SUPPLEMENTS

I got pretty excited pre-wedding and bought a bumper bounty of supplements to get my skin in perfect condition. Admittedly, I probably went overboard, so consequently whittled my collection down to a much tighter edit.  was a constant in my routine – it’s so good for gorgeous skin, as well as healthy nails and hair. I peppered in a few of the other products from the range (notably their collagen and antioxidants boosters) from time to time too.

Alongside that, I also consistently took  to ensure I was getting my daily dose of greens; while I did endeavour to eat well throughout wedding prep, it was a good ‘insurance policy’ fallback, especially in the lead-up to the big day when things got quite festive.

BODY

Fairly early on in my engagement, I committed to a regular body brushing routine; I’ve loved  for years, which I use every morning on dry skin before moisturising. I deal with KP, a.k.a. chicken skin, so I also incorporated the  on the backs of my arms: it contains AHAs, which help minimise the appearance of those little red dots, especially when used in conjunction with body brushing.

I’d initially contemplated having the lightest of light spray tans, but ultimately opted to skip it, despite almost every bridal beauty guide stating it as a pre-nuptial non-negotiable. I’m naturally very pale and not a self tan user usually, so it felt inauthentic for me to do so; as is often and rightly said, your bridal self should be an elevated version of your everyday self, not someone unrecognisable. So I have no tanning advice to provide, but instead urge you to not feel obliged to opt for any beauty treatment that doesn’t feel completely you (yes, even the ones mentioned here).

BODY TALK

It’s always seemed a little strange to me that even the most ardent skincare obsessives can dedicate so little time and effort to the skin on the rest of their body. But if you happened to pick up the very good practice of moisturising your body daily during lockdown, I have some great recommendations to upgrade that habit even further.

An exfoliating body lotion is an on-point addition to any body care regime: I initially became interested in the category to treat my Keratosis Pilaris or ‘chicken skin’, but find that these products also help produce gorgeously smooth skin all over. I’ve been reaching for  it boasts 10% glycolic acid to slough off dead skin cells and leave skin silky and hydrated.

If you’ve been less than angelic with adhering to your regular skincare routine during the thick of the pandemic, a few simple tweaks might help get you back into the swing of things. I’d suggest opting for a high-quality serum and treatment duo. My suggestions? My skin has been enjoying  dubbed ‘CAIS’ by its devotees. Coming from the same company behind skincare powerhouse The Ordinary, you can think of this as a souped-up version of many of that brand’s ingredient-focused offerings: this serum contains 2% GHK copper peptides, helping up collagen production – which  translates as a fresher, more youthful complexion.

A face mask is an easy and effective boost for both skin and mood; I’ve been enjoying  of late. As the name suggests, this isn’t the serum-drenched mask you might be familiar with –  it’s dry to the touch, and it comes equipped with quite comical holes to hook it over your ears so it sticks to your face. The mask operates via a biomimetic vector system: in layman’s terms, the ingredients embedded in the fabric are activated by heat and movement when it comes in contact with the skin (even better if you lightly massage it in on application). This in turn creates a comforted and hydrated skin, sans stickiness.

The covid-19 pandemic, which affects the whole world, continues and a lot of work is being done on this subject. One of the most important issues that experts have focused on since the beginning of the pandemic is the relationship between vitamin D and corona virus. Vitamin D increases the activity of white blood cells, one of the most important parts of our immune system.

Thus, it was thought that there was a link between the level of vitamin D and covid-19, the course and severity of the disease. In a study conducted by University of Chicago Medical researchers, it was found that individuals with low vitamin D levels were 2 times more likely to get the virus than those with normal levels. In other studies, it has been observed that the normal range of vitamin D levels affects the incidence and severity of the disease more positively, reduces the possibility of entering intensive care and decreases the mortality rate.

However, there is currently no evidence-based recommendation. It is considered appropriate to give supplements to smokers and alcohol users who are in the risk group for vitamin D deficiency, elderly people and those with chronic diseases. Individuals with normal vitamin D levels did not require supplements. Much more research and work is needed to speak more clearly. Nevertheless, it is useful to consult your doctor and correct the deficiency.