People saying you look young for your age

[Percypiggz]

It's not a brag of any sort, I've no interest in looking younger, I just want to look well. I'm 35 so still relatively young, and anyway I much prefer how I look now to how I did at 25.

The issue is I now get embarrassed when people find out my age- I don't go round sharing it but people are curious and eventually ask how old you are, colleagues, partners' friends etc.

Im so bored of the same reaction- "You're 35??!! No, stop!!! Omg I thought you were 25!!! Omg!!!'

I know a lot of people would love this and take it as a huge compliment but I'm genuinely not interested- I'm not saying every single person does but I've heard this many times over the years.

What am I meant to answer- thanks, I know? I just smile politely and laugh it off. My partner's friend's wife who is only a year older said to me "Oh you're really young aren't you." And I told her I was a year younger than her.

I think people have this idea in their head that people in their 30s should have lots of wrinkles and look weathered- probably thinking of films and TV shows in the 90s when 30s tended to look much older.

Does anyone else have this and it's unwanted? How do you deal with it? I had a friend who I'd known for 10 years and who I'd done a Masters with 10 years ago so quite obviously had to be at least 21 back then.
She said 'Omg you're in your 30s??? You look amazing!!' Despite me knowing her for over a decade, how old was i going to be really?
I feel embarrassed now about people knowing my age because I've no idea how to react.

No, I'm sure they thought your 20 year old was your dad.

It isn’t usually just someone’s face. It is usually because of everything about them. The way they dress. The topics they discuss. The manner in which they behave

take that as you will

Getting older and being menopausal doesn’t mean you’ll look haggard. I’m 59 and have been on HRT and testosterone since I was 51. I’m a healthy weight for my height, don’t drink or smoke and eat healthily. I don’t use expensive make up products, just good old Nivea, I’ve used this since before my pregnancy, my daughter is now 30.

Both my husband and myself are always mistaken for being much younger, I believe genetics have a lot to do with it. His grandad looked really young and so did my dad. We are very fortunate and find it amusing when people find out our real ages, they’re so shocked 🤩

Not me but a woman who had joined my mother's firm many years ago. They thought she was 35- 40. She was 19!

She had the last laugh though. When she retired at 60 she looked just the same!

I get this all the time, but cba to pretend I don't like it.

It’s always happened to me. I come from a family of baby-faced people. We also have connective tissue disorders in my family and that is probably a massive part of it. I’m mid 40s with no deep lines, and only really mild crows feet when i laugh. i also dye my hair so my grey hair is never on display, and I tend to dye my hair bright colours which also adds to an over all younger ‘look’ about me if you’re not looking too close.

If i’m not in the mood or they are being very loud and gushy which makes me intensely uncomfortable, I usually will reply something like ‘Yeah, there are some perks to shitty connective tissue where my joints are shot and my internal organs are trying to fall out’. Usually stops the conversation dead.

It's very common. I had it most of my life when I was young and at your age. I didn't bother me.

I was in a DIY shop today and the man on the till asked the man in front of me if he was over 18. He apologised, said that he was prompted to ask on the till, but also said "You do look young very young", after the man told him he was actually 27.

It doesn't last, and before you know it, you're looking your age or older

I have mostly had the opposite problem where I always looked older because I’ve been told I have a striking face with big features. I looked 25 when I was 15. Never been ID’d. But since my 40s it has switched round. I don’t think I look younger and don’t want to, but the ones who always looked young seem to have aged more. I don’t get it

They did with me until I reached 50th. Was always told I looked 10 years younger but now I look my age. Make the most of it OP!

Haha I used to get this all this time too. And then you hit your mid forties and no one is remotely surprised when you say how old you are. Don’t worry, it will all go downhill overnight one day and your problem will be solved.

But you're 35. You haven't experienced what society calls 'ageing'.

That's like a five year old saying, 'I'm ok with ageing.'

I strongly doubt this. 5 minutes of your non participation or awkward silence is a very long time for them going on and on and on and on about your youthful looks.

Being single in your 50s and looking younger can be awkward as men in their 30s sometimes ask you out but then look horrified when you tell them how old you are which is not so fun. What is the best way to navigate this?

I get this at 45 when people ask how old my dc are (21 and 25) I take it as a compliment. I say thank you, and move on with my day.

It just means you've reached the age bracket where people assume you're worried about ageing and will be pleased if they insist they took you for much younger. It can be a bit irritating, but it literally doesn't mean anything except they're trying to be nice. Just smile, say thanks and move the conversation on.

If they really seem to be making a huge deal of it, they probably want you to return the compliment. Might as well ... or, if they look about 90 and you can't bring yourself to be that ridiculous, say you've always wondered how they keep their hair so shiny or something.

Hehe - it isn't faux shock. They are shocked! 😆

Grow a thicker skin, you're 35 after all. I'm sure you'll cope.

At 62 I have a very thick skin and look like melted wax.

Just say thanks and move on, if they persist just change the subject. I don't think they mean to be rude but they're clearly not seeing how uncomfortable it makes you so if they persist just say can we talk about something else please.

Say "Buckle up, honey; you're in for a bumpy ride!"

I used to be mistaken for much younger , until I hit my 50s, its caught up with me now, saggier skin, jowls, double chin. I look in a mirror and really dislike what I see. I'm another in the 'enjoy it while it lasts' camp.

I get this too. I always got it. I don’t react much, just smile or say thanks if I get compliments on skin.
People are saying this as a compliment, not to insult. There is nothing to be embarrassed.
I was once asked what products I use on my skin. When I responded saying any moisturising even olive oil at times, the lady was so shocked. But honestly it’s genetic. I am
not bragging because I have thinning hair, so there I am definitely aging faster.

I think the problem is because we are so
used to hearing we look much younger, we take it for granted and don’t do proper skin care. I started using sunscreen in my 40s, and recently I noticed 2 small dark patches.

Maybe ask ChatGPT for a routine. Some
people swear by face yoga. Looks so tedious though.