The Pressures of Not Ageing

With the rise of social media and the push of capitalism, we see girls as young as 8 years old fighting over skincare products to ensure they don't ‘age prematurely’.

So why have we seen such a rise in this obsession with looking young? Social media, news articles, and other platforms are filled with posts of people applying copious amounts of products to their faces or doing the whole morning peel routine.

Part of the problem is, of course, skin care brands branching out to younger audiences because it’s extra money, and it’s very easy to get young impressionable children to hop onto the newest trends, despite the fact that many products like retinol can actually be harmful to a young person's skin.

But another big issue we face is the use of filters online. TikTok users have previously pointed out that TikTok automatically applies a skin-smoothing filter that doesn’t appear in video descriptions, so people are unintentionally promoting an unrealistic standard.

There is also an online push to see women's ‘prime’ as the early to mid-twenties. Men see women around that age as impressionable and easier to control, with some studies suggesting that while women's preferences in men's ages rise with their age, men seem to stick to 25 and under, regardless of their own age.

Many women also recall being catcalled more when they were in school compared to in their adult life.

This means we are told that if we want to be desired and loved, we have to look a certain way, and when that is all you see in the media, it’s hard not to internalise it.

Women are taught from a young age to hate their own skin and bodies, and that the worst thing a woman can do is get old. But aging is a privilege, and it’s beautiful. What child looks at their grandmother and doesn't think she is beautiful?

Now, don’t get me wrong, I think a slight push in skincare can be good, the push for SPF is so important with skin cancer rates increasing rapidly worldwide, and with how much skincare products have improved many people with skin issues have been able to feel more confident, as someone who has always struggled with acne, colourful pimple patches have helped me feel more confident about my skin while actively helping it.

But we should show women and girls that all skin is beautiful and that wrinkles aren’t ugly; they should be celebrated as milestones in experiencing life.

Smile lines and crows' feet shouldn’t be something we cover up; it’s our body's way of showing a lifetime of smiles and happiness. Why is that something we should be ashamed of?

In the 2023 Barbie film, Barbie turns to an old lady at the bench, struck by how a person's face changes over time and says, “You're beautiful” That's the way we should be approaching ageing.

Written by, Nat Synak