Following the emerging inner spring energy of the follicular phase comes ovulation, your Inner Summer. If the energy of the menstrual cycle is that of your Inner Winter, the ultimate yin, when we go inward to rest, restore, tend, and get quiet, Ovulation holds the exact opposite energy: yang, expansive, social, and all about outward connection.
Associated with the Full Moon and the Fire element, this is a time when your energy typically peaks and your body attunes with the playful, social, fun, and flirty energetics of Summer. You feel luminous, energized. You are the flame to which the proverbial moth gets drawn.
So what's going on as far as your hormones during ovulation?
During ovulation, luteinizing hormone (LH) triggers the release of the egg and estrogen levels that had been rising during your follicular phase now peak.
Everything is heightened during ovulation. Even your senses! You likely have naturally higher energy levels and things tend to feel a bit more effortless. You're likely to feel confident, assertive, and your mood feels the most stable in this phase than it does during the other three.
From the outside, you seem more approachable and friendly. This is a time for socializing, networking, teaching, doing a presentation, and harnessing your communication skills. Now is the time to reach out to others in your field to set up collaborations, make that pitch you've had in the back of your mind, or meet with your boss about that promotion you've had your eye on.
The high estrogen levels around ovulation often result in glowing, healthy-looking skin due to enhanced collagen production and better moisture retention. Pores may also appear smaller, and skin texture is often smoother. You look and likely feel radiant!*
Supporting your skin during the ovulation phase, when estrogen levels peak, can help you take advantage of the natural benefits of this hormonal stage. Here are some tips to optimize and support your skin's health during this time to maximize radiance and focus on protection from damage:
During ovulation, focusing more intently on moisturizing and hydrating can be beneficial.
Since your skin is already holding moisture more effectively, any moisture and hydration you weave into your skincare ritual is more likely to be retained as you head into your luteal and menstrual phases over the coming weeks. Harness your skin's better moisture retention by bringing more humectants into your skincare routine. Look for ingredients like honey, glycerin, tremella mushroom (which contains high levels of naturally occurring hyaluronic acid), or aloe.
High levels of antioxidants both inside and out will support your skin's collagen production, protect it from UV damage and free radicals, and brighten the skin. There is naturally a higher rate of cellular turnover during ovulation and antioxidants are essentially skin food for these new cells offering vital nourishment and protection.
If your skin responds well to exfoliation, this is a great time to do so gently.
Use a mild, enzyme-based exfoliant to support this cellular turnover and promote a smooth texture that your skin is naturally geared toward during this phase.
What you consume is just as important as what you put on your skin. High levels of antioxidants in your diet will not only feed your skin cells, but they will also provide anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation is one of the root causes of chronic inflammatory skin conditions, including acne, rosacea, and eczema. Make sure to get a variety of color as well as plenty of healthy fats and protein to keep your blood sugar balanced.
So, what might your skincare ritual look like during ovulation? Here are some ideas:
Cleanse with Sanctum Cleansing Milk or Vesper Cleansing Oil to maintain the skin’s moisture balance without stripping natural oils.
After cleansing, or even in place of cleansing in the morning, use Verbeia Calming Tonic or Rose Hydrosol to deeply hydrate your skin as well as balance the pH of your skin after cleansing.
While your skin is still damp from hydrosol, apply Solis Antioxidant Serum. This serum is light enough that it won't clog pores or cause any congestion, plus it has a beautifully balanced ratio of oils that help protect your skin from sun damage and plant extracts that address any existing environmental damage. It's also our essential-oil free serum, so it's great for folks who have more sensitive skin or prefer to avoid essential oils for any reason.
On days when your skin is feeling more dry or if you need some extra protection, use Aura Face Balm after Solis to help seal in moisture, prevent transdermal water loss, and protect your skin from the UV damage. It has a very light blend of skin-soothing essential oils along with pearl powder and plant extracts to address skin tone and texture.
Lastly, I recommend using our Mel Honey Mask during ovulation. I really like applying it before getting in the shower, letting it sit on my skin for awhile while I wash my hair, etc., and then rinse it off with warm water and a washcloth. Your skin should feel moisturized and nourished without having that "squeaky clean" feel.
This mask is a very unique formula that combines raw honey, which contains natural enzymes to gently exfoliate, plants high in vitamin C and other antioxidants, and some nourishing oils and Ucuuba butter to offer gentle enzymatic brightening.
If your increased socializing during this phase takes you outdoors, be mindful about sun exposure. Use a mineral-based SPF during peak hours and wear a hat and protective clothing when possible. At the same time, remember the sun is life-giving and essential for our health on so many levels. Revel in all forms of natural light including the sun, camp fires, and candlelight! This phase is all about harnessing your Inner Summer, after all.
While the follicular phase is about preparing and maintaining healthy skin through gentle moisture and hydration, the ovulation phase is about maximizing the skin's natural radiance and protecting it during its peak condition. Slightly intensifying hydration and exfoliation during ovulation can help enhance the skin's glow, while antioxidants and environmental protection remain crucial throughout both phases to support overall skin health and prevent damage.
Lifestyle Tips:
Immediately following ovulation, progesterone levels begin to rise, setting the stage for the luteal phase. Ovulation is the primary way our bodies produce progesterone, which is secreted from the corpus luteum. Progesterone is essential for healthy bones, brain function, optimal metabolism, mood stabilization, and more. Ovulation is not just about reproduction and, therefore, should not only be tended to if you are trying to or planning on conceiving. It's a vital sign of your health during the years when conception is possible.
Why am I telling you this in a blog post that's intended to talk about skincare during ovulation?
Because if we want to approach skincare through a holistic lens, which we do, we need to remember it's all connected. You need to tend to your whole body as well as your whole system: your physical, energetic, and emotional bodies. Self-care throughout your menstrual cycle means not only are you adjusting your skincare according to your body's signals, you're also modifying your approach to rest, food, exercise, your social life, and, in general, what you say yes and no to.
So, to set yourself up for an easeful and healthy cycle, during ovulation, here are our top recommendations:
- Consume antioxidant-rich foods such as berries, nuts, and leafy greens, to support skin health from the inside out.
- Drink plenty of mineralized water or herbal teas to keep your skin hydrated and support overall health.
- Prioritize getting 7-9 hours of sleep to support skin repair and regeneration. During the ovulation phase, good sleep can enhance the natural glow and health of your skin.
- Continue to practice ways to regulate your nervous system so that you aren't always in a state of sympathetic dominance.
- You may notice you have more energy and feel pulled toward exercise with higher levels of exertion. This is a great time to do HIIT, running, cycling, and weight training because your energy levels are naturally higher and you can sustain more energetic output.
Most importantly, your menstrual cycle is just one portal through which you can attune to your inner rhythms. You want your skincare to reflect your skin's inner tides, supporting its natural ebb and flow, not going against it. Ideally, your skincare feels like its in partnership with your skin, your body, your inner knowing.
Listen and follow your rhythm, trust your skin to communicate about what it needs, observe any potential impulse to quiet your skin's symptoms and instead, listen first. What is your skin telling you? This inner listening is one way to build trust in your body's messages.
*If you're experiencing breakouts during this time, excess estrogen could be the cause. Make sure you're supporting your lymphatic and digestive systems to help your body naturally eliminate excess estrogen. Daily bowel movements, blood sugar regulation, and walking are wonderful places to start!