Skincare tips for weddings, special occasions and big events.

The sooner you can start prepping your skin for your special day, the better it will be. These tips and tricks aren’t just for your big day, they will hopefully stick with you and help you and  your skin stay happy and healthy forever.

Many brides (and grooms) to be, rush out and try to adopt new diets and skincare routines before their wedding day. This can actually be counter productive to your skin and also your health.

How often to we hear that the bride wants to loose weight to fit into the dress? Too often.

When you suddenly deprive your body of your regular routine such as diet and over exercising, it has a stressful effect on the body, putting your body into survival mode.

This means that when your body is under stress, your sympathetic nervous system releases stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. Cortisol causes increased oil production in your skin glands, which can lead to clogged pores and acne breakouts.

Map out a realistic plan of exercise, diet that you can stick to for the rest of your life. And get your future hubby to do it too.

Wedding make up is always a hot topic - remember if your skin health is on point, your makeup will be too.

Gut Health

One of the main causes of unwanted pimples and skin issues is an unhealthy gut. The bacteria balance in your gut impacts and dictates your skin health. Adding fresh fruits, veg, staying hydrated and daily exercise (this can be in the form of talking walks, yoga) will strengthen the natural flow of nutrients in your body resulting in less inflammation, lower stress levels and ultimately clearer skin. Remember what goes into your body is more important than any beauty product you’re relying on for a glowing complexion.

Exercise

Moving your body is one of the quickest ways to improve skin and health. Exercise helps increase blood flow and nourishes the skin. Try exercising for 30 minutes at least 3 times a week, to give your skin that extra glow whilst also giving you that happy hormone endorphin rush.

Reduce Stress

Write a list of things you enjoy doing - this can be painting, singing, watching funny movies, whatever - allow yourself an hour a day of having fun -this will reduce your stress levels and your skin will thank you.

Simplify your Skincare

Take a look at your skincare routine - are you happy with your routine? Try to simplify your routine and have gentle products that include; a cleanser, serum, day & night cream and an SPF30 or above.

Introducing new skincare too close to your wedding day could overwhelm your skin and possibly cause a sensitised skin barrier. Stick with products you know suit your skin and choose a routine with calming and repairing ingredients. Patience is key, give yourself time and you will see the benefits from a simple skincare routine. Avoid impulse buying new products or over doing it on hydrating sheet masks, etc…A simple routine will let your skin enjoy the benefits avoid the risk of reacting to an ingredient from something new.

Cleanse every evening

A gentle cleanser will remove any build up and potential irritants from the day and also remove SPF + make up. Cleansing your face of all the impurities is also beneficial due to the natural recovery and exfoliating process that occurs while your sleep.

Sun Protection

Always wear SPF30 or higher - this is another layer of protection and support for your skin. It will reduce unwanted pigmentation, protect your skin barrier from possible reactions and give you a more even skin tone.

Instead of eye creams, use a lightweight spf 30 or higher, keep it in the fridge! Apply it around the eyes (your eyes and face will LOVE the cooling effect).

Wear wide rim sunglasses NOT made of metal frames. Metal frames act as a magnifying glas and basically laser in the heat and UV rays onto your skin. Choose darker plastics and this way you’ll avoid dark circles, pigmentation, puffiness around the eyes.

Make Up

Go through your make up and throw away anything you haven’t used for a while including expired products. This is a possible bacterial party-house and you want to avoid an unwanted reaction leading up to your big day. 

Clean your make up brushes and invest in a new mascara. Same reason as above. Buy a fragrance-free gentle shampoo and make sure you clean anything you use of your face including your make up brushed regularly.

Go to bed

Sleep is vital for many reasons - it improves skin health and mental energy. While you sleep your skin works overtime with your circadian rhythm to revive, rejuvenate, and repair itself. Invest in a silk pillow case - this is a game changer for healthy skin, hair and a great night sleep.

Silk doesn’t absorb moisture from the skin as much as cotton and its smoother structure also prevents creasing of the skin and tugging on the hair.

Stay hydrated

This doesn’t mean drinking litres and litres of water - that becomes annoying and you have to pee all the time, there is water in fruits and veg, making soups are a great way to add hydration into your diet and it heals your gut health, aiding in digestion leading to a healthier glowing complexion and a balanced mind.

