About a month before my wedding, I journeyed to three cosmetic stores in my Brooklyn neighborhood to see what each recommended to reduce fine lines and redness, and to help my skin glow.

My first stop was Sephora, where I’m not a regular.

Anna Medaris Miller

I am not someone with a skincare routine.

I wash my face and moisturize once a day with whatever’s sitting around, whether it’s my partner’s face wash, a hotel body lotion, or a sample I’ve been mailed. For 34 years, my skin hasn’t protested much. 

But leading up to my wedding in early September, I wondered if adopting even the simplest of routines would contribute to the big-day glow. It couldn’t hurt to try.  

I visited three cosmetic stores to collect their recommendations before making purchases. 

At Sephora, I met Cory, who, like all pros I talked to, recommended (at least) a face wash, serum, and moisturizer. The specific ingredients they all emphasized varied.

My skin tends toward dry over oily, which contributed to all the store reps’ advice.

Anna Medaris Miller

Cory said First-Aid Beauty’s Face Cleanser ($22) would help decrease inflammation and redness. It has ingredients like aloe to soothe skin and an antioxidant mix including licorice root white tea extracts to protect the skin from environmental stressors. In New York City, there are a lot of them. 

I tested it on my hands in a sink, and it felt creamy and slightly foamy.

I’ve never used a serum, but Cory said this one with vitamin C would get me glowing.

I loved the citrusy smell of these products.

Anna Medaris Miller

The point of a serum, which goes on after cleansing, can be to brighten the skin, reduce fine lines, reduce blemishes, and  hydrate. Adding one step between cleansing and moisturizing seemed doable, but I wasn’t sure the Banana Bright product was worth the $65 price tag. 

For a moisturizer, Cory suggested Dr. Jart+’s Ceramidin Cream, …….

Source: https://www.insider.com/3-step-skincare-routine-before-wedding-made-my-skin-glow-2021-9