Our Recommended Timeline for Pre-Wedding Skincare Treatments

6 Months Before Your Big Day

Six months before your wedding day can simultaneously seem like a massive period of time, and also, no time at all. Weddings, as we all know, take a lot of planning, and in turn, come with a lot of stress. But, even with only six months to go before your big day, there is still plenty of time to smash your skincare goals and make some notable improvements to your complexion.

Six months allows plenty of time for you to confidently make changes to your daily skincare routine, without having to worry about any adverse reactions, and also, to trial out a selection of new products. At the six-month mark, you should be thinking about what your general skin goals are, and what your pre-wedding skincare routine will need to look like in order to achieve them. 

If you’ve been slacking on your pre-wedding skin routine, now is the time to really start being strict with yourself. Cleansing, toning, targeting your skin concerns, and moisturising every single morning and night. Our Skincare Experts would also recommend staying on top of your exfoliating routine too - consistency is key, and getting rid of those pesky dead skin cells two to three times a week will ensure you have a glowing complexion for your big day. 

To ensure that you are strict with yourself when it comes to your pre-wedding skincare routine, why not invest in a kit, such as the Obagi Nu-Derm Fx Transformation System? Formulated to treat uneven and dull skin, this skincare collection can give you a clear-cut way to perfect your skin before your wedding. In this Obagi skincare kit you will find:

• Obagi Nu-Derm® Foaming Gel

• Obagi Nu-Derm® Toner

• Obagi Nu-Derm® Clear Fx 

• Obagi Nu-Derm® Exfoderm Forte

• Obagi Nu-Derm® Blend Fx 

• Sun Shield™ Matte Broad Spectrum SPF 50

• Hydrate® Facial Moisturiser

Adding in a Vitamin A (AKA retinoids), such as the Obagi Retinol 1%, will catapult your results. With skin smoothing, brightening and anti-ageing superpowers, Vitamin A is a must have ingredient to incorporate into your long-term routine. Though you’ll start to see improvements after the first skin cycle, make sure to continue to use your retinol for at least 16 weeks to see the best possible results!

3 Months Prior To Your Wedding

At the three-month mark, everything will probably start to feel very real - and your skincare routine should be well underway. With all the six-month preparation, your skin should already be looking fresh and already have that pre-wedding glow. 

Three months also signals the time that you should begin paying close attention to your hydration. Drinking plenty of water should always naturally be part of your skincare routine, as dehydrated skin can appear dull and lacklustre. But as the three-month mark prior to your wedding appears, it’s vital that you up your water-drinking game. 

With hydration in mind, to ensure that you have that glowing complexion all brides are after, you should also consider adding hyaluronic acid to your beauty routine. Drinking plenty of water will do your skin wonders - but you will also want to lock in all that hard work. Hyaluronic acid holds onto moisture like a sponge and will keep your skin happy and hydrated for a longer period of time. We absolutely love the MZ Skin Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum. Enriched with powerhouse ingredients, this hyaluronic acid and hydrating serum works to attract and retain moisture for a plump and dewy finish. To add it to your pre-wedding routine, simply apply 1 – 2 pipettes to cleanse, damp face, neck, and décolleté. Then, gently massage until it’s been fully absorbed.

Three months away from your big day is also when you should be looking to trial your hair and makeup. During this period, you will be looking at many different makeup and hair looks, and experimenting with what will make you look like your best self as you walk down the aisle - and this is where double cleansing comes in. Again, double cleansing should be part of your regular makeup routine, and even before the three-month mark, ensuring that your skin is clean is a must. However, as you go through this trial period, your skin can be negatively affected if you aren’t strict with your cleansing routine.

3 Weeks Before Your Wedding Day

Three weeks before your wedding is the time to up your face mask use. TLC is vital weeks before your big day, and it’s important that you take time for yourself - face masks are a great way to do this. Our Skin Experts recommend using one of your favourite (and previously tested) face masks once a week in the run-up to your wedding to give you that extra boost of hydration. 

It’s important to note that you should only be using products that you are already familiar with to avoid adverse reactions or, playing it safe with more sensitive or gentle skincare. The Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Mask is a light clay mask that has been formulated for all skin types. Dr. Barbara Sturm’s Face Mask is a potent, deeply hydrating clay mask that will leave your skin silky soft, and subtle - perfect for any bride-to-be.

3 Days Before Your Wedding

Three days before your wedding is all about relaxing - whilst easier said than done, it is vital for both your mental well-being and your complexion that stress is kept as low as possible. When you are stressed, your body releases adrenaline and cortisol, which are otherwise known as ‘stress hormones’. These can affect many different regular functions of your body, including the blood flow of your skin. One of the common signs of stress on our skin is irritation, which can form a rash or inflammation. To avoid this, remember to take time for yourself - you can also treat your skincare routine as self-care. After working your way through your pre-wedding skincare routine, sit back and relax with a well-deserved face mask. 

It’s also wise to stop using retinoids a few days before you get married. Three days before your wedding you should be focusing on your favourite hydrating products. Whilst retinol is a much-favoured product and should be part of your daily routine, you also run the risk of drying out your skin on the big day. Not only can the overuse of products such as retinol make your skin look flaky, and have uneven patches, but it can also alter how your makeup sits on your face.

Last Minute Tips From Our Skincare Experts

If you’ve been following a timeline such as this, then the night or day before your big day should solely be about adding the final touches. The night before, stick to one of your favourite face masks, as a way to give your skin that final boost of hydration. 

Also, on the day of your wedding, having some under-eye masks could be a good idea. If the excitement kept you up the night before and you didn’t sleep that well, then an eye mask, such as the 111SKIN Rose Gold Illuminating Eye Masks, could help you reduce puffiness and inflammation around the eyes. A little self-love treatment such as this will brighten the area around your eyes, and give you a long-lasting boost of luminosity before your makeup artist works their magic.