So much time on your wedding day will be spent making sure the flowers arrive, the centerpieces are intact, and everyone in your bridal party is accounted for. But there is one thing you’ll know you can count on just by a little preparation and some TLC: flawless skin. Here are a few tips to keep your skin free of imperfections, and feeling soft and smooth all day and into the night.

Easy pre-wedding skin prep that works!

The Freckled Key Photography

1. Getting the wedding glow.

With all eyes on you, not to mention photos that will live on in infamy, you’ll want to have a flawless face free of dry skin, blemishes, and other skin impurities. For delicate face skin, you’ll want to start prepping months in advance—most experts say six months prior to your wedding day is a good place to start. Beginning a daily beauty regimen by exfoliating, cleansing, toning, and moisturizing morning and night can make a huge difference in the appearance of your skin. Although cleansing and moisturizing might be the more obvious steps, it’s important not to skimp out on toning—toning will help restore pH balance, reduce the appearance of pores, and refresh your skin after cleansing. As far as products go, everyone’s skin reacts differently. Starting your regimen this far in advance will give you the chance to test different products to see which ones work the best for you. It’s not a bad idea to lean toward more natural options because synthetic chemicals, like fragrances and colors, are more prone to drying out the skin and causing breakouts and irritations. To enhance the effects of your daily routine, you can also opt for a monthly facial. If professional facials don’t fit your budget, you can see a skincare professional who can offer tips and products for you to use on your own at home. A word of caution: Do not get a professional deep-cleansing facial within a week of your wedding day because breakouts are likely. Another option that might be more suitable includes a lighter, more smoothing facial that will hydrate your skin and leave you with that highly coveted, perfect complexion.

2. Smooth skin all over.

Although your wedding gown may cover a lot of area, that’s all the more reason to highlight the visible zones like your neck, chest, back, and shoulders. You can consider the neck and chest an extension to the face—the skin is just as delicate, if not more, and requires similar maintenance. When washing, exfoliating, and moisturizing, make sure you’re hitting these spots as well. As for back and shoulders, exfoliate while in the bath or shower, and follow with a gentle cleanser and moisturizing lotion daily. This will keep your exposed skin looking and feeling soft and smooth. For the rest of the body, consider incorporating a dry body brush into your morning routine. Body brushing has a plethora of benefits including improving circulation (bye-bye cellulite), getting rid of dry, dead skin, helping prevent ingrown hairs, eliminating toxins, and unclogging pores. This process will only set you back five minutes and doesn’t require a visit to a spa or dermatologist. On dry skin before bathing, start on the front of your body with your ankles and work upwards in a circular motion toward your heart. When you move to your back, brush from the neck down to the lower back. To ensure your skin is at its purest, follow with a shower to wash away dead skin and don’t forget to seal your beautiful skin with your favorite moisturizer.

3. Tips for happy hands and feet.

If there is one day in your life that you’d want to have beautiful hands, it’s your wedding day. The face and hands—and sometimes feet—are the most often exposed, which leaves them more vulnerable to impurities of the skin. Prepare the hands for all of those close-ups and showing off your ring by using a moisturizing lotion throughout the day every day, especially after you wash them. Try to avoid soaps that are prone to drying; this will protect against cracking, calluses, and roughness. And like professional spa treatments caring for your face, if you plan to get a manicure or a pedicure close to the date, make sure you’ve gone through a few trial runs. That way you can trust your mani/pedi artist and know exactly how your skin and nails react to the spa’s products. Although your feet might not be the main event, you’ll still want to have soft soles on your wedding night. Because your feet are under major stress on a daily basis, moisturizing is also something you’ll need to practice on your feet daily. You can deeply hydrate the skin by using a thick layer of your favorite moisturizer and pairing it with cotton mittens and socks during the night. The cotton will still allow the skin to breathe, but this method will penetrate the skin more intensely—and save your sheets.

4. Maintain healthy, clear skin that lasts.

Generally, there are a few things to keep in mind that will benefit every inch of your skin. First and absolutely foremost: Drink plenty of water. Water will flush toxins from the body, and given enough time, will aid in the fight against breakouts. Other ways to heal the skin from the inside out is to adopt a real, whole foods diet and lifestyle (fruits, vegetables, whole-grains, and lean meats), and consider taking supplements. To cover all of your bases, you might want to pick up a multi-vitamin, but specifically for skin, biotin, omega-3, and vitamin E supplements are all good choices. Just consult your doctor before you start any supplement intake. You know what they say: You are what you eat. And when you’re giving the skin—as well as all of your other organs—the nourishment they need, you’ll not only look fabulous, but you’ll feel fabulous, too. Also, if you find yourself in the sun often, make sure you’re wearing sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and wearing appropriate clothing. Brides often want to rock a beautiful bronze, but baking in the sun or in an artificial tanning bed is not worth potential drying out, wrinkles, and age spots. If you want a great-looking tan, opt for spray or self-tanners. Lastly, if you do find yourself with a rouge blemish or other skin emergency the day of: Don’t Panic. Try not to irritate it further by poking and prodding. As we learned in middle school, poking will usually only make the situation worse. If your blemish lands on your face, gently exfoliate and cleanse before makeup, and follow with an anti-blemish cream. Apply a primer to even out skin texture, then use concealer on and around the blemish.

How will you get glowing skin?

Feeling overwhelmed? Don’t! Skincare can be easy—and stress never helps! Here are the key things to remember:

1. Start prepping 6 months in advance.
2. Begin a daily beauty regimen that includes exfoliating, cleansing, toning, and moisturizing.
3. Remember to treat your neck, chest, back, and more—try out body brushing!
4. Moisturize your hands and feet, and get a mani/pedi test.
5. You are what you eat—and so is your skin. Drink water, eat healthy, and try vitamins.
6. Practice safe sun.
7. Don’t poke or prod if a blemish appears!
8. Stick to the routine and keep stress levels low, and you’ll have a wedding glow!

Preparing the skin for your wedding day might seem like a daunting task, but once you get into a skin-saving routine, your glow will make that routine hard to break—even long after your say your vows. Do you have a favorite skin care product, or more tips for healthy skin? Share your thoughts in the comments below! You may also like... 12 Reasons Why You Need a Personal Attendant The Ultimate Wedding Workout Playlist & Tips 25 Lies Brides Tell Themselves While Wedding Planning