Bridal Beauty: How to Get Glowing Skin

Brides often feel they have a laundry list of skin concerns to tackle before walking down the aisle. We want our skin to be clear, hydrated, smooth, and prepped for the special day, ensuring it illuminates before, during, and after saying “I do.” Achieving that perfect bridal glow comes from more than just the makeup you wear. Putting into place a perfecting skincare regimen that includes a mix of products for use at home and professional treatments will ensure your skin is on point when you walk down the aisle and holds onto that healthy glow long after.

At-home Skincare

To get glowing skin you not only need a basic skincare regimen that includes the non-negotiable skincare steps of proper cleansing and the use of moisturizer; you also need to add steps designed to brighten your skin and even out tone.

Exfoliate

Exfoliating your skin—whether you use a chemical or mechanical exfoliator—is an important step because it encourages our skin’s natural rejuvenation process. Dead cells can build up on the skin’s surface, leaving our complexion looking dull. Adding an exfoliator into your regimen not only helps to soften skin texture and even out skin tone, it also helps to minimize the appearance of fine lines while giving you an instant glow.

Product suggestion: AloeGlyC Glycolic Acid Exfoliator, $78.99

Vitamin C

Vitamin C makes an appearance in many popular skincare products, but why? Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, stimulates the production collagen, a protein that gives skin its strength. That alone makes it worth an appearance in your skincare routine but consider that it also fights free-radical damage and you can see why it’s so valuable.

Introducing Vitamin C into your skincare routine through a product of your choice, like a serum, can help minimize redness, but also will gradually even out your skin tone if you have any discoloration from sun spots or acne scarring. Look for it on labels as l-ascorbic acid, ascrobyl palmitate and magnesium ascorbyl phosphate.

Peptide serum

Peptides are chains of amino acids that provide skin with several distinct benefits. Introducing a peptide serum into your routine can help repair damaged skin from the inside out and smooth fine lines and wrinkles. But most importantly, a peptide serum will encourage your skin to amplify its production of collagen and elastin, which translates into improved skin strength and elasticity and a more supple appearance.

Product suggestion: A-Firm-Ative Anti-Aging Peptide Serum, $65.99

Weekly masks

Integrating a weekly brightening mask to your regimen offers big rewards. A brightening mask can help fade dark spots, add hydration, and help remove dull, dead cells from the surface of your skin. With consistent use, some masks can even give your skin a “lifted” appearance, making their use a must the night before you say “I do.”

Product suggestion: Lightening Lift Brightening and Firming Aloe Vera Face Mask, $65.99

Professional treatments

While a solid skincare regimen is crucial to ensuring your skin consistently gets the love that it needs, professional treatments are necessary to get your skin in its best shape and ensure it truly glows. That’s where an esthetician comes in.

It’s advised that you begin seeing an esthetician at least six months before your wedding to allow ample time to correct skin imperfections. Not only will your esthetician help you develop an at-home skincare regimen that is right for your skin’s needs but they will also advise you of the treatments that will help you accomplish your goals. These may include:

Monthly facials

Scheduling a monthly facial with your esthetician give your skin the consistent attention it needs while allowing your skin time to regenerate before your next appointment. Your esthetician will perform a deep cleaning of the skin to clear pores, exfoliate your skin to brighten it and encourage renewal, perform extractions to minimize breakouts, moisturize your skin, and more.

Dermaplaning

Many facials now incorporate dermaplaning. After your skin is cleansed, your vellus hair and top layer of dead skin cells are gently removed with a small scalpel. While the process may sound intimidating, it’s a quick and painless treatment to gently exfoliate your skin, making the surface smooth and bright, and even prep your skin for a chemical peel. When combined with a chemical peel—like salicylic or lactic acid—dermaplaning can help reduce acne scarring and dark spots.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is a treatment that uses a hand-held instrument containing small crystals to lightly remove the top layer of skin. Microdermabrasion treatments are a great way to improve the appearance of your skin, especially if you suffer from any sun damage, acne scarring, fine lines, or melasma. It’s non-invasive and safe for a majority of skin types. Depending on your skin goals, your esthetician may recommend a series of microdermabrasion treatments.

Chemical Peels

Aiming for a flawless complexion? A chemical peel is a low-risk procedure that not only improves the look and feel of your skin, but also gives you a base that makes your daily skincare routine more effective. Depending on the type of peel you get, you can tackle fine lines, hyperpigmentation, acne and even some scarring. Your esthetician will likely recommend a series of chemical peels to ensure optimal results.

Photo by Orlova Maria (Unsplash)