March opens slowly, like a page mid-turn—still shadowed by winter but beginning to soften at the edges. This month explores beauty, skincare and botanical symbolism that aligns with the Equinox’s quiet symmetry. Each date is a threshold, offering tools and timing for realignment as the season leans gently into light.

This post may contain affiliate links and professional skincare commentary. For full details, please read my disclaimer.

First Quarter in Gemini (March 6)

Gemini’s lunar push on March 6 brings motion, sharpness, and dual focus. It’s a pivot point that asks for responsiveness—mind and skin included. The SkinMedica Lumivive duo is designed for this kind of adaptive rhythm. The day formula shields from blue light and pollution while keeping texture even and reactive fatigue at bay. By night, the repair serum works to reverse oxidative stress and recalibrate the skin’s natural defense system. This skincare system is a reflection of the duality for this time period that also protects your beauty while you shift gears.

SkinMedica Lumivive System, Day and Night

What it is:

How to Use:

Lumivive Day Damage Defense Serum

Key Ingredients

Niacinamide

A multitasking vitamin B3 derivative, niacinamide fortifies the skin’s natural barrier while calming visible redness. Its anti-inflammatory properties help restore balance, leaving the complexion smoother, more resilient, and less reactive to daily stressors.

Squalane

This lightweight, plant-derived lipid mimics the skin’s own sebum, delivering hydration while defending against UVA-induced oxidative stress. It cushions the skin with a silky finish, helping maintain suppleness and radiance under environmental exposure.

Shea Butter

Rich and comforting, shea butter melts into the skin to soften and protect. Its emollient nature locks in moisture, creating a velvety shield that restores elasticity and guards against dryness.

Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2

A bioactive peptide designed to support skin resilience, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2 helps reinforce firmness and adaptability under environmental stress. It works at a cellular level to maintain youthful structure and tone.

Polygonum Aviculare Extract

Sourced from knotgrass, this botanical extract offers potent antioxidant benefits. It helps neutralize free radicals, protecting skin from premature aging while promoting a brighter, more even-toned complexion.

Dunaliella Salina Extract

Derived from microalgae thriving in extreme environments, Dunaliella Salina extract is celebrated for its protective effects against oxidative stress. It infuses skin with resilience, shielding it from UV-related damage and environmental aggressors.

Alteromonas Ferment Extract

A marine-derived ferment, Alteromonas extract acts as a pollution shield. It helps detoxify and defend against urban stressors, leaving skin clearer, calmer, and better equipped to withstand environmental challenges.

Topical Melanin

Applied as a protective filter, topical melanin absorbs high-energy visible light, including blue light from digital devices. It helps reduce oxidative stress and supports skin’s defense against modern environmental exposure.

Green Tea

Packed with polyphenols, green tea extract delivers antioxidant protection while soothing irritation. It refreshes the complexion, balances oil production, and helps guard against the visible effects of pollution and UV rays.

Ubiquinone (CoQ10)

A vital coenzyme that naturally declines with age and UV exposure, CoQ10 energizes skin cells and combats oxidative damage. Applied topically, it helps restore vitality, reduce fine lines, and support a youthful glow.

Lumivive Night Revitalize Repair Complex

Key Ingredients

Mitoquinol Mesylate

A breakthrough mitochondria-targeting antioxidant, Mitoquinol Mesylate works deep within cells to support repair and renewal. By energizing cellular function, it helps reduce oxidative stress and promotes a revitalized, youthful complexion.

Grape Flower Cell Extract (Vitis Vinifera)

Harnessed from the delicate bloom of the grapevine, this extract assists in restoring skin tone and texture. Its phytoactive compounds encourage smoother, more luminous skin, echoing the vitality of vineyard botanicals.

Mirabilis Jalapa Callus Extract

Known as the “Marvel of Peru,” Mirabilis Jalapa callus extract is prized for its soothing and reparative properties. It calms irritation, nurtures recovery, and helps skin regain comfort and balance after stress.

Pentapeptide-34 Trifluoroacetate

This advanced peptide complex targets visible signs of aging, working to refine contours and diminish fine lines. It supports skin’s structural proteins, helping maintain firmness and a youthful silhouette.

Alteromonas

A marine-derived ferment celebrated for measurable anti-aging effects, Alteromonas contributes to contour refinement and barrier support. It strengthens skin’s defenses against urban stressors while enhancing elasticity and smoothness.

