The Ultimate Bridal Skincare Routine

The best compliment you can receive on your wedding day is, “You’re glowing!” It’s the best compliment because that glow is no easy feat to achieve. We’re no fairy godmother but this ultimate bridal skincare routine guarantees that radiant lit-from-within look. We’re breaking down the best ingredients that'll get your skin camera-ready, as well as a full on-the-day wedding skincare routine so you can focus on more important things—like deciding between the 4 flavours for each cake tier. Ready to glow? Let’s dive in.

The ultimate bridal skincare routine with all the ingredients you need to include to achieve that bridal glow

When should you start your bridal skincare routine? 

You should ideally start with your skincare routine 12 months before your wedding day. This gives you enough time to find and try out products and treatments that work for you, and see the results from them. Once you’ve established a skincare routine, especially around 12 months before the big day, you’ll see amazing long-term results with your skin health and you can continue with the habits you’ve started. Head to our pre-wedding beauty treatments schedule and timeline for all the advice on when to book all your beauty treatments.

Bridal skincare prep and essential ingredients 

Facials 

Treat yourself to regular facials in the lead-up to your wedding day. Nothing gives you that fresh glow quite like a professional facial. With so many incredible facialists out there and so many new techniques always being developed it can be hard to know what you need. The most important thing to look for are facials that focus on increasing collagen production and hydration. You can also use facials to target any concerns such as fine lines, acne or blemishes, hyperpigmentation or scarring. Getting a facial that uses active ingredients in combination with LED light therapy is a great way of targeting skin concerns. 

Cleansing 

How do you decide what cleaner is right for you? You’ll want to take into consideration your skin type and your main skin goal e.g. increase hydration and battle blemishes. 

If you have dry skin, look for a gentle cleanser that's free of alcohol and fragrance, and contains emollients like glycerin. 

If you have oily skin or blemish-prone skin, look for an oil-free cleanser that contains ingredients like niacinamide to balance oil production. You could also consider a cleanser with a gentle BHA to help unclog pores.

If you have combination or sensitive skin, you should choose an oil-free, fragrance-free, and non-comedogenic skin cleanser. 

All that being said, double cleansing is something that is very popular to really make sure your skin is squeaky clean. Despite the worry about using oil on oily skin, it’s actually proven that the two-step process of double cleansing can help reduce the likelihood of pore blockages from dead skin cells and makeup and other bacteria that cause breakouts. Oil fights oil and can help the dirt just slide right out. This works by using an oil-based cleanser followed by a water-based cleanser to remove that oily sheen that can be left behind. 

Best Hydrating Cleanser

Best Oil-Based Cleanser 

Best Water-Based Cleanser 

Best Cleanser For Acne-Prone Skin

AHAs

Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) are a type of chemical exfoliant that can be used to help even out the skin’s appearance and work on a surface level. However, despite that fact, AHAs are known to cause irritation and sensitivity so make sure you spend your time researching and trying out a few products in plenty of time before the wedding day. AHAs are generally preferred for normal to dry skin. 

Popular AHAs include glycolic acid and lactic acid, which are best known for their anti-ageing properties due to their exfoliation of skin cells. 

BHAs

Beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) are another type of chemical exfoliant that works on the skin’s surface. BHAs exfoliate the top layer of skin to reveal the healthier, more radiant skin underneath. They can also penetrate the skin's natural oil to exfoliate and unclog pores, which is why they’re used a lot by people with acne-prone skin. 

Salicylic acid is the most popular BHA as it is used in most acne-prone products and gently removes build-up in the pores. 

Retinoids and retinol  

Retinoids and retinol are vitamin A derivatives that can improve the appearance of your skin by stimulating skin cell renewal, encouraging collagen production, and accelerating cellular turnover. Because of this, they’re incredibly effective at reducing the appearance of fine lines, helping with pigmentation and treating acne. Stronger concentrations of retinoids are usually available by prescription but retinol can be found in cosmetics and skincare products. 

Adapalene, tretinoin, retinaldehyde and retinol are popular types of retinoid/retinol. 

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is just the magic ingredient that ties everything together. Vitamin C helps the body produce collagen and is best known for its brightening properties. Vitamin C is an antioxidant, which means it can help fight toxins from air pollution and other pollutants. It's suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. If you live in the city, it’s a must! Because of these properties, this ingredient is also great for reducing the appearance of fine lines, helping with hyperpigmentation or redness, soothing sun damage or sensitive skin as well as helping with darker under eyes. 

Moisturiser

It goes without saying that moisturiser is essential, but it can be even more so when you’re focusing on healing or keeping your skin barrier intact while using active ingredients or having regular facials. It’s also important to consider the seasons or the climate where you live. In the autumn and winter months, you may want a thicker moisturiser with more emollients. In the spring and summer, you can use a lighter moisturiser with a gel formula. Above all, you should look for ingredients like ceramides and glycerin in your facial moisturiser. 

Wedding day skincare routine to follow 

The wedding day skincare routine should focus on hydrating and plumping to give you that youthful and ethereal bridal glow. 

Step 1: Double Cleanse 

Begin by using an oil-based cleanser to remove any skincare from the night, followed by a water-based cleanser to deeply clean the skin, ensuring a fresh and smooth canvas.

Step 2: Toner & Serums

Apply a hydrating toner to balance the skin's pH, followed by targeted serums (like hyaluronic acid for hydration or vitamin C for brightness) to address specific skin concerns.

Step 3: Gel Eye Mask 

Use a cooling gel eye mask to reduce puffiness and brighten the under-eye area, leaving you looking refreshed and well-rested. You can leave this on while you’re getting your hair done to get in that pamper mood!

Step 4: Moisturise 

Seal in hydration with a lightweight yet nourishing moisturiser that keeps your skin plump and radiant throughout the day.

Step 5: SPF

Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect your skin from UV, ensuring your complexion stays flawless and protected all day long.

Step 6: Hydrating Skin Mist

Finish with a refreshing hydrating mist to lock in moisture and give your skin a natural, dewy glow—perfect to begin your makeup application and give a lasting bridal glow.

Use our on-the-day wedding skincare routine to ensure a lasting bridal glow all day long

For a more in-depth skincare routine, take a look at our 12-month skincare guide for brides, which breaks down popular skincare treatments and facials along with a guide of what to book and when. You’ve put in all the work to get your flawless base, so now you need an incredible foundation to show off your glow! Take a look at these best wedding foundations selected by the Rock My Wedding editors.