How To Start A Skincare Routine Before Your Wedding

I’ll admit, I definitely didn’t have a skincare routine when I got married, but looking back I wish I did.  

When it comes to your skin, your largest organ on your body, there is so much that you can do to improve tone, complexion, hydration, and fine lines.  Getting into a rhythm before your wedding is the perfect time to start. Not only will treating your skin right help you feel your best on your wedding day, it will ensure that you look your best as well – in photos and in person. Healthy and cared for skin just shines, and it attracts others to you.

If your skin is cared for, you’ll feel cared for, too.

Starting and maintaining a skincare routine is probably the last thing you want to add to your “to do” list before your wedding, but I promise it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Whether it’s starting from scratch to address any issues you want to resolve, or trying out some swaps so you can put the best quality stuff on your skin, I hope that this post can help take the guess work out of it for you.

Plus, a skin care routine doesn’t have to be time consuming. A couple minutes in the morning and evening is all most people have to commit to, and it becomes just another thing that you do (like showering or brushing your teeth).

In this post, I’m going to focus mainly on skin types and products designed for them, but I’ll also try to let you know other basic principals of skin care, as well as a bit about the skincare industry and why not all products are created equal. I’m going to promote products that I believe in, that support a company that is trying to change the world, and hopefully if nothing else, you learn something about what you put on your skin and how to make your skin healthier.

WHAT TO PUT IN YOUR BODY

First off, aside from products, you can absolutely help your skin glow by what you put in your body.

Food

Mom was right, eating your fruits and veggies will do your body well.

A diet rich in whole foods like fruits, veggies, nuts, and lean protein will nourish your body from the inside and help your skin shine on the outside. A lot of grains even fit into this category, like brown rice, quinoa, and barley. To eat a whole foods diet, essentially you avoid anything that is processed and has added sugars, salt, or carbohydrates.

If you’re not open to removing items from your diet, consider adding healthy items in. Salmon, olive oil, and avocados have been proven to help skin elasticity and prevent oxidative damage. Nuts, seeds, sweet potatoes, and various vegetables can all offer skincare benefits.  In fact, some foods can help fight against UV rays, provide amazing vitamins (like C, D, and E), reduce inflammation, and improve overall skin health.

This is a great article with excellent and tasty recommendations on what you can add into your diet.

Water

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Water is essential to your wedding day.

Starting in the days leading up to your wedding (if not sooner, like today!), aim to drink at least half your body weight in ounces of water. Different studies have found that drinking enough water will alter your skin density and also increase blood flow to your skin. Both of these will help combat the signs of aging, like fine lines, and your tone and complexion will improve.

Your skin is made up of 64% water – it needs it!

CLEAN SKINCARE

Let’s get into the skincare industry, which hasn’t had any real reform since 1938.

Lack of regulation means that companies who distribute products in the USA have a lot of freedom with what they use. Seriously disturbing ingredients are lurking in many, many products you can find on shelves in your local store – ingredients that are known carcinogens or those that can cause reproductive harm. Ick. In fact, there are just 30 ingredients that the USA has banned from their products.

Because I’ve learned more about the skincare industry, I have started focusing on a brand that I trust, Beautycounter. This company has banned over 1800 questionable ingredients from their products. Additionally, they are working towards beauty care reform and use sustainable packages and practices. Plus, their products feel absolutely fantastic on your skin. Each one is specifically formulated to enhance the others and they work together to give you skin that looks and feels great.

Here’s the thing.  No matter what brand you use on your skin, it’s important to know what you should avoid so you don’t end up using products that contain harmful stuff.

Ingredients to avoid include:

• parabens (an endocrine disruptor)
• phthalates (linked to asthma, breast cancer, ADHD, neurological, behavioral, and fertility issues)
• fragrances (which may mean lots of chemicals)
• sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) & sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) (skin irritants)
• BHA / BHT (carcinogens, skin irritants, linked to hormone issues)
• lead (linked to learning disabilities and behavioral issues)
• triclosan (a skin irritant and endocrine disruptor) 

Knowledge is power, and knowing what will benefit or harm your skin is the first step towards a healthy skincare routine.     

WHAT TO PUT ON YOUR BODY

Here’s where I want to get into the details on a skincare routine, and how to start. 

Most skincare routines have four simple steps.  While I’m going to over the principals of a skin care routine, I’ll also recommend specific trusted products (and will receive credit for if you go to my links).  Please know that if you use other quality products that’s fine too, as the steps still remain the same. 