Vibrio Ferment Extracts

Sourced from resilient marine microorganisms, Vibrio ferment extracts help skin regenerate after environmental stress. They bolster repair pathways, leaving the complexion refreshed, fortified, and visibly renewed.

Vitamin E

A classic antioxidant and skin nurturer, Vitamin E nourishes deeply while protecting against free radical damage. During overnight repair, it cushions the skin with restorative care, ensuring a supple, radiant awakening.

If you would like to try this honey bath for yourself, you can shop Blue Mercury. For new customers only, take 15% off when you sign up for emails. Terms and conditions may apply.

Full Moon in Virgo (Lunar Eclipse – March 14)

Virgo’s full moon calls for purification with purpose. Amplified by a lunar eclipse, this moment magnifies what’s hidden—subtle imbalances, neglected rituals, accumulated stress—and offers the clarity to reset with intention. The Cleansing Micellar Water from Le Mer meets this energy with precision: it’s a low-friction, high-performance formula that sweeps away environmental buildup and residual product without disrupting the skin’s rhythm. Let the ritual begin with simplicity—an unobtrusive cleanse that makes room for everything else to come into focus.

Le Mer the Cleansing Micellar Water

What it is:

The micellar cleanser simplifies your nighttime routine with a single step. It leaves skin feeling refreshed, soothed and deeply cleansed. Bottles were redesigned with sustainability in mind, incorporating min 45% PCR and recycling principles where possible.

How to Use:

• Moisten cotton pad and gently sweep over face, neck and eyes without rubbing.
• Repeat until cotton pad comes away clean.
• No need to rinse.

Key Ingredients

Deconstructed Waters + Micelles

A modern cleansing innovation, deconstructed waters paired with micelles gently lift away dirt, makeup, and SPF without the need for harsh scrubbing. They purify while preserving skin’s comfort, leaving the complexion refreshed and balanced.

Miracle Broth™ (Fermented Sea Kelp Blend)

The signature La Mer ferment, Miracle Broth™ harnesses the restorative power of sea kelp to support renewal, hydration, and barrier repair. It infuses skin with vitality, helping restore resilience and a luminous glow.

Marine Algae Ferments

Rich in ocean-derived nutrients, marine algae ferments calm irritation and strengthen skin’s natural defenses. They deliver soothing hydration while enhancing resilience against environmental stressors.

Lime Tea Extract

A potent antioxidant infusion, lime tea extract shields skin from environmental aggressors. It helps neutralize free radicals, protecting against premature aging while imparting a refreshed, radiant finish.

Glycerin & Butylene Glycol

These humectants draw water into the skin, maintaining optimal moisture balance. Together, they ensure lasting hydration, leaving skin supple, plump, and comfortable throughout the day.

Decyl Glucoside

Derived from coconut, this gentle surfactant cleanses effectively without stripping. It respects the skin’s barrier while removing impurities, making it ideal for sensitive or daily-use formulations.

Pentylene Glycol

A versatile hydrator and absorption enhancer, pentylene glycol helps formulas penetrate more effectively while maintaining hydration. It supports smooth application and lasting comfort.

Disodium EDTA

This stabilizing agent improves preservative efficacy, ensuring formula integrity over time. It helps maintain product safety and performance, protecting the skin experience from start to finish.

If you love this recommendation, you’ll love my Le Mer product deep dive: Ways to Love La Mer: A Skin Ritual with Kate Hudson

If you would like to try this honey bath for yourself, you can shop Blue Mercury. For new customers only, take 15% off when you sign up for emails. Terms and conditions may apply.

Spring Equinox (March 20)

Pagan Traditions

The Spring Equinox, also known as Ostara in pagan tradition, marks the moment when day and night are perfectly balanced—typically around March 20 in the Northern Hemisphere. It is a celestial turning point that signals the end of winter and the beginning of spring, when the sun crosses the celestial equator and light begins to overtake darkness.

“Ostara” (1884) by Johannes Gehrts, originally published in Die Gartenlaube. Public domain.

• Renewal and fertility: Seeds germinate, animals awaken, and the Earth begins to bloom.
• Duality and harmony: A time to honor both rest and action, reflection and growth.
• Ritual and intention-setting: Celebrated through sunrise ceremonies, altar building, egg decorating, and planting seeds—both literal and symbolic.

Celebration

Celebrating the Equinox can be as simple or as nuanced as your practice invites. Common rituals include:

• Sunrise meditation or candle lighting to welcome the return of light.
• Creating a seasonal altar with spring flowers, eggs, and symbols of balance.
• Skin and body rituals that mirror nature’s reset—cleansing, hydrating, and grounding.

