Julia Stiles Laments Not Wearing Sunscreen When She Was Younger

Julia Stiles is reflecting candidly on aging, skincare and a lesson she wishes she’d learned earlier.

In a "Get Ready with Me" video filmed in partnership with the beauty brand Merit and posted on Instagram, 45-year-old Stiles says she came from "a long line of women who appreciated natural beauty."

"That being said, we can all use a little..." Stiles added, gesturing to her face.

The actress, who rose to fame in the late 1990s and early 2000s with roles in films like 10 Things I Hate About You and Save the Last Dance, used the video to walk through her routine while opening up about how her perspective on her skin has evolved over time.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

She continued: "Note to my 20-year-old self: Always wear sunscreen. Why didn't you wear sunscreen? Why? Why were you sitting in the sun at peak hours of the day for so long?"

"Now, you see it," she said, adding: "There's this funny window of time when you're in your 30s — I should say me, when I was in my 30s, where I was like, 'Oh my god, the acne's gone, my skin is so clear.' And then, two seconds later, boom! Here come the wrinkles."

"But that's okay. We should be lucky to grow old and have wrinkles," Stiles continued.

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

After establishing herself as a leading actress in teen films, Stiles transitioned into more mature roles, including her work in the Bourne film series alongside Matt Damon and later on television in the Showtime series Dexter.

Related Stories

Kerry Washington Defends Costar Julia Stiles' Infamous Dance at the End of 'Save the Last Dance'

Julia Stiles and Preston Cook's Relationship: From Meeting on Set to Welcoming Baby No. 3

Over the years, she has maintained a steady presence in both independent and mainstream projects while also stepping behind the camera as a director.

Stiles will next work with Corey Stoll in the forthcoming science fiction series Recap, per Deadline.