As a 2024 bride and naturopathic doctor specializing in skin and hormones, I know how important it is to have radiant, flawless skin on your wedding day. With my big day only 6 months away, I'm pulling out all the stops with a comprehensive routine that combines inner nourishment and a high-performance skincare regimen. In this guide, I'll share my step-by-step bridal skincare prep so you can achieve that coveted bridal glow too!
In this article, I will give you my tips to maintaining a healthy skin barrier:
The Key to Luminous Wedding Skin? Nourish From Within
Before we dive into topical products, let's start with the foundation of healthy skin - your diet. I recommend loading up on antioxidant-rich fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, and green tea to protect against free radical damage that causes premature aging. I'm also focusing on lean proteins like grass-fed meats and legumes to promote collagen production for firmer, more youthful skin.
Crucial too are omega fatty acids from sources like fatty fish, walnuts, and flaxseeds. Omegas reduce inflammation and enhance the skin's natural barrier function. If your diet is lacking, I highly recommend a quality omega-3 supplement like what can be found on my Fullscript supplement dispensary.
The No. 1 Skin-Aging Culprit? Refined Sugars!
Nothing sabotages your skin faster than a diet high in refined sugars and processed foods. The inflammation, glycation, and insulin spikes they cause are a recipe for acne flare-ups, wrinkles, and dullness - not ideal for your wedding day photos! That's why I've made a conscious effort to eliminate sugary treats, sweetened beverages, and baked goods. Instead, I satisfy my sweet tooth with fresh fruit, yogurt, and natural sweeteners like maple syrup.
Lifestyle Habits for a Glowing Bridal Complexion
What you put in your body matters, but healthy lifestyle habits are key too. Here's what I'm doing:
Prioritizing 7-9 hours of restorative sleep nightly for cell regeneration.
Managing stress through mindfulness, meditation, and relaxing hobbies like cooking.
Staying active daily to boost circulation and nutrient delivery to skin cells.
Hydrating with at least 80oz of water or electrolyte drinks like. I love and recommend LMNT because of their flavors and easy portability, but I have a list of other electrolytes that I love here.
My Results-Driven Wedding Skin Prep Routine
With my inner glow on point, I'm taking my skincare very seriously with a regimen that optimizes my skin barrier and microbiome while deeply nourishing from the surface. These are the holy grail products in my bridal routine:
BIOJUVE: This is a line of products that I have been using religiously since last year. It is the only product on the market that uses a live strain probiotic that is native to the skin (C. acnes defendens) to optimize skin health.
Agent Natuer: I’ve been a loyal customer of Agent Natuer for about 4 years because I appreciate their commitment to using high-quality, natural ingredients that align with my natural and holistic approach to health. Their products are expertly made to nourish the skin without harsh chemicals or toxins, which is essential for promoting overall well-being.
I alternate between these two clinical skincare brands nightly for maximum results. The probiotic formulas from BioJuve restore microbiome balance while Agent Nateur's natural, results-driven formulas address concerns like wrinkles, uneven tone, and dullness.
My routine:
AM:
Step 1: BIOJUVE Conditioning Cleanse
Step 2: BIOJUVE Biome Support Complex
Step 3: BIOJUVE Hydrating Barrier Cream
Step 4: BIOJUVE Sheer Finish SPF 50+
PM – Alternating PM Routines:
Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday:
Once every 2 weeks:
Agent Nateur holi (bright) resurface glass face mask – apply after cleansing skin and leave on overnight.
To accelerate my wedding prep, I'm also treating myself to:
Microneedling and dermaplaning facials are two popular skincare treatments known for their transformative effects on the skin.
Microneedling is a procedure I offer to my patients and do on myself at least once a year. But as I’m in my fiancé era, I am committed to microneedling my face every 8 weeks. Microneedling involves the use of the SkinPen device with tiny needles that create micro-injuries in the skin, stimulating collagen production and enhancing skin texture and tone.
I will also commit myself to getting a dermaplaning facial every 8 weeks also, 4 weeks after microneedling. Dermaplaning is a gentle exfoliation technique that uses a sterile surgical blade to remove dead skin cells and peach fuzz, revealing smoother, brighter skin underneath.
Both treatments address a variety of skincare concerns, including fine lines, wrinkles, acne scars, and uneven pigmentation. One of the key benefits of microneedling and dermaplaning facials is their ability to enhance the absorption of skincare products applied afterward. By creating micro-channels in the skin, these treatments allow for better penetration of topical ingredients, maximizing their effectiveness. This is where BioJuve skincare products can play a significant role in the recovery process. I love recommending BIOJUVE to my patients to accelerate their healing.
BioJuve's probiotic formulations can provide optimal hydration and support skin renewal following microneedling or dermaplaning facials. The probiotics in BioJuve skincare help restore balance to the skin's microbiome, promoting a healthy environment for post-treatment healing and regeneration. Incorporating BioJuve into your post-treatment skincare routine can accelerate healing, minimize downtime, and optimize the results of microneedling and dermaplaning facials for healthy, glowing skin.
Are You Ready for You Bridal Glow Up?
Whatever you choose to do to get your skin ready for your wedding or if you just want healthier and younger looking skin, consistency is key when it comes to skincare and self-care. Commit to your skincare routine and positive lifestyle habits that works for you, and don't forget to take time for yourself. Incorporate relaxation techniques such as bubble baths, reading, or listening to calming music to unwind and recharge.
What are your next steps?
Let's work together!
As a dedicated Naturopathic Doctor, I invite you to schedule a personalized 1-on-1 appointment with me. Click here for more information on how to book your appointment.
My goal is to empower you to make your lifestyle your medicine, so I encourage you to take the first step by scheduling an appointment with me. However, if you are not in the space to make an appointment with me, I encourage you to explore my health articles and e-books. Also, be sure to sign up for my newsletter to get my naturopathic tips straight to your inbox.
*Dr. Francesca works only with patients physically located in California.*
*Disclaimer: Although I am a doctor, I may not be your doctor. The information contained within the pages of this site is for educational purposes only and should not be used to treat conditions. Please consult with your doctor before implementing any of the treatments, diets, supplements, etc. mentioned in this blog.*