Just about every product nowadays promises eternal youth. While no one has found the secret to preventing the natural process of aging, companies and marketers have been advertising products that can stop time or reverse the clock.
It is no secret that media, including advertising, places a lot of value on youth. Older people are also underrepresented. If they appear on screen and print, they are often portrayed in a flattering light. So, it should come as no surprise that people want to cling to their youth for as long as possible. Even those who have aged under the spotlight have been hiding their wrinkles, fine lines, dark spots, loose skin, and other visible signs of growing older. They use fillers, manipulate photos and videos, and different strategies to make them look younger than they are.
The skin is where aging usually becomes most obvious, which is what specifically many companies are targeting. There are thousands of products in the market that promise to reduce the appearance of skiing aging, ranging from moisturizing creams to supplements.
Teen Anti-Aging Market
It is widely known that, by the time the signs of aging appear, it becomes harder to minimize and eliminate them. The lotions that claim to be anti-wrinkle can only plump the skin to make the deep trenches look less noticeable. However, it still will be there.
So, many young people are banking on using anti-aging products early to prevent wrinkles and fine lines from ever forming. A study conducted in 2018 found that more than 50 percent of women aged 18 to 24 shared that they want to add anti-wrinkle products into their beauty routines. For comparison, only six years prior (in 2012), a survey found that fewer than 20 percent of women aged 18 to 24 are using anti-aging skincare products.
Some claim that the integration of certain anti-aging products into their routine is based on research and a science-first approach. Many, however, admit that they are afraid of premature aging.
Teens all over social media bond over finding skincare products that work. The gua sha, a massage tool used in ancient Chinese medicine, has found famous proponents such as Olivia Rodrigo (18 years old) to Kendall Jenner (26 years old). Gua Sha promises to boost blood circulation, lymphatic drainage, and skin elasticity.
It is not just gua sha. The entire anti-aging market is no longer popular with older consumers. An increasing number of buyers are young people who want to cling to their youthful skin for as long as possible. And they are driving the growth of the market.
Experts predict that the anti-aging market will be worth $88 billion by 2026.
Beauty from the Inside Out
Consumers are also now approaching anti-aging as a holistic approach. They not only buy and apply skincare products. They ensure that they get the proper nutrition to promote a youthful glow from within. There are different supplements, intravenous (IV) drips, beverages, and other goods that promise better skin. These usually contain collagen protein, coenzyme Q-10 (CoQ10), resveratrol, curcumin, or epigallocatechin gallate (ECGC).f
Celebrities swear by the effects of these products on their skin. Victoria’s Secret model Miranda Kerr takes Chlorella supplements which, she says, boosts complexion and repair cells. Meanwhile, former Spice Girls member Victoria Beckham takes Skinade collagen drinks in addition to her regular skincare routine to look as perfect as ever.
Bordering on Obsession
There is nothing wrong with wanting to preserve a moment in your life when you feel your most beautiful and confident. Anti-aging can be a form of self-care. The products you use on your skin can soothe you after a stressful day and remind you to slow down. The supplements you take may give you the vitamins and minerals you have been lacking.
However, there is also the risk of going overboard. Some doctors are warning the public that the intense desire to achieve eternal youth damages people psychologically and, at times, physically.
More women in their 20s are getting Botox as a preventive measure against aging. In fact, according to a previous report, the number of people between the ages of 19 to 34 who use Botox rose by 87 percent.
Although generally safe, Botox in excess can be bad. At a young age, getting Botox could lead to premature aging by weakening and flattening facial muscles over time.
The anti-aging market is growing rapidly as more young people begin using anti-aging products in their teens. It was previously dominated by older women, but the market is more diverse now. Moreover, there are also more people taking supplements in addition to skincare products to boost their skin health from the inside.
