Why are we so afraid of aging—and who profits from that fear?
In this episode, I'm diving head first into the cultural, historical, and psychological roots of the anti-aging obsession, from ancient Egyptian wrinkle creams to TikTok’s SPF-shaming comment culture. We’ll unpack how aging became a moral issue, especially for women, and how skin tone, class, and race have long been entangled in beauty standards.
Get ready to confront the billion-dollar industry built on our fear of looking human.
Are we really aging wrong—or is the system rigged?
Let's Get Into It.
****************
Sources & References:
Susan Sontag, The Double Standard of Aging (1972)
Dr. Tressie McMillan Cottom, Thick: And Other Essays
Susan Stewart, Painted Faces: A Colourful History of Cosmetics
Lisa Eldridge, Face Paint: The Story of Makeup
Sally Pointer, The Artifice of Beauty: A History and Practical Guide to Perfumes and Cosmetics
Ann Rosalie David, Handbook to Life in Ancient Egypt
American Psychological Association – Research on gerascophobia
Teen Vogue, “How Our Obsession With Skin Care Made Aging Feel Like a Moral Failure” by Arabelle Sicardi (2024)
https://www.teenvogue.com/story/how-our-obsession-with-skin-care-made-aging-feel-like-a-moral-failure
The New York Times, The Ageless Generation (2022)
The Cut, The Cult of Youth Is Getting Old (2023)
Statista (2023): Anti-aging skincare market data
Allure Magazine, The Age of Anti-Aging is Over (2017)
****************
Leave Us a 5* Rating, it helps the show!
Apple Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beauty-unlocked-the-podcast/id1522636282
Spotify Podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/show/37MLxC8eRob1D0ZcgcCorA
****************
Follow Us on Social Media & Subscribe to our YouTube Channel!
TikTok:
tiktok.com/@beautyunlockedthepod
YouTube:
@beautyunlockedspodcasthour
****************
Intro/Outro Music:
Music by Savvier from Fugue FAME INC
