6 Pre-Wedding Skincare Tips
After finally saying “Yes” to the partner of your dreams, picking a date, and finalizing the guest list, one of the biggest concerns for most brides-to-be is how to achieve that bridal glow on their wedding day. Starting as early as possible is critical when it comes to bridal skincare. If you are pressed for time, fret not! We have rounded up some handy and practical skincare tips to ensure all eyes are on you as you walk down that aisle!
3 months before your Wedding
1. Eat more superfoods + cut out sugar, carbs and dairy.
As cliché as it may sound, beauty comes from within, literally. While not everyone is capable of getting rid of sugar, carbohydrates, and dairy products from their diet, keeping intake of these to a minimum will do wonders. It has been proven that sugar is one of the leading causes of acne or breakouts because it spikes insulin production, which increases oil production in turn. Instead, incorporating superfoods such as berries, fish, and leafy greens, like mentioned in Harvard Health, can decrease inflammation and, as a positive side effect, create healthy microbiomes in your gut.
2. Say no to drastic changes. In your diet + skincare routine.
It is best to consult your nutritionist, esthetician, and other professionals before making drastic changes. Of course, eating healthier or adding in superfoods most likely won’t incur any adverse effects unless you’re sensitive or allergic. However, it’s still better to experiment further away from your wedding day. Make sure any beauty decisions you make for your wedding day, such as semi-permanent lashes, spray tans, botox, facials etc. are tried out no sooner than three months out; just in case you need time to re-adjust.
3. Sweat it out!
Whether you’ve always been a gym buff or only started an exercise routine, it’s the perfect time to keep it up. Even briskly walking your pup around the neighborhood releases so-called happy hormones called endorphins that have also been proven to affect our skin cells positively. Immediate effects of exercise include “increased blood flow to the skin and increased lymph flow, which decreases eye puffiness,” says Leslie Baumann, MD, a dermatologist in Miami and author of The Skin Type Solution. Sticking to a workout routine before your wedding day will ensure that your body gets all the help it needs from the inside/out.
4. Invest in an exfoliant.
As saying goodbye to skin impurities is closely tied up to exfoliation, this step is extremely important to achieving a natural makeup look. We recommend a chemical exfoliant such as The Ordinary’s BHA/AHA once a week for 5-8 minutes. Scrubs or physical exfoliants can cause micro-abrasions to the sensitive skin on your face, but it is worth mentioning that the jar of salt or leftover coffee sitting on your kitchen counter can be great for the rest of your body. Considered one of the most natural exfoliants out there, salt removes dead skin cells and gives you soft and hydrated skin. There are tons of available concoctions online, but a simple mixture of salt and olive oil or coffee and coconut oil will make those tired-looking heels smooth once again – just before you slip on your dainty wedding heels. Create a mixed jar to leave in your shower for consistent exfoliation and increased circulation; just be careful not to slip.
1 month before the wedding
5. Water + Water + More Water!
Stay hydrated. Make sure that you are hydrated the last month, especially on your wedding day. All those months of eating healthy, working out, and taking care of your skin comes down to the final month. You don’t want your skin to feel itchy or flaky on your big day because you’re dehydrated. Drink up and flaunt that queenly glow on your special day!
6. De-stress + Get 8 hours of sleep.
Several days before your wedding, do yourself a favor and get enough sleep. Although managing your stress as the day draws closer becomes more and more impossible, meditating even just 15 minutes each day, most especially the day before your wedding, will help. Meditation and the diet and exercise routine you’ve established ensure you are not triggering any breakouts or unwanted zits popping on your face.
Bonus Tip: Day of your Wedding!
Don’t forget your Gua Sha!
Make sure to bring along this helpful little tool on your wedding day. In our experience, Gua Sha can help eliminate puffiness and release muscles in the face, which means overall, a more even complexion. Incorporating a Gua Sha routine into your skincare months before your wedding day is best, but the day of is still helpful for you and your loved ones to depuff from the fun rehearsal dinner the night before. Here are some other benefits that have been studied using Gua Sha.
Your food/water intake and workout routine are the primary reasons for having that bridal glow. However, the products you’ll be applying on your wedding day will also ensure that your months of hard work and effort will pay off. Check out some of our favorite skincare products to use before, during and after your wedding day.
Written by: Katie Pierce + Dana Lagomarsino