Wedding season is a time for celebration, but it can also cause a world of stress for anyone with unpredictable skin. Even if you’ve been following a strict bridal skincare routine for 6-12 months, the anticipation of the final countdown can be enough to cause a flare-up just days before the event.
Whether you’re a bride or a guest, follow these five simple tips to give your skin the best chance of looking and feeling radiant on the big day. And if you’re using Oodee’s three-step phenomenal skin edit alongside it, even better.
It pretty much goes without saying, but drink up. Having eight glasses of water a day is paramount to keeping the skin hydrated and achieving a healthy, youthful glow. This goes for anything you apply topically to your skin too, so ditch the acids and retinoids one week before and use moisturising humectants such as hyaluronic acid (which can already be found in all of Oodee’s products).
If you don’t already, try using facial massage tools such as a gua sha or jade roller to really work your products into the skin. The practice originates from ancient Chinese medicine to stimulate circulation and drain the lymphatic system. The benefits? A boost in the skin’s elasticity and collagen production, which reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and releases muscle tension in the face.
Ask for a treatment that focuses specifically on keeping the skin hydrated and healthy, and avoid anything that includes chemical peels or extractions as these could cause redness and irritation. Essentially you want to decrease any puffiness (so consider your diet here too) and maximise on glow-giving, moisture-boosting ingredients. By having a bridal facial one week before the wedding date, you’ll also allow enough time for any under-surface spots to come out and heal.
It’s often been said that a good night’s sleep is the ultimate fountain of youth – and it costs nothing. Getting 7-9 hours of quality shut-eye can improve your skin’s overall appearance as this is when our blood flow increases, allowing the body time to repair itself. Think less wrinkles, brighter skin and eyes, fuller hair and an overall healthy, happy complexion. Aim for an early bedtime at least one week before the wedding and the results will speak for themselves.
When we’re stressed, we trigger our body’s fight-or-flight response. This produces pro-inflammatory hormones like cortisol, which can cause all types of negative effects on the skin, such as acne, wrinkles, and a generally dull complexion. Wedding prep can already be stressful, especially for brides, but even finding a guest outfit can be enough to trigger this response, so try and ensure you’re scheduling time for activities that make you feel relaxed, be it dancing, yoga, meditation or just spending time with loved ones.