How to get your best skin on wedding day

The bridegroom's desire to look and feel his best on wedding day is as old as the institution of marriage itself. The procedure to rejuvenate the skin to become a healthy and have a glowing appearance is quite simple. However, it is imperative to follow a daily skin care routine, punctuated by more elaborate weekly rituals, to get the skin ready, so that you look amazing for this special day.
Here are some guidelines, which are to be followed religiously to produce the desired results.

Cleaning the interior
Smoking constricts the blood vessels and seriously limits the amount of oxygen received by all the organs of the body, including the skin.

A glass of red wine consumed occasionally can be healthy, but excessive drinking causes serious dehydration and make the skin dry and puffy.

In addition to plenty of water and healthy meals, include fresh fruit and a daily supplement of good quality multivitamins.

Sleep well at least 6 to 8 hours. Less sleep deprives your body of the vitality, which is clearly reflected in the appearance of your skin.

Caring for your face and neck
Ideally use a mild sulphate-free cleanser, which will not disturb the natural acid (pH balanced) mantle of the skin. Cleansing rids the skin of dirt, grime and excess oils. Simply wet the skin and massage in the cleanser for 2 to 3 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water.

Spray a generous mist of the toner all over the face and neck just after cleansing. Toning closes the open pores of the skin, and improves the overall tone and texture of the skin. A good quality toner is alcohol free and is based on a natural astringent, like rosewater.

Serums are indispensable for radiant skin. Apply it when your skin is still a bit damp after toning. Be sure to apply it on your neck area, which tends to show signs of neglect even sooner than the facial skin.

Apply a generous amount of a lightweight lotion on your face and neck area with gentle upward strokes.

Drinking plenty of water, getting enough sleep, and an eye care routine can go a long way to banish those stubborn under-eye circles and puffiness.

Weekly regimen
Exfoliate the skin once a week. A facial scrub with fine grains and natural alpha hydroxyl acids (like citrus oil) accelerates the shedding of the dead skin cells.

Follow a face and neck massage. You can use a generous amount of the daily serum or lotion and massage your skin with gentle, upward strokes.

Apply a mask on the face and neck, and rest while it dries. It helps in increasing the blood circulation to the skin, and blood brings with it oxygen and nutrition. Remember to moisturise after washing the mask.

Caring for your body
Make it a point to shower with lukewarm water. While cold water decreases blood flow, hot water can dehydrate the skin causing dryness and flakiness.

Decrease the duration of shower, to prevent the depletion of natural oils in the body. Apply body oil to enhance the moisture levels and softness.

Weekly regimen
Getting weekly oil massages 4 to 6 weeks prior to the wedding date will work wonders. Not only do the essential fatty acids and proteins in the oils nourish you from head to toe, but the firm motions of a good massage provides excellent relaxation. 

A head to toe body scrub once every fortnight is a great prelude to a massage. As the top layer of dead cells sheds, the skin is in the best shape to receive the maximum benefits from a massage.

(Sheetal Rawal is Founder & CEO of Apsara Skin Care, Inc. USA)