EP - 107 - Why Are We so Afraid of Aging?
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)
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:
