Wedding Prep Skin Hacks

We checked in with the co-founders of the cult-worthy The Clinic Bondi to find out how to prep your skin for your wedding.

When it comes to the whole wedding thing, the to-do list is long. From your first look to the last dance, it’s a lot. One thing I hadn’t thought about, though, was skin.

Which is weird. Because in our collective search history, and on our minds, RN in no particular order: skin cycling and slugging (thanks TikTok), glazed doughnut complexion (Hailey Bieber), the obsession with peels - all of it, in search of clean-feel skin. The kind of skin our teenage selves dreamed of but never quite managed to wrangle. The no-makeup-needed look.

Add to that, the photos that are going to follow you around for (hopefully) a few years, and it’s time to do a little more than just Google.

So, we checked in with Kaye Scott and Lisa Sullivan Smith, co-founders of the cult-worthy The Clinic Bondi.

Keep it (super) simple

Scott and Sullivan Smith’s philosophy is simple: less is more. don’t overcomplicate it. (could have used this advice when planning my actual event?).

“Don’t underestimate the power of getting the right basics. Great skin starts with the basics.”

Like, finding a cleanser and moisturiser that suits your skin - and sticking to them.

“While this doesn’t seem like a big step, the impact on having the right basics will show immediate and long-term improvements to your skin.“

It’s this KISS-esque approach that appealed to me. I needed some advice I could actually apply, as a Mum to a babe who rarely sleeps I am VERY used to seeing the best laid plans unfurl. I needed simple routines I couldn’t slip out of, and effective appointments that did exactly as advertised.

“With a plethora of skin treatments and information, the best approach to start correcting your skin is to start with a skin consultation.”
But this doesn’t always mean a complete overhaul and most of your pay packet.

Great skin, Scott and Sullivan Smith tell us, always starts with a great base. More specifically (yes, I needed details), “You want to ensure you are using the correct skin care products and following that introduce chemical peels to your routine to help with cellular turnover, pigmentation and sebaceous activity.”

@skinwithmads

The ingredients you need in your routine

So when it comes to at-home skincare, what are the must-have ingredients to look out for?

“The best ingredients for at home skin care include:

Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) - To help control hormonal breakouts
Hyaluronic – To help restore moisture in the skin
Salicylic acid – Is a BHA – An exfoliating acid. Dissolves skin debris that clogs pores and has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.
Mandelic acid – Is an AHA – accelerates cell turnover, promotes collagen production and regulates sebum production.”

But, there are traps for young players -

“Don’t over stimulate the skin! Skincare products are not a one-size-fits-all. At The Clinic, we always recommend coming in for a skin consultation to discuss your skincare goals and what ingredients will help to improve the quality of your skin.”

@georgiafowler

The lead time

So, how far in advance should you start planning your wedding day skin?

They tip six to 12 months out from the big day is a safe bet.

“This will provide enough time to make immediate and long-term changes to your skin. For brides and grooms that are time-poor, there are treatments we can do closer to the wedding to still ensure you're feeling your best, rejuvenated self in time for the wedding.”

(At the time of this interview, I had just under six weeks and now all of a sudden, the wedding is in a matter of days … better late than never though surely?)

The #1 treatment (that should be) on everyone’s list

At the top of their list is IPL, a favourite in-salon treatment.

“We love IPL because it can treat a number of skincare concerns with no social down time. The benefits of IPL that make it such a great go to treatment are that it can effectively treat:

Freckles, sunspots, and hyperpigmentation
Broken capillaries
Rosacea and diffused redness
Uneven colouring
Acne as the light energy destroys bacteria colonising your skin resulting in breakouts”

It’s not, though, appropriate for all skin types, so be sure to book a consult before. After just one session my skin felt completely new. How many more, I asked, would I need?

“The number of IPL sessions is dependent on the individual, what their skin concerns are, is it sun damage? PIH or overall rejuvenation? And how much improvement they are looking to achieve? On average, for the best results, we recommend a series of three IPL sessions. The bride or groom should have their last IPL session two weeks before their wedding day. This is because this treatment will cause pigmentation to darken initially as the melanin in the skin is being deconstructed.”

The to-do list – other hints

For the time-poor bride or groom, Scott and Sullivan Smith tip the following go-to’s:

Try an at-home peel. The right one will decongest, brighten, exfoliate and hydrate your skin.
Treat yourself and book a treatment in. In our wish list? THE CLINIC’s Hyrdafoil Facial.
Use a peptide eye mask the night before the wedding day and use a peptide eye mask the morning off. This will help depuff under eyes, hydrate and soothe the skin.