Are you planning a weekend escape or a dinner party for your birthday? Everyone wants glowing and healthy skin when you have something special happening like birthday. When preparing for a big event, you might be tempted to try a new treatment or use a new skincare product within one or two days of your birthday. However, these attempts at getting a glowing complexion often lead to red or irritated skin, or worse, unexpected breakouts. Thus, the key to obtaining healthy, beautiful skin during your birthday week is to not do more but to do the right things at the right time. Using a basic, consistent skincare routine will leave you with fresh and well hydrated skin that will be ready for those camera shots without putting extra stress on your skin.
Read this guide to learn more about the perfect skincare routine for your birthday.
A Week Before
To prepare your skin for the big day, start establishing a basic routine at least one week in advance, which consists of cleansing, moisturizing the face, using sunscreen every day, and applying a hydrating serum. If you have dry skin, use a hydrating serum with hyaluronic acid and glycerin to increase moisture levels in your skin. After all, well-hydrated skin will look smoother, fuller, and more radiant.
This is also a great time to focus on your everyday habits to promote healthy skin. Start by drinking plenty of water, getting 7-8 hours of sleep per night, and eating a balanced diet that includes plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, and healthy fats. Making these small lifestyle changes will help improve how your skin looks in just a few days! Along with that, avoid trying new products at this time because if you experience a reaction, there may not be enough time for your skin to recover before the D-day!
4-5 Days Before
Gentle exfoliation prior to the birthday celebration can help get rid of off dull-looking skin that may be present on the surface of the skin. However, it is not recommended to use harsh exfoliants to scrub your skin as they may damage the skin barrier. That being said, there are many chemical exfoliants with varying degrees of strength that can be used, such as lactic acid, mandelic acid, and salicylic acid, that are effective in removing dull skin. Most people need to exfoliate only once per week, so make sure you don’t exfoliate too much, as it can weaken the barrier of the skin, resulting in increased irritation. If you have been receiving regular skincare treatments from licensed professionals, this would also be the perfect time to schedule an appointment for a HydraFacial or other gentle facials. You should get the facial 3-4 days before your birthday, in case any temporary redness or irritation occurs. This will give your skin time to rejuvenate and appear naturally radiant by the time you celebrate your birthday.
2-3 Days Before
At this point, many people panic and start adding multiple serums, masks, and other trending products into their skincare routine. However, this is a big no! Stick with products you already use and focus on keeping your skin hydrated! For instance, if you use vitamin C serum during the day, continue to use it during the day for brightness and protection from environmental damage. You can also use a nourishing moisturizer at night that strengthens your skin barrier and a hydrating sheet mask which will leave your skin feeling great. Moreover, except in cases of specific advice from your dermatologist, you should avoid using strong chemical peels, microneedling, or laser treatments in the days leading up to your event.
On the Day
Remember, your only task on the morning of your birthday should be to protect and hydrate your skin. Use a mild cleanser, apply a lightweight, hydrating serum and a moisturizer. Lastly, apply an SPF sunscreen even if you will be spending time inside, since you can still get exposed to UV damage even when indoors. Once your skincare products have been absorbed completely, apply your makeup with light-wear, non-comedogenic products to make it look as smooth as possible without weighing down your skin. In addition, if you have outdoor events planned for your birthday, don't forget to carry your sunscreen with you and reapply throughout the day. Finally, keep in mind that glowing skin, does not have to be perfect. A healthy skin barrier that has been hydrated properly will look more natural than any amount of product that has been applied to the skin!