The mother-of-two, who is married to television producer Brad Falchuk (pictured), turns 49 this year and has gained a reputation as a guru for self-empowerment and wellness tips – albeit dubious – through her lifestyle company Goop.

The brand started out in 2008 as a weekly e-mail newsletter offering new-age advice, but has ballooned into an empire comprising e-commerce, wellness summits and, most recently, a docuseries for Netflix called The Goop Lab.

While both Goop and Paltrow have come under fire for giving advice with no scientific basis, the Academy Award-winning actress, who plays Pepper Potts in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, is still a force to be reckoned with in the wellness space. Even more so since Covid-19 struck.

The pandemic has thrown a spotlight on wellness as many seek to up their self-care game. This has translated into renewed attention for Goop, which Paltrow says has “definitely” grown in the past year.

“It was really interesting to see how much time people were spending on the site, (as they) were home,” she says.

“People wanted connection. They wanted recipes and great home products, and it was interesting to watch the consumer and see what she wanted.”

She says the occasional aesthetic treatment is still in line with her wellness philosophy. It is all about empowering women with choice when it comes to ageing and self-care.

“I don’t think there’s anything to reconcile (between authenticity and aesthetic treatments). Women should feel shame-free and totally empowered to do whatever they want in order to feel their best selves,” she says.

“I think aesthetic treatments have gotten a bad reputation when they’re really overdone. But even if a woman chooses to change her face, and (feels) that’s what’s right for her, then that is authentic for her.”

She admits to having a little work done herself.

“I had a bad experience when I turned 40. I had a bit of a midlife crisis and did injectables, and I didn’t like it at all, so I didn’t do anything for a really long time,” she says.

“(These days), I have my Merz anti-wrinkle injection once in a while, and the rest is really just about a holistic approach to beauty.”

She adds: “Good sleep, hydration, non-toxic relationships, good communication, good food, not a lot of alcohol – those are the things that help complete the picture of a beauty regime that really works.”

The star recently revealed in a blog post on Goop that she had battled the coronavirus “early on”, detailing her long-lasting symptoms.

She later told The Hollywood Reporter that she kept it under wraps as it had been so early in the pandemic that there were no tests available.

A year ago, she poked fun at herself on Instagram (pictured) for starring in the film that many consider an ominously accurate depiction of the Covid-19 pandemic. Contagion (2011), which spiked in streaming views last year, starred Paltrow as the fictional virus’ patient zero, dying early in the film.

En route to Paris then, she posted a photo of herself in a mask, writing: “I’ve already been in this movie.”

Fast forward to today and she is safely isolating at home in Los Angeles.

There are still things to be grateful for, she says. “It’s been such a strange year, yet I think I’ll look back and be so grateful for the silver linings – of getting to be with my kids so much, and just slowing down and not being on a plane all the time.

“Human connection, really staying close to the people you love, has kept me sane through this whole thing.”

A version of this article first appeared in The Straits Times