What makes a face attractive? Scientists analysed 600 people to find the features that stand out. Psychology explains why

People often say beauty is subjective, but science suggests there are some facial features that many people tend to find attractive. A new study that analysed more than 600 faces has found certain patterns linked with attractiveness, while psychologists say our brains also play a major role in how we judge faces within moments of seeing them.

The research, published in the journal Progress in Orthodontics, used advanced 3D facial scans to study facial shape instead of relying on simple measurements. Experts say the findings show that while personal preferences matter, some facial characteristics consistently receive higher ratings across different people.

Study scanned more than 600 faces

Researchers recruited 601 young adults and captured detailed 3D scans of their faces. Every face was mapped using 716 digital landmarks, allowing scientists to compare facial geometry in detail.


Six independent judges, including three men and three women, then rated every face for attractiveness on a scale from 0 to 100.

The analysis showed that women who received higher attractiveness scores generally had slimmer faces, fuller lips, narrower noses with slightly more prominent tips, and sharper facial definition. Overall, attractive female faces appeared more angular with less facial fullness, except for the upper lip, which tended to be fuller.

For men, the relationship was less pronounced, but higher-rated faces commonly featured stronger chins, well-defined jawlines and angular facial structures.

The researchers wrote, "Overall, our findings support the conclusion that facial shape significantly influences perceived attractiveness."

Researchers say beauty is more than one perfect feature

Study author Georgios Kanavakis of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens said appearance affects many aspects of everyday life.

"Physical attractiveness influences many aspects of our daily lives and plays a critical role in everyday human interactions. From first impressions and simple acquaintances to professional opportunities and romantic relationships," he told PsyPost.

Kanavakis also pointed out that beauty cannot usually be explained by one feature alone. "While we often think of beauty as being entirely subjective, decades of research have shown that people tend to agree surprisingly well on which faces they find attractive."

He added that attractiveness is not defined simply by having a perfect nose, chin or jaw. Instead, it is usually the way several facial features work together.

To help explain the findings, researchers noted that celebrities such as Margot Robbie and Elsa Hosk closely resemble many of the higher-rated female facial characteristics, while David Gandy and Henry Cavill share several of the traits identified in highly rated male faces.

Psychology says attraction begins in milliseconds

The study also highlights what psychologists have found for years. People begin forming impressions almost immediately after seeing a face.

The researchers concluded, "First impressions are made in one tenth of a second and have a strong and lasting impact on human relationships."

They added, "In addition to basic information, such as sex or age, we consciously or unconsciously form opinions about others upon our first visual contact with them. These opinions are related to traits such as trustworthiness, competence, and intelligence."

Psychology research also suggests facial symmetry is often linked with attractiveness because people may associate it with healthy development. Another well-known concept, called the "averageness effect", shows that composite faces created by combining many faces are often rated as more attractive than unusual-looking faces.

Experts also say youthful features such as smooth skin and fuller lips naturally draw attention, while masculine or feminine facial characteristics shaped by hormones can influence perception. Familiarity also matters. According to the "mere exposure effect", people often grow to like faces they see repeatedly, helping explain why beauty standards vary across cultures and generations.

Beauty is shaped by both biology and experience

While the study found common facial features associated with attractiveness, psychologists say there is no universal formula for beauty. Biology may influence what catches the eye first, but culture, personal experiences, media exposure and familiarity all shape individual preferences over time.

Earlier research from the Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics also found that women are generally rated as more attractive overall. Lead author Eugen Wassiliwizky told the Daily Mail, "Particularly striking is that women rate other women as significantly more attractive than men while male faces are rated similarly - and overall lower - by both sexes."