All brides want to have beautiful, glowing skin on their wedding day. However, if you suffer from skin problems such as acne, redness, or uneven skin tone, you may be feeling a little self-conscious. With the right skin care regimen in the weeks and months leading up to your wedding, however, you can tackle common skin issues and look your best (and most confident) as you walk down the aisle! For your convenience, we've put together a full-year skin-care timeline that'll have you ready for your close-up come your big day.

Photo by: Ashley Caroline Photography | Hair by: Ashley and Makeup by: Kyle

A Year Out

If you've never seen a skin care professional (or haven't recently), whether it be an esthetician or a full-fledged dermatologist, now is the time to schedule that appointment. This is a great way to bring forth any concerns you have about your skin and receive professional advice on how to improve your complexion and tone over the next 12 or so months. And considering many skin care treatments can take months to achieve results, it's important that you take this first step as far in advance as possible.

Six Months Out

This is a good time to start developing a skin care regimen you can utilize right up until the night before (or morning of) your wedding. By now, any treatments you may have required from your dermatologist to clear up skin problems should have taken effect, making it a good time to return to your doctor or esthetician for advice on a weekly regimen that includes, at the very least:

• moisturizer
• toner
• exfoliation

The specific products that are right for you will vary based on your skin tone. For example, if you have sensitive and oily skin, then you may only want to exfoliate once a week. On the other hand, if you have very dry skin, then more frequent exfoliation may be recommended to get rid of dead skin cells and keep skin looking vibrant and rejuvenated. With six months to go, you'll have plenty of time to experiment with different products until you find the perfect matches for you.

Three Months Out

Now is the time to focus on your diet and how it can affect your skin. If you're not doing so already, begin making an effort to drink at least half your body weight in ounces of water each day. For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, you should be drinking 75 ounces of water each day. Proper hydration can work wonders on your skin, especially for many brides around the three-month mark, who find themselves stressed out about finalizing wedding-day details.

In addition to drinking plenty of water, this is also a good time to start taking daily supplements, such as B vitamins and omega-3s to help you achieve beautiful and glowing skin.

The Week Of

In the week leading up to your wedding, the key is to change as little about your skin care regimen as possible. Don't try any new products, since you don't know how your skin might react. And now, more than ever, it's important to make sure you're staying plenty hydrated. While it might be tempting to pour yourself that glass of merlot when last-minute wedding details have you feeling stressed out, your skin will thank you when you choose water.

By following this basic skin-care plan in the year leading up to your wedding, you can be sure to look and feel your most beautiful as you walk down the aisle.

Photo by: Alicia Ann Photographers | Hair and Makeup by: Cathy Delfino-Ruggiero

Beauty Planning For Your Wedding Day!