An exploration study on the relationship between chronological and perceived age in Chinese women with systematic validation of a new method for perceived age determination

Background: Skin aging is a complex biological process influenced by intrinsic and extrinsic factors, leading to various aging manifestations. Defining facial aging is especially important for the selection of anti-aging products. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the severity of aging features along with chronological age and perceived age, and to develop a method of determining perceived age by non-expert assessors. Materials and methods: A total of 308 Chinese females aged 15–65 years underwent expert aging features scoring, facial image acquisition, and age perception on acquired photographs. The facial characteristics and facial areas that influenced the age perception were collected by questionnaire. Subjects were grouped based on the deviation between their perceived and chronological age, and the facial aging features were compared among these groups. Results: The perceived age of Chinese women was on average 1.6 years older than their chronological age. The severities of aging features demonstrated strong correlations with perceived age, paralleling their correlations with chronological age. Nasolabial fold, marionette fold, tightness of facial contour, poor skin evenness, and poor skin radiance were common key factors for age perception. Additionally, various aging features demonstrated predominant uniqueness among different age ranges. Conclusions: Perceived age tends to exceed chronological age. The age perception is correlated to the manifestation of aging features. The method developed in this study to determine perceived age is applicable for evaluating the benefits of anti-aging products and delivering valuable guidance for skin care product development on targeting specific aging features and customizing strategies for consumer groups with older perceived age.