Any perfect wedding takes lots of planning. It’s not just cake and in-laws: your face needs a good plan, too! Sweating the details before your big day can mean the difference between flawless skin in your wedding photos and last-minute cystic pimples. 😱

Don’t let poor planning rain on your parade. Read this guide to see what you can do in advance to make your wedding day magical.

Six months out

First, congrats! While you have the time, get comfortable with your basic skincare routine—and prepare to stick with it. You don’t want to mess around with new products in the days or weeks leading up to the big day. If you have acne-prone skin, start using Curology as soon as possible, and by the time the big day comes along, your skin will have had plenty of time to clear up — and stay clear!

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Get your personalized skincare routine with Curology

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Likewise, now’s the time to figure out a hair removal method that works best for you so you won’t end up dealing with irritated, red skin at the last minute. It’s also a good idea to check in with a local dermatologist to establish care, in case any emergency zits pop up at the last minute.

As always, stay healthy and drink plenty of fluids. As obvious as it sounds, sunscreen is in fact the most important factor for keeping your skin healthy and radiant. So remember to use high SPF sunblock daily.

Three months out

With three months, you still have plenty of time to consider using peels, facials, Botox and creams. Did you know you can try peels at home? At-home peels help with acne, dark spots, and blackheads. But if you lean towards luxury, maybe it’s time for a facial. Because some skin types can get irritated, get your facial far enough in advance for your skin to recover.

Side note: If you’d like to get Botox or dermal fillers, now is the time. Three months is also enough time to try eye cream with caffeine and/or a vitamin C serum. Eye creams help fight off puffiness and reduce swelling, and vitamin C helps repair fine lines and wrinkles. More importantly, vitamin C can help treat hyperpigmentation, aka dark spots. You can use vitamin C before sunscreen in the morning, or even at night.

One month out

The best thing you can do with your last month is simply to manage stress well. Be sure to exercise, eat well, drink water and get enough sleep. Yoga and meditation are super beneficial for stress reduction, especially now! Don’t try to add any new products either, since it’s hard to say how a new product will affect your skin.

We recommend casual exfoliation—once a week is plenty. Try a konjac sponge soaked in water or with a small amount of facial cleanser. Konjac sponges come from the Konnyaku plant and are soft and gentle on the skin. A light amount of pressure after the sponge has a gel-like consistency is all you need.

One week out

When your wedding is right around the corner, stop using exfoliants and resist the temptation for a last-minute facial. If you know for a fact that your skin can tolerate a simple sheet mask for extra hydration, then feel free to include this too.

Don’t go crazy with new products or a new routine. Just keep calm and enjoy the excitement! Eat healthy, drink water and stay rested, and everything should fall into place. The butterflies will come, but do your best to keep your stress under control.

On the off chance you notice an unwanted pimple presenting itself, you'll want to try a hydrocolloid bandage to address the breakout. Hydrocolloid bandages (a.k.a. acne patches or spot patches) can help draw out the contents of inflamed acne lesions and reduce healing time. Hydrocolloid bandages are great in a pinch, but not a cure for acne. It’s best to rely on your custom Curology formula (or other acne treatment) to help meet your skin goals.

Wedding day!

Finally! All you have to do now is get plenty of rest the night before and drink lots of water. If your eyes are puffy when you wake up, use some eye cream with caffeine—like ORIGINS GinZing™ Refreshing Eye Cream to Brighten and Depuff. Next, use your favorite moisturizer and put on sunscreen before you get your makeup done.

When you’re ready, take a good look in the mirror. You made it!

Custom skincare routine with Curology

If you have acne-prone skin, hyperpignmentation, or even anti-aging concerns, you can get your first 30 days of Curology for free — just pay $4.95 to cover the cost of shipping and handling. So what are you waiting for? Skip the hassle of trying to figure out what products to use before your wedding and get dermatologist-designed skincare sent straight to your door.

Written by

Curology Team