There is a growing buzz online on Reddit threads and TikToks with millions of views about an unexpected phenomenon: Millennials, now between the ages of 28 and 43, don’t look their age. Even more curious? It’s Gen Z ages 12 to 27 fueling the conversation.

A 19-year-old Gen Z user on Reddit recently shared an experience that sparked a wave of similar comments: “I saw a woman who I thought was 25, but she was 37. It keeps happening! Millennials, please tell me your secrets, I need to age like y’all!”

So, what’s going on?

According to Dr. Anthony Rossi, a dermatologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering, millennials were the first generation to truly embrace SPF. “They apply sunscreen correctly and consistently before going out and throughout the day,” he says. While it’s a broad generalization, Gen Z’s relationship with sun protection is more complicated. A 2023 American Academy of Dermatology survey revealed that 20% of Gen Z prioritize tanning over skin health, and 30% say they’d rather look good now—even if it means premature aging later.

According to the Daily Digest , this tan-at-all-costs mentality may also be fueled by online conspiracy theories claiming sunscreen is harmful, a belief gaining traction on some corners of the internet.

Meanwhile, millennials have become hydration champions. After growing up on soda and Capri Sun, they’ve swung the other way, now rarely seen without their oversized “emotional support water bottles,” a hydration habit applauded in a CNN report.

Gen Z, on the other hand, faces challenges that may accelerate aging. Vaping has become rampant among younger users. Its use introduces chemicals that constrict blood vessels and reduce oxygen to the skin, damaging collagen and elastin, vital for youthful skin.

Then there’s the cosmetic side of things. Gen Z’s normalization of fillers, often used for reshaping rather than restoration, may contribute to an older appearance. Dermatologist Dr. Courtney Rubin explains that altering facial features too early can have unintended consequences—especially in a generation raised on face-warping filters.

Lastly, there’s the millennial mindset. Daisy Jones writes in Vogue that millennials are often dubbed the “Peter Pan generation”—delaying kids, embracing casual fashion, and holding onto youth culture. Hoodies, sneakers, and a refusal to “grow up” may just be the ultimate anti-aging formula.

While there’s no one-size-fits-all explanation for why millennials seem to age slower, it’s clear that lifestyle choices, skin care habits, and even cultural factors all play a part in why this generation appears to defy time.

So maybe millennials aren’t just aging slower—they’re redefining what aging looks like.