As the Earth reawakens and the veil between seasons thins, our skin—like our spirit—craves recalibration. Lune + Aster’s 5 Minute Rescue Mask Calm is perfectly timed for this beauty moment. With soothing botanicals and a fast-acting formula, it resets post-winter sensitivity without overstimulating the complexion. Apply it at dawn or just before Equinox ritual work to restore hydration, reduce visible stress, and ground your skin in a renewed seasonal rhythm. Where Ostara balances the sky, this mask helps rebalance the surface.

 The Vernal Equinox and the Goddess of Renewal

Ostara

Ostara is the name given to the spring equinox celebration observed by many modern pagans, rooted in older European traditions that honor balance, fertility, and the return of light. The name itself is linked to the Germanic goddess Eostre—documented by the 8th-century monk Bede—who was said to preside over dawn and springtime. Though historical records are sparse, her legacy lives on in symbols of rebirth: eggs, hares, and the soft bloom of early flora beauty. If you want a more in depth look at Ostara and her history, this is a great video I found from Ocean Keltoi.

• Play

Spring Equinox

The equinox, typically falling around March 20, marks the moment when day and night are equal in length—a celestial pause before the tilt toward longer days. Ancient cultures across Rome, Persia, and Mesoamerica celebrated this turning point with festivals of planting, purification, and resurrection. In Germanic lore, Ostara became associated with the fertility of the land and the symbolic transformation of seasons. One enduring myth tells of a wounded bird saved by the goddess, transformed into a hare that retained the ability to lay eggs—a tale that echoes through modern Easter imagery.

Ostara signals a shift in rhythm. The light steadies, and with it comes a sense of quiet direction. This season invites intentional movement—practices that nourish rather than accelerate. It’s a time for recalibrating pace, listening for subtle cues, and letting renewal of beauty unfold through grounded presence. Nothing urgent, nothing extreme—just the space to choose softness and clarity.

Ostara Awakening Ritual: Inviting the Spring Goddess

Purpose: To welcome renewal, fertility, and creative rebirth through the energy of Ostara.

Timing: Perform at sunrise or during golden hour on the Spring Equinox, or anytime you need a seasonal reset.

Setup

• Altar elements:
  • Fresh spring flowers such as daffodils, crocus, or tulips
  • Decorated eggs using natural dyes or painted sigils
  • A white or pastel candle
  • A bowl of spring water infused with rose petals or chamomile
  • Crystals like rose quartz, moss agate, and citrine
  • A small dish of seeds (lavender, mint, or clover)

Ritual Steps

1. Cleanse the space with sound (such as bells or claps) and scent (herbal mist or incense).
2. Light the candle and say: “Goddess of dawn and fertile light, Ostara, I welcome your breath of spring. Awaken what sleeps within me.”
3. Dip your fingers in the spring water and anoint your third eye, heart, and palms. Visualize golden light blooming from within.
4. Hold the seeds and whisper your intentions for growth—whether creative, emotional, or physical. Plant them in soil or a small pot.
5. Offer the decorated egg to your altar as a symbol of rebirth. You may write a wish or affirmation on it.
6. Close with movement: a short dance, stretch, or walk outdoors to embody the shift.

Optional Additions

• Sip dandelion tea or floral lemonade as a grounding finish.
• Journal with prompts such as: “What is awakening in me?” or “Where am I ready to bloom?”
• Leave a small offering outdoors—like honey or flower petals.

Lune + Aster 5 Minute Rescue Mask Calm

What it is:

A fragrance-free calming sheet mask that reduces the appearance of aggravated skin in 5 to 10 minutes for a renewed, healthy-looking complexion.

How to Use:

• Start with cleansed skin.
• Open and remove thick paper side from the mask.
• Align mask to face and remove outer protective film.
• Smooth over face and leave on for 5-10 minutes.
• Remove mask and gently pat the remaining serum into skin.
• Do not rinse.

Key Ingredients

Calendula

A botanical celebrated for centuries, calendula brings soothing power to modern skincare. Its anti-inflammatory compounds inhibit nitric oxide production, calming irritation without cytotoxicity. Beyond comfort, calendula offers photoprotective benefits, shielding skin from UV damage and oxidative stress. Clinical studies show it can boost collagen synthesis by around 7% while inhibiting MMP-1, the enzyme responsible for collagen breakdown — making it a natural ally against wrinkle formation. Rich in calendic acid and flavonoids like quercetin and kaempferol, it strengthens barrier integrity, accelerates wound healing, and reduces swelling. Gentle yet effective, calendula is safe for sensitive and acne-prone skin, delivering repair without irritation.

