A 19-Step Wedding Skincare Routine That’s Actually Super Simple (I Promise)

I’m a big believer in the link between overall health and skin health, so I hired a nutritionist to help me figure out what foods my body needed to look and feel its best. According to Colleen Baxter of Vessel and Soul, a Functional Medicine Health Coach, my personal skin issues could be traced back to gut issues — which is why my pre-wedding diet focused on improving digestion and battling “candida,” an overgrowth of yeast in the gut (gross, but it happens). I follow the protocol to this day; it just makes me feel good, which, in my experience, means I look good, too.

While I do think that a “skin-healthy diet” will look different for every body, the one thing I will recommend to anyone and everyone is bone broth. Bone broth is a natural source of collagen (and a bioavailable version, at that), so it’s said to make skin plumper and more hydrated. In the months leading up to my wedding, I’d drink at least a cup a day and noticed a huge improvement in the texture of my skin.

I took the phrase “sweating for the wedding” to a whole new level — and I’m not talking about working out for the sake of fitting into a dress. Sweating is so good for your skin, too, since it helps clean out your pores and supports lymphatic drainage.

I’ve almost always struggled with hormonal acne, but after I got an IUD, the number of monthly cysts on my face skyrocketed. I was hoping this unfortunate side effect would fade away after a few months… but it didn’t. I consulted with my OB/GYN, and we agreed the IUD wasn’t the best fit for me. I had it removed, and after about a month, my hormonal acne had significantly improved. Obviously, this won’t be the solution for everyone — the main takeaway here is to consider all the options and get input from a professional.

Your instinct might be to experiment with fancy new cleansers, serums, oils, and eye creams and see what sticks. If you’re sensitive, though, testing out new products (or piling too many on) could be more trouble than it’s worth. I decided to keep my pre-wedding routine as simple and natural as possible in order to nourish my skin, not exfoliate and brighten it into oblivion.

I’ve been using straight Manuka honey as my morning cleanse for years, and that didn’t change once I got engaged. It softens, (gently) kills acne-causing bacteria, and draws moisture to the skin's surface.

Before bed, I'd use Osmia Organics Black Clay Soap, since it deep-cleans pores without drying them out. Bonus: It’s dermatitis- and eczema-friendly, too.

Since my focus was dewy, glowing skin, I swore off toners that featured drying alcohols. Instead, I whipped up my own DIY toner by mixing two ounces of distilled water with five drops of tea tree oil. The mix kept my complexion clear (tea tree oil is great for fighting acne) without stripping it of much-needed moisture.

Vitamin C serums have reached Holy Grail status when it comes to lifting hyperpigmentation, but sadly, C irritates my sensitive skin. I used Eminence Organics Bright Skin Licorice Root Booster-Serum to handle lingering acne scars instead, since licorice is a natural brightener.

I moisturized day and night with Biossance Squalane + Probiotic Gel Moisturizer. Besides oil-regulating squalane oil, it’s packed with probiotics to strengthen the skin’s barrier.

The rumors are true: OLEHENRIKSEN Banana Bright Eye Cream is the best. Period.

Personally, I don’t do well with acid exfoliators. To keep dead skin cells in check, I opted for the fruit-derived exfoliating enzymes in One Love Organics’ Brand New Day Mask. No tingling, no redness, and fresh skin.

Face oils were the heroes of my wedding skincare routine. I had three that I’d switch out nightly: Flower and Bone Supply Miracle Skin Facial Oil (I feel like it’s a better, cheaper version of Vintner’s Daughter’s cult-favorite oil), Herbivore Botanicals Lapis Oil (it’s amazing for calming redness and irritation), and plain vitamin E oil (to smooth out dry patches).

The two most popular spot treatments out there — salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide — are both too harsh for my delicate skin. (Noticing a theme here?) But Living Libations Dewdab, a simple blend of essential oils, is powerful enough to nip zits in the bud and gentle enough to use nightly.

This might be a little extreme, but I stopped drinking for two months before the wedding. Alcohol is dehydrating, messes with sleep, and raises cortisol levels, all of which result in dry, dull skin.

I also stopped wearing makeup altogether. I wanted to let my skin breathe, and honestly, I think it helped. (You better believe I covered my face in foundation and concealer for the wedding, though.)

Because skincare shouldn't stop at the neck, I dry brushed every day before hopping in the shower. Besides aiding in lymphatic drainage, dry brushing sloughs away dead skin cells and boosts circulation for a head-to-toe glow.

Say yes to the dress and no to the stress. Stress wreaks havoc on the skin, and for me, daily meditation helps keep my mind and my pores clear.

With one month to “I Do,” I met with a holistic aesthetician for some extractions and extra skin love. Facials can be tough on your skin, especially if you’re sensitive or acne-prone, so your face may need some time to heal afterwards. Experts agree it’s best schedule treatments no later than a month before your big day — by which point, you’ll be positively glowing.