Your ultimate pre-wedding skincare guide

There are so many exciting elements of a wedding to plan. The venue, the flowers, the dress...but the one thing many people seem to forget about, or leave until the last minute, is thinking about a skincare routine. Having the perfect no-makeup makeup look is made so much easier with the right skincare prep.  Plus, there is nothing that boosts your confidence quite like waking up with a glowing complexion. We chatted to Dr Saras Sundrum, cosmetic physician at Dr Saras & Co to learn about the ideal wedding skincare timeline, what treatments to try and what products to use.

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How long before the wedding should I be thinking about my skincare routine and what are the first steps?

If you have the luxury of time, Dr Sundrum recommends looking at overhauling or ramping up your skincare routine up to 12 months before your big day. The first steps to take include “regular exercise, even if it’s a walk every day. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep, eat a well-balanced diet, drink lots of water and use sun protection everyday,” she says. Because no matter how many facials you might book, the real work starts from the inside out. Dr Sundrum also recommends considering Pilates once or twice a week in the lead up to improve posture.

What comes next?

“The treatments [my brides-to-be] swear by,” says Dr Sundrum include “a few treatments of the Hydrofacial a month apart, before the wedding. This allows the skin to be thoroughly cleaned out and actives such as vitamin A to be infused.” This works to combat common problems such as acne, redness or brown spots, she explains. “Additionally, the skin will be well hydrated and will be pumped out, helping fine lines.” Another treatment Dr Sundrum recommends is Picosure laser, “this will ensure the texture of the skin is perfect. It [also] helps with softening wrinkles and fine lines, toning and tightening skin, reducing the size of pores and helping reduce the appearance of scarring.”

What can I do at home?

Leave issues such as helping acne or scarring to the experts. When it comes to your at-home skincare routine, your main focus should be hydrating and brightening. Enlist the help of a hyaluronic acid serum and rich night cream in the evening and a vitamin C serum and sunscreen in the morning. bh loves: Medik8 Hydr8 B5 (find it at adorebeauty.com.au), Indeed Labs Hydraluron Serum, La Mer Creme de la Mer (if you’re going to splurge, pre-wedding is the time), Ole Henriksen Truth Serum (find it at sephora.com.au) and Elizabeth Arden PREVAGE® City Smart + DNA Enzyme Complex + Anti‐Pollution + Antioxidants with Sunscreen Hydrating Shield.

What should I not be doing?

The main thing to avoid is changing products or routine too much, especially in the month prior. “Whether it be skincare, haircare or makeup, as allergies and hypersensitivities can occur and ruin your wedding day,” says Dr Sundrum. “I would also recommend not having any last minute injectables or laser treatments.”

Dr Sundrum notes, while all the above will definitely contribute to the ideal pre-wedding glow, her best skincare tip is to include plenty of vegetables and fruit in your diet, drink plenty of water and get enough sleep. “We all know these things  but these simple rituals will make sure the bride looks healthy, radiant, confident and happy.” 

What should I do the morning of?

Having already done most of the hard work in the lead up, the morning of your wedding day should be pretty relaxed skincare wise. Consider popping on a reliable, hydrating face mask first thing to plump and prepare the skin for makeup application.  bh recommends:  Skin Republic Hyaluronic Acid & Collagen Face Sheet Mask. The rest can be left to your makeup artist.

For information on the treatments mentioned head to drsaraandco.com.au

Do you have any pre-wedding  or special occassion skincare tips?