Sun’s out in London: What You Should Know Before You Glow

Written By Asha .

PSA: You’re still gorgeous even if you’re a ghost. Anyways, the sun is out, the Aperol spritzes are flowing. You’re finally unearthing your arms from under three layers of knitwear. Hot Girl Summer is around the corner.

But before you slather on that fake tan and get ready to embarrass yourself at bottomless brunch (again), it’s worth pausing for a sec. Some of our favourite summer beauty rituals might actually be doing a bit of a number on our health — and yes, even our fertility.

Be reminded: Your skin is your largest organ. Like, it’s up there with your liver and heart, but somehow gets left out of the chat unless someone on TikTok mentions “skin barrier” damage.

Your skin is basically one giant sponge. It absorbs everything you slap onto it — the good, the bad, and the suspiciously coconut-scented.

So before we dive headfirst into a bottle of Bondi Sands (and we’ll be honest, we love our bottle), let's chat about how to keep summer skin rituals fun and fertility-friendly. Spoiler: You might want to rethink that bargain bronzer.

Moisturiser: We Need It (But Let’s Not Marinate In Endocrine Disruptors)

There’s nothing worse than slipping into something strappy and realising your elbows are still serving "lost-in-the-Sahara" energy.

We love a moisturiser. But — and it’s a big but — it’s often not the moisturiser itself that's the problem. It's what’s hidden inside. You know how perfume-laden candles make your whole flat smell like Zara Home? Turns out, that same chemical cocktail isn’t amazing for your skin either.

Fragrance = Fertility Red Flag

That innocent-sounding “parfum” on your bottle? It could contain hundreds of mystery chemicals, including phthalates. And these are strongly linked to hormone disruption and reduced fertility. (Source: Environmental Health Perspectives, 2018).

I.e. Your moisturiser could be sneakily messing with your hormones — and you don’t need that.

Fertility-Safe Moisturisers You Can Actually Trust

Luckily, there are moisturisers out there fighting the good fight that are both effective and safe for our female bodies. Now, we won’t lie - they were hard to come by. But at least you know they exist.

Top Tip: Look for "fragrance-free", "paraben-free" and brands that don’t sound like a Shoreditch pop-up made entirely of greenwashing.

Body Oils: Channel Your Inner 90s Supermodel (Without the Baby Oil Disaster)

If you’re serious about summer glow, it’s time to ditch the lotion and get on the oil train — think Cindy Crawford, not "lying on tin foil in the back garden" energy.

Top picks for fertility-friendly oils:

  • Almond oil – basically liquid gold for your skin.

  • Jojoba oil – acts like your skin’s best mate, keeping everything balanced.

  • Rosehip oil – antioxidants for days.

Pro tip: combine some of these oils for an incredible face wash.

How To Use It (Without Greasing Up Your Sofa)

Slather it on immediately after a shower, when you're still a bit damp. It’ll absorb better, and you won’t end up sliding off your couch like a greased seal. (Though I’m sure your friends would love to witness this.)

Bonus Activity: While you're oiling up, give yourself a proper look in the mirror. Tell your body she’s a queen. Thank her for carrying you through hangovers, heartbreaks, and horrific Hinge dates. She’s earned it.

Shea Butter

Shea butter is like that girl in your friendship group who always has flawless skin but claims to only "drink loads of water." But that’s because shea butter is an all-around winner. She’s nourishing. She’s packed with vitamins A and E, and - can I get an applause - she’s 100% fertility-friendly.

The only downside? In UK temperatures, it’s basically a brick. You’ll need to warm it up in your hands like you're prepping dough for a pizza. Worth it though — your skin will feel boujee.

If you find pure shea butter too heavy, you can look for whipped versions that are lighter and easier to spread.

What about hair removal? What’s fertility-safe?

We love that you ask. The good news? Shaving, waxing, IPL — whatever you’re doing to get summer-body-ready (or not — no judgement), you might be wondering: is it safe for fertility?

Shaving and Shaving Gel = Road is clear

Shaving’s fine. Shaving gel is fine.
The gel washes off before it gets a chance to do any damage, so unless you’re literally bathing in Veet for six hours (read: don’t do this), you’re good.

A Word On Going Full Bush

FYI, pubic hair does have a biological purpose: it protects your vaginal microbiome. But whether you choose Hollywood, Brazilian, or Full Amazon, it's your body, your choice — and no, it’s not going to wreck your fertility either way.

IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) Hair Removal: Safe or …?

Those little zaps look dodgy, don’t they? But don’t stress.
IPL only affects the hair follicles at the surface level — it doesn’t reach anywhere near your ovaries. (Source: Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2016).

