Fears that modern society is obsessed with youth may be unfounded after research showed that the average age of people judged the most beautiful is now closer to 40.

Scientists from Boston University School of Medicine compared celebrities who were listed in People magazine's World's Most Beautiful list in 1990 and compared it them to 2017.

Nearly three decades ago the average age of those judged the most beautiful was 33.2, but this year it is 38.9.

Celebrities including the actresses Sharon Stone and Michelle Pfieffer, both 59, have helped raise the age of beauty. Julia Roberts, the actress, who is 49, was voted overall the most beautiful woman in the world.

Pfieffer, Stone and Roberts were all also included in the 1990 list, suggesting that the three have helped change ageing stereotypes.

The research also showed that there had also been a shift towards darker skin tones. In 1990, lighter skins easily dominated the Most Beautiful list, making up 88 per cent of the celebrities.