If you’re rigorous about taking care of the skin on your face in the hope of holding back the years – you may be focusing on the wrong part of the body entirely.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, aesthetic doctor Dr Ross Perry has revealed how the knees, which take the brunt of our body’s weight, can make us appear older than we actually are, if not treated with the proper TLC.
The Founder & Medical Director of Cosmedics Skin Clinics shared how sagging, wrinkles and sunspots are as much an issue for the legs as they are for the face, and particularly around the knee area.
‘Knees are one of the first areas of the body to betray the passing of time,’ he shared. ‘The skin is thinner, has fewer oil glands, and is prone to laxity, creping and subtle sagging.’
He also explained how collagen breakdown in the area could make them appear weaker – and age you even if your face is youthful.
Here, Dr Perry has revealed the A-listers whose knees give them a youthful boost – and who is younger than their legs make them seem…
Brooke Shields
Knee age: Late 40s
Real age: 60
‘Brooke has very well-preserved knees for a mature woman,’ Dr Perry said. ‘What I’m looking at first is skin quality.
‘There’s mild textural change, a slight softening above the patella, but no pronounced creping. That tells me collagen decline has begun, but it’s being managed well, whether through genetics, training or subtle treatments.’
He explained there is some ‘slight sagging’ but also ‘good muscle mass which can disguise early laxity’.
‘The skin thickness appears moderate, not thin and translucent, which we often see post-menopause without intervention,’ the doctor continued.
‘There’s also an absence of significant pigmentation or sun spotting, which suggests either disciplined sun care or laser/IPL maintenance. There is a faint softening around the medial knee and some volume loss.
‘That usually starts appearing late 40s into early 50s. If this individual is in their late 50s or early 60s, then I’d say they are ageing exceptionally well, likely supported by strength training and possibly regenerative skin treatments.’
Hugh Jackman
Knee age: Early 60s
Real age: 57
Dr Perry said that even in extremely fit individuals like Hugh Jackman, the knees ‘can tell a slightly different story from the torso or face’.
‘Hugh’s knees do show mild skin looseness, faint wrinkling and slight loss of firmness above the kneecap,’ he shared.
‘I would suggest his knees appear to belong to someone in their early 60s.’
Kate Moss
Knee age: Mid 50s
Real age: 52
‘Kate Moss turned 52 in January 2026, and she’s one of the most photographed women on the planet,’ said Dr Perry. ‘Knees age differently from faces, and often tell the truth about someone’s years in the sun, smoking, nightlife and general wear and tear.
‘And in Kate’s case, the archive doesn’t lie. In photos from her 30s onward, captions from the press repeatedly noted her “knobbly” bony knee appearance as a striking contrast to her youthful face.
‘That’s not necessarily a bad thing, thin, sinewy knees are part of the Moss look and the waif aesthetic that made her famous. But from an ageing perspective, in many shots from her 30s and 40s, knee skin looks quite thin with visible bone contours typical of someone whose body has stayed very lean for decades, and there appears to be loose skin and creping.’
He said that by her late 40s, there are subtle signs of that laxity and creping that come with natural ageing.
‘Kate’s famously hedonistic youth with sun, cigarettes and late nights tends to accelerate collagen breakdown in sun-exposed areas like legs,’ he explained. ‘This is exactly why her knees have looked older than the rest of her body in past pictures, and I’d suggest her knees put her at mid 50s.’
Sarah Jessica Parker
Knee age: Early 60s
Real age: 60
Dr Perry said that, even without full exposed knee close‑ups, ‘the contours around her lower legs and knees don’t appear unnaturally taut’.
‘The skin shows a natural looseness and fine creping that you’d expect in someone in their late 50s,’ he shared.
‘Sarah has always showcased remarkably toned legs, thanks to regular fitness and perhaps ballet‑inspired workouts, but toned muscles can only do so much for skin quality around joints.
‘The subtle softening of the knee crease suggests age, not artificial tightening.
‘Areas like knees that are intermittently sun‑exposed tend to lose collagen over time, which leads to the fine lines and slight laxity we’re seeing and are very consistent with someone nearing 60.’
He added: ‘Her knees read like someone in their late 50s, early 60s, right in line with her actual age of 60. She doesn’t have the springs of someone in their 40s nor does she look pushed into an artificially youthful knee appearance, what you see is entirely age‑appropriate.’
Mila Kunis
Knee age: Late 30s
Real age: 42
‘At 42 years old, Mila Kunis is in that fascinating sweet spot where fitness, genetics and skincare can keep the body looking youthful, and yet honest signs of natural ageing can begin to show,’ Dr Perry revealed.
‘Mila is known for toned legs, often on display in mini dresses and skirts, and those lower limbs generally look firm and athletic rather than crepey or saggy in most pictures.
‘That’s a sign of good muscle tone and overall fitness, which can make knees read younger than they are. Where many women in their 40s show a bit of subtle looseness around the joint crease, Mila’s knees don’t betray dramatic sagging or deep wrinkling, again, likely a product of her slim build and low body fat.
