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Moon Phases: Lunar Beauty Rituals
How the Moon Affects Us
A complete lunar cycle is approximately 29.5 days long and includes four main phases (new, waxing, waning, full).
It is widely known that the moon has strong influence over the ocean tides, especially during each new and full moon. But did you know the moon also has an affect on us? With humans being around 60% water, it often hypothesized that the moon affects us at the gravitational level.
In fact, there are studies that demonstrate that the full moon is associated with decrease in sleep quality [1]. There is also a study out of Rhode Island Hospital that concluded that the odds of patients dying following an aortic dissection (a type of heart surgery) were greatly reduced if the surgery was performed during the waning full moon. [2] Another study from Barcelona, Spain in 2004 found that bleeding increases during the full moon phase, but more studies are needed to further clarify the moons influence on this phenomenon. [3]
Syncing Your Skincare Routine with the Lunar Phases
The practice of syncing your skincare with the lunar cycles can foster a deeper connection to nature, your skin and your own inner world.
For those who are interested in the moon, love the moon, and are fascinated by the incredible natural power it holds, these skincare routines and rituals are for you!
New Moon Skin Ritual Detoxification + Release Time to detoxify
Time to detoxify
During a new moon, the Moon is not visible in the sky, as it is positioned between the Earth and the Sun.
The new moon represents a fresh start. During this time, energy is said to be at its lowest, asking us to set our intentions, release what no longer serves us and embrace renewal.
Skincare ritual:
- Reach for gentle exfoliation with products and ingredients like kaolin or pink clay, turmeric + raw honey, or fine ground sugar scrubs
-
Follow up with soothing moisturization to prepare for the moon’s growth phase
Crystals for new moon energetic work:
- Clear quartz (cleanses and amplifies intentions)
- Labradorite (emotional health & spiritual growth)
- Moonstone (emotional balancing & enhances intuition)
Waxing Moon Phase Routine Growth + Nourishment Time to nourish
Time to nourish
During a waxing moon, energy begins to build as the moon transitions into its full illumination.
It is said that during a waxing moon our energy and circulation increases. This is therefore a time of absorption, making it a great time to dial in on nutrient dense ingredients.
Skincare ritual:
-
Use a serum or moisturizer that utilizes vitamins and botanical ingredients like:
- coq10
- mango butter
- hyaluronic acid
- prickly pear oil
- avocado oil and,
-
sea buckthorn fruit extract
Crystals for waxing moon:
- Citrine (stone of abundance, prosperity and business success)
- Green aventurine (wealth stone and heals the heart space)
- Jade (good luck stone and balances emotions)
- Carnelian (creativity, sexual healing)
Full Moon Skincare Routine Radiance + Sensitivity Time to soothe
Time to soothe
The full moon represents completion. During this time there is heightened energy, emotional intensity and increased intuition.
While this time the skin can look more radiant, it can be more prone to sensitivity and reactivity.
Skincare ritual:
- Reach for products that include ingredients like lavender and roman chamomile oil or even calendula extract to soothe the skin
-
Reach for a moisturizer or serum that includes oat oil, ceramides, squalane or calendula
Crystals for full moon energetic work:
- Citrine (stone of abundance, prosperity and business success)
- Amethyst (soothes the nervous system)
- Clear quartz (amplifies intentions & cleanses)
Waning Moon Phase Ritual Repair + Let go Time to cleanse
Time to cleanse
During the waning moon, energetically it is a time to let go and release. Physically it is said that the body goes into elimination mode, making it a good time for exfoliation and lymphatic drainage.
Skincare ritual:
- Do gentle massages on the face and neck to increase circulation
- Dry brush your body before a shower
- Take an epsom salt bath to increase circulation and encourage gentle detoxification
- Reach for products with restorative and balancing ingredients like oat oil, calendula, aloe vera, meadowfoam oil, chamomile, tea tree oil, and rose oil
-
Smudge your home with sage while keeping the windows open, eliminating old and stagnant energy
Crystals for waning moon energetic work:
- Black tourmaline (removes negative energy)
- Smokey quartz (removes negative energy)
- Amethyst (soothing to the nervous system)
-
Selenite (purifying and cleansing)
Attuning to the Cycles of the Moon
As humans we are cyclical creatures due to our connection to the Earth's natural rhythms like the seasons and our own internal clocks like a woman's menstruation and the sleep/wake cycle. Living in harmony with the moon is nothing new. In fact, it is a very natural and deeply human ritual stemming back to the times of antiquity.
So next time you look at the moon you can ask yourself:
- What does my skin need?
- What energetically do I need to release?
- How can I care for my spirit and my body?
The Author : Adisa May
Adisa May is the founder of Adisa May Skincare, a line that utilizes botanical ingredients to create gentle effective formulations. Prior to becoming a beauty entrepreneur she was a lawyer who practiced criminal law Downtown Toronto. Through her research-backed and spiritually guided insights, Adisa shares knowledge and routines that aim to support long term skin and health wellness.
[1] Cajochen, C., Altanay-Ekici, S., Münch, M., Frey, S., Knoblauch, V., & Wirz-Justice, A. (2013). Evidence that the lunar cycle influences human sleep. Current Biology : CB, 23(15), 1485–1488.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23891110/
[2] Lunar cycle affects cardiac patients undergoing acute aortic dissection: Waning and full moon cycles impact length of stay, mortality. (2013, July 13). ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/07/130715141816.htm
[3] Román, E. M., Soriano, G., Fuentes, M., Gálvez, M. L., & Fernández, C. (2004). The influence of the full moon on the number of admissions related to gastrointestinal bleeding. International Journal of Nursing Practice, 10(6), 292–296. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-172x.2004.00492.x