Britain’s men get better with age: 75% of men aged 65 and over feel confident about how they look

Don't know how they do it, but according to a recent research from Mintel, British men are like fine wine in that they get better with age.

London-based MOT Models recently set up a division called RETRO in response to latest developments that the post-war baby boomer generation is leading the way in the world of luxury purchases.  Seen here are two of MOT's top models Remco (43) and his father Aad Van Der Linden (72). Photo by Thomas Kettner.

Luxury automobile Mercedes-Benz has announced the launch of their "First fragrance for Men" to add to their lifestyle high-end fashion accessories.  Designed by master perfumers of his time, Olivier Cresp (Firmenich), the new frangrance "reinterprets and enhances the luxury world of Mercedes-Benz, presented in a luxurious yet masculine shaped bottle".   Highly inspired by the brand, Olivier Cresp has dreamt up a naturally sophisticated essence, tinged with refinement and modernity, He chose to combine citrus fruits among others, bergamot from Calabria and mandarin orange from Italy with the violet leaves absolute whose green facets envelop the fragrance's top notes with originality. The heart of the fragrance plays on an exclusive contrast between the overabundant aquatic notes of cascalone® and the powdery accents of violet.
The vibration is provided by spices, bourbon pepper, nutmeg, and galbanum.
Information and photo from Beautypress.com

According to Mintel, as many as 75% of men aged 65 and over feel confident about the way they look, compared to just over half (56%) of men aged 16-24 and an average of 61% of all men.  What is more, while 67% of all men say they look good for their age, this increases to a self-assured 71% of those aged 65 and over.

Interesting Facts:-* 38% of men check themselves in the mirror throughout the day* The facial skincare market is estimated to decline by 4.7% in 2017* Usage of beard products rises from 18% in 2016 to 23% in 2017

Proving Britain’s men are happy to accept ageing with grace, almost four in five (78%) men agree that it is acceptable to have some wrinkles, while 68% agree that skin ageing is a natural process that can’t be stopped. 

Men’s Grooming Face & Beard Care Kit from Scottish Fine Soaps.
Scented with their invigorating Thistle & Black Pepper fragrance, this new kit contains a gentle Face & Beard Soap, Beard Oil, Moisturiser and a branded hardwood beard comb.

Giorgio Armani SS18 Men's Collection
at Milan Fashion Week.
Source: Giorgio Armani

However, while the majority of men adopt a relaxed attitude towards their appearance, two in five (38%) men say they check themselves in the mirror throughout the day, according to Mintel,  rising to 65% of those aged 16-24.  

And, almost one in five (18%) men enjoy taking selfies, rising to 35% of 16-24s. And while 25-34-year-old men are most likely to say they like posting pictures of themselves on social media (39%), those aged 45-54 (13%) are not averse to uploading the odd image too.

Roshida Khanom, Associate Director, Beauty & Personal Care at Mintel, said: “Today's older men are brimming with self confidence, with high proportions thinking that they look good for their age and feeling confident about the way they look. "Following role models such as Pierce Brosnan, Hugh Grant and Colin Firth, Britain’s older men are adopting a relaxed attitude towards ageing with the majority of men agreeing that ageing is acceptable, and that skin ageing is a natural process. "Whilst advertising in the women’s facial skincare category often features photoshopping to optimise the appearance of skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, such images may not appeal to men. Allowing skin to look aged but healthy may instead have greater resonance.”

The men’s facial skincare category in the UK was valued at £104 million in 2016; however, things are not looking too beautiful for future sales, as this year the market is expected to decline 4.7% with sales dropping to £100 million. 

Giorgio Armani SS18 men's collection
at Milan Fashion Week.
Source: Giorgio Armani

Mintel research highlights a less is more approach towards men’s skincare regimes as only 15% of male moisturiser users apply moisturiser more than once a day, whilst 28% use it a few times a week.   Meanwhile, almost three in 10 (28%) men who use facial skincare products use them when their skin feels like it needs them and a quarter (24%) of men who use facial skincare products say they use them when they remember to do so.

Currently, the top three facial skincare products are soap (87%), moisturiser (50%) and lip balm (38%). There has also been a sharp rise in the number of men using facial wipes which grew from 26% in 2016 to 32% in 2017.

Finally, facial hair remains a growing trend amongst British men. Usage of beard products has risen from 18% in 2016 to 23% in 2017 and almost two in five (38%) men say they pay more attention to their facial hair than their facial skin. 

While 68% of men are removing hair from their jawline, more than half (53%) of males agree that it is fashionable to have a beard, according to Mintel.

“The fact that so many men are removing hair from their jawline, but over half agree that it is fashionable to have a beard, suggests that the beard trend may have evolved to a more flexible approach with men shaping their facial hair rather than sporting full beards or opting for a clean shave.” Roshida of Mintel concludes.