It can be one of a bride-to-be's worst fears; having a break-out just before or on the day of the wedding. Break-outs can knock confidence and, on a day when you want to feel your best, leave you feeling self-conscious and miserable. If you are prone to acne or annoying flare-ups, there are some steps you can take to prep your skin in advance and pave the way for a more honed and hygienic skincare routine.
Don't squeeze spots
First and foremost, spots should never be squeezed, picked at or disrupted in any way as this can lead to scarring. Contrary to popular belief, applying toothpaste to the affected area has little evidence to prove its efficacy and can in fact further irritate the skin. Instead, it is wise to choose a skincare product that has been specifically developed for spots.
Don't overload your skin
Be conscious of overloading your skin with products. Cleansing your face twice a day is sufficient and dermatologists advise to avoid harsh products that strip the skin of its natural oils and upset its microbiome.
Tea tree oil is generally considered a good spot-fighting treatment, but there is a new natural saviour coming to the fore. Rosemary is currently growing in popularity among acne sufferers. In January 2022, Google searches for 'rosemary' in beauty products soared by 300%.
While rosemary leaf extract is a potent antioxidant, protecting the skin, reinforcing blood capillaries and tightening loose skin, rosemarinic acid – the main component in rosemary leaf extract, serves to calm skin conditions such as acne and eczema.
Go vegan
Vegan beauty products made from all-natural plant-based ingredients can be the perfect choice for spot-prone skin – and even those with skin conditions, such as eczema and rosacea, or skin that’s too dry or oily. A rich source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other essential nutrients, vegan products can help you to achieve a smooth, glowing complexion.
Clean your make-up brushes and check your products
Oxbridge, a distance learning college, has revealed that 50% of women do not wash their make-up brushes, and 25% continue to wear expired make-up
While make-up brushes can be cleaned using a brush cleanser or mild soap and warm water on a regular basis, depending on amount of use, expiry dates should be given careful consideration. Every beauty product has a life span and products which are used beyond this life span become exposed to bacteria. This can lead to skin reactions and premature ageing.
To avoid these effects, take note of the expiry icon on the back of your products, which indicates '6M', '12M', '18M' or longer expiration dates once opened.
Sleep well
Finally, it's so important that you get plenty of sleep in the run up to your wedding day. Your energy levels will likely be at an all-time low as the pressure to organise the biggest day of your life takes its toll. Sleep is vital for skin cell regeneration and reparation, as well as restoring energy levels, yet according to the NHS as many as one in three of us have poor sleeping habits. Research has proven that good sleepers have lower intrinsic skin ageing and their skin barrier recovers 30% faster than poor sleepers.
