The Six Week Bridal Beauty Prep PART TWO Cleansing & Exfoliating

You have still six weeks to go and I hope you enjoyed part one, on how to get your Body glowing. Let's focus on the delicate skin of your face next. Without question, everyone can benefit from regular exfoliation by using products with AHA (alpha hydroxy acid such as glycolic and lactic acids) or BHA (beta hydroxy acid, also known as salicylic acid). Each provides multiple benefits, including fighting signs of aging and breakouts! Stick to products free of unneccessary synthetic fragrance and always ready the label!

GET THAT GLOW! Yay for AHA & BHA

Exfoliate once a week with a gentle AHA and/or BHA peel. This is my personal routine, some people prefer to use a mild exfoliation daily or every other day, everyone is different. My skin looks best when I exfoliate 1-2 times a week. There are pads, gels, masks and cremes containing fruit enzymes, glycolic, lactic or mandelic acids, some products use a combination of different AHA' s. AHAs are preferred for sun-damaged and dry skin because they exfoliate on the surface of skin and have the added benefit of also improving moisture content. If you are prone to break outs use a BHA product that contains Salicylic Acid. BHA is preferred for oily, acne-prone skin and for treating blackheads and white bumps because BHA can get through the oil that's clogging your pores, normalizing the lining of the misshapen pore that contributes to acne.BHA has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial action. Those are two more reasons to use a BHA exfoliant if you have acne or sensitive, reddened skin. Both AHA and BHA work to reduce fine lines, stimulate collagen, and firm the skin. There is no need to to physically rub and scrub and your skin when using these products, they work by gently loosing up the "glue" in between the dead skin cells, so that the old skin can come off without any damage to your skin. You will be left with a radiant glow. One of my favourite ever exfoliating masks is by Tata Harper, it gives instant radiance and is very gentle. It smells heavenly and the jelly texture is so fun. I had the chance to meet the wonderful Tata in person in London and have been a fan of her products since. The resurfacing mask is available in Australia via Lulu&Lipstick, an awesome selection of beauty products from around the world that are hard to get in Australia.

NAY to scrubs Many scrubs have a rough and uneven texture that can cause skin damage by tearing into the skin, causing tiny tears that damage the skin's barrier. Scrubs often cause more problems than they could possibly solve. If you do want to use a manual scrub, you can simply use a gentle washcloth with your daily cleanser, which works just as well to exfoliate the surface of skin as any cosmetic scrub you can buy. As a bonus, washcloths are softer (thus gentler) and of course they don't contain pore-clogging ingredients that oily, acne-prone skin doesn't need. With all types of exfoliation comes sun sensitivity, mainly because there are fewer layers of cells as protection so be mindful of using your sunscreen and staying out of the sun while it’s at its strongest. For daily cleansing I recommend a very gentle cleansing milk, oil or balm that doesn't strip the skin. If you are a fan of natural cosmetics or got very sensitive skin, try using pure organic coconut oil as makeup remover. Another gentle and fabulous option to clean your skin is the Clearisonic. Use the sensitive skin brush heads, they are the best choice from my experience. I have the "Mia" which is a travel friendly version and I looooove it. If you prefer a foaming wash for your face make sure you will buy one without any harsh detergents like SLS or synthetic fragrances. For makeup junkies and daily foundation wearers I recommend a double cleanse: Step 1: Removing Makeup with an oil based cleanser. Step 2: Cleanser appropriate for your skin type

Do you need professional help? Trust your own judgement. Does your skin respond well to your home treatments and is clear and soft most of the time? Well then keep doing whatever you are doing and invest in good products for your home routine. Once you turn 30, it is wise to get a professional peel or microdermabrasion (if your skin is not sensitive and thick) treatment every other month to encourage cell turnover and keep your complexion clean, bright and youthful. With all acids, my recommendation is to make sure you stay under a 25% concentration. Over the counter products will always be 10% or lower, however if you get a professional facial, request a percentage that is no higher than 25%. This way you are ensuring a good result without too much irritation. Stay away from strong, medical peels that reach the dermis, which is the living part of your skin underneath the epidermis. In my opinion, those types of treatments are too invasive and do more bad than good by causing intense edema [inflammation] of the dermis, which ultimately ages your skin.

Other things to do 6 weeks out: If you haven't already done it, this is a good time frame for your hair & makeup trial with your makeup artist and hairstylist for the wedding day. Schedule in other beauty appointments like your regular cut & color, eyebrow appointments etc. Get your beauty sleep, eat well, worry less, move more. Be Happy :)