Wedding Season

With wedding season now here, it’s time to start prepping your skin for the big day, whether you’re the bride, bridesmaid or simply a guest attending! Ideally, it’s recommended to start skin prep 3-6 months before. However, if you’re running short on time, don’t worry - you can still make a difference even just weeks before! Not only does this include adopting skincare habits, but also lifestyle habits to help accelerate results and focus on rejuvenating both your inner and outer self.

So, in order to feel and look your best for the special day, it’s vital that you keep your skin intact leading up to it to avoid any disappointment. Read on to explore the different ways you can do this!

Cleanse twice a day

This goes without saying, but cleansing twice a day is essential for maintaining healthy, fresh-looking skin and is a basic fundamental when it comes to skincare. Cleansing at night effectively removes all the built-up impurities from the day, such as dirt, oil, make-up and SPF, and prepares the skin before applying additional products such as serums and moisturizers. It’s just as important to cleanse in the morning too in order to wash away bacteria formed on the skin overnight and any residue from your nighttime products. Try and stick to using a gentle cleanser and avoid trying any new ones – the last thing you want is a bad breakout with only weeks to go until the big day!

Double cleanse

To take cleansing one step further, integrate a double cleanse routine in the evenings for enhanced revitalization. It’s pretty much self-explanatory – you cleanse twice using two different cleansers, the first one being oil-based and the second water-based. The first round breaks down oil-based impurities including make-up, SPF and sebum, whereas the second round removes water-based impurities such as sweat, dirt and grime. Therefore, it involves a more thorough, deep cleanse and allows for greater product penetration. It is particularly beneficial for those who wear heavy makeup or have oily skin as it helps keep oil production in check, which means less acne breakouts!

Brighten

To boost your skin with radiance, using a Vitamin C-infused product is a great place to start. It helps even out and brighten skin tone and provides antioxidant protection. With consistent use, it’ll leave you with a vibrant-looking finish that will elevate your wedding day glow.

Exfoliate

Exfoliating removes dead skin cells to reveal a brighter, smoother complexion. By reviving dull skin, unclogging pores and preventing acne formation, it’s just what you need to maintain a flawless, healthy-looking appearance. Exfoliation takes on two forms: physical and chemical. Physical exfoliation can sometimes be too harsh and abrasive on the skin, which is why chemical exfoliation is a more popular choice. This includes using AHA and BHA ingredients such as Glycolic and Salicylic Acid. For those with blemish-prone skin, BHA is a better route as it helps break down the oils that are congesting your pores. Sensitive-skinned individuals are better suited to gentler AHAs such as Lactic Acid. You only need to exfoliate 1-2 times per week in the evenings – make sure not to overdo it as this can cause redness and irritation to the skin!

Moisturize

To keep your skin feeling and looking replenished, moisturization is key! It maintains and strengthens the skin’s moisture barrier which enhances protection against environmental damage. A key ingredient to look out for is Hyaluronic Acid, as its deeply moisturizing and hydrating properties result in visibly firmer and plumper skin.

Protect with SPF

Although SPF is essential all day every day, it’s especially important during wedding season as this commonly tends to fall in Summer and early Autumn. SPF provides you with much-needed protection and is vital for those who use potent ingredients such as Vitamin C, Retinol, Glycolic Acid, etc., as these ingredients increase skin sensitivity when exposed to the sun. If you haven’t already, try and use a broad-spectrum SPF to attain maximum protection, and go for a light-weight SPF on the wedding day so that it can sit well under your make-up.

Masks

For an extra glow and hydration boost, face masks are your go-to. It’s an easy way to enhance your skincare routine and offers benefits such as refining pores, reducing impurities and even helping balance out your skin tone. For those with oily skin, its best to apply one every other day, whereas those with dry skin should keep it to only once or twice a month.

Hydrate

Drinks lots and lots and lots of water (minimum 2 litres a day)! Staying hydrated will help prevent your complexion from looking dull and tired through flushing out all the toxins, leaving you with healthier, balanced skin. You can also use a serum containing Hyaluronic Acid for an additional ultra-hydration boost.

Get enough beauty sleep

Believe it or not, sleep majorly impacts your skin. As you sleep, your skin repairs and regenerates by increasing collagen production and stimulating blood flow within the body, resulting in nourished, glowing skin as you awaken. Hence, sleep deprivation means less blood flow to the skin which leaves you with a lifeless, dull complexion. So, make sure you’re getting a minimum of 7 hours of sleep to keep that skin glowing!

Eat healthy

Try and adopt a more healthy, balanced and nutritious diet leading up to your wedding day for well-nourished skin, including lots of fruit and veg, unsaturated fats and low dairy and sugar intake. Having high sugar and processed foods can result in inflammation, acne breakouts and even premature ageing.

Meditate and Exercise

Though it’s easier said than done, keeping your stress levels to a minimum is important during this time. Stress increases cortisol production which can trigger spots, the main thing we’re trying to avoid here. Regularly exercising and meditating are great ways to destress, as the two offer wellness to the body through releasing endorphins.

And there you go! Incorporate these simple yet effective tips into your wedding beauty regimen and you’ll have flawless skin just in time for the special day.