Backed by my personal bridal journey, this wedding skincare timeline guides brides and bridal parties to glowing skin for the big day.
It’s my wedding anniversary week, and I remember how ensuring I had perfect skin for my wedding was a priority for me. Now, while taking a sentimental scroll through our photos, I can’t help but pause to look at my skin. I looked rested and the happiest I’ve ever been. That glow wasn’t accidental. It came from dedication, discipline, and a bit of expert guidance.
In the months and weeks leading up to the wedding, my body and skin worked together, even with wedding jitters dancing in the background. I drank litres of water, took long walks in the mornings, and committed to a solid skincare routine. Two weeks before the wedding, I got a gentle facial and let my skin breathe makeup-free until the big day. Sunscreen became my loyal bridesmaid, guarding me through pre-wedding errands under Lagos’ unpredictable sun.
If you’re a bride-to-be (or part of a bridal party), here’s the wedding skincare timeline I swear by, with expert-backed advice and tips for every stage. Every bride deserves that glow.
Six months out: Your foundational wedding skincare steps
The earlier you start, the better. Six months is the perfect time to correct any major skin concerns like acne, hyperpigmentation, or texture. Consider booking a consultation with a dermatologist or aesthetician if you have any of these skin conditions. I wanted to even out my skin tone and achieve better texture for my skin, so I found products that worked and stuck to my routine. At this stage, avoid harsh treatments unless directly supervised by a professional.
Also, if you’re not active, you can start working out, in order to be at your healthiest and strongest. No pressure to go to the gym or train for hours though; consistent walks will help you achieve the same thing. Stay dedicated and you’ll see the results. I have some health concerns regarding my back, so I focused on improving my mobility — because nothing’s worse than being unable to dance at your Nigerian wedding. I wanted to be a dancing bride, and that meant being as strong as possible. So, I walked!
Steps to take:
Start a simple and consistent skincare routine: cleanse, moisturise, and never skip sunscreen.
Introduce actives: Vitamin C for brightness and niacinamide for texture. If your dermatologist approves retinol in your routine, you can use it for collagen renewal.
Hydration is key: Use humectants like hyaluronic acid and drink plenty of water.
If you’re planning to change products six months is the best time to do it, not a month before the wedding. Your skin needs time to adjust.
Read also: I relived my wedding experience with my AMVCA 11 outfit
Three months to go: Commit to the glow with these wedding skincare steps
By now, you should have a wedding skincare routine that works, and it’s time to focus on maintaining, nourishing, and protecting. I noticed that my lifestyle for the first three months didn’t make me as dedicated as I would have liked to be. Coupled with hormones raging due to stress, I was a bit panicked that I wouldn’t achieve my goal. But the next three months gave me enough time to work on getting that glowing skin.
Steps to take:
Facials: Book monthly hydrating or exfoliating facials to maintain glow.
Body care: Don’t forget the skin on your body. Begin gentle exfoliation and deep moisturising treatments, especially for the neckline and arms.
Watch your diet: Incorporate fruits and the right amount of protein into your meals.
Cut out soda, switch to homemade fruit juice and smoothies. I have a sweet tooth, and doing this really helped my fruit intake. Not too much, though — always be careful and do thorough research.
One month to go: Keep it safe
One month to your wedding isn’t the time to listen to everyone’s skincare advice or product recommendations. Your skin will go through changes depending on your workload. Don’t try any experimental treatments; keep things simple and consistent. If you have specific concerns, go back to the professionals, no DIY solutions.
Steps to take:
Stay active: Light workouts or walks help circulation and keep the skin vibrant.
Sleep well: Aim for at least 7–8 hours a night. Your skin repairs itself while you sleep (don’t skip your night routine!)
Protect your peace: Stress hormones can wreak havoc on your skin. Prioritise rest, mindfulness, and delegation.
It was tough for me to delegate, but when I saw just how much mental stress handling everything was, I was happy to ask for help. I didn’t have a wedding planner, so it was just my partner, parents and I. Thankfully, I had a few friends take on coordination on the d-day for me. That gave me time to focus on myself more.
Read also: Planning a destination wedding? Then you need to check out these cool locations
Two weeks to go: Treat, don’t stress
This is the perfect window for a gentle facial. Go for something calming and hydrating, nothing abrasive. I visited the spa for facials two weeks before my wedding, as advised by my aesthetician. She handled my session herself, and my skin was thankful for it. I’ll advise that you go to a professional who knows your skin history and can provide recommendations for its exact needs. I got strict instructions to keep my sunscreen handy and avoid going under harsh sun.
