Okay, here’s the hard truth: no matter how young you might look, your age is eventually going to show up on your face. Granted, some (lucky) people show less of it than others. We all know a few of those people—chances are, it’s either their genetics or their good sense when they were younger (I shudder to think of all the damage I did to myself as a former sun-worshipper)—and in some instances, a combination of the two.

And face it: there are some things we just can’t change about aging, like foreheads expanding as hairlines recede, ears that grow longer because the cartilage keeps chugging along, or tips of noses that droop due to the weakened connective tissue that supports the cartilage. Alas, time marches on. Fat in the face loses volume and shifts downward, making features slightly altered. Once-tight skin loosens and sags, while the lower part of the face gathers fat and distributes it in places where you don’t want it—in your neck and around your chin.

But no need to get discouraged; you’re not entirely powerless. Hopefully, by sidestepping some issues and knowing some common mistakes that age your skin, you can retain your youthful glow for as long as possible ... genetics be damned. Taking just a few minutes a day can be enough to prevent years’ worth of brown spots, wrinkles, and many more skin woes.

5 Top Skin Don’ts:

Don’t Skip Sunscreen. Even on a gray winter day, you need it. The sun’s UVA rays—“A”as in “Aging”—can cause changes leading to wrinkles and sunspots in a relatively short amount of exposure time: even 10 minutes a day of unprotected “A” rays will show up as changes in your skin in as few as 12 weeks. And those rays are stubborn, too, with the power to penetrate glass—so you’ll need that sunscreen indoors as well. Use a sunscreen that’s labeled broad-spectrum, ideally with an SPF of 30. Or make sure your daily moisturizer contains it. For the best protection, look for one that has zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, Helioplex, or avobenzone.

Don’t Sleep With Your Makeup On. We’ve all had those moments when we fall asleep with our face “fully clothed.” Once in a blue moon certainly won’t hurt, but a steady habit of it is a no-no. That’s because sleeping with your makeup on can clog your pores, irritate your skin, and even lead to break-outs. While that won’t exactly cause extra wrinkles, dull skin that is uneven and blotchy does nothing to contribute to a fresh, youthful appearance. Because oil production drops as your age climbs, use a mild face wash and resist the urge to scrub more than once daily (the best time being before bed). If all else fails and you simply can’t rouse yourself, keep some facial wipes in your night table where all you have to do is reach over. In the morning, all you need to refresh is a splash of lukewarm water.

Don’t Think It’s Too Expensive to Care for Skin. It’s hard not to get caught up in all the new miracle creams/lotions/gels/scrubs/treatments that you see in the glossies or lining the shelves at department stores. But remember: pricey ingredients and fancy labeling are not relegated for only those with deep pockets. Skin-worthy treasures are right there on the shelves of your local drugstore. Look in the ingredient list for anti-agers such as retinoids, AHAs, peptides, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid.

Don’t Skimp on Sleep. Beauty sleep is not a myth: researchers have actually found a link between being well-rested and appearing healthier and more attractive. Photos were taken of subjects—once, after getting a normal night’s sleep of eight hours and again, after being up for 31 hours after getting only about five hours of sleep. Viewers who judged the photos rated them for attractiveness and whether or not the subjects appeared healthy or unhealthy and tired or not tired. The less attractive and less healthy-looking participants were—no surprise there!—the ones who were sleep-deprived. Those circles under your eyes, lackluster skin, and saggy eyelids all add up to an aging face.

Don’t Be Impatient. So many people give up if they don’t see quick results. It can take at least 8 weeks for many products to begin to show their benefits. Aside from that, ease into your new routine: your skin needs to build up a tolerance, since many of the anti-aging ingredients can be irritating at first (a case that disproves the theory that if a little is good, a lot is better). Going overboard with either the amount or the frequency of application can result in irritated and inflamed skin, which can also exacerbate the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

5 Top Skin Do’s:

Incorporate Exercise. Research has found that women who exercise regularly have firmer skin than women who don’t. Exercise helps to boost your oxygen levels and the nutrients needed for collagen production.

Eat a Healthy Diet. Research suggests that a diet low in fats and carbs may help promote younger looking skin. Keep in mind that omega-3s ("good fats”) are helpful, though. They boost hydration and aid in keeping your skin firm and elastic.

Give Up the Tobacco. It’s no friend to your skin: smoking contributes to wrinkles, depletes your skin of oxygen and nutrients, and damages collagen and elastin.

Manage Stress. Uncontrolled, stress can make your skin more sensitive and cause irritations like hives and rashes. On top of that, mama was right: too much frowning really does cause the muscles in your face to conform to that movement.

Curb Your Alcohol. An occasional glass of wine? No problem. There are even some health benefits there. But too much alcohol contributes to aging skin by dilating the small blood vessels and increasing the blood flow close to the surface of your skin. Instead of a healthy glow, you get a flushed, red appearance with broken vessels peering through your skin’s surface.

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Sheryl Kraft is Health & Wellness Editor at EndlessBeauty.com