As a low-maintenance bride, I wanted everything to be the least fussy as possible, including my get-ready routine. Since I was doing my makeup instead of hiring a makeup artist, I knew prioritizing my skincare leading up to the big day would help keep me from looking crusty or dusty. 

Sticking with tried and true products is essential to avoid surprise skin flare-ups. Still, a few days before the wedding, I treated myself to a facial at Heyday, a skincare shop for personalized treatments. To my dismay, the esthetician broke the news that my skin was slightly dehydrated. I wasn’t panicked, but I did feel a tiny sensation of shame because I knew my water intake had dropped during the busyness of prepping for the wedding. Seating charts and entertaining guests who flew in early occupied my mind, not how many glasses of water I drank daily. 

Dehydrated skin, a temporary condition, is not the same as having a dry skin type. A dry skin type is a permanent condition when the skin lacks water and lipids, making it red, irritated, and sometimes scaly. Skin that is dehydrated has an epidermis layer that lacks water, causing the skin to be dull, itchy, or have an increased appearance of dark under-eye circles and wrinkles.  All skin types risk dehydration at some point. Beyond not drinking enough water, several factors can cause it, including stress, alcohol, smoking, cold weather and pollution, cosmetic products that dry out the skin, and certain medications such as harsh acne treatments.  

It turns out my skin is thirsty all year-round. At my Heyday appointment, I learned that not only was my skin dehydrated, but I also have a skin type that is a dry-normal combination. Since then, I’ve prioritized drinking more water and being extra mindful of the skincare I use.

Here are five products you can use leading up to, on, and after your wedding day to keep your skin hydrated, supple, and luminous. Each of them is suitable for all skin types.

Biossance Squalane + Amino Aloe Gentle Cleanser