Lotus Leaf Extract

Drawn from the sacred lotus, this extract is a powerhouse of flavonoids, polyphenols, and vitamins that neutralize free radicals and protect collagen and elastin. Clinical trials highlight its ability to improve elasticity, significantly firming skin and reducing wrinkle depth. Lotus leaf also brightens, reducing dullness and improving tone, particularly noted in Asian subjects. Its alkaloids calm redness and acne-related inflammation, while phenolic acids provide antibacterial support for clearer skin. Hydration is enhanced through ceramide and lipid production, strengthening the barrier and improving moisture retention. When paired with green tea, lotus leaf delivers synergistic anti-aging effects — with studies showing nearly 50% improvement in smoothness and wrinkle reduction over 60 days.

Centella Asiatica Extract

Known as “cica” in skincare, Centella Asiatica is revered for its reparative properties. Active compounds like asiaticoside and madecassoside stimulate fibroblast activity, accelerating wound healing and collagen synthesis. It reduces inflammation by modulating cytokine production and inhibiting mediators such as COX-2 and TNF-α. Centella strengthens the skin barrier, boosting ceramide levels and reducing transepidermal water loss — especially beneficial for sensitive skin. It soothes irritation, easing redness, itching, and tightness in compromised complexions. With potent antioxidant protection, it neutralizes free radicals to preserve elasticity. Non-comedogenic and safe for acne-prone skin, Centella balances pH and regulates sebum secretion over consistent use, making it a versatile staple for resilience and clarity.

If you would like to try this honey bath for yourself, you can shop Blue Mercury. For new customers only, take 15% off when you sign up for emails. Terms and conditions may apply.

Aries Season Begins (March 21)

The astrological new year opens under Aries, known for its unapologetic momentum and instinctive direction. Spring isn’t soft on the skin—more light means more demands. A formula like Peter Thomas Roth’s Vital-E Microbiome Age Defense Cream meets the moment. It is designed to support barrier health and defend against environmental and blue light exposure; it aligns with Aries’ call for proactive beauty care. Think of it less as protection, more as preparation—an act of resilience that mirrors the season’s instinct to begin again.

Peter Thomas Roth Vital-E Microbiome Age Defense Cream

What it is:

Protect skin from environmental stressors like pollution, indoor/outdoor climate changes, and blue light from tech devices with Vital-E Microbiome Age Defense Cream. It features Gamma E Antioxidant Technology, 3% Butterfly Ginger Root Extract, and Pre/Pro-Biodefense Complex that act as an invisible shield to strengthen the skin barrier. Fensebiome Peptide supports microbiome health, and Tucuma Butter improves hydration

How to Use:

• Melt transforming solid-to-cream moisturizer between fingertips.
• Apply twice daily to a cleansed face and neck.

Key Ingredients

Gamma E Antioxidant Technology

Harnessing the unique power of gamma-tocopherol, this advanced antioxidant technology offers superior photoprotection compared to traditional alpha-tocopherol. It neutralizes nitrogen-based free radicals and defends against UV-induced oxidative stress, while enhancing lipid stability to reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Anti-inflammatory by nature, it suppresses COX-2 and other mediators to calm redness and irritation. At the cellular level, it shields fibroblasts from UVA damage, supporting collagen integrity. When paired with vitamin C, selenium, and complementary antioxidants, Gamma E amplifies photodamage reversal. Its stability advantage under UV exposure makes it an ideal choice for topical formulations designed to protect and repair.

Pre/Pro-Biodefense Complex

This microbiome-focused complex blends prebiotics like inulin with probiotics such as Bacillus ferment to balance bacterial diversity and suppress harmful strains. By enhancing ceramide production and reducing TEWL, it strengthens the skin barrier while modulating immune response to calm irritation. Hydration is improved through lipid synthesis and moisture retention, while antioxidant pairing with Gamma E extends protection against pollution, blue light, and climate fluctuations. Clinical trials demonstrate remarkable efficacy, with 93–100% improvement in barrier repair and visible skin balance over 30 days, making it a cornerstone for resilient, healthy skin.

