One thing i get asked about on a regular basis is for skincare tips. specifically for affordable options that you can buy at a normal drugstore. There are so many options, brands and recommended ingredients on the market. So today I’m sharing some of my skincare tips as I get ready for our wedding!

Wedding Skincare Prep

Surprise, we’re getting married! If you didn’t already know… we got engaged in July in Cabo! So far, we haven’t done a ton of planning. But we are headed to Mexico in a few days to pick a venue & set a date! We’re looking at Winter 2020, which gives us a little over a year to plan!

One of the first things I started thinking about after we got engaged is skincare. Leading up to the big day, there are going to be so many parties and photos taken. I really want to feel confident and not self-conscious about my skin. So, jumping into a pre wedding routine for flawless skin has been vital.

I’ve struggled with hyperpigmentation for about a decade. Basically, pigmentation is the coloring of a person’s skin. Some people’s encounter a change in color, becoming darker (hyperpigmentation) or lighter (hypopigmentation). My main goal is to get my hyperpigmentation under control for our wedding day. That way I’m not stressed out hoping my makeup artist can put layers of concealer on it to hide it. Or feel like our photographer has to edit my skin in our wedding photos.

Hyperpigmentation in skin is caused by an increase in melanin, the substance in the body that is responsible for color (pigment). Certain conditions can cause a greater production of melanin and hyperpigmentation. Exposure to sunlight is a major cause of hyperpigmentation and will darken already hyperpigmented areas.

Hyperpigmentation can also be caused by various drugs.

I personally have struggled with endometriosis and noticed areas of hyperpigmentation on my forehead after trying a type of hormone replacement. After it appeared, I got of the medication, but the spot on my forehead stayed. Since then, it’s been a constant struggle to attempt to lighten the spots and stay out of the sun (so it doesn’t get worse).

When Olay reached out to me to their new Retinol24 line, I was kind of in shock by how perfect the timing was. It was like someone read my mind! I wanted to try something new that could not only help counteract some of the hyperpigmentation but help give my skin an extra boost.

What’s Retinol?

Did you know retinol is the most searched skin care ingredient on Google? It’s also the #1 most recommended ingredient by dermatologists. There are thousands and thousands of retinol products. But what exactly are benefits of retinol?

One thing that I found interesting in researching retinol is that more than half of women who tried using retinol gave up after less than a month of using it. I’m definitely one of those women. I honestly get so frustrated with skincare products, especially when I don’t see results. Or, if they’re super expensive. It’s hard to justify spending hundreds of dollars on something that you don’t see results from.

What’s the deal with Olay Retinol24?

Ok, I did a ton of research on this topic. One because I’m super skeptical of everything skincare related. And two – because I don’t want to post about something that doesn’t work or isn’t realistic. I don’t spend $300 on a serum, so I don’t expect you guys to.

Olay created the Retinol24 line to give women visible improvements in fine lines & wrinkles, smoothness, brightness, firming, dark spots, and pores. The Retinol24 collection was formulated with a combination of B3 + Olay’s Retinoid Complex, including two types of retinol.

Retinol24 is optimized for potency and skin penetration. It also gives your skin 24 hours of hydration and virtually no irritation.

What I Like About Retinol24

• After using the line for about a month, I can safely say I didn’t experience any irritation. I have really sensitive skin. And I didn’t experience any dryness, itchiness, random breakouts, etc.
• I like that it pulls double duty. Most retinols don’t provide quick results. Not only did my skin feel really hydrated, I noticed my skin started looking a lot brighter in one day (aka 24 hours). Meaning I actually saw results really quickly.
• Olay’s retinol products are only $28.99. That’s literally a fraction of the cost of other retion products – that don’t even work as well.
• You can use the Retinol Serum (apply this after cleansing), Retinol Moisturizer (to replace your daily moisturizer) and Retinol Eye Cream (which you apply after the moisturizer). You just pick one to add to your routine, it’s not recommended to use all three at once!
• It’s not greasy. It didn’t leave my skin looking like I rubbed olive oil all over it, which is always a plus. I have fairly dry skin, but I think it would be great for oily skin as well since it’s so lightweight.
• You can use it every day. I hate products that tell you to use them 2 times a week or some random interval. My brain can’t remember that. I need something predictable that I can work into my daily routine.
• I actually have seen a difference in my hyperpigmentation. Enough of a change that I actually plan on sticking with it and using it over the next few months to get my skin wedding ready and glowing.

How to Use Retinol in Your Skincare Routine

Like I mentioned, you can literally use it daily. I swapped it out for other beauty products I was previously using. My nighttime beauty routine normally consists of night time serum, moisturizer & eye cream.

I recommend putting them on before bed. After you cleanse your face, apply the serum. Let it settle into your skin. I like to apply and then brush my teeth. Then, put on the moisturizer & lightly pat on some eye cream.

Get your Retinol24 products here!

Want more wedding content or tips? Let me know what you want to see or any wedding planning questions you have!