Ways to prep your skin with skincare

Add a Retinol

Retinol speeds up skin cell production, meaning that it helps unclog pores, stimulates collagen production which reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, giving your skin a fresher, plump appearance. Retinol strengthens the skin barrier and reduces pimples forming as your pores stay clean.

Add a retinol based skincare product to your skincare routine : a favourite is the SkinTRA Liquid Happiness.

Why we love it? This is a lightweight oil that should be applied every other evening. As it is formulated in an oil base it protects the skin from dryness and irritation. It also nourishes and is luxurious to use as it melts into the skin without feeling heavy or sticky.

Make sure to add your retinol into your skincare routine 2-3 months before your big day as it takes a minimum of 28 days to see the glowing skin benefits. It is normal for some skin types to experience dryness and mild redness - this is totally normal and goes away within 2 weeks. However, Liquid Happiness from SkinTRA is truly nourishing so there is never any dryness!

Note: If you are pregnant or breast feeding, avoid retinol.

Antioxidant Serum

Serums with antioxidants help the skin reduce pigmentation and irritation by protecting it from environmental stress. Our absolute favourite is the Beautifying Face Serum from Mellow Muses.

Why we love it? This cocktail of skin love is packed with protective and glow-giving ingredients that any skin type can use - also during pregnancy. Instantly soothing and redness reducing, this serum should be used morning and evening and it very quickly evens the skin tone, strengthens the skin barrier giving you the ultimate healthy glow.

Chemical exfoliation (AHA, BHA)

Finding the right, preferably mild strength exfoliating acid here is key. Chemical exfoliation is great for lifting unwanted dead skin cells and clearing your pores. This instantly will give your skin glow as the chemical exfoliation reveals fresh skin cells and removes build up.

Our favourite is the Perfect Blend Exfoliating Gel from Mad About Skin.

Why we love it? This exfoliating gel contains both BHA and AHA - both work together to reduce blackheads, white heads and reveal fresh and healthy skin cells. It is gentle and effective and easily washes off.

Use it 1-2 times in the morning and leave on for 10 minutes, rinse and follow with your normal skincare routine.

Avoid physical exfoliation - scrubs with sugar, salt, etc as these are too abrasive and can cause micro tears in the skin leading to unwanted inflammation and acne breakouts due to a weakened skin barrier.

Self Tanning

Sunbathing and tanning is really not optimal for skin health. Self tanning is the safest option if you want a bit of colour on your skin. Our go-to self tanning mousse is the Luxurious Self Tanning Face Mousse by Ida Warg. 

Why we love it? This self-fanning mouse is hydrating and is super easy to use. It also fades evenly - never patchy! Pro Tip: Use the FACE product on your legs and body, its not as strong as the Body Mousse letting you have more control over your desired tan.

Shaving/waxing

To avoid “strawberry legs” - those red little spots you can get after shaving or waxing, make sure to have use gentle moisturiser before and after hair removal.

If you shave in the shower, make sure not to use hot water - this can stress the skin and cause redness. After shaving in the shower, while skin is still damp, apply your body moisturiser.

Our all time favourite is the Nourishing Stretch Mark Lotion from Mellow Muses.

Why we love it? A lightweight lotion soothes redness instantly and sinks into the skin super quick that you can put your clothes on right away. This lotion is also super smoothing and soothing, a pleasure to use.  Always apply the MM body cream after on damp skin to “lock in the moisture”.

Emergencies

If you get a pimple or an unwanted acne break out close to your big day - don’t touch it! Trying to pop or squeeze it yourself will simply cause a larger reaction with the possibility of infection. Opt for a healing serum such as the one mentioned above from Mellow Muses. And always wear sun protection - this will actively protect your skin and also speed up healing time. Lastly, our favourite sun screen is the 100% Mineral Sunscreen from Mellow Muses.

Why we love it? This particular sunscreen contains zinc oxide which is effective as an acne treatment because it combats skin irritation and inflammation. Other than that, it also helps regulate sebum production in the skin and contributes in lowering microbial and bacterial properties that commonly trigger acne.

This SPF 30 has a velvet texture that sinks into the skin without leaving a white cast and instantly gives your skin a healthy glow.

And that's a wrap! Remember, enjoy your big day and try not to stress too much about your skin. We are all our own biggest critics and your imperfections make you human and unique.