Is never changing your looks the key to agelessness? How stars have stopped the hands of time with a 'if it works at 20, it works at 50' approach

In an industry where everyone seems to be trying to turn back the clock, a select few Hollywood stars have instead managed to look almost exactly the same for decades.Botox, filler and cosmetic surgery have become the standard for many celebrities trying to hold on to their youthful looks. But too many drastic procedures can sometimes have a glaringly opposite effect – making people look older or changing the features that made them stand out in the first place.Yet household names such as Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and Sandra Bullock seem to have found another way: they've let themselves age gracefully with minor interventions. So, what's their secret? Is it good genes, diet, clever treatments or subtle cosmetic work – or just knowing what to tweak and when to leave their faces alone? For Ms Aniston, 57, the approach has always seemed to be less about fighting age and more about looking after herself. She has often spoken about skincare, exercise and nutrition, while her beauty routine has included everything from moisturiser to facials and laser treatments.In an interview with Glamour magazine last year, she said: 'I think it all starts with how we love our bodies and love where we are. I’m maintained. I’m not going to just go down and let these gray hairs take over.'More recently, the Friends star has shifted towards strength training, pilates, yoga and walking to maintain her appearance and wellbeing. For Jennifer Aniston (pictured in 1990), 57, the approach to maintaining her youth has always seemed to be less about fighting age and more about looking after herself The actress has has often spoken about skincare, exercise and nutrition, while her beauty routine has included everything from moisturiser to facials and laser treatments Weighing in on the actress, Dr Ahmed El Houssieny, an aesthetic doctor with Allergan Aesthetics, said: 'Looking youthful into your 50s and 60s is usually likely to be the result of a combination of factors rather than one particular treatment or secret. 'Genetics undoubtedly play a significant role, but lifestyle also matters.'He highlights Ms Aniston as someone whose approach centres on skin quality rather than dramatically changing her features, describing her as having a 'very natural facial appearance and excellent skin quality'. Ms Witherspoon, 50, has similarly been open about embracing the reality of getting older. She has spoken about being proud of her grey hairs and fine lines, while her beauty routine focuses heavily on skincare, religiously using products such as Elizabeth Arden retinol capsules. Speaking to Allure in 2019, aged 43, the Legally Blonde star said: 'I'm 43 and I've had a whole bunch of experiences, and I can speak with a thoughtfulness about the changes I'd like to see in the world, and... I just feel like I earned that grey hair and my fine lines. I like 'em. I prefer 43 to 25.'Sandra Bullock, 62, has faced years of cosmetic surgery speculation but has pushed back on some claims. After the 2018 Oscars, she denied having cheek fillers, explaining that facial swelling was linked to allergies. Reese Witherspoon (pictured in 1998), 50, has similarly been open about embracing ageing The Legally Blonde star has spoken about being proud of her grey hairs and fine lines, while her beauty routine focuses heavily on skincare, religiously using products like retinol capsules Then: Sandra Bullock, 62, has faced years of cosmetic surgery speculation but has pushed back on some claims Now: The actress has denied having cheek fillers, explaining swelling was linked to allergiesFor Dr El Houssieny, her appeal is that the Practical Magic 2 star doesn't necessarily have an unnaturally smooth face.He says: 'What contributes to looking youthful is often the combination of facial balance, healthy volume and maintaining natural movement and expression.'Professor Ali Al-Hussaini, medical director at Elevate Medical Aesthetics, also points to Ms Bullock's defined lower face and jawline, noting she may potentially use treatments designed to stimulate collagen and tighten skin. However, he stresses that 'we don't know exactly what she does aesthetically'. Nicole Kidman, on the other hand, has been more forthcoming about experimenting with Botox, telling Italian newspaper La Repubblica in 2013: 'No surgery for me. I did try Botox, unfortunately, but I got out of it and now I can finally move my face again.'She went on to credit sunscreen, not smoking and taking care of herself for helping maintain her fresh-faced