Just make sure you go to a reputable clinic and not "Mark’s Hair Be Gone" operating out of a kitchen extension in Croydon.

PS: This Braun IPL device saved us our monthly trips to our waxer. You’re welcome.

Fake Tan: The Good, The Bad, The Toxic

No offence, but if you're still using tanning beds in 2025, we’re going to have words. Sunbeds = DNA damage, cancer risk, accelerated ageing...the list goes on. Repeat with me: My body is a temple, I am not a rotisserie chicken.

Thankfully, most of us got the memo and will be turning to our favourite spray tan or bottle of bronzing mousse.  Regrettably, many formulas still pack a chemical punch. The key ingredient, DHA, is fine on the skin but inhaling aerosolised DHA (hello spray tans) isn’t ideal.  And, like moisturisers, a lot of fake tan have chemical components that just aren’t good for us, scaling real high on EWG’s toxicity score.

Luckily, there are some safe(er) fake tan choices. Here are some ideas that rank low on reproductive health concerns.

How Toxic Chemicals Affect Fertility: What You Need To Know

OK, let’s get into the serious tea for a minute — because understanding the why behind it all makes it so much easier to care about the small switches.

The Basics: Hormones Are Everything

When it comes to fertility (and surviving your luteal phase without crying over an ad for dishwasher tablets), hormones are everything:

  • Oestrogen helps eggs mature.

  • Progesterone supports early pregnancy.

  • FSH and LH control ovulation.

  • Cortisol (your stress hormone) can crash the whole party if it gets too high.

Toxic chemicals — aka endocrine disruptors — mess with this delicate system. They either mimic hormones or block them, sending your body into total confusion mode. How dare it.

Endocrine Disruptors: Tiny Chemicals, Big Chaos

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are everywhere:

  • Phthalates (fragrance, plastics)

  • Parabens (lotions, cosmetics)

  • BPA (plastic bottles)

  • PFAS (waterproof makeup, stain-resistant fabrics)

Even at low levels, they can cause serious hormonal chaos — and your reproductive system is usually the first to cop it.

In Real Terms, This Means:

  • Lower egg quality (bad news for IVF and natural conception)

  • Disrupted menstrual cycles (hi, irregular periods)

  • Increased miscarriage risk (phthalate exposure has been linked)

  • Earlier menopause (no thank you)

(Sources: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 2020; Environmental Health Perspectives, 2018)

Fertility-Specific Research

A 2019 study in Environmental Research found that women with higher phthalate levels were significantly less likely to conceive within 12 months.
BPA exposure has also been linked to poorer embryo quality during IVF.

Translation: Your moisturiser and tanning foam could be making fertility harder — but don’t panic. Small changes really do help.

Small Changes, Big Impact

You don’t need to burn everything you own.
Start here:

  • Ditch fragranced moisturisers.

  • Choose skincare with clean certifications.

  • Stop drinking from plastic bottles. Seriously, stahhhhp.

  • Swap clingfilm for glass containers.

  • Ventilate your flat when cleaning.

Progress over perfection, always.

New Season, New Habits: Other Summer Fertility Tips

Summer isn’t just about skin — it’s also the perfect season to show your whole body some love. A few small habits that help your glow and your hormones:

  • Stay hydrated: Boozy brunches are life, but dehydration isn’t cute for cervical mucus.

  • Eat seasonally: Stock up on berries, leafy greens, and seasonal veg at your local market. Add in a basket bag and have a little French girl moment.

  • Switch plastics for glass: Have we said it too much? Get rid of the plastic! 

  • Prioritise sleep: Protect your eight hours like you protect your final Whispering Angel at a roof terrace party.

Massage, Exfoliation, Lymphatic Drainage: Fully Approved

Getting massages or lymphatic drainage this summer? Good for you — and good for your fertility.

Massage can improve blood flow to reproductive organs, reduce stress, and regulate hormones. (Source: Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2012).

Lymphatic drainage boosts detoxification and reduces inflammation — both huge wins if you’re thinking about conception.

Final Thoughts: Glow Now, Baby Later

Summer is for glow-ups, rooftop parties, and living your best life.
But it’s also a brilliant time to love your body a little better — especially if fertility is on your radar.

Small swaps make a difference. Listening to your body matters even more.

It’s cheesy, but real glow isn’t just skin-deep — it’s the energy you radiate when you’re thriving inside and out. 🌞✨

See you at brunch🍹

Asha .
Next

5 Questions To Ask When Picking a Fertility Clinic