Age can play a huge role in how attractive we are, especially for men. In this article, we’ll look at which age is best for a guy in terms of attractiveness.
Men’s peak attractiveness can vary. It depends on how they take care of themselves, their genetics, etc. However, most men are the most attractive when they are in their late 20s to early 30s. Women usually prefer men that are older or of a similar age to themselves.
When Are Men the Most Attractive and Why?
Typically, men peak in attractiveness when they are 25-35 years old. It usually declines when they are 36 years old and onward. However, the age men are most attractive can significantly vary.
For instance, everyone finishes puberty at different times. Therefore, a man may reach their peak attractiveness at 25 years old if they matured early, or it could be when they are in their 30s if they developed late.
An excellent example of a man who matured late but took care of himself is Chris Hemsworth.
Some men can be attractive at nearly any age, thanks to their genetics and facial structure. Think of George Clooney, for example.
However, it also depends on how well a man takes care of himself. If a man lets himself go and matured early, his peak attractiveness could be earlier than 25.
We will assume that men stay relatively fit throughout their lives for most of this article.
If a man has a babyface, they may look much more attractive with age. Babyfaced men have more fat in their faces and may reach their peak attractiveness in their 30s. They may get facial hair, stronger jaws, etc. as they age (given they do not gain weight). Therefore, they may reach their peak attractiveness at a later age. Babyfaced men could also look relatively good for a longer time.
Additionally, men in their 20s may be more attractive because they can stay relatively fit without much effort. They still have a fast metabolism at that age, meaning they will burn off the extra calories without trying.
Depending on how a guy takes care of himself, his attractiveness could last into his 40s and possibly even 50s.
Women’s Preference
Generally, women prefer similar-aged or somewhat older men (Antfolk et al., 2015). The pattern stays consistent across a female’s life-span and regardless of the age of the female. Therefore, even if you are past your “peak” attractiveness, some women may find you more attractive if you are the same age or older.
Again, it is a matter of preference. It is normal for women in their early 20s to prefer men in their late 20s to early 30s. Older women may like younger men, but that depends on what they want in a relationship.
Why Older Men Are Usually More Attractive
There is a prevalence of women who prefer older men. Most women will date men who are at least a few years older than them.
A significant factor as to why women may prefer older mates is that women usually mature faster than men. A younger male partner may be challenging for some women, as they may find their “immaturity” unattractive.
Researchers studied how the brains reorganize as we age to reduce the brain’s connections to make them more streamlined (Lim et al., 2013). They noticed the changes happened earlier in women than men, making women mature faster than men.
Women may lean towards older men because older men could make them feel more secure. Many women perceive older men to be financially secure, have more power, wiser, etc.
Women evolved to want older partners. It could be because older men are usually more secure in life and settled down. Therefore, women will believe that older men would be better prepared to take care of their children than younger men.
Some people assume that women who like older men have “daddy issues.” However, that is often not the case.
A study showed that a same-age and age-gap relationship had no significant difference in attachment styles (Skentelbery et al., 2016). The women with older partners were happy and securely attached.
How to Look Good in Your 50s
Testosterone Replacement Therapy
As you get older, your testosterone naturally decreases. Some people may already have naturally low testosterone, or it gets low rapidly because of metabolic disorders, trauma to the testes, disease, etc.
Luckily, you could ask a doctor if you can try testosterone replacement therapy. Most men feel more youthful and more vigorous when they take testosterone medications, especially if they are in their late 30s to 50s (when testosterone levels typically decline).
There is some debate about whether testosterone therapy can help you fight the aging process. However, it can help you feel better and make your body look better.
Men peak in physical ability when they are in their late 20s to early 30s. It can vary depending on how active you are, but the normal decline in physical ability with age may be noticeable when you are in your 30s-40s.
Testosterone therapy is responsible for increased muscle mass. When you have leaner body mass, it helps increase your energy and control weight. That way, your body will still look strong and youthful. It also helps with your mood and just all-around life-functioning ability.
Anti-Aging Skincare
An essential of looking good with age is taking care of your skin. You can have amazing facial features, but you will look older and less attractive when your skin starts to sag and wrinkle. Thankfully, that is where skincare comes in handy.
Ideally, it would be best if you started using anti-aging skincare products as early as your late 20s to get the best results. However, if you are past that age, you can still benefit from using anti-aging products.
To keep it simple, your routine should basically consist of these types of products:
- Cleanser
- Exfoliator
- Sunscreen
Sunscreen is a must-have product for anti-aging, and you should wear it even when you are indoors. The sun’s rays can still enter your home. The sun’s UV rays speed up the skin’s aging process, leading to thicker skin, more age spots, wrinkles, etc.
Avoid physical exfoliants as they can damage your skin. You may only need to use chemical exfoliants every other day to avoid skin irritation.
When you look for anti-aging products, they should contain these ingredients:
- Retinol
- Vitamin C
- Salicylic acid
- Niacinamide
However, be wary of what ingredients you get because you should not mix certain ingredients. For instance, you cannot use vitamin C with AHA or BHA because it will over-exfoliate your skin.
I do not recommend moisturizers or toners, as I think these are largely scams by the cosmetics industry. Your skin has the ability to moisturize itself and regulate its own pH. Unless you have a special skin condition that your dermatologist has diagnosed, avoid wasting your money on moisturizers.
For more info on the optimal skincare routine, visit our complete skincare guide.
Normal Face Aging
Everyone is different, so signs of aging may appear at different ages. It depends on your lifestyle, diet, how physically active you are, etc.
Most people will see signs start to appear when they are in their late 30s to early 40s. Signs of aging become more apparent when you are nearly 50 years old. However, if you notice signs of aging before you are 35 years old, that is premature aging.
Signs of normal aging include:
- Itchy or dry skin (aging skin becomes thinner, leading to skin that is prone to dehydration)
- Sagging skin or wrinkles
- Sunspots/age spots
- Hair loss
- Gaut hands (as the skin gets thinner, your hands can look wrinkly, thin, and veiny)
