We all want to age gracefully, but things like wrinkles and age spots can give away how old we really are — or make us look even older.

Taking care of your skin is important for a variety of reasons, but one of the main reasons to love your skin is to ensure you’re not facing premature age spots at a young age. Thankfully, there are several easy steps you can take to lessen the chances that you’ll get age spots as the years go by.

Here are three ways you can combat age spots:

Use Sunscreen Regularly

UV rays are a major cause of skin damage that can lead to age spots. These rays affect the deepest layers of our skin, which leads the body to produce melanin in response. When more melanin is produced, it appears as dark spots on the skin. While age spots can be reversed once skin heals from the UV ray damage, repeated exposure to the sun can permanently ruin the skin’s ability to repair itself.

That’s why over time it becomes more likely that you’ll acquire age spots if you don’t use proper sunscreen every time you’re in the sun. The good news is it’s easy to use a foundation or moisturizer that contains a high SPF every day.

Consider using Pearl Powder

Have you ever heard of pearl powder? Women have used this fantastic product for centuries to help their skin look more fair and smooth. Women in ancient China discovered these uses for pearl powder, and today you can buy this product at your local drug store.

Studies have shown that pearl powder actually makes your skin more resistant to sun damage, which will help lower your risk of developing age spots over time. If you spend a lot of time in the sun and are worried that you are at a higher risk for age spots, consider using pearl powder in your makeup routine.

Get Plenty of Sleep

Did you know staying up late can make your skin more prone to sun damage and age spots? It’s because your brain produces melatonin while you’re asleep, a hormone that helps reverse damage from UV rays and strengthen your skin’s natural protection against the sun. You should shoot for getting eight hours of sleep a night for a variety of reasons, but one of the most important reasons is to ensure your skin has all its defenses in place against UV damage and age spots.

• Our 3 Top Skin Care Products for Summer