The answer is simple: by the time I’m my mom’s age (63), I’d like to look as young as she does now. She’s practically wrinkle-free and almost always gets carded when asking for her Senior Citizen Discount.

So how does she maintain her youthful appearance?

The woman reapplies sunblock on her face several times a day, everyday! And I’m telling you: it’s paid off.

Granted, I don’t do everything that my mom does. For example, she wears ZERO makeup and her skincare routine is limited to Cetaphil and Vaseline. I wear makeup, and I like to experiment with products (although Cetaphil is my one and only moisturizer).

Not a day goes by that I don’t wear sunblock on my face. I used to apply a light sunscreen before putting on my foundation primer. That was until I discovered the Shiseido Sun Protection Foundation w/ SPF 42. So yes, everyday that I’m out and exposed to UVA and UVB rays, my face is protected with SPF 42.

The topic of wrinkles and fine lines is becoming more frequent now that my friends and I are approaching or in our third decade of life. And I’m telling you…while you might get away with sunbathing without any protection through your mid-20s, the signs of sun damage really start to show in your late 20s and beyond. This is particularly true if you tend to be outdoorsy (e.g. avid runner, cycler).

Makeup is wonderful, but it can only do so much. At the end of the day, it’s our job to maintain healthy, youthful skin that only requires slight enhancements.

So before you leave home tomorrow morning, make sure to put on some sunscreen!