Tried and tested

THE ULTIMATE PRE-WEDDING SKINCARE ROUTINE ACCORDING TO THE EXPERTS

Your special day is on the horizon and the planning is well under way. You’ve found the perfect dress, your Pinterest is full to the brim with hair and makeup ideas, now all that’s left to do is ensure your skin is looking it’s very best for when all eyes are on you. So

The ideal time to begin your wedding skin prep isn’t in the days or weeks leading up to the big day. It’s months. Six months, in fact. “Anyone looking to revamp their skin care routine should remember that time is a key factor to bear in mind,” says Cult Concierge expert Natalie. “Steer clear of making any major changes if it’s less than six months before the big day. Any new formulation will not only need time to get to work, but you also need to let your complexion acclimatise.”

“Introducing too much too close to your wedding day could simply overwhelm your skin and possibly lead to a sensitised skin barrier. Take it slow, give yourself time and really reap the benefits of all your hard work.”

As always, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to {skin care}, so Natalie has created the perfect bridal skin care routine for every skin type:

WEDDING SKIN CARE ROUTINE FOR NORMAL SKIN

Cleanser – {The Inkey List} {Fulvic Acid Brightening Cleanser}

Glowing skin starts from your cleanse, so give your skin a helping hand with this gently exfoliating and glow-giving cleanser. Rich in vitamin C, Kakadu plum extract helps with the overall radiance of your complexion, with aloe vera to soothe and fulvic acid to gently exfoliate without irritation. Use morning and evening to deeply cleanse and brighten the skin.

Toner – {Then I Met You} {The Giving Essence}

Preparation is key, so introduce The Giving Essence to your pre-wedding skin care regime to help enhance your routine and brighten, clarify and boost moisture levels. Ellagic acid offers a natural radiance to your skin, protects collagen and fights bacteria to keep blemishes at bay. Infused with niacinamide, polyglutamic acid and a fermented sake derivative to boot, this is a key player in getting your skin wedding-ready.

Serum – {Youth to the People} {15% Vitamin C + Clean Caffeine Energy Serum}

A true powerhouse serum, this stabilised clinical-grade vitamin C treatment offers brighter, radiant and more hydrated skin, all while protecting from damaging pollutants.

Moisturiser – {IT Cosmetics} {Confidence in a Cream Rosy Tone Moisturiser}

Rosy by name and rosy by nature, this perfectly pink moisturiser helps tackle dull and lacklustre skin with gently exfoliating salicylic acid and rosy-toned pigments to impart visible radiance from the very first application. Use this morning and night after your serum, and before SPF in the day, for a blushing bride’s complexion.

SPF – {Supergoop!} {Glowscreen SPF 30}

Did someone say glow? Supergoop!’s Glowscreen does exactly what it says on the tin, and trust us, you won’t forget your SPF ever again. Primer, broad-spectrum SPF 30 and reef-safe and cruelty free, this really is your multitasking hero. Sheer in texture, never heavy or greasy and glowy without glitter, this is the sophisticated SPF every bride needs to keep their skin protected and perfected.

WEDDING SKIN CARE ROUTINE FOR DRY SKIN

 Cleanser (First Cleanse/PM) – {Farmacy} {Green Clean Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm}

Naturally brightening and deeply cleansing, the Green Clean from Farmacy is a Cult favourite for removing every scrap of SPF and makeup without compromising your skin. This balmy formulation is perfect for dried-out complexions in need of a little extra TLC, getting that all-important hydration in right from your first cleanse.

Cleanser (Second Cleanse/AM) – {The Inkey List} {Hyaluronic Acid Cleanser}

Dry and dehydrated skin types rejoice, this super-hydrating formula imparts long-lasting hydration on your complexion that stays there even after you’ve finished your cleanse. Introduce this as your second cleanse at night and as your morning cleanse to keep your skin clean, clear and, most importantly, hydrated.

Mist – {Dr. Jart+} {Ceramidin Cream Mist}

The key to hydrated, healthy skin? A healthy skin barrier. And there’s no better way to layer hydration throughout your routine than by misting this ceramide-rich mist before applying the rest of your products, to optimise absorption and boost moisture retention, leading to glowing and plump skin.

Eyes – {Dr. Dennis Gross} {Hyaluronic Marine Dew It Right Eye Gel}

Moisture-attracting hyaluronic acid and Japanese green caviar algae combine in this beautiful blue eye treatment to improve elasticity and moisture retention, while reducing water retention that leads to puffiness and brightening dark eyes with optical diffusers.

Treatment – {Sunday Riley} {C.E.O Glow Vitamin C + Turmeric Face Oil}

Calming evening primrose, vitamin A-rich red raspberry seed oil and potent but stable THD Ascorbate work together in this nourishing oil formula to boost radiance, even out skin tone and leave your skin looking and feeling healthy. Try adding this to your pre-wedding skin care routine to really boost hydration and radiance, our top tip? Take a drop into your foundation for the ultimate wedding day glow!

