How to Get Clear Skin for Your Wedding

Photo Credit: Terry Doyle

4 Weeks Out

“Stop raiding the fridge for high-calorie snacks to soothe pre-wedding jitters,” says Dr. Jeannette Graf, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. Instead, perfect your skin from the inside out with an alkalinizing food plan, which will help balance your body’s pH levels and up your complexion’s glow factor. Dr. Graf prescribes “a Mediterranean diet, rich in omega fatty acids.” Think halibut, salmon, olive oil, dark green leafy veggies, oats, quinoa, apples, pears and cantaloupe.

Resolve to stick to a consistent regimen that includes SPF 30+ sunscreen.

Exfoliating facials are a key player in the clear-complexion game. Dr. Graf is a fan of Glytone by Enerpeel Peel Systems. Using glycolic, salicylic or other acid-based solutions, these 20-minute in-office treatments address various concerns (acne, redness, brown spots) and can be employed wherever help is needed — face, hands, chest or back (good to keep in mind should you be wearing a low-cut gown). A milder formula, Glytone Mini Peel Gel, can be used 1-3 times a week at home.

For stubborn dark spots ask your derm to prescribe a 4% hydroquinone product to use in tandem with an in-office peel.

3 Weeks Out

There’s a reason it’s called beauty sleep. Skin goes into repair mode while you snooze, Dr. Graf says, and getting enough precious shut-eye helps prevent dark circles.

If you're concerned about "elevens" (those lines between your eyebrows) showing up in photos, Botox is a simple, noninvasive way to relax the frown muscles. For peak results, schedule the procedure for 2 to 3 weeks before the wedding.

This week, book an appointment for a cleansing facial such as DermaSweep, a customizable protocol that employs bristle-tipped vacuum wands and solutions of varying strengths. The gentle brightening iteration can be scheduled every two weeks and will leave the complexion soft and luminous. An at-home option to try: Clinique Sonic System Purifying Cleansing Brush.

2 Weeks Out

Up late planning? Chilled cucumber slices or iced green-tea-soaked cotton pads help soothe and de-puff. A ready-made fix: Klorane Smoothing and Relaxing Patches.

Are you drinking enough water? “Staying hydrated not only contributes to clear skin but also keeps you energized,” says Dr. Graf. Add a squeeze of alkalinizing lemon juice to up the benefits.

1 Week Out

Schedule your final DermaSweep (or other gentle facial) to occur early in the last week before the big day.

Zits happen, especially — annoyingly — at the last minute. Ask your derm about IL TAC (intralesional triamcinolone, a steroid solution) injections to reduce inflammation and speed up healing. “I’m on call for emergencies like this,” says Dr. Graf. Post-injection, any lingering redness can be temporarily lightened by applying Visine (it really does get the red out!).

Two Products We Tried (and Loved)

Labelle Ultrasonic Skin Scrubber: After cleansing, gently run this pore-purging “spatula” over wet skin, concentrating on congested areas. high-speed vibrations work to shake loose debris and dead skin cells, leaving skin polished and swept clean.

La Solution 10 de Chanel Sensitive Skin Cream: Created in collaboration with New York City dermatologist Dr. Amy Wechsler, this skin soother is formulated to calm the complexion during stressed-out times (hello, wedding planning!) with just 10 key ingredients, including silver-needle tea leaves, a powerful antioxidant.