appearance. Dr Al-Hussaini says Kidman has maintained 'incredible skin quality', suggesting that alongside genetics, skincare and general lifestyle, subtle treatments may potentially play a role. Dr El Houssieny added: 'Good skincare is also important, particularly ingredients and products that support the skin barrier and collagen production. Nicole Kidman (pictured in 1989) on the other hand has been forthcoming about using Botox The star has gone on to credit sunscreen, not smoking and taking care of herself for helping maintain her fresh-faced appearance Katie Holmes (pictured in 1998), 47, has taken a similarly unfussy approach to ageing, having spoken about looking to her mother and grandmother as examples of growing old naturally The star swears by a routine that centres on luxury skincare products by the likes of Dr Barbara Sturm, facials, SPF, exercise, eating 'lots of vegetables' and staying hydrated'Nicole Kidman has a naturally delicate facial structure and very fair skin, so protecting the skin from environmental damage is particularly important in maintaining that kind of appearance.' Katie Holmes, 47, has taken a similarly unfussy approach to ageing, having previously spoken about looking to her mother and grandmother as examples of ageing naturally.Going make-up free for People magazine's annual Beautiful Issue in 2021, the actress further declared: 'I embrace my age with gratitude and I don't worry about not having make up on. My joy comes from within.'The star swears by a routine that centres on luxury skincare products by the likes of Dr Barbara Sturm, facials, SPF, exercise, eating 'lots of vegetables' and staying hydrated. Dr Al-Hussaini says: 'Katie Holmes has aged incredibly well and, importantly, she still looks like herself. Her face has naturally matured, but she's retained good facial volume and her skin still looks healthy and firm. 'Genetics will certainly play a part, but I suspect she also takes very good care of her skin and may have subtle treatments to maintain collagen and skin quality. 'Regenerative treatments such as polynucleotides and exosomes, alongside carefully selected amino acids, are also becoming an interesting way of supporting the skin as it ages without changing the face. 'Good skincare, daily SPF and a healthy lifestyle maintained over many years can make a huge difference too.' Gwyneth Paltrow (pictured in 1995), 53, has been unusually open about the balancing act between cosmetic treatments and embracing age She admitted having a love-hate relationship with Botox, though she later became the face of injectable Xeomin in 2020, saying she preferred a subtle result that made her look refreshedThen there is Gwyneth Paltrow, 53, who has been unusually open about the balancing act between cosmetic treatments and embracing age. She previously admitted having a love-hate relationship with Botox, though she later became the face of injectable Xeomin in 2020, saying she preferred a subtle result that made her look refreshed rather than obviously treated.Speaking to Allure in September 2020, she said: 'I tried a different brand a long time ago... I was turning 40, and I had a total panic attack. I went to this doctor, and it was crazy. [After that] I stayed away, and stayed away. 'Then three years ago, the frown lines were getting deep... I was open to a little help. I tried Xeomin, which was explained to me as a purified version [of botox], and it was such a nice, natural result, and it made me look like I had a nice, long, good sleep.'At the same time, the Goop founder has repeatedly pushed back against the pressure to look frozen in time, adding that she has 'come to appreciate the process of ageing'.Dr Fadi Hamadani, aesthetic doctor and plastic surgeon whose work is documented on Instagram, commented: 'Gwyneth has been refreshingly open about having anti-wrinkle injections, including Xeomin, and has spoken about preferring a very subtle approach. 'I think that's important because looking natural doesn't necessarily mean doing nothing. 'Small amounts of injectable treatment alongside good skincare, exercise, nutrition and treatments that maintain collagen can help someone age well without trying to erase every line or expression.'Ultimately, there probably isn't one key to agelessness,' added Dr El Houssieny. Instead, he believes it is the collective effect of 'genetics, lifestyle, skincare and, for some people, carefully selected combination of aesthetic treatments over many years'.The goal, he adds, shouldn't be to make someone in their 50s or 60s 'look 20 again', but to help them look like the healthiest and most refreshed version of themselves while still looking like themselves.