Moisturiser – {Honest Beauty} {Hydrogel Cream}

Kind to your skin without compromising on ingredients, Honest Beauty has created a saviour for parched skin with this bouncy, plumping moisturiser. Everyone’s favourite ingredient, hyaluronic acid, is used in not one but two types here to draw moisture into your skin, with squalane helping to hydrate and soften dry and dull skin.

SPF – {Supergoop!} {Play Everyday Lotion SPF 50 with Sunflower Extract}

Let’s not forget SPF, so say ‘I do’ to this gel-textured lotion in your new routine. Offering broad-spectrum protection, coral-reef safety and protection from IRA rays, this product quickly absorbs into your skin and won’t leave a white cast. Finish your routine with your SPF every single morning, taking two fingers of product as your guide for the perfect level of protection.

WEDDING SKIN CARE ROUTINE FOR OILY SKIN

Cleanser (First Cleanse/PM) – {Biossance} {Squalane and Antioxidant Cleansing Oil}

Removing makeup and SPF from the day just got a whole lot easier with this balancing cleansing oil. Oil on oily skin? You heard us right! This will help to balance out your natural oil production over time, helping your skin to create less of what it’s craving and leaving your skin perfectly cleansed as well as normalised.

Cleanser (Second Cleanse/AM) – {Farmacy} {Whipped Greens Oil-Free Foaming Cleanser}

Something old, something new, something borrowed and something…green. This plant-powered oil-free cleanser was created for combination and oily skins alike, helping to remove every impurity without stripping your natural hydration levels. The inclusion of papaya enzyme gives a very gentle exfoliation for instant radiance, with French green clay absorbing excess oil from the very surface of your skin to give a more balanced complexion over time. Your new morning cleanse and PM second cleans, this pH-balanced soap-free foaming cleanser will leave your skin silky-soft and rejuvenated.

Toner – {Herbivore} {Jasmine Green Tea Balancing Toner}

Restore balance to your skin with this beautifully balancing toner. A blend of targeted ingredients work together to bring harmony to oily and combination complexions. Salicin is your anti-microbial hero to battle pre-wedding breakouts too. Simply shake, spray and press into freshly cleansed skin prior to your serums and moisturiser.

Serum – {Selfless by Hyram} {Salicylic Acid and Sea Kelp Pore Clearing and Oil Control Serum}

Introduce this targeted treatment serum daily to your pre-wedding skin care routine to help regulate your natural oil production and leave skin fresh and radiant. Salicylic acid naturally reduces excess oil production, and along with powerhouse ingredients like succinic acid and glycerin, this keeps the skin hydrated and smooth while reducing the frequency of breakouts.

Moisturiser – {Allies of Skin} {Multi-Nutrient and Dioic Renewing Cream}

If there’s one thing wedding planning can bring about, it’s unwanted stress breakouts. This supercharged moisturiser is the perfect partner for tackling stress-induced blemishes, with a lightweight gel-like formula infused with 1% dioic acid, probiotics for your microbiome and centella asiatica. The perfect pick-me-up for fatigued and oily skin types feeling the stress and needing some TLC.

SPF – {Murad} {Oil and Pore Control Mattifier SPF 45}

Prevent UV inflammation, damage and future pigmentation without clogging the skin with this mattifying SPF from Murad. Working overtime to refine pores and reduce breakout frequency, this broad-spectrum SPF also doubles up as the perfect primer for makeup wearers too.

WEDDING SKIN CARE ROUTINE FOR COMBINATION SKIN

Cleanser – {The Nue Co} {Barrier Culture Cleanser}

Boost your skin’s natural immune system with this pre, pro and postbiotic (phew!) cleanser. Avoiding stripping sulphates, this low-foaming gel cleanser effectively cleanses the skin of all impurities in a pH-balanced formula all while rebuilding your microbiome. It’s the easiest way to achieve balanced, healthy and glowing skin.

Toner – {Caudalie} {Vinopure Purifying Toner}

Looking for purified skin but without that ‘squeaky clean’ feeling that often means a compromised barrier? Try introducing this purifying but gentle toner to your cleansing and toning routine to help battle breakouts, balance oil production and clarify confused skin.

Serum – {Byoma} {Clarifying Serum}

Oil-free, non-comedogenic and perfectly formulated for confused, oily and congested skin types, Byoma has created the perfect harmonising serum to bring peace to your skin. PHA and zinc work seamlessly to unclog pores and offer gentle exfoliation, while a tri-ceramide complex really looks after your all-important skin barrier.

Moisturiser – {Summer Fridays} {Cloud Dew Oil-Free Gel Cream Moisturiser}

Deeply hydrating but never heavy, this is the go-to for those in need of hydration without the weight. A gel-cream hybrid formula, this combines three different weights of hyaluronic acid to offer hydration throughout your skin, while ceramides, minerals and key amino acids boost your natural moisture barrier, leaving your skin radiant, smoothed and as light as a cloud.

SPF – {Coola} {Mineral Silk Crème SPF 30}

Fear not, this oil and fragrance-free SPF won’t leave your skin feeling suffocated. Instead, this non-nano zinc-based SPF will offer broad-spectrum protection from UV rays, with blue light and infra-red protection too, but in the lightest silky cream infused with niacinamide that further boosts radiance and gives that coveted glow!

