Written by: Allison Grundy
All over social media platforms, many influencers, celebrities and even everyday users regularly post edited photos and videos that present an idealized version of themselves with smooth skin, no wrinkles and a seemingly effortless youthful beauty. These impossible standards can lead to increased anxiety about appearance since people’s bodies change as they age.
For decades, anti-aging products with promises of turning back time have circulated in society. As the population continues to grow and age, demand for these products increases. However, with the rise of trends and conversations around aging, it seems more than ever that people are looking to surgeries, expensive skincare and even fraudulent products in order to combat natural changes that occur in the body.
In a 2024 study, health expert Matej Mikulic distinguishes between anti-aging and longevity. The first is focused on minimizing some of the effects of aging, and the latter is focused on extending one’s life.
According to Dominique Petruzzi, an expert researcher in the health and hygiene industry, “There is so much emphasis on a youthful appearance, and the cosmetic industry is taking full advantage of this persona.”
The United States is an important market for this industry, with anti-aging products making up a large part of its $49 billion of revenue in 2023. Petruzzi writes, “The market’s size is projected to reach nearly 80 billion U.S. dollars by 2032.”
In addition, more people are getting cosmetic surgeries. Lip augmentation and buccal fat removal are among a list of procedures that have gained popularity as a result of social media trends and influencers. While some plastic surgeries may be necessary for cosmetic changes after an accident or to solve functional problems in the body, many offer the sole benefit of an attempt to enhance one’s looks.
While some anti-aging products may improve skin health and reduce some signs of aging, the truth is that nothing can stop the aging process. Many anti-aging products and services are overly expensive and temporary. Products that make unrealistic promises seem to be scams, targeted to those who feel pressure to look younger.
Consumers should focus on their physical health and come to terms with the passage of time, making peace with the abilities and talents given to them by God, not the value society has assigned them based on their physical being.
In fact, the Bible warns against vanity. Ecclesiastes 1:14 states, “I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and striving after wind.” God doesn’t call His followers to vanity, but rather, to treat the body as a temple, working on temperance and health, rather than alternating one’s natural appearance.
Ways to stay physically healthy include practicing temperance, eating healthy foods, avoiding drugs and alcohol and finding peace in God. Worrying about aging and purchasing expensive products with little impact takes precious time away from the things that matter so much more than vanity. Instead, have peace knowing that to be older is to be wiser, and to age is a blessing from God.
