If you’re about to walk down the aisle, are you following a bridal skincare routine?
If not, you may want to think about it.
Every bride wants to look their best on the big day, but pre-wedding jitters and stress can show up on your skin. Your best defense against those unwanted pimples or undereye bags is to start helping your skin weeks beforehand.
But no matter where you are in your wedding schedule, it’s never too late to start caring for your skin. Follow our tips to create your best bridal skincare routine to make sure you look your radiant best!
Bridal Skincare Routine #1: Shed Your Stress
Stress is not only bad for you—it’s bad for your skin too. Scientists have discovered an intricate relationship between psychological stress and the onset or aggravation of many skin diseases like eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis, as well as skin problems like acne and dryness.
High levels of the stress hormone cortisol—particularly those that persist for weeks—are also associated with impaired skin barrier function and premature aging.
Your skin may already be showing signs of stress. These include acne flare-ups, hives or rash, redness, irritation, dry skin, dull skin, and eczema or psoriasis flare-ups.
There’s no way to completely avoid stress while you’re preparing for a wedding. Instead, have a daily routine that includes a stress-shedding activity. Good options include going for a walk, hitting a yoga class, listening to a guided meditation app, playing a musical instrument, getting a massage, taking a hot bath, or using some aromatherapy.
#2: Get Your Beauty Sleep
Sleep deprivation works together with stress to tear down your skin. When you’re stressed, you usually don’t sleep as well. And if you’re not getting enough sleep, your stress levels are going to go up.
Sleep deprivation on its own has been shown to increase the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and bags, making your skin look older. That’s because your skin is missing out on the benefits of sleep.
During sleep, your skin cells regenerate and prepare for the next day. The skin is more open to treatments like anti-aging serums, and it produces more antioxidants to help protect from DNA damage.
You’re bound to miss out on some sleep now and then before your wedding. Do what you can to limit those sleepless nights. Go to bed and get up at the same time every day, even on weekends. Keep all technology out of the bedroom, make sure you have a comfortable mattress, and take at least 30 minutes to do a quiet activity before your head hits the pillow.
Bridal Skincare Routine #3: Eat Super Foods
No matter what type of skin you have—oily, dry, normal, or combination—it needs water and nutrients. Just like the other organs in your body, the skin gets its nutrients from what you eat.
If you fill your diet with fresh fruits and vegetables, they will deliver powerful vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to your skin, which will help protect it and prevent it from getting too dry or stressed out.
Some good options to help your skin look its best include nuts, yogurt, fatty fish like salmon, dark chocolate, avocados, water-rich fruits like melons, and green tea.
Another smart tip: Cut back on sugar. Sugary foods, drinks, and high-glycemic foods break down quickly in your body and spike blood sugar levels. That, in turn, stresses the skin and can increase the risk of breakouts, irritation, and other skin problems. Reduce your consumption until after your wedding day—or longer if you can.
#4: Cleanse Regularly
Daily cleansing can help reduce breakouts and delay the signs of premature aging. Even one night of going to bed with your makeup on can result in acne breakouts and dryness. That’s because the dirt, grime, and microorganisms that accumulate on your skin during the day are left to soak in overnight, causing damage.
Choose a gentle cleanser that will do the job without leaving your skin dry and tight. You may also want to use a facial brush to help clean out your pores and leave your skin as clean as possible.
Bridal Skincare Routine #5: Exfoliate Your Skin
As dead skin cells accumulate on your skin, they interfere with light reflection, giving you a dull appearance. Regular exfoliation is key to radiant, youthful skin. It removes those dead skin cells and can also enhance your skin’s ability to absorb any products you apply to it.
Just make sure that whatever product you’re using to exfoliate doesn’t irritate your skin. Harsh scrubs with beads and crystals can make microtears, resulting in redness, irritation, and acne. Instead, choose gentle, fruit-acid-based exfoliators to do the job.
Don’t forget your body skin! Knees, elbows, legs, and arms also tend to collect dead skin cells. Use a body skin brush to smooth these areas. Work it from the feet up in circular motions before you take a bath or shower. Then the water will flush the loosened dead skin cells away. Always follow up with a penetrating moisturizer after you step out.
#6: Moisturize!
Keeping your skin properly moisturized will help maintain the health of the skin while also increasing its ability to protect itself. Dry skin is always more vulnerable to other issues than properly moisturized skin.
Our Calming Moisture and Body Repair Lotion are great choices because not only do they properly moisturize, they calm inflammation and irritation while leaving behind a natural radiant glow. Try them and you’ll see!
Bridal Skincare Routine #7: Hydrate
While a good moisturizer will help trap and lock in moisture to preserve your skin’s natural protective barrier, your skin also needs hydration. Hydrated skin has cells that are infused with water so the skin appears plump and vibrant.
If your skin is dehydrated, you’ll notice that your fine lines are more visible, or that your skin feels tight. This can happen in the middle of the day as your skin fights off environmental assaults, or as it is exposed to the sun.
We recommend using our Rescue + Relief Spray at various times during the day. You can mist it on bare skin or over makeup for a hydrating refresher that will keep your skin glowing. Regularly hydrating this way also helps prevent dryness that can lead to skin barrier problems and more visible wrinkles.
This spray also has cooling, anti-irritating ingredients that can help tame inflammation and reduce skin irritation caused by stress or lack of sleep.
One more tip: Drink more water to hydrate the skin from the inside out.
#8: Brighten Your Skin
If your skin is looking dull and lifeless, or if you’re struggling with areas of hyperpigmentation, skin brightening products can help.
Your best option is a vitamin C serum. Vitamin C provides antioxidant protection to help boost radiance, and it also blocks melanin production to help lighten dark areas. Other good ingredients to look for in your brightening serum include:
- Kojic acid
- Niacinamide
- Azelaic acid
- Mandelic acid
- Arbutin
- Licorice root
Bridal Skincare Routine #9: Mask
If there’s any time that your skin deserves a little pampering, it’s before your wedding. Listen to what your skin needs. If it’s dry, use a moisturizing mask a couple of times a week. If it’s oily, try a mud mask instead.
A mask stays on your face longer than other products you may use. This gives the ingredients time to penetrate the outer layer and sink deeper into the skin, where they can do more for your skin’s condition.
#10: Get a Facial
If you can, find a reputable aesthetician in your area to help keep your skin in shape before the big day. Look for someone who listens to your concerns and who is good at determining what your skin needs. Then feel free to pamper yourself with a few visits so your skin is ready to go.
Don’t go overboard with treatments, though. You may find your skin reacting with breakouts. Instead, start your search early, and then give yourself some time between your last treatment and your wedding day to make sure your skin gets past any reactions it may have.
Do you have tips for a good bridal skincare routine?
