Do you look good for your age?

[AngryBird6122]

Weird question I know. I get so surprised by some people's ages. Like I can't believe they are older than I think they are in my head, or younger. I used to get IDd long after I was 18. Now I would say i definitely look my age and people would probably guess within a year or two. I try to look after my skin but there's only so much you can do!

Usually people think I'm 10 years younger. However, I had acne/greasy skin throughout twenties and I'm sure this means skin ages less quickly... but could be wrong.

Late thirties now and I can notice lines forming around eyes, so think age has caught me.

Do you think that's good genes or is there a certain lifestyle they have?

I’ve had this question with one of my siblings many times. We both say we were screwed with genetics health wise, cancer, strokes, heart disease and so on.. life expectancy really isn’t very high in our family. However, the 2 of us have very different lifestyles to our parents generation and the older ones. Neither of us smoke ( he did briefly in his teens), our diets although not super healthy (DB a lot healthier as a vegetarian) are definitely healthier than theirs but we still ended up with many of the same health issues.

As for looks we both got a mix, our DF had an amazing head of hair, good skin considering he was a heavy smoker and had terrible diet, big beer drinking but never got the beer belly. Physically he looked very fit and healthy. DB looks like him but looks more aged and haggard as he’s got our mother’s side of the family’s hair ( bald by early 20s) fair, spider veins and blotchy skin. Most of my mother’s family looked in their 50s when they were still in their 20s. DB definitely looks old for his age even though he’s got a very good lifestyle and eating habits. For me I look like our mothers side of the family especially body shape but got DFs complexion, so lucked out.

I think it says a lot about diet! I do feel far more confident when I go through cutting out processed food etc. Maybe I should stick to it.

Once we reach our 40s and beyond, we start looking old.

Bollocks.

A lot of what you are describing doesn't happen until the late 70s and 80s.

I got ID'd at a Tesco checkout buying alcohol - I was 42! Ironically I really don't drink much alcohol - no spirits (only been drunk 4 times in my life) - I think keeping the weight off helps a lot to stay young looking and I always wear suncream - I'm 62 now and really don't look that much different to when I was 42 - better probably because I smile more these days.

Haven't been id'd since I was 16. I think I look my age, but I also look good. I'm slim and I dress well. Not necessarily what's in fashion, but what suits me. I hold myself well. I'm old fashioned 'attractive'.

I was very lucky in the genetic lottery. Neither my mum nor dad looked their age by quite a few years. In the past few months I’ve had three health providers of various sorts make a point of checking my age as they thought there had been a mistake. So yes, I look good for my age.

Menopause - the time when being told you look younger changes to being told you look good for your age.

Genetics, lifestyle, cumulative UV exposure and smoking all play a part, but you can't stops the sands of time.

I’m turning 50 in a few weeks and what I’ve noticed among my friends in their 50’s is that skin and staying slim to medium weight are big factors.

I know a couple of people who are thin (as opposed to slim) and they look lined and haggard, it’s far more flattering to be a little more curvy…which is helpful when peri/the menopause strike!

I’m 41 and I look fucking great. I’m not the most classically beautiful person but I’m fit and healthy and I take really bloody good care of myself.

I noticed I really glowed when I stopped drinking alcohol.

I also think people who are really happy and chilled out and enjoy life naturally look great whatever their age.

I still get ID’d and i’m 35 😂😂 i think its because i’m asian. I look younger than teenager these days with lots of makeup etc.

I did before illness, bereavement and COVID and cost of living money worries. Now I really look my age.

I was always getting told I looked 10 years younger than I was until I lost quite a few stone. The lack of fat in my cheeks enabled the wrinkles that were hiding underneath to shine through!
I now look about 3 to 5 years younger than I am but a lot of people my age look older than me according to me friends.
I used moisturiser from my early twenties and I think that's helped.

I agree with the poster that these physical changes start from our 40s. It is subtle but there. Ask any cosmetic surgeon. No way it starts in the late 70s or 80s otherwise most 40-70 year olds will not look their age. Clue: most women do especially after menopause.

but no-one 60 looks 40 and that's just a fact
Aint that the truth @Alwaystimeforacupoftea !
At best I'd say some people could pass for maybe 8 years younger than they are?

I was taken for 48 the other day and I am 66.

I frequently find that when I make a remark about being a pensioner now, people (ie strangers I am bantering/chatting with) laugh and say, "Oh, you have quite a few years to go yet."

I'm getting worried now that I won't get a pensioner discount at the hairdresser!

Someone said "fuck off" recently when I said my age so I'll take that
Good genes though, my dad looks a lot younger than he is and I use tret as well as being a sun avoider. Don't drink either but did smoke for 20 years

...cartilage gets bigger, nose, ears etc. our skeletal structures change, our hands, our posture, we don’t look young but can look presentable.

These are not inevitable, and not changes that start from our 40s.

your face will still be sagging and changing structure...

I am long past my forties and do not suffer from this either.

I'm 41. Nearly 42 and I can pass for about 35 BUT I cheat. I get regular Botox
I have a pretty good skin care routine which definitely helps keep things looking younger.
I use collagen supplements too and I think they seem to work but nothing dramatic.
I work shifts so after a nightshift I look every single year of my age and there's no hiding it 😂

If you insist.

Well, look forward to your enormous nose and giant ears at 40 then.

Im 42 and only this year have I started looking my age.
I think it’s the Jowls area that is giving my age away.
Always had good skin / high cheekbones but the bottom half of my Face Is looking old,
I have had zero Botox/ fillers etc and wouldn’t ever so I think this is just the way it’s supposed to be.

Unfortunately, some of these changes start much earlier and are dead giveaways of a person's true age. Honestly, everyone looks close to their actual age, regardless of what they choose to believe.

I think most people look about their age. I don’t think many 27 year old would pass for 17 and I don’t think many 37 year olds would pass for 27.

Some people age well and could pass for a few years younger (5/6) but that it. Whoever you see tabloids pages saying “Mother gets mistaken for sister” well that BS isn’t it? I would bet my house that 90% of people could say who is younger.

I know so many truly old people and none of them have huge noses or enormous ears caused by the aforementioned cartilage changes.

Some people start of with lousy scaffolding, have a misery mindset, or have led hard labour, high stress, poor health, etc lives, have abused alcohol, tobacco, or the sun, and their faces do collapse quite early on - but it is not inevitable.