The Cult of Youth author, James Stark, delves into the history of anti-ageing.
Surprisingly, the objectives of today’s anti-ageing products aren’t too different from those in Victorian times, though they now contain fewer poisons. Moisturising ‘cold’ creams and hormone-replacing products were popular even back then.
The marketing of skincare has evolved significantly: it's shifted from men trying to make women look ‘less angry and tired’ to a more inclusive and holistic approach focused on achieving radiant, healthier-looking skin.Dr. Abigail Langton from the University of Manchester shared insights from her work testing product efficacy on different skin types.
Why does some skin age faster than others? Skin type is a significant factor. If you have a darker skin tone, you tend to age better. However, sun exposure is the top cause of photo-ageing. You actuallly need two fingers' worth of SPF to cover your face every single day.
Other major contributors to ageing include smoking, stress, pollution, and poor diet. This underscores the importance of personalisation when buying skincare products.Peptides, retinol, and Matrixyl 3000 are proven to be effective.
However, many skincare products don't live up to their claims, leaving us with bathroom cabinets full of half-empty, nice-smelling but ineffective creams.Brands often continue to sell and promote products that aren’t efficacious simply because people enjoy the feel or smell of the product, but at least they no longer contain poison.