Do’s and Dont’s For Skin Care During Egg Freezing
If you’re going through egg freezing, your brain is probably swimming with questions like what can I eat, what supplements should I take, how do I reduce stress, and... wait, is my skincare messing with my hormones?!
Welcome to the club. 💁♀️
The truth is, when you’re pumping your body full of hormones and doing your absolute best to support egg quality, it makes sense to re-evaluate the things you’re putting on your body too—not just in it.
Here’s a breakdown of the do’s and don’ts of skincare during egg freezing to help you glow safely through your cycle.
First, the “Don’ts”
Let’s start with the things you might want to cut back on or avoid completely during your egg freezing cycle:
Don’t Use Retinoids (Yes, That Includes Retinol)
If you’re a skincare girly, this one might hurt a little.
Prescription retinoids (like tretinoin) and over-the-counter versions (like retinol or retinaldehyde) are not recommended during fertility treatments or pregnancy. Why? Because they’re part of the vitamin A family, and high doses of vitamin A have been linked to birth defects.
Even though topical retinoids absorb in very small amounts, many fertility clinics recommend avoiding them just in case, especially since you're working so hard to create the healthiest eggs possible.
Swap it with:
Bakuchiol (a plant-based alternative that’s gentler but still helps with fine lines and texture), or focus on niacinamide, peptides, and gentle acids instead.
If you’re looking for something in the months leading up to egg freezing, but don’t want to break the bank, I swear by Korean brands (try COSRX - everything they make is super solid).. Also, Beauty Pie completely crushes the non-toxic skincare game. Think: their Youthbomb Biologic Collagen Peptide Cream. Those peptides are going to bring your hormone-havocked skin back to itself.
Don’t Use Strong Chemical Peels
If you’re the type who loves an intense exfoliating moment (hello AHA/BHA peels), now might be the time to ease off. Strong peels—especially at-home versions with high acid percentages—can trigger inflammation and mess with your skin barrier.
During hormone stimulation, your skin might already be more reactive, dry, or breakout-prone. Over-exfoliating can make everything worse.
Skip for now:
Anything with over 10% glycolic acid, salicylic acid-based peels, or aggressive exfoliating pads.
These peeling pads by Beauty Pie are gentle enough to use often and, given they’re pads, they’re so seamless to use and incorporate into your routine.
Don’t Use Essential Oils Directly on Skin
Essential oils can seem “natural,” but some (like clary sage, tea tree, or lavender) are actually hormone-active and may have estrogenic or anti-androgenic effects.
While the data is mixed and most exposure through skincare is minimal, if you’re going all in on supporting your hormones, it's better to avoid concentrated essential oils applied directly to your face or body during your cycle.
Don’t Obsess Over “Toxin-Free” Buzzwords
It’s easy to fall down a rabbit hole of “clean beauty” during fertility treatment. I know I’ve gone on about non-toxic products, but it’s important to remember that not all synthetic ingredients are bad. Equally, not all “natural” ones are safe.
Instead of panicking, look for well-formulated, gentle products free from known endocrine disruptors like parabens and phthalates (especially if you’re already sensitive to those ingredients), but don’t stress over perfection.
Now, the “Do’s”
Here’s the fun part: the stuff that can actually help your skin look and feel better and support your wellness while you’re freezing your eggs.
Do Hydrate Like a Pro
Hormone meds can mess with your skin’s moisture levels. Some people find themselves suddenly super oily, while others get dry, flaky, and irritated. The best thing you can do is nourish your skin barrier.
Look for:
Hyaluronic acid
Glycerin
PS: I am OBSESSED, obsessed, obsessed (!) with this £5 moisturiser. It comes in the biggest bottle and is full of gentle urea and glycerine. It is a no-nonsense moisturiser that instantly melts into my combination skin without irritating me one bit. I literally swapped my Chanel mosituriser for this bad boy (though I also love the Chanel.) Another one of my go to’s is this calming number by - once again - Beauty Pie. It has centella asiatica, which will calm your skin all the way down.
