Anti-Aging Trends Among Dangerous Gen Z, Skin Doctors Alert

Illustration of gen z women using skincare anti-aging (Freepik/Lifestylememory)

JAKARTA - The trend of skin care among young people, especially Gen Z, is increasing rapidly. The presence of paraskinfluencer on social media and the flood of new products every day make many teenagers and young adults more focused on their skin appearance.

However, this influence turns out to make the boundaries between caring for and looking for perfection even more vague. Many young people started using anti-aging products long before they needed them.

A survey from Skin Health Alliance said 71% of respondents admitted that they would buy products recommended by their favorite influencers. This shows how much social media plays in youth skin care decisions.

Dr. Suzan Obagi, Chief Medical Director of Obagi Medical discussed the increasing impact of Gen Z's obsession with anti-aging products. Obagi Medical itself is a trusted medical skincare brand that has innovated for more than 30 years to deal with problems such as aging, acne, and hyperpigmentation.

They don't want to age like their mother or grandmother. It's a matter of pride," said Dr. Suzan, quoted from the Mirror.co.uk page.

He called this phenomenon pre-juvenation, an effort to prevent aging before its signs appeared. He supports awareness of skin care from an early age, but warns that the use of products that are wrong or excessive can actually damage the skin.

Dr. Suzan emphasized that young people do not need a long skin care routine of up to 10 steps. According to him, the multi-layer routine trend seen on social media is precisely the biggest mistake that often occurs.

Many people see a routine of 6, 8, to 10 steps on the internet. Whereas especially for young skin, this is not necessary," he explained.

Many people think the production of collagen and elastin has only decreased when they are older. However, Dr. Suzan straightened out the maximum production of collagen, elastin, and glycosaminoglycans to occur at the age of about 18 years. After that, every year the body produces about 1% less than the three.

Collagen functions to keep the skin tight, while elastin helps the skin return to its original shape after being pressed. Glycosaminoglycan helps maintain the moisture and structure of the skin tissue. Therefore, these three elements are very important to keep the skin healthy and chewy.

According to Dr. Suzan, the best routine for young people should be simple and not excessive. Skin at this age still naturally produces good numbers of collagen and elastin.

The recommended routine is the morning of using antioxidant + (optional) moisturizer + sunscreen. Then at night use antioxidant + retinoid products. The goal is not to accumulate products, but to protect and care for the natural ability of the skin.

Dr. Suzan admits that although overuse of products is a concern, there is a positive side to this trend. Gen Z is starting to wake up to treat the skin early, with the aim of aging naturally and healthily, not making drastic changes.

If you are Gen Z trying to find the right skincare routine, remember don't overdo it. Prioritize skin protection, not perfection. Healthy skin is the result of a consistent habit, not a large number of products.