If someone looks younger than they are, is it usually because of genetics or a healthy lifestyle?

Question

in my opinion, if the person's under 24, it's all genetics. If they're 40 and above, it's thanks to lifestyle and at ~32, it's an even mix of both.

SoftCliff · Accepted Answer

In general, aging is a mix of genetic and environmental influences. On average, about 80% of aging comes from extrinsic (external/environmental) factors, and only 20% from internal ones. Race and bone structure do obviously play a part, but I think avoiding UV damage is going to prevent signs of aging more than any other factor. In fact, that's why people with darker skin tend to age slower - melanin protects skin from UV damage, so the more melanin you have, the less your skin is affected by UV radiation.

Sunscreen, in my opinion, is easily the single most important anti-aging product, period.

Also stress and nutrition throughout your life have an impact, I think. Since we don't produce a lot of (or any) elastin throughout our lives, we have to avoid its degradation, which is caused by UV damage and oxidative stress (air, pollution, etc). The two best weapons we have against that are sunscreen and antioxidants. Skin loves to make collagen, so the best way to let it produce it is to have a consistent routine, wear sunscreen, avoid irritating ingredients, and use a vitamin C or retinol product.

Pinay_ako · Accepted Answer

Many things:  Genetics - my parents are almost 80, but they can pass as just retirement age  Healthy lifestyle - no vice, clean eating, active, stress management Skincare - use sunscreen All of the above 👆

jabariw18 · Accepted Answer

Short of significant health of lifestyle issues like drugs, genetics is indeed the biggest factor. White people age quickest. They have thinner skin layers so they wrinkle more easily and are more susceptible to UV rays. Male pattern baldness also affects them more frequently and at a younger age on average. These are scientific facts.

Asians have a thicker layer of fat underneath the skin and produce more natural oil in their skin than whites and male pattern baldness affects them MUCH later in life. In fact, many of them don't have it at all. Native Americans whom are closely related to Asians genetically don't carry the gene that triggers male-pattern baldness.

Black people are kinda on par with Asians as far as thickness of skin and oil production and in regards to male pattern baldness are somewhere in the middle of whites and Asians. However one can find that people of purely African descent tend to be more on par with Asians than African-Americans whom are almost always partially mixed with Europeans somewhere down the line.

Googlemyahoo · Accepted Answer

Lifestyle like the celebs who can afford dieticians, chefs & trainers who don’t actually work yet tell all of us how we’re supposed to live. 🖕

Aging is normal. I’d rather be with a beautiful woman who looks their age then someone who looks like a 20 year old plastic lizard.

Haha456 · Answer

Dont listen to the idiots on here. If someone is 49 but looks 38, it has to do with genes. It is true that some people do not age. Beauty products or getting enough sleep may slow aging. But you will still age regardless unless you have the unique genes. There are people who slather expensive creams onto their faces every day who only look 5 years younger than their real age. Others never put on any creams and still can manage to look 15 years younger.

Genes are also a big determiner in lifespan. Taking good care of yourself is no guarantee that you will live until 90. I have known plenty of 90 yr olds who smoked, ate hot dogs, hated vegetables. There are people who eat vegetables daily that don't live til 90.

RosieMelts · Answer

My opinion: can be one or both.

Some genetic features are generally perceived as “young” or

“innocent” to others I. e. the wide eyes or round face.

Depending on if they have those features in their current updated age, and if it’s the same as when they were younger, then yeah, it would be thanks to *genetics.*

If they are actively engaged in a *healthy life style,* then it is thanks to that.

It can be both, or one over the other. Just have to look a little deeper into their personal life (ask them) to get an actual credible answer, otherwise guessing will have to do. 🤷‍♀️😂

karin1985 · Answer

I think it is more important to own reasons, such as myself, I am 38 years old, but many people say I look very young, which is related to my usual focus on maintenance, but more important is to adhere to exercise and maintain an optimistic and cheerful mentality. No matter what age you are, you have to promote each other in mutual communication and mutual growth. A person who knows how to communicate and get along well with others will be good at finding their own social support system to help them through difficult times. When you are not disturbed by difficulties, you will naturally feel good and have a good mindset, and you will slow down aging.

nrm736 · Answer

Sounds fair.

I just got ID checked last month at a supermarket for buying hard liquor. They assumed I'm 12 years younger than my acutal age by my look.

I didn't care too much about my health until the past 3 years, I used to smoke from my late teens to my mid20s, never followed a healthy, balanced diet, had a stressful job etc... So yeah, after I got my ID back I felt proud and blessed.

