With quarantine guidelines and wedding plans changing faster than a newly engaged bride telling her girls the big news, this is understandably a stressful time for brides-to-be. Add to that the impact of constantly wearing face masks and other protective gear, which aren’t always comfortable for your skin. Although many things are out of our control, the ability to achieve that coveted bridal glow is actually not one of them. With the help of a dermatologist, Dr. Michelle Villegas-Sison, we assembled a list of basic tips and tricks you can include in your pre-wedding skincare routine. Lay down the groundwork for soft, supple, and radiant skin with these tips!

When the body is even slightly dehydrated, it shows through dry, discolored skin. Skin needs moisture to stay elastic and even reduce wrinkles and fine lines. Water is also vital to flushing out toxins from the body and addressing any skin issues. Although water is the best choice, other liquids and select fruits and vegetables, like cucumber and watermelon, also help hydrate the body.

Even if you stay indoors all day, sunblock should still be a non-negotiable part of your skincare routine. You can be exposed to sunlight through your windows, and you are surely exposed to blue light through the screens of your smart phones, laptops, TVs, and other gadgets. Sunblock is your best defense against pre-mature aging, hyper-pigmentation, and age spots. Choose one that is at least SPF30 and apply it generously daily.

Whether it’s because you’re too drunk from an e-numan or because you “don’t need to” after camping out in your room all day, do not skip the essentials of skincare! It is so important to keep your skin clean and free of impurities by washing your face regularly using a cleanser that is right for your skin type.  That being said, tone and moisturize are also essential steps that should follow your consistent cleansing routine.

Basically, what is good for the body is also good for the skin. Fill your meals with nutritious food so that your skin receives the key nutrients it needs to regenerate cells. This also means avoiding crash diets as they tend to restrict food intake and fail to give your skin its needed vitamins and minerals. A healthy lifestyle also means getting an adequate amount of sleep and exercise daily. Do remember, glowing skin starts from nourishing within.

It is ideal to refrain from introducing new products to your skincare routine within six months of your wedding day. This allows for sufficient time for your skin to adapt to the new regimen or to correct any undesirable results. We know it’s tempting when your favorite k-drama actress shares the “secrets” to having skin like hers, but patience and restraint might be the better option when you have your big day coming up!

Exfoliating simply aids the natural process of unclogging your pores and improving skin clarity. It also helps realize the benefits of other skincare products by enabling them to penetrate your skin deeper. If exfoliating is not already a part of your regular routine, you can start out by exfoliating your skin once a week and slowly increasing from there. Over-exfoliating may cause irritation and redness, so be sure to listen to your skin in the process.