‘She’s an actress who’s kept lean and worked regularly since her teens, and while leg ageing will still happen, there’s no glaring sign of advanced collagen loss or textural breakdown you might see in someone a decade older. Mila’s knees read like someone in their late 30s.’
Gwyneth Paltrow
Knee age: Early 50s
Real age: 53
‘Gwyneth Paltrow is one of Hollywood’s most visible examples of ageing in the spotlight, and that includes how her legs and knees read in fashion shoots, red‑carpet gowns and candid snaps,’ Dr Perry said.
‘Dermatologists always point out that knees are one of the first places the body shows subtle age‑related changes: the skin is thin, has fewer oil glands and is constantly flexing.
‘In recent paparazzi photos, the skin around Paltrow’s knees show gentle textural changes and faint creping, not dramatic sagging, but definitely the natural softening you’d expect in someone in their early 50s.
‘She’s kept excellent muscle tone over the years, and that certainly helps the overall silhouette of her legs.
‘But you can see just a touch of looseness when the knee is fully extended, which is perfectly consistent with someone in her age bracket, and puts her knee age around early 50s.’
Jennifer Aniston
Knee age: Mid 50s
Real age: 57
The expert said that in numerous public and paparazzi shots, Jennifer’s knees show some creping and faint lines when fully extended, the sort of change you’d expect in someone in their mid 50s.
‘There isn’t dramatic laxity, but there is a softening that comes with natural collagen decline,’ he explained.
‘Jennifer Aniston has lean, athletic legs, clearly maintained through running, yoga and Pilates over decades which help keep the overall look youthful.
‘Muscle tone lifts the silhouette and smooths the contours, making any fine skin changes more subtle than they might otherwise be.
‘However, sun exposure over the years, does contribute to the textured skin around her joints. Her knee age is mid to late 50s.’
Michelle Yeoh
Knee age: Mid 50s
Real age: 63
Michelle Yeoh is living proof that age and elegance are not mutually exclusive, Dr Perry said.
In red‑carpet photos, action‑movie stills and candid snaps where her knees are visible, ‘you can see gentle surface creping and that soft, natural skin change that comes with being in her 60s’.
He added: ‘It’s not dramatic or saggy, just age‑appropriate. Yeoh’s lifelong dedication to physical disciplines (dance, martial arts yoga) give her legs great tone.
‘That muscular support often masks deeper skin changes. Michelle you can see has clearly kept out of the sun, has very minimal signs of sun damage and I place her knees in the mid to late 50s.’
Kris Jenner
Knee age: Mid 50s
Real age: 70
‘Kris Jenner’s knees appear remarkably smooth and firm, with minimal sagging or wrinkling,’ Dr Perry said.
‘Knees typically show signs of ageing earlier due to thinner skin and repeated movement, but hers look well-maintained. Based on appearance alone, her “knee age” could be estimated around mid 50s, therefore, she may have had a little help.
‘Non-invasive options include dermal fillers, which can add volume and reduce creases, as well as laser or radiofrequency treatments like Thermage or Ultherapy that tighten skin and stimulate collagen. Microneedling with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and mild chemical peels can also improve skin texture and tone.
‘Minimally invasive options may include fat grafting, where fat is transferred from another area to smooth the knee, or liposuction combined with skin tightening to refine the contour.
‘In cases of more significant laxity, a surgical knee or thigh lift can remove excess skin for a firmer appearance. Beyond procedures, consistent skincare, maintaining muscle tone and genetics all contribute to the natural smoothness of the knees.’
Lindsay Lohan
Knee age: 49
Real age: 39
Dr Perry remarked: ‘The skin here is naturally thinner and less supported, so the folds appear more noticeable under certain lighting or poses, especially as she is fair skinned.’
Madonna
Knee age: 45
Real age: 67
‘Years of dancing, exercise and staying in shape, at 67, Madonna’s knees can easily pass for someone twenty years younger,’ the expert revealed.
‘Toned, smooth and seemingly immune to time, and what we tend to see in general is a youthful face which has been helped along the way, with other body parts appearing seemingly older, this is not the case with Madonna and in fact is the total opposite.’
Amanda Holden
Knee age: 30
Real age: 55
Dr Perry explained: ‘Amanda has been blessed with exceptional genes and a body that seems to defy age, easily passing for two decades younger.
‘Despite being something of a sun worshipper, which can take a toll on skin, her strict diet, fitness regime and years of dancing have kept her knees looking remarkably smooth and toned.’
Margot Robbie
Knee age: 28
Real age: 35
‘Again, amazing genetics is what we see with Margot Robbie, and someone whose weight has barely fluctuated over the years, which can often make knees appear older than they are,’ Dr Perry said. ‘Toned, smooth and seemingly untouched by age, there’s barely a hint of wear.’