1. Cleanse

The first step to a solid skincare routine is to clean your skin. This is intended to remove any make-up, dirt, oils, and impurities that may be lurking.  Because many cleansers are those that you put on your skin and then wash off, it’s easy to start using one when you take a shower.  Simply apply to your skin and then after a minute or so, use the shower water to wash off. 

For sensitive skin, I like this cleanser. If you have more oil or acne prone skin, this is a great one.

2. Prep

This is where you’ll want to use a toner to remove any last bits of impurities on your skin. A good toner will also contain active ingredients that either help to hydrate or balance skin’s PH, tighten pores, and give your complexion a boost.  Some skincare regimes will swap out a toner for an essence in this step.  Both do basically the same thing, but an essence will have added ingredients that may brighten or plump your skin. 

For sensitive or dry skin, this toner is my favorite. For more oily skin, try this one.

3. Treat

The third step typically involves a serum to treat specific skin issues.

This may mean combating acne, preventing fine lines, treating sun damage, or simply keeping your beautiful skin as is. Some serums will contain vitamins or herbal extracts, while others help to exfoliate.

For normal to sensitive skin, I love this serum. For more oily skin, try this one.

4. Protect

This is the last step to a solid skin care routine – protect your skin with a good lotion.

This step will essentially “hold in” the previous care you just took, and leave your skin feeling hydrated and nourished. Moisturizing protects your skin from germs, bacteria, and other yucky stuff that can impact the feel and appearance of your skin, while smoothing out any problem areas.

For an everyday moisturizer, this is a great one. If you already have oily skin, try this one.

There are lots of other supplemental skin care items you can add to your routine, such as overnight peels, charcoal masks, and deep hydrating balms, but the basics above are a great place to start. This routine is fine for morning and evening, and once you get into a good rhythm you can start incorporating other secondary steps that you may not do every day.

For the full sets of the products that I suggested (and a discounted price), here are the links:

• Countermatch (for sensitive skin)
• Countercontrol (For oily skin)

SUNSCREEN

Oh you thought I would skip the sunscreen conversation, did you?

I do want to touch on sunscreen and the importance of it for your skin. Plus, over the last couple of years I have also learned that not all sunscreens are created equal. Your wedding is an excellent reason to learn about it, too.

Why Sunscreen Is Important

Sunscreen is more than important, it’s essential, for everyone.

The sun can do more than just quickly age your skin. Wrinkles, spots, and dryness are just part of the damage. Skin cancer can happen to anyone, anywhere, as well.  Over time, UVA rays cause cancer that can be both painful and deadly.  Trust me, simply applying a little sunscreen everyday is way better than dealing with the consequences later on. 

Wearing regular sunscreen will help you look amazing on your wedding day by allowing some color to be obtained on your skin without nasty sunburn damage. Plus, getting into this rhythm is something that will benefit you way after your wedding day. 

Mineral Sunscreen Vs Chemical Sunscreen

The biggest thing that I have learned is about mineral sunscreens.

Mineral sunscreens are different from chemical sunscreens in that they aren’t directly absorbed into your body. They reflect UV rays as opposed to having your skin do the work for them. The benefit of that is less chemical absorption into your skin. These types of sunscreen are better for sensitive skin, acne-prone skin, and natural bodies of water if you are swimming.

Think about it – chemical sunscreens will eat away at a coral reef. What do you think they are doing to your skin?

Mineral sunscreens have come a long way in the last few years, where they were known to leave a white residue. For my face I love this one, and for the rest of my body I use this one.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Starting and maintaining a skincare routine isn’t something that is hard to do, it’s just intentional. If you start now with some maintenance and hopefully great quality products, your skin will be glowing and radiant by the time your wedding day rolls around. If you eat healthy, hydrate, follow a few simple steps, pay attention to the ingredients in your products, and wear sunscreen, you’re well on your way to radiant and amazing skin on your wedding day and for the rest of your life.  

More From Hummingbird Wedding Advice: 

How To Create A Wedding Health & Beauty Plan

Three Ways To Be Centered and Relaxed On Your Wedding Day

SIX Lifestyle Changes That Will Help You Feel Your Best On Your Wedding Day

Did you find this post useful, inspiring?  Save THIS PIN to your Wedding Beauty Board on Pinterest!