Having good genetics seem similar like having a talent, if you don't take care of maintaining that it's gonna be a waste.

Blueeyes81 · Answer

Who knows. I smoke two packs a day and don't really eat all that healthy. My job and my hobbies keep me thin through constant movement. That being said most people mistake me for being 30. I know health fanatics that run and eat rabbit food but look older than they are because of all the fake baking they did in their teens and 20's. I also know folks that are 25 but look 45. I was shocked to hear a coworker say his daughter was 32. I thought he was 35-40. 52 and he's another smoker that works 80 hours a week. Good genetics, avoiding sun damage, and healthy lifestyle all play a part. My dad is 74 and has no gray hair. Looking at him I'd guess late 50s. My mom, also 74, looks the part.

Amy10223 · Answer

I think it's lifestyle. I stopped trying to tan myself at the age of 30, and as a result I don't have as many lines/wrinkles as my sister who is 2 1/2 years older than me. Now as to why I don't have a full grey head of hair now, as my older and younger siblings do, I don't know, but I'm not complaining. Maybe that's associated with lots of stress. Not that I never had any! I have grey on my temples and the sides of my face but I darken that with hair color.

Vanidal · Answer

Both. It's always been both. We don't share the same skin plasticity. Genetics mean your potential. Lifestyle means what you do to move or keep you from one situation to the others. As many things with potential, you can ruin your potential whether accidentally or by intention.

mandyfire98 · Answer

It can be both. I have been mistaken many times, almost an annoying amount, for still being a high schooler. Now I do come from good genetics but I also live a healthy lifestyle and eat clean and exercise everyday. I think if I had to guess it's a combo of genetics and healthy living.

BeeNee · Answer

It depends I think. Obviously genetics are out of your control, but it can help massively as we all know that some people look way older than they really are too, but it can help you look like a baby face when you're like 10, 20 years older than your real age. A healthy lifestyle won't undo what genetics does to you, but it can help. Also living in a healthy environment can help, i.e. not living in a heavily polluted city which we can see throughout history tends to age one faster.

raven6933 · Answer

Not necessarily true. I have seen Chinese women who where 60 and looked like they were early to mid 30's. I think it's mostly genetics and not constantly making the same facial expressions. Lines usually appear mainly for that reason. But as far as eating healthy, the less preservatives the better.

MementoMori_ · Answer

Some people just have facial and physical features that other people perceive as more youthful... like a "babyface" for example, or for women particularly a petite body. I think that that is a big factor. I think nature in us triggers something that associates certain physical traits with youth inside our brains.

TheSpaceGnome · Answer

Both, a healthy lifestyle makes you and your future kids look younger longer, I'm in my mid 30s and most people around here think I'm like 15, I keep having random teens ask me what school I go to when I'm walking home from a grocery store, and when playing online they say I sound like a teenager. I wish most people took better care of themselves.

bingbongbangbung · Answer

You forgot to mention that people look younger because of how they dress. Back then people were obsessed with appearing older, so that's why highschool kids passed as being college graduates up until mid to late 20th century. Now in the past few decades, people care more about appearing younger. Your main reasons also do apply, but how one dresses has a big influence as well.

AsaKyo · Answer

I guess it's just genetics. I've been told I still look 15 and people have actually mistaken my mom and I as sisters, rather than mother and daughter. She's 42, but definitely does not look like it. And my grandpa is almost 80 and looks like he could pass for something in the 50's. My dad would probably look okay too if he'd stop being lazy lmao.

art84 · Answer

I been told that I look young for my age though it's cause of genetics and not drinking, smoking and using skin care as I entered my 20's. My face hasn't changed since I was in high school which is interesting. I have dark circles under my eyes and a few grey hairs on my hair and beard. Though if I shave my beard then I look young. My dad looks his his age and he's in his 70's. My mom is in her 60's and could pass for her late 50's though she takes care of herself and works out daily.

MysteriousDarkness · Answer

What determines how you look is: genetics, environment, weather, disease, amount of quality sleep you get, how stressed you are, exercise (how many days a week, how long each time, intensity, what you do), what goes in your body (how much and the combination of stuff), what goes on your body (how much and the combination of stuff), etc.

red324 · Answer

I think it is what it is. I suppose it could be lifestyle. Some of these girls don't have to do jack shit in life and I'd imagine it helps keep the wrinkles away. Now on the other hand I guess it could be lifestyle because how many career bartenders do you see who look way older than they are? The night time is for sleeping and healing not staying awake working, so it could be both.