Steps to take:
Hydrating facial: Go for a professionally-done facial. It saves you time, and the results are great.
Avoid sunburn: Double down on sunscreen, especially during outdoor errands.
Skip makeup: I went makeup-free for almost two weeks. It gave my skin room to breathe and recover.
Wedding skincare hack: You might not be able to avoid doing some hectic errands during the day, so keep a small mist bottle with calming toner in your bag. It keeps your skin fresh and hydrated.
One week to go: Final touches on your wedding skincare
The excitement is building, and so is your natural glow. The last week leading up to your wedding can either be totally calm or filled with jitters. Remember not to undo all your hard work by letting the stress get to you. Relax, and ground yourself in rituals that make you happy. For me, I focused on the happiness my glowing skin brought me; I was already a blushing bride at this point.
Although there were a few mishaps, my loved ones held me and always reminded me of my promise to remain calm. I would do my “wedding skincare session” as I called it, with joy every day and night. I couldn’t take as many walks anymore, but I spent a few days with my parents and basked in their love. That was enough for me. I was ready to get married while looking my best.
Steps to take:
Stay consistent with your skincare: There might be distractions, but ensure you don’t miss those steps. You’re already doing so well, it’s important to finish well.
Hydrate: Inside and out. Drink water and use only hydrating skincare products.
Don’t forget lips and hands: Use a nourishing lip balm and hand cream to keep your hands soft for those ring close-up pictures.
Spend time with loved ones: Wedding preparation can be mentally exhausting, especially when the day is close by. Stay grounded and surrounded with your loved ones; let them support you however they can. Even if you need time alone, make sure it’s not to sink into a low mental space. It’s a joyous occasion, and you should bask in all the love.
24 hours to go: Lock in the glow
Now’s the time to pamper, not panic. Your skin should be calm, hydrated, and ready. I also went in for a relaxing massage, that felt so good. I know they say your partner shouldn’t see you the day before, but I gladly flouted that rule. My partner and I had been separated for a few days while we spent time with our families, and this was time for us to reconnect and take care of ourselves. I’m glad we had the couple’s massage the day before. We caught up on everything and reminded each other that the next days were about us only. Our happiness was the priority.
Steps to take:
Sheet masks: A good hydrating mask works wonders the night before. Use it and relax with your girls.
Rest: Sleep really is the best beauty treatment. I know there might be last-minute details and also jitters, but ensure you get enough sleep. Your body will thank you for it.
No touching or picking: Resist the urge to pick anything on your face, even if you see a blemish. Cleanse your face, apply your skincare, and let it be.
I packed an emergency skincare kit in my wedding bag with face mist, blotting papers, and lip gloss. Guess what? I didn’t even need it. My makeup stayed on perfectly, and underneath it, my skin kept its glow.
Wedding skincare for the bridal party
The joy of having your girls around and everyone looking good is one a bride never forgets. As the bride, you can also include some travel-size skincare products in your bridal party package. This can include: hydrating sheet masks, eye masks, micellar water and hydrating spray. Your bridesmaids deserve to shine too.
Tips for the bridal party:
Start prepping at least a month in advance. It’s an important event for your friend, and you’ll also feel good when you look good.
Stick to a minimalist routine: cleanse, moisturise, SPF. These are low maintenance and can fit into any schedule easily.
Coordinate a pamper day or group facial. The chief-bridesmaid or even the bride can organise this. It’s good for bonding and brilliant for the skin.
Avoid last-minute waxing, threading, or peels close to the wedding. You’ll be walking around quite a bit, and these things might make you uncomfortable or even hurt.
As a bridal party, remember that your energy sets the tone. Well-rested, glowing bridesmaids make everything feel elevated for the bride.
Now, glow!
Taking care of your skin during such a meaningful chapter is not just vanity — it’s a necessary ritual. Whether it’s your wedding or your best friend’s, great skin gives you a kind of confidence that goes beyond aesthetics.
On my wedding day, I felt so good in my skin — soft and entirely myself. That’s what wedding skincare is all about: glowing from the inside out.
Here’s to soft life, skin that feels as good as the moment and happy ever after!
