Bridal Skincare Tips

In this post I will give you my top bridal skincare tips.  I cannot stress enough how important skincare is for good makeup application. If your skin is well looked after makeup will go on smoother, blend better, look fresher, last longer…you name it! Below are some of my top tips on how you can look after your skin in preparation for your big day! If you’ve been neglecting your skin until now, it can take time to start seeing results so you want to be adopting these good skincare habits well in advance of your wedding day!

Know Your Skin Type

With so many products on the market it can be difficult to know where to start. When building your skincare routine, it’s important to know your skin type to know what it is your skin needs. Is your skin dry, oily, dehydrated? Do you have any specific concerns you want to address such as acne or redness? Once you know what it is your skin needs you start looking for which skincare works for you.

Back to Basics

If you’re not big into skincare and want better skin without all the fuss, the most important thing you can do for your skin is to have a good basic daily skincare routine. Your key skincare basics are cleanser, exfoliater, moisturiser and SPF. With the basics in place you can then expand on this with the use of serums, retinols and masks to help target specific skin issues.

Ditch The Makeup Wipes

If there is just one thing you do to improve your skincare please stop using face wipes to remove your makeup! Makeup wipes don’t clean your skin. They essentially just move around the makeup and dirt on your face. Not only that, the material and constant rubbing action can cause skin irritation and can actually promote skin pigmentation and even early wrinkling! I know they seem like a quick and easy option to take your makeup off before bed but please invest an extra 5 mins in the evening cleansing your skin and removing your makeup properly!

I’m a massive fan of the Caroline Hirons double cleanse approach. The first cleanse removes makeup, dirt and pollution from your skin. The second cleanse can then allow the cleanser’s ingredients to do their job and work into your skin. There is no need to double cleanse in the morning.This is a one of my most important bridal skincare tips.

Use an SPF

It is so important to wear SPF daily to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Sun damage will undo all your hard work perfecting your skincare! It can cause dullness, dehydration, skin pigmentation and not to mention signs of ageing! Don’t rely on your makeup having SPF15 and opt for a sunscreen of at least SPF40 to ensure your skin is kept protected. SPF should be applied after your moisturiser and before your makeup.

Introduce Acids

Acids sound a lot scarier than they actually are!  This is the ‘science’ part of my bridal skincare tips.Often when we think of exfoliating, we think of a granulated scrub. These can be quite harsh on the skin and can actually even damage the skin surface causing broken capillaries or abrasions in the skin’s surface where dirt and oil can then sit. Using an acid exfoliator is a much better alternative.

There are 2 types of acid exfoliator. The first is Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) and includes acids such as Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid and Mandelic Acid. AHA’s dissolve the bonds that hold dead skin cells together leaving you with a brighter, more radiant complexion. The second is Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) which is usually in the form of Salicylic Acid. Oilier skin types and acne prone skin will benefit from adding AHA’s to their skincare regime as this type of acid really gets into the sebaceous glands and clears them out, leaving you with a fresher, cleaner complexion.

Hydration is Key

Hydration is essential for retaining our skin’s elasticity and achieving glowing, healthy looking skin. Dehydrated skin means it is lacking water. It can look dull and crepey and even result in skin sensitivity, irritation and premature ageing! I would say most people will have dehydrated skin without even knowing it. Environmental factors such as cold weather and central heating, as well as other factors such as alcohol consumption, poor diet and lack of sleep can all cause your skin to become dehydrated.

Hyaluronic acid, which is found naturally in your skin, can help your skin maintain water. Opt for serums and moisturisers including hyaluronic acid to help plump and brighten your skin. Hydrating facial mists can also be a great addition to your skincare regime to increase your skin’s moisture levels. You can also improve your skin’s hydration levels internally, so make sure you’re getting your 8 glasses of water!

Target Specific Issues

So, you’ve nailed the basics, but now you want to really target your specific skin concerns. Serums are amazing skin boosters as they are made up of smaller molecules that can penetrate deeply into the skin and deliver a very high concentration of active ingredients. Have a think about what it is you want your serum to address. For example, is your skin looking dull? Look for ingredients such as antioxidants to promote cellular repair and Vitamin C to brighten the complexion.

To get the most from your serums, Apply after cleansing (and exfoliating) but before heavier creams and moisturisers.

Book A Facial

It’s your wedding – treat yourself! A facial or a professional treatment can do wonders for your skin. Book a consultation with a beauty therapist or dermatologist so they can advise what facial treatments will target your problem areas and work best for you.

I would advise not booking a facial or any invasive treatments any later than 2 weeks prior to your wedding day. This will give your skin time to recover so you can ensure you’re looking your best on your wedding day!