The glowing down the aisle routine: Real skincare advice from the experts

BY LUCY MAZZUCCO

The countdown to the big day is often filled with stress and heightened emotions, which can take a toll on the skin. For brides and grooms who struggle with skin conditions, prioritizing self-care is key to avoiding flareups. 

“I often tell patients that skin health is a marathon, not a sprint. For conditions like rosacea, eczema or psoriasis, it is ideal to start planning at least six to 12 months ahead of the wedding,” says Joanna Auguste, aesthetic nurse practitioner, The Face Lab. “This allows time to calm inflammation, strengthen the skin barrier and introduce more collagen-stimulating treatments in a gradual way so the skin has time to adjust.”

Dr. Lisa Kellett, dermatologist at DLK on Avenue in Toronto, also recommends starting skin prep at least six months in advance of the wedding. “The most important step that brides and grooms can take is to see a dermatologist as soon as possible – preferably at least six months before the big event as medical treatments for some skin conditions might require systemic or topical treatments that can take time to work,” she says. “In general, I advise patients with any conditions to use a skincare routine that is simple and to limit the number of products used. In practical terms, I tell them to cleanse and then apply any prescription treatments to clean skin prior to using a moisturizer.”

Keep Calm and Carry On

When tackling skin conditions, Auguste says the goal is to keep the skin barrier strong and calm. In order to do so, she recommends a gentle, non-foaming cleanser, a fragrance-free barrier repair moisturizer and a mineral sunscreen. “Niacinamide and ceramides are perfect ingredients for supporting the skin barrier. I love Epicutis’ Lipid Serum and Lipid Recovery Mask, Alastin’s Ultra Nourishing Moisturizer, and AlumierMD’s HydraCalm Facial Moisturizer and SensiCalm Gentle Facial Cleanser,” she says, adding that it’s important to avoid products with harsh scrubs, high concentrations of glycolic or salicylic acids and those that are heavily fragranced, as they can all worsen sensitivity.

Dr. Kellett notes that both eczema and psoriasis can affect the epidermis and make the skin more sensitive to certain topical agents. As a result, she also advises against using harsh cleansers, strong toners and creams and lotions with glycolic and lactic acid. “Rosacea is an inflammatory condition characterized by blushing, flushing, papules and pustules. These patients are very sensitive to multiple topicals and should look for products that are formulated for more sensitive skin types,” she says.

Lesley Turner Editorial Content Writer

Lesley is a freelance writer and content strategist with a serious love for all things wedding. With a background in bridal fashion and over a decade of industry experience, she creates stylish, scroll-stopping content for Today's Bride and beyond.

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