Make Me Bridal Pro: Catherine Bailey Make-up Artist & Hair Stylist
No bride should deal with a blemish or breakout on her big day, but unfortunately, it’s not uncommon. All the extra stress in the lead-up to a wedding can cause your body to release extra cortisol, a hormone that lingers and can lead to increased oil production in the hair follicles, leading to acne.
But don’t panic! We have your back!
10 Tips to Handle Wedding Day Stress
You can do a lot to hold off those sneaky, uninvited guests on your face. Here are ten ways to prevent a stress-induced breakout on your wedding day.
Skip (or cut down on) the Makeup
Some makeup products, including foundation and concealer, can clog your pores and contribute to breakouts. Let your skin breathe a little in the week or two before the big day.
Keep Your Face Clean
You don’t need us to remind you that cleaning your face at night is a must. Even if you’re not wearing makeup, a good cleanse is needed to remove SPF and dirt from the skin. And be sure to use clean towels and sheets too, as they can harbour bacteria.
Make Me Bridal Pro: Quelle Bester
Don’t touch your face!
Touching your face is a bad habit that many of us have, and it can wreak havoc with your pores by transferring oils and bacteria to your skin. The months before your wedding are a good opportunity to become conscious of this habit – and break it!
Cut out exfoliation
While exfoliation is an important part of a good skincare routine, it’s a good idea to cut out any heavy duty scrubs and other harsh products in the couple of weeks before your wedding day. Stick to cleansers and gentle chemical exfoliators if needed.
Eat clean
Of course, the days before your wedding may include special events (and alcohol) that you can’t avoid. But cut out greasy food and dairy wherever possible and opt for plenty of fruits and vegetables instead.
Make Me Bridal Pro: Stephanie Graham Vegan & Cruelty-Free Makeup Artist
Stay Hydrated
Drinking plenty of water is one of the easiest and most effective ways to keep your skin healthy. It flushes out toxins and prevents your skin from looking dull. And don’t forget to hydrate and moisturise your face and body with good (non-comedogenic) products too.
Get Plenty of Sleep
Before your wedding day, there’s a lot to do, but that doesn’t mean you should give up precious sleep. REM sleep allows your body to repair existing damage and stabilise those all-important hormone levels.
Don’t Pick!
This is good advice at any time, but especially vital ahead of your wedding. Stay away from that magnifying mirror and leave any pimples alone. If you get a nasty cyst a few days before the wedding, make a last-minute appointment with your dermatologist, who can handle any extractions and administer an anti-inflammatory injection. If a pimple appears on the morning of your wedding, ice it and spot treat it with hydrocortisone. Your makeup artist will do the rest!
Make a Doctor’s Appointment
Speaking of your dermatologist, if you generally struggle with acne, be sure to ask for a prescription beforehand. A topical anti-inflammatory or a mild antibiotic can make a big difference.
Manage Your Stress
Of course, you can’t prevent wedding anxiety completely. There’s a lot to do and a lot of people to manage, and this is a big moment in your life. Don’t ignore your body’s warnings; incorporate stress management techniques like meditation and breathing exercises into your day.
Related: Want to know how to nail your pre-wedding skincare? See our article here!
