Aging Is Not A Flaw to Fix: Pushing Back On Western Beauty Standards

"Aging isn’t the enemy. It’s not a flaw to fix. It’s a privilege."

We live in a world obsessed with looking young. Smooth skin, tight jawlines, wrinkle-free foreheads... it’s the gold standard of beauty that’s sold to women over and over again, leaving little room for individuality or the natural and normal process of aging that we all experience as human beings. But here’s the truth: aging isn’t the enemy. It’s not a flaw to fix. It’s a privilege, and one not everyone gets to experience.

The world tries to sell aging as something bad that needs to be fixed, but in reality it’s the opposite; it is a gift to be honored. The pressure to “look young forever” is everywhere. On our screens, in casual comments, even in our own mirrors. And it’s stealing something sacred: our peace and the beauty of growing old(er). 

At SBA, we believe in stewarding our skin well rather than hopelessly trying to erase the signs of life it carries. Beautiful skin isn’t about chasing perfection or trying the rewind the clock. It’s about caring for the skin you’re in, in every season of life. Nourishing it, supporting it, and honoring the story it tells. For some, vibrant skin includes fine lines, scars, sun spots. It’s evidence of years lived, laughter shared, healing done. Radiance isn’t wrinkle-free; it’s real. No one escapes aging, so lets embrace it holistically, instead of viewing it as a battle to be fought.

Aging Gracefully Doesn’t Look the Same for Everyone

First off, let’s be clear: there’s no one way to “age gracefully.” It might look like silver strands shining through with confidence. It might look like laugh lines that tell stories of joy. It might look like shifting priorities, deeper wisdom, or less interest in people-pleasing and more interest in real peace. For some, it means simplifying skincare routines. For others, it means exploring holistic treatments or leaning into practices that nourish the skin from within. But the key is this: it's not about erasing time, it's about honoring it.

Aging: From Revered to Rejected

Aging was seen as something to honor for most of human history... not something to fight. In many cultures, the visible signs of aging (silver hair, deepening laugh lines, sun spots, slower movements) were seen as marks of experience, dignity, and spiritual/emotional depth, and even beauty.

In ancient China, elders were respected as wise guides and decision-makers, with their graying hair and aged features considered outward signs of inner virtue. Many Indigenous cultures, including Native American, African, and Māori communities, viewed elders as the heart of the community, with their aged appearance being revered and protected rather. 

In Greece and Rome, aging often signaled leadership and wisdom. In medieval Europe, older women served as midwives, “healers”, and matriarchs; irreplaceable figures in society whose aged appearance were their valued credentials. During the Industrial Revolution, youth became linked to speed, productivity, and physical labor. As society moved toward widespread, commercialism and fast economies, aging started to be seen as a liability rather than a gift.

Then came the rise of Hollywood and modern advertising in the 20th century which glamorized youth and created a culture of vanity and comparison. Aging became a flaw to fix, and “anti-aging” a product and a mindset.

The Western beauty industry built a billion-dollar empire by convincing us to fear aging and view it as a problem to fix.

“Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.”

-Mark Twain

Hidden Costs of Popular “Anti-Aging” Treatments

There are plenty of popular cosmetic treatments that promise smoother, younger-looking skin—fast. Botox and dermal fillers are two of the most common. And while they may deliver quick visual results, they’re not without cost.

These treatments often come with hidden health risks and can contribute to your body’s overall toxic load. Botox, for example, is a neurotoxin designed to paralyze facial muscles temporarily. Fillers, on the other hand, are substances injected to add volume or smooth out wrinkles. Both disrupt the body’s natural processes and neither are truly “clean” or natural solutions.

What many people don’t realize is that these treatments can create dependency (see references). Over time, the skin and facial muscles begin to rely on the substance to look smooth or lifted. And when someone decides to stop, they often find that their skin looks even more deflated, sagging, or tired than before. Why? Because the natural muscle tone and skin function have been weakened or suppressed.

It becomes a cycle: you need to keep going back to maintain the look… not because your skin is healthier, but because it’s forgotten how to support itself.

This isn’t about fear-mongering, it’s about informed choices. It’s about stepping back and asking: What am I really trying to fix? And why?

The Natural Skincare Perspective

At SBA, we believe in working with your skin, not against it. Let’s embrace it with a natural skincare routine that doesn’t aim to hide age, but gives you the best skin possible for YOU. Let’s work with nature to restore. Instead of fearing time, let;s embrace the beauty that comes with it. Natural skincare honors your biology, supports your skin’s natural processes, and brings out the radiance that was always there.

And it doesn’t come with a warning label. Things like oil cleansing, nutrient-rich balms, gentle exfoliants, gua sha, facial massage, and hydration rituals aren’t just trendy, but they’re deeply restorative. They soften lines, encourage circulation, support collagen naturally, and best of all, they help you embrace your skin, instead of fighting against it.

Aging Is a Blessing, Not A Flaw

Here’s the truth that doesn’t get said enough: nobody really cares if you age. The people who love you? They’re not inspecting your forehead or your laugh lines... and if they are, that’s kind of, well, weird. The more we resist aging, the more we miss the beauty of right now. Contentment doesn’t come from looking 25 forever.

It comes from loving the skin you’re in and knowing that every year you’ve lived is a gift. You are not less valuable because your skin has changed or you have aged. Our Western culture celebrates aged wine, antique furniture, and vintage denim/clothes for their depth, character, and one-of-a-kind beauty. Yet when it comes to human beings, we’ve been taught to chase youth at all costs. It’s a strange double standard: the more time touches an object, the more valuable it becomes. But when time touches a face, we’re told to erase the evidence.

Beauty industry trends are built on impossible double standards and flat-out lies. There is no fountain of youth. No one looks young forever. The entire anti-aging narrative is a scam, and it’s time to stop buying into it so we can be present in the now.

Here's to aging gracefully together,

Brier C.

Skin Balm Apothecary