Aiko_E_Lara · Answer

Genetic can be caused by lifestyles done by our ancestors. It is possible to look young if you start a certain lifestyle right now but you're not going to get it perfect. If you plan to have offsprings while you continue the lifestyle, they're going to have an easier time if you teach them

Cherry234 · Answer

Genetics and lifestyle both play factors but I think it's mostly because of genetics. You can eat super healthy but still look older than your age while there are people who don't do that and still look younger than their age for example.

lightbulb27 · Answer

lifestyle.. especially food and stress management, trauma management and joy creation. part of it is emotional projection... where they are emotionally.

could be lack of sex at certain ages... which produces chemicals...

MCheetah · Answer

Both. All the women in my family look younger than their age, despite being overweight (my mother is 62 and looks 40). But then again, we're also (mostly) black. So I'd say it's 70% genetics, 30% lifestyle.

rosemilk · Answer

i get told i look about 17. every time. i don't do anything special. i'm vegetarian if that counts as something? that doesn't mean i eat healthy tho.

Lynx122 · Answer

I look younger than I am and it's been that way my whole life but I think my lifestyle also hasn't been bad. It fluctuates a bit but I try and be as healthy as I can be :)

ManOnFire · Answer

I think it can be a combination of both, although genetics may be the biggest factor. I look a lot younger than I am, and all of my family does too. A lot of people think I'm still in my 20s.

AviatorTom · Answer

For the average person, it's a combination of genetics and healthy lifestyle. For celebrities, it's how talented their plastic surgeon and fitness coach are.

Dingsbums · Answer

Ur explanation seems good. The older u get the bigger the role of lifestyle can get but genetics still plays a role. And at young age genetics is more important but lifestyle also still impacts it

Fireguy17 · Answer

Probably both. I have seen some people that look really old, but they are way younger than they look. Usually smoking is a big one, followed by alcohol and drug use.

DancingQueen16 · Answer

A lot of people tell me that I look younger than 18 and I think that's just because I'm a healthy person I try to drink a lot of water and I exercise by dancing a lot

dustybiker · Answer

I’ve always worked nights and ride in full gear in daylight. I look half my age. UV light is a beast.

TroyDT · Answer

Sometimes it is just genetics. I had a vendor whom I thought was around 40. She showed up with her daughter, who looked 20. Still do not know the mom's age, but the daughter was 38. They are of Japanese descent.

Lynn7dsd · Answer

Level of sun/photo (skin) damage. Sun Screen people.

OneManOnly01 · Answer

If the person is under 24, it’s normal for them to look young because they are young. And I think it’s a mix of both for those 35 and above.

20yearsolder · Answer

It can be both. It doesn't have to be one or the other

NathanDavis · Answer

it is both, and it is also other factors...  never just one

FilmGuy93 · Answer

Genetics, but a low stress lifestyle doesn’t hurt.

Lilymaryloui · Answer

I'm Asian and people always said that I'm younger than any age so I think it's gen

Lincoln33 · Answer

I think is natural to be so, some people grow older faster, while some grow older slower it depend on your life background

robocop666 · Answer

your 100% right this man is 70, does he look it? here he reveals his secret

Luopio27 · Answer

Maybe its a mix of not just both but many other factors.

Staximus · Answer

It's all genetics and had nothing to do with healthy lifestyles

Zolly99999 · Answer

It could be either or depending on the person.

muncher717 · Answer

it's because their parents had them at a young age basically genetics

ColdExtraction · Answer

obviously both, your genetics mean nothing if you have a lifestyle of drugs, alcohol, lack of exercise and poor diet

Paris13 · Answer

... Cream in Between. xx

RedStiletto88 · Answer

It really is a combination of both.

ShadezMcgee · Answer

It's a combination of both.

darline19 · Answer

it's because of money, and healthy lifestyle,

bean2k21 · Answer

If I could get a ball lift I would look 20

saffoler · Answer

Mostly A and a little bit of B.

JDAC092299 · Answer

I think a mix of both tbh

exitseven · Answer

It could be either one.

sheikalana · Answer

It's a combination of both.

Jamie05rhs · Answer

I think you're right!

Nahid1707 · Answer

Little bit of both i would say

msc545 · Answer

You forgot plastic surgery...

Debbie14217 · Answer

true i agree

If someone looks younger than they are, is it usually because of genetics or a healthy lifestyle?

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