Few generations have been as intensely scrutinised as Gen Z. Born into the glow of smartphones and raised on a diet of algorithmic validation, they now find themselves ensnared in a cruel paradox: the harder they strive to preserve their youth, the older they seem to appear. The internet hums with theories โ stress, overzealous skincare routines, filler mishaps โ but the truth is far more insidious. Gen Z isnโt ageing faster; theyโre being conditioned to believe they are. And the repercussions run far deeper than skin.
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Mirror, Mirror, On The Wall
This crisis didnโt begin in a dermatologistโs office. It erupted on social media, where a 26-year-oldโs viral lament about being mistaken for middle-aged ignited a wave of panic now dominating Google searches: โWhy does Gen Z look older than millennials?โ The culprit isnโt collagen depletion โ itโs a perfect storm of hyper-visibility, predatory marketing, and existential dread. This issue was recently exemplified when Millie Bobby Brown, the 19-year-old actress and influencer, posted a video of herself expressing her frustration over being prematurely aged by public perception. The video quickly went viral, sparking a conversation about how the relentless pressures on Gen Z to maintain a youthful appearance have gone beyond skin-deep to now affecting their mental health and self-esteem.
Gen Z didnโt just inherit a planet on fire and an economy in shambles; they also inherited an unrelenting obsession with self-optimisation. While millennials once blissfully slathered on St. Ives apricot scrub and called it skincare, Gen Z is drowning in 12-step routines, โpreventativeโ Botox, and retinoids potent enough to strip paint. The irony? Many of these so-called solutions โ harsh actives, overfilled cheeks, frozen brows โ arenโt turning back time. Theyโre warping it.
How Skincare Brands Are Amplifying Anxiety
Skincare brands have struck gold by exploiting Gen Zโs anxieties. The phenomenon of โSephora Kidsโ highlights how pre-teens and teens are being targeted with influencer-driven campaigns and trendy, youth-focused products that normalise anti-ageing routines for alarmingly young audiences. The message is chillingly clear: Youth is a privilege that youโre already losing. Here we are, watching 23-year-olds spiral over forehead lines that, just a decade ago, wouldโve been shrugged off as simply having a face. The causes include retinol use, vapingโs oxidative toll, and fillers migrating into unnatural territory (cue Kylie Jennerโs much-discussed โfestooningโ under-eye fiasco). But the real villain isnโt flawed products โ itโs an industry profiting from paranoia.
The Millennial Contrast (And Its Dark Side)
Meanwhile, millennials serve as the unspoken counterpoint to this frenzy. Their suspiciously youthful appearance isnโt the result of clean living but rather their mastery of subtle, strategic interventions. Unlike Gen Z, millennials only began tweaking their appearances after their first signs of ageing emerged. In contrast, Gen Z is frantically trying to prevent ageing before it even begins. This difference carries a darker implication. Millennials have become the poster children for โageing gracefullyโ (albeit expensively), while Gen Z risks becoming the cautionary tale of โageing desperately.โ The psychological impact is alarming. According to McKinsey Health Institute, anxiety is rampant among Gen Z, with nearly half reporting symptoms tied to excessive social media use โ a phenomenon that turns every pore into a battleground.
The Price Of Perception
Beneath the surface of this discourse lies an uncomfortable truth: this isnโt about biology โ itโs about an economy that thrives on monetising insecurity. Gen Z didnโt stumble into this crisis โ they were pushed. Pushed by influencers peddling expensive โbarrier repairโ creams. Pushed by clinics marketing โprejuvenationโ packages to college students. Pushed by a culture that frames ageing โ even the natural kind โ as a personal failure. The solution isnโt better skincare. Itโs radical self-acceptance and a refusal to play the game. Because if Gen Z is โageing like milk,โ itโs only because theyโve been left out in the heat of late-stage capitalism โย scrutinised under the unforgiving glare of their own front-facing cameras.
The real question isnโt why Gen Z looks older. Itโs why weโre so determined to make them believe they do.
Catherine Pun
A Hong Kong native with Filipino-Chinese roots, Catherine infuses every part of her life with zest, whether sheโs belting out karaoke tunes or exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations. Her downtime often includes unwinding with Netflix and indulging in a 10-step skincare routine. As the Editorial Director of Friday Club., Catherine brings her wealth of experience from major publishing houses, where she refined her craft and even authored a book. Her sharp editorial insight makes her a dynamic force, always on the lookout for the next compelling narrative.
