A bride's daily skincare routine for normal/combination/oily skin
Naturally, all brides want that lit-from-within bridal glow on their wedding day! To look and feel the best version of themselves. I get asked for tips from brides all the time on how to prep the skin and what skincare routines they should be following in the lead-up to their wedding day, to get that natural radiant glow.
This is a recommended daily routine for those with normal, oily, spot-prone, and combination skin – using all-natural, organic, cruelty-free, and vegan skincare brands.
This is a routine I use on myself - my skin is prone to hormonal spots and is oily in the T-Zone. Along with a healthy diet, sleep, exercise, and self-care, my skin has improved greatly since following this routine and implementing some of the recommended products!
I will also be continuing to use this routine in the lead-up to my own wedding next year, and amping elements such as masking in the 3 months prior to the wedding day.
So here it is - a daily skincare routine for normal, combination, oily, and spot-prone skin:
MORNING
CLEANSE
Cleanse your skin with a creamy or gel cleanser first thing in the morning. I like to do this in the shower to save time. The morning cleanse doesn’t need to be a deep cleanse, but just helps to remove any dirt, sweat, or grime that may have accumulated over the night. Use a cleanser such as Nini Organics Oatopia or Bybi Beauty Clarity Cleanse Gel Cleanser, I alternate between these two in the morning depending on what my skin needs.
TONE
Next, spritz your face or dampen a cotton pad with toner and gently wipe over the face. Ideally with a gentle organic rosewater toner, without any alcohols such as Nini Organics Rose. I also either layer the toner up or alternate with Nini Organics Rain toning essence. I love layering up products, as my skin can generally take it!
SERUM
Whilst the skin is still damp from your toner, apply a serum. Like a hyaluronic acid serum – which will give you tons of moisture. I love Tropic Rainforest Dew when I want moisture and hydration or I use Nini Organics Crimson Beauty
GUA SHA OR JADE ROLLER
If you have a gua sha tool or jade roller, now is an excellent time to add it to the routine. I love using my gua sha first thing in the morning after a serum, as it helps with cooling the skin, depuffing the face and eye area, waking the skin up, and reducing the appearance of fine lines. Gently massage over the face. You can find many video tutorials online on how to use the gua sha or jade roller correctly.
MOISTURISE
Follow with by massaging a moisturiser into the skin – I would recommend Pai - The Pioneer (if you are prone to breakouts but also have sensitive skin)
I personally use Tropic Skin Food, which is a great base for makeup.
Follow with an SPF if using.
NIGHT
CLEANSE
Double cleanse!!! This is so important to do every evening if you can, even if you have not worn makeup. As it will get rid of the day’s dirt, grime, pollution, etc., and deeply cleanse.
1st cleanse - Remove makeup with an oil cleanser such as Nini Organics Halo Cleansing Elixir. You could also use pure Jojoba Oil, look for organic and cold-pressed Jojoba Oil. I love Jojoba oil as it rebalances and is great for breakout-prone skin and sensitive skin. Massage onto dry skin and eye area to remove makeup, then remove with a warm muslin cloth.
2nd cleanse – I either do a double cleanse with the oil cleanser or my second cleanse is with creamy or gel cleansers like Nini Organics Oatopia or Bybi Beauty Clarity Cleanse.
TONE
Spritz your face or use a dampened cotton pad with the toner you used in the morning.
SERUM AND/OR FACIAL OIL
Depending on how your skin feels and if you think it needs more moisture you can use a serum (such as the hyaluronic acid serum) before applying an oil. Or you can just use oil on its own. Oil is great for night-time as it delivers its ingredients into the skin deeply allowing the ingredients to do their work whilst you sleep. Don’t be afraid of oils if you have oily skin – a common misconception is that oil will clog pores, when in fact using oils will help regulate sebum production and balance skin! My favourite oils for the night are La Belle Lune, Nini Organics Moonlight, and Nini Organics Detox oil (an oily/combination skin savior!)
1-2 X PER WEEK
EXFOLIATE
Aim to gently exfoliate 1-2 x per week. I like to exfoliate in the shower using Tropic Face Smooth or Tropic Clear Skies which is a powder-to-foam cleanser that very gently exfoliates.
MASK
Implementing a regular mask into your routine as early as possible, has so many benefits such as refining pores, increasing hydration, diminishing fine lines, even skin tone, and firmer skin. Often you will see results immediately. You also get a chance to chill out with a face mask for 10-15 mins, which is ideal for relaxing before the big day!
These are 3 of my favourites for normal/oily/combination skin:
May Lindstrom Problem Solver – this is pricey but the ultimate skin savior for oily/spot-prone skin. It is deeply cleansing and leaves skin feeling soft, clear, and supple. It’s also great as an on-the-spot treatment. Use this 1-2 x per week. I will be using this regularly in the few weeks leading up to the wedding. (Update this is currently out of stock in the UK - a similar mask would be Nini Organics Natura Miracle Mask)
If you feel you need extra hydration Twelve Beauty The London Mask – deeply and gently provides moisture to the skin. Use this 1 x per week.
My favourite mask for an instant pre-wedding glow has to be the Tata Harper Resurfacing mask. Use this 1x per week. If you think your skin can take it, use it twice per week in lead up to the wedding and use it on the morning of the wedding for extra glow.
You can alternate these masks weekly depending on what you feel your skin needs.
Check out my post on my favourite natural, cruelty-free and vegan masks.
ADD-INS
If you fancy adding a bit of extra oomph to your routine in the lead-up to your wedding and you feel the skin can take it. Try adding in Tata Harper Resurfacing Serum for extra glow.
If you love using or like the idea of using vitamin C to brighten the skin. Check out The Nue Co. Topical C which you can add to moisturiser or serum in the morning. You, only need a couple of drops – as too much may make the skin tingle, adjust the amount according to how much skin can take – mine can only take half a shake!
I hope this post has been helpful in giving you some ideas for your pre-wedding skincare routine.
These are my personal recommendations, but please always trust what feels and works best for your own skin. Always patch test first and discontinue use if you experience any adverse reactions.
Enjoy trying out this routine, let me know if this works for you! If you have any other product recommendations or tips, please feel free to share them, as I always love to hear about new products or beauty tips to share with my clients!
