What’s the Best Skin Prep for a Fall Bride? The Pros Weigh In

One of the benefits of having an autumn wedding is the season’s gloriously cooler temperatures. Guests can enjoy the crisp outdoor air and brides can rest assured that makeup will stay put without the risk of melting. Of course, there’s always a flip side—for many women, the arrival of the colder weather can prove a bit of a skin challenge. As the humidity recedes, the process of getting your cleanser/toner/moisturizer ratio into perfect proportion gets trickier, meaning even the most well-thought-out beauty routine may need some adjustments. To fine-tune the process, we consulted two of our favorite experts—a facialist and a dermatologist—for tips on how to get your face in shape for the big event.

First on the to-do list is eliminating any potential skin-related anxiety by giving yourself enough of a head start to get any major issues under control. “Leading up to the special day can be stressful,” says New York facialist Georgia Louise Vassanelli (whose clients include Emma Stone and Lauren Santo Domingo). She suggests scheduling monthly facial visits for up to six months in advance of the wedding date. Appointments should include light peels and general maintenance to keep your skin looking and feeling consistently clean and fresh, especially during chilly weeks when dryness and dead-cell buildup can be an issue. If a series of pro facials isn’t in the cards, gentle at-home peels can be very effective when done every two weeks, and Vassanelli suggests exfoliating gently “at least once [every seven days]” in addition. “This will keep the skin free of congestion and allow product to penetrate.”

Manhattan dermatologist Dr. Francesca Fusco agrees that starting early and getting into a routine is your best bet, with mornings, evenings, and weekends requiring their own respective tweaks. “Mornings should include a skin type–specific cleanser, brightening moisturizer, and serum” that address skin issues you’re most worried about, whether that’s breakouts or uneven pigmentation. In the evenings she recommends “polishing with a gentle grainy cleanser, followed by an antioxidant serum or retinol and a hydrating moisturizer.” On the weekends, kick back with a book and enjoy a skin mask for extra pampering.

Both women are emphatic that switching to creamier cleansers and hydrating serums is a must when the weather turns colder. If you can, “schedule a hydro facial that will help nourish the skin with essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids,” says Vassanelli. If you experience post–Labor Day dullness, she has a fix for that as well: “Use products that contain vitamin C, such as Medik8, to brighten the skin.” Finally, on the eve of the big day, sleep with a mask—Vassanelli recommends Crème Masque Vernix by Biologique Recherche, which will help rebuild cells overnight. “You will awaken with refreshed, baby-soft skin,” she says—which doesn’t exactly sound like a bad way to kick off the wedding festivities.

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