Some say they feel offended by the term and have done away with it, especially in light of finally seeing older, unfiltered faces celebrated in the media. But others stand by the word and the associated treatments, taking no insult with the term.
So in the world of skincare, is there a right or wrong side? Let's find out.
We know aging skin can suffer from loss of hydration, volume, and tone. These processes occur as cellular turnover slows and collagen and elastin fibers deplete. Pigmentation, or "age spots," result from post-inflammatory conditions, hormonal fluctuations, and years of sun exposure.
As we biologically (and unavoidably!) age, our skin needs additional support to maintain the markers of yesterday's appearance. In this case, the anti-aging moniker can help us identify the products we want.
When the term anti-aging appears on products, it means the ingredients help increase cellular turnover and rejuvenate the skin's collagen and elastin fibers. It doesn't stop the aging process but helps restore the skin's juvenility.
For example, NeoGenesis Booster Serum is full of quality ingredients that aim to reduce the appearance of all signs of aging with its anti-inflammatory and collagen-enhancing properties. Plus, you can drastically lighten hyperpigmentation with Dr. Esthé's Whitening A Serum. This serum is a 6-vitamin complex with niacinamide which forms a melanin barrier in the skin, reducing and lightening age spots.
Aging skin benefits from specialized products, devices, and treatments. For example, microcurrent and LED therapy are easy, at-home options that can significantly extend our youthful appearances. Microdermabrasion devices also improve the skin texture of mature skin by increasing blood flow and oxygen to the freshly exfoliated surface. These routines aid in filling in the gaps of lost collagen, elastin, and hydration.
Whether we like it or not, aging is a natural and unavoidable process.
But there's a notion that anti-aging may not be the best terminology for skincare products and therapies - especially based on current events and culture. The UK's Advertising Standards Authority banned the term from appearing on products in 2008, and top beauty publications denounced the word in 2017 in an effort to avoid related stigma and any misleading advertising. Influencers on social media platforms like Tik Tok and YouTube have also taken a stance against anti-aging by instead using the supposedly more inclusive term "well-aging."
Thanks to decades of targeted marketing, we've been told we should feel shameful about aging. The media also insinuates that aging means we're not as attractive or valuable as we once were and that we should become, well, invisible.
A desire burns to revolt against such an antiquated idea, doesn't it? But how can we still support our beloved beauty routines? Simply by removing the associated shame and only engaging in anti-aging routines if we want.
The idea that anti-aging promotes a need to reverse a natural process for one to be healthy is a reasonably disputed message. There's potential to use "antiaging" to make manipulative and even harmful claims regarding what a product can do without any evidence-based research backing it.
But we know that becoming older doesn't equate to becoming unhealthy. We can support our bodies by maintaining a healthy lifestyle rich in good nutrition, sleep, and physical activity. We can enhance our skin health by not smoking and avoiding harmful UV rays with sun protection.
Has the world actually stopped worrying about looking older, or is language just complicated? While the jury may still be out, aging is inevitable and beautiful. It's wonderful to embrace all marks of aging and do nothing “anti-aging” at all, just as it is to embrace the action against it with products and technology. We can support our individual desires honestly and positively without judgment.
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