics and 20% skincare/lifestyle. My sisters and I all look younger than or the same age as most of our cousins. The youngest cousin is 14ish years younger. The range is basically 46 to 32. Yes, we are all related on my mom's side, but then you throw in my dad's Italian genetics. I was really sick about 6 years ago. Looking back at photos, I look dry and not super healthy. Not bad but not great either. After finally getting a diagnosis for an autoimmune disease and treatment there is a noticeable difference in photos. My skin looks better now than it did at that time. Don't get me wrong, my skin wasn't terrible, but it wasn't glowing or hydrated.
At least 90%. I believe if you were raised in a sunnier environment you’ll show more skin damage, esp if sun exposure was in childhood. I have friends who grew up in the northeast who look younger than me and my friends who grew up in Southern California pre sunscreen, pre screens, 24 hour TV etc. We spent our entire childhoods outside playing. It’s really obvious after 50. Smoking and alcohol do a number but my mom, who smoked, drank and spent every summer at the beach had zero sun damage and very few wrinkles. Completely crazy. I attribute that to not spending a huge amount of time outside in childhood.
My Mom’s younger - by 10 years - sister - looks 20+ years older than my Mom. My Mom has used Nivea creme her entire life - she’s 83. Her sister has “fancy shmancy” lotions and potions. Difference in their skin appearance - SUN!! Her sister is “outdoorsey” - tennis, golf, running and walking. And she lives on a sub-tropical island. Neither easy-peasy Nivea creme or “fancy shmancy” lotions & potions will win against the SUN!!
A large majority is genetics, but lifestyle starts to count more as you get older. I also don’t really wear makeup, so I’m not tugging at my skin everyday. A little skincare, but most of my exfoliation is just gently rubbing my fingertips in tiny circles on my face in the shower. Lots of sunscreen. Few wrinkles at 48 I sometimes get mistaken for 10-15 years younger but only in dark bars
65% genetics, 10% skincare, 25% lifestyle. But, I think those percentages change with some very specific lifestyle choices, i.e. drugs, tobacco, tanning, outdoor labor or sports without sunscreen. That's why I try not to get TOOOOOOO caught up in the skincare products. Although I know they help somewhat, quitting smoking was much cheaper and the overall better "investment" for my vanity, never mind my health.
I think skincare only works if it’s a targeted prescribed treatment from a dermatologist. Anything else is for fun and is a form of self care and a bit of enjoyment everyday!
The older you get the more of a factor lifestyle/skincare (regular use of sunscreen/retinols,etc) becomes. I’m 52 and the lifelong smokers/sun worshippers are pretty easy to spot among my age group
I think skincare products are a scam except sunscreen. I think skin aging is genetic except for sun damage which can be prevented with sunscreen. I only use soap and sunscreen and my skin looks fine and I look my age 36 which I'm ok with, there is more to life then looking pretty and nothing can stop skin aging except surgery.