In this blog we’ll cover the following pre-wedding skincare steps:

• Exfoliation
• Vitamin C Serum
• Moisturization

Weddings can be romantic, beautiful, and – let’s face it – hectic. After all of the late nights organizing your event, the last thing you want is stress and exhaustion to show on your face! Dull skin, fine lines, and acne weren’t in your plans, and luckily, they don’t have to be a part of your big day. Instead, following a pre-wedding skincare routine will have your skin looking rested and renewed before you say “I do”!

On The Skin Report podcast, Dr. Simran Sethi, an Internal Medicine doctor and Founder of RenewMD medical spas and Skin by Dr. Sethi provides skincare advice for all brides, grooms, and partners to be. Read on to learn how to prepare your skin to be glowing and beautiful for your wedding or upcoming event!

The Bridal Skin Breakdown

If you are walking down the aisle this year or have a big event on the horizon, you’ll want to be intentional about your skincare! Starting early and incorporating the right tips and tricks can achieve glowing and gorgeous skin in time for the celebration.

Maintaining a healthy routine can help your skin look vibrant year-round. However, you should give your skin time to adjust to new practices or ingredients incorporated into your skincare. Dr. Sethi recommends starting your wedding-ready skincare routine 1-2 months before your event to experience the best results.

Wedding skin prep should start with a base routine that nourishes the skin’s renewal cycle and enhances collagen production. The following factors are crucial to improving the look and feel of your skin before your big day!

Exfoliation

Exfoliation is an essential part of nourishing your skin’s natural renewal cycle. As we live our day-to-day lives and our skin produces new cells, its surface accumulates dead cells, dirt, and debris. This can make it difficult for skincare to treat the area. But by using safe and effective exfoliation methods, you can clear your skin’s surface and improve the penetration of your skincare products.

Don’t

• Don’t over-exfoliate your skin, as this can lead to a broken skin barrier and cause skin irritation and uneven pigmentation.

Do

• Use small particle mechanical exfoliants or chemical exfoliants to cleanse your skin without over-exfoliating.
• Safe mechanical exfoliants use small particles like rice powder, which are tiny enough to clean pores without irritating the skin barrier. Chemical exfoliants with an Alpha hydroxy acid or Beta Hydroxy Acid with a concentration of 10% or less will be gentle enough to remove dead skin cells, resulting in even, glowing skin.

Vitamin C Serum

Vitamin C can be a powerful ingredient in topical skincare. It helps fight oxidative stress from pollution and UV damage that can cause uneven pigmentation and fine lines. Incorporating a vitamin C serum into your routine can give you a glowing complexion that will turn heads at your next event!

Don’t

• Use a vitamin C serum that has been packaged poorly. Vitamin C immediately oxidizes when exposed to air, rendering it ineffective. Therefore, any packaging that exposes the serum to the air will make it oxidize faster, causing it to lose its usefulness within a few weeks.

Do

• Seek out vitamin C serums in airless packaging that will keep the product stable and effective. Also, look for a vitamin C serum that contains additional antioxidants or peptides, as peptides can enhance collagen production. This component can prompt your skin to build more collagen and elastin, resulting in a brighter and smoother complexion

Moisturization

A good moisturizer can take your skin from dry to dewy – but choosing the right moisturizer for your skin type is essential. Moisturizers can come in different textures and consistencies, and choosing the wrong one can lead to clogged pores or skin dehydration. On the other hand, a moisturizer that is suited to your skin’s needs can help repair your skin barrier and improve its look and feel.

Don’t

• Don’t forget to use moisturizer, as it is necessary to protect the skin from damage, dryness, and inflammation. Even people with oily skin require the hydration that moisturizer can provide. However, oily skin may require moisturization less frequently and can benefit from a lighter, water-based product.

Do

• Choose a lipid-rich moisturizer if you have dry or mature skin. Lipids can help repair breakages and microtears in the skin barrier and can help correct skin dullness, abnormal pigmentation, and wrinkles. Moisturizers with antioxidants or peptides can also do a great job of hydrating the skin and protecting the skin barrier.
• Use moisture protectants to add hydration to your skin — these work by stopping our skin from experiencing moisture loss in the air. This moisture loss is experienced in all skin types, so applying a moisture protectant is always a beneficial step. A moisture blocker like Hyaluronic acid can help your skin seal its natural oils and moisture to protect the skin barrier and provide a dewy and hydrated look.

To learn more about the steps that create a perfect pre-wedding skincare routine, tune in to season 2, episode three of The Skin Report podcast. This episode deeply examines how certain practices and treatments can prime your skin to look its best before your next event!