Ceramides
Squalane
Panthenol
These ingredients will help your skin stay bouncy, calm, and dewy without any irritation.
Do Use Sunscreen (Every. Single. Day.)
Even if you're skipping your actives, never skip SPF. Hormonal changes can increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun, making you more prone to pigmentation and inflammation. Also, skin cancer isn’t cute.
Choose:
Mineral-based sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide if your skin is reactive
Fragrance-free, non-comedogenic options
SPF 30+ minimum
Bonus: a good SPF will also protect your skin if you’re using any gentle exfoliants like lactic acid or bakuchiol.
If you’re a tint girly, try Colorscience. Mineral is generally better, but if you absolutely cannot withstand the possile white cast, Beauty of Joseon obviously never let anyone down.
Do Focus on Barrier Repair
This is your skin’s time to chill. Think calming, soothing, protecting—not purging, peeling, or purifying.
Go-to ingredients:
Centella asiatica (cica)
Calendula
Niacinamide (great for redness and barrier support)
Urea (for dry patches)
Allantoin
Less drama = happier skin. And honestly, we all need less drama when jabbing ourselves with daily hormones.
Do Use Non-Toxic Body Products (If You Can)
This doesn’t mean you need to throw everything out and start from scratch. But since our skin absorbs what we put on it—and body lotions, deodorants, and shower products cover a lot of surface area—this is a good time to choose gentler, cleaner options where possible.
Try:
Fragrance-free or naturally scented body moisturizers (Pro tip: Coconut oil is anti-fungal and soothing. Just don’t put it on your face as it can be comedogenic)
Aluminum-free deodorants (I’ve tried a billion, and give this girl a solid 4/5 for my sweat-prone body.)
Simple shower gels with no synthetic dyes or parabens (We can’t find any faults with good old Sanex.)
Your body is working overtime to mature those follicles. Give it some love.
💥 What If You Break Out? (Because... Hormones)
Let’s be real—hormonal acne can show up uninvited during egg freezing. All those stimulation meds can throw your skin off balance, especially around your chin and jawline. If you’re breaking out more than usual, you’re not alone—and no, it doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong.
Here’s how to manage it gently:
Stick with non-comedogenic, fragrance-free products (CeraVe, La Roche-Posay, and The Ordinary all have great budget-friendly options).
Try niacinamide – it helps regulate oil and calm redness without being harsh.
Use a sulfur-based spot treatment instead of salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, which can be too drying. Just be aware that sulfur can stain your clothes, so make sure not to wear any favourite jumper when dabbing your face at night.)
Don’t pick! It’s hard, but inflammation + hormones + picking = hyperpigmentation that hangs around forever.
And remember: acne flare-ups during egg freezing are super common and usually settle down post-retrieval. The goal isn’t flawless skin—it’s kind, calm skin that feels good to be in.
🧖♀️ My Simple Egg-Freezing Skincare Routine
If you're wondering what a simple, fertility-safe skincare routine can look like, here’s what I did during my egg freezing cycle:
Morning:
Creamy cleanser (nothing foaming or drying) I actually mix up my own cleanser, and have been doing this for years. Just mix castor oil, grapeseed oil, some polysorbate 80 for emulsification and voila!
Hydrating toner or mist (I like rice toners)
Hyaluronic acid + niacinamide serum
Moisturiser with ceramides or squalane
SPF
Evening:
Oil cleanser + gentle cream cleanser
Rice toner or calming mist
Bakuchiol or just niacinamide serum
Moisturiser
Optional: Overnight calming balm or barrier repair mask
No retinol. No peels. No stress. Just skin that felt calm, nourished.
Final Thoughts
Going through egg freezing is a full-body experience, and your skin is part of that journey. The goal isn’t to be perfect—it’s to be intentional. You don’t need to throw away all your favorite products or buy an entirely new routine. Just focus on what helps your body feel safe, rested, and supported.
Your skin might change a bit. So will your relationship with it. That’s okay.
Because, ultimately, this isn’t just about beauty. It’s about building a future—and showing your body the care it deserves in the process.
