Sarah Michelle Gellar reflects on aging gracefully and loving herself

Sarah Michelle Gellar isn’t afraid of getting older — in fact, she’s embracing it.

The Buffy the Vampire Slayer alum, 48, opens up to People about aging as she nears 50 and why she feels more confident in herself than ever.

“I've been so fortunate that I've never been trapped in one role in one age,” Gellar says. “I don't know how I got that lucky, but I'm proud of what I've done. I'm proud of who I am.”

Looking back on her younger self, the actress is pleasantly surprised by how she feels now. 

“I don't mind talking about a project from 15, 20 years ago. I look at pictures of when I was younger and I'm like, ‘I think I look better now. I like myself more now.’ 

”While Gellar admits she hasn’t always felt this way, she’s reached a place of acceptance. “There was a time in my life when it did affect me sometimes, and I’m like, ‘Great, I don’t look like that anymore,’ ” she recalls. “And then you get to this place where you’re like, ‘Yeah, I don’t want to look. I shouldn’t look like that anymore.’ ”

Her confidence extends to her beauty routine as well. Partnering again with Olay — following her 2019 Super Bowl commercial — Gellar says she’s proud to showcase her authentic self. 

“This is me. This is my skin. I haven't had a facelift. I’m not saying one day I won’t. I don’t judge anyone, but this is me. I can't lie about my age because everybody knows my age!”

When it comes to wellness, Gellar relies on tried-and-true practices. “I’m very true to the products that I use,” she said. 

“I've discovered exercise in a new way. Everyone says as you get older, you have to start lifting. I always was afraid of lifting weights because if you look like the Terminator, it’s hard to do a period piece. 

But you realize as you get older, you really do. I have found trainers that I really enjoy that keep it fresh for me.”

Gellar is also juggling a busy work year, even after the planned Buffy reboot with Searchlight Pictures and director Chloé Zhao was unexpectedly canceled. 

She’s currently a judge on Netflix’s Star Search and returning to her horror roots in Ready or Not 2: Here I Come, a horror-comedy sequel featuring Samara Weaving and Kathryn Newton.

“It’s all where I want to be work-wise,” she tells PEOPLE. “And I have a great family. This is the best time of my life. And I'm noticing it and I'm taking note and I'm making sure that I'm enjoying all of those moments. You have to put the phone down.”

Ready or Not 2: Here I Come is in theaters now.