Thank you to our guest writer Matilda Davies for writing this amazing article for us……
Matilda Davies lives in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she writes about health and wellness. In her free time, she enjoys yoga, hiking, and walking her dogs.
The image of the glowing bride always includes glowing skin.
In order to make sure your skin is healthy and glowing the day of your wedding, there are a few simple steps you can take—totally stress free (because stress is the downfall of clear skin).
Great skincare requires mindfulness, commitment, and routine.
While we can’t eliminate exposure to damaging sunlight and the bacteria that builds up on skin during the day, nor can we eliminate the stress many experience the week of their big day, there are steps you can take to mitigate their effects.
Prioritize sleep
Sleep has a profound effect on your skin, and lack of sleep shows up on your face quickly.
Research shows that getting a poor night’s sleep can cause wrinkles and fine lines, dark circles, puffy skin, paleness, and drooping eyelids.
A great skincare routine absolutely begins with a solid night’s sleep.
In addition to making sure you’re getting the right quality of sleep, you should also make sure you’re getting enough: most adults will need 7 to 9 hours.
Drink plenty or water, skip the alcohol
Staying well hydrated improves the health and look of your skin, so drink plenty of water during the day, and while you should absolutely take part in week-of celebrations, keep in mind that alcohol isn’t exactly the best for improving the look of your skin.
Drinking water increases circulation, which means that your body is more easily able to flush toxins, especially from your skin.
When your body gets dehydrated, your blood pulls water from your skin cells.
This means that your skin becomes dry, less elastic, and prone to wrinkles.
By drinking plenty of water, you can prevent breakouts, avoid dryness, and fight unwanted wrinkles.
Reduce stress
Stress is the enemy of clear skin!
Stress can cause breakouts, rashes, hives, and fever blisters, and for those with psoriasis, eczema, and rosacea, stress can exacerbate these conditions.
While it may be tough to eliminate the stress brought about by your wedding, you take make sure you take really good care of yourself leading up tp the big day.
Pamper yourself with a massage, exercise by doing something you love (bring your bridesmaids along to maximize the fun), spend relaxing time with your spouse to be, get plenty of sleep, and don’t be afraid to say no to activities and commitments that add to the stress of a busy schedule.
Get some exercise
Regular exercise is key to maintaining healthy skin.
Just like drinking plenty of water, exercise increases circulation, and circulation provides your skin cells with the hydration and nutrients they need to stay healthy and glowing.
There’s no need to knock yourself out the week of your wedding with a crazy exercise routine.
A simple at-home workout routine, a yoga practice, or taking long walks is a great way to improve the look and health of your skin and your physical and emotional health—and it’s also a great way to bond with wedding guests, your bridal party, and your spouse to be.
While you’re sleeping, your skin produces repairing oils that keep your skin from being irritated and dry.
Those oils are good, but you won’t need them during the day.
Wash your face each morning with a gentle cleanser that’s dermatologist tested, doesn’t strip your skin of nutrients, and does not include sulfates, parabens, comedogenic oils, soaps, or fragrances.
But don’t wash too frequently—your skin needs natural oils to stay moist, healthy, and glowing.
If you have especially dry or sensitive skin, some dermatologists will recommend cleansing only in the evening to remove the impurities your skin has collected.
Don’t forget sunscreen
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends that everyone wear sunscreen.
The sun’s ultraviolet rays not only cause fine lines and wrinkles, extended exposure can cause sunspots and can lead to skin cancers.
The AAD recommends using sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays (called broad-spectrum sunscreens), has an SPF of 30 or higher, and is water resistant.
Because the skin on your face is more prone to clogged pores and dryness, be sure to use a sunscreen that is formulated for use on your face.