WEDDING SKIN CARE ROUTINE FOR SENSITIVE SKIN

Cleanser – {Herbivore} {Pink Cloud Creamy Jelly Cleanser}

This beautiful gel-cream cleanser is non-drying, pH balanced and super soothing for redness and inflammation. Tremella mushroom plumps lacklustre, dry skin instantly while rose hydrosol soothes irritation. Perfect for makeup removal when used on dry skin before adding water, or as your second cleanse or AM cleanse on slightly wet skin.

Toner – {Caudalie} {Grape Water}

Keep your complexion perfectly hydrated for the ultimate healthy glow with the Grape Water mist. This is ideal for sensitive complexions, with just three key ingredients and no drying alcohol or sensitising fragrance. Mist to tone and hydrate after cleansing and whenever you need a pick-me-up throughout the day.

Exfoliate – {Dr. Dennis Gross} {Alpha Beta Ultra Gentle Peel}

Exfoliation is going to be essential for that wedding-day glow, but sensitive complexions need to be a little more considered in their approach to keep the skin microbiome in check. The Ultra Gentle Peel is your route to bright, glowing and revitalised skin without irritation. If you struggle with exfoliation typically feeling too harsh on the skin, then these are the way to go.

Step 1 is a gentle but effective acid blend that munches away dead skin and clears congestion, which is then neutralised with step 2 to avoid any chance of over-stimulation. Start introducing these well ahead of your wedding day, once or twice a week to start with. As your skin acclimatises, you can gradually work up to more frequent application. And don’t forget your daily SPF application too!

Serum – {Medik8} {Hydr8 B5 Serum}

Say hello to your skin’s new best friend. The multiple weights of hyaluronic acid used within this formulation draw moisture into your skin across the upper and lower layers for perfectly hydrated and plumped skin. Vitamin B5 works to boost your skin’s own water retention capacity too, really helping with your skin regeneration. Free of any sensitising fragrance and alcohol, this is perfect for a more delicate complexion. Try applying your hydrating serum to slightly damp skin after misting to supercharge absorption!

Moisturiser – {Cultured} {Biome Calm Cream}

Sensitive skin, be soothed! Focusing on the health of your skin barrier will work wonders on any sensitive visage. Postbiotics help to feed goodness to your skin, while prebiotics, micro algae and inulin balance and protect your barrier to keep your skin in check. Over time you should see redness reduced, sensitivity soothed and hydration levels boosted, ready for perfectly glowing and healthy skin in time for your wedding day!

SPF – {Ultra Violette} {Clean Screen Fragrance-Free Sensitive Facial Skinscreen}

SPF is the essential final step in every morning skin care routine, and if you struggle to find an SPF your sensitive skin can tolerate then look no further. Ultra Violette’s SPF 30 will provide broad-spectrum protection without irritation by way of fragrance or alcohol, while keeping your skin refreshed and soothed with plant-derived pentavitin. Finish your skin care daily with a generous application of this SPF, aiming for at least five pumps or two fingers of product, for your true SPF 30 protection.

ADDITIONAL STEPS AND SUPPLEMENTS FOR YOUR PRE-WEDDING SKIN PREP

There are a few other great products and supplements that you might find beneficial, no matter your skin type.

NOTE: Before introducing any form of supplement, you should always consult your GP first.

{Hum Nutrition} {Calm Sweet Calm}

These vegan gummies help to reduce the stress hormone Cortisol, which helps to improve everything from stress to sleep and even your immune system. In times of stress and in the lead up to your wedding, you might need a little helping hand to bring back that blissful state of calm.

{Advanced Nutrition Programme} {Skin Accumax}

The Cult favourite supplement to help battle breakouts and maintain a healthy complexion, the Skin Accumax uses a cocktail of vitamins C, A and E to boost collagen production and protect your skin cells from oxidative stress. If you’re struggling with problematic skin that you’d like to get under control ahead of your wedding day, then invest in these eco-friendly capsules at least 14 weeks before the big day. The longer you can give these to get to work, the better.

{The Beauty Chef} {Glow Inner Beauty Essential}

Glowing skin doesn’t just happen overnight, so focusing both internally and externally on your complexion is a sure-fire way to reach your skin goals, particularly if you’re working towards a big event like your wedding day. The Beauty Chef’s specifically formulated powder supplement helps to maintain healthy hair, skin and nails with a blend of 18 wholefood ingredients, provitamin A and B group vitamins, and vitamin C.

{Sarah Chapman} {Skinesis 3D Moisture Infusion Masks}

For super plump and juicy skin, try weekly masking with these bio-cellulose, second-skin masks from Sarah Chapman, London’s leading cosmeceutical facialist. Hyaluronic acid at a low molecular weight instantly floods the skin with hydration, while zinc, copper and magnesium optimise your cell respiration, working to soothe redness. These treat the entire face, including the eyelid, and are the perfect excuse to take some time to relax and give your skin a weekly treat. Don’t forget to keep one for your wedding morning for perfectly prepped and hydrated skin.

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Cult Beauty

Cult Beauty

Writer and expert