3% Butterfly Ginger Root Extract

A botanical breakthrough for modern lifestyles, butterfly ginger root extract shields skin from oxidative damage caused by high-energy visible (HEV) blue light emitted by screens and sunlight. At a 3% concentration, it forms an anti-pollution shield against particulate matter, reducing inflammation and dullness. Rich in flavonoids and phenolic compounds, it delivers potent antioxidant activity to neutralize free radicals and prevent collagen breakdown. By enhancing lipid synthesis and reducing TEWL, it supports hydration and resilience, while inhibiting NF-κB and TNF-α pathways to calm redness and irritation. Clinically proven, it improves smoothness, radiance, and pollution resistance in just 28 days.

If you would like to try this honey bath for yourself, you can shop Blue Mercury. For new customers only, take 15% off when you sign up for emails. Terms and conditions may apply.

Last Quarter in Capricorn (March 22)

This lunar phase sharpens focus. Capricorn’s influence is structured, deliberate, and quietly demanding—perfect for clearing distractions and refining what remains. It’s a day for pruning, not planting. Veronique Gabai’s Aroma Body Essential Blend Roll-On aligns with this energy through its therapeutic composition. Rose for emotional clarity, patchouli for grounded sensuality, and geranium for reconnection. Applied to pulse points, it becomes a tactile beauty ritual—one that supports decision-making, boundary-setting, and embodied presence. Use it before journaling, during workspace resets, or as a scent anchor while reviewing goals. Capricorn doesn’t rush; it recalibrates with purpose. This blend helps you do the same.

Veronique Gabai Aroma Body Essential Blend Roll-On

What it is:

Rich in rose and patchouli, Body balances emotions and helps you feel your own needs. Experience the power of a scent that aligns body and mind for a renewed sense of strength and self-love. A regenerative formula, Body alleviates stress, enhances sensuality and even acts as a light aphrodisiac. It helps reconnect with one’s own body. Formulated with 100% natural and highly concentrated essential oils. They contain the core therapeutical formulas for a boost of benefits.

How to Use:

• Roll on your pulse points (wrists, neck, behind ears) regularly and smell!
• Enjoy the full benefits of Aroma.

Key Ingredients

Rose

Romantic and restorative, rose oil is more than a fragrance — it’s a therapeutic ally. Inhalation has been shown to significantly reduce anxiety, particularly in preoperative and postpartum patients, while topical use and diffusion provide analgesic relief for menstrual cramps and post-surgical discomfort. Its scent activates the limbic system, enhancing mood, easing fatigue, and reducing symptoms of depression. When diffused before bedtime, rose oil supports deeper relaxation and improved sleep quality, making it a holistic staple for emotional balance and physical comfort.

Geranium

Bright and floral, geranium oil is celebrated for its mood-regulating and anti-anxiety effects, especially in postpartum and surgical settings. Citronellol, a key compound, has demonstrated neuroprotective potential by inhibiting nitric oxide production, reducing neuroinflammation and cell death — with promising implications for neurodegenerative conditions. Geraniol, another major active component, delivers strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits, supporting metabolic health and calming inflammatory responses. Together, these properties make geranium a versatile botanical for both emotional and physiological wellness.

Patchouli

Earthy and grounding, patchouli oil is a natural stress reliever. Inhalation has been shown to lower cortisol levels, with a 2025 study noting reduced stress and increased compassion satisfaction among emergency nurses exposed to patchouli-scented environments. Its mild sedative qualities ease insomnia and promote restful sleep, while activating the parasympathetic nervous system for calm. Bioactive compounds like patchouli alcohol and pogostone exhibit mood-stabilizing and neuroprotective effects, supporting emotional resilience. Rich in β-patchoulene and α-bulnesene, patchouli also offers anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. Applied topically, it enhances wound healing and reduces irritation with antimicrobial support, making it both a sensory indulgence and a skin-strengthening remedy.

Fragrance Notes

Top Notes: Lemon

Heart Notes: Rose, Geranium, Clove Leaf, Clove Bud

Base Notes: Patchouli, Benzoin, Cedarwood

If you would like to try this honey bath for yourself, you can shop Blue Mercury. For new customers only, take 15% off when you sign up for emails. Terms and conditions may apply.

New Moon in Aries (March 29)

This lunation is a solar ignition: bold, impulsive, and unapologetically fresh. Aries energy favors action over analysis, making this the ideal moment to initiate something that scares you—in the best way. Nest’s Sunlit Yuzu & Neroli Candle mirrors this spark with its citrus-forward brightness: yuzu for clarity, mandarin for momentum, and neroli blossom for emotional courage. Lighting it becomes a declaration, a sensory cue to leap before you second-guess. Let it accompany your intention-setting beauty ritual, creative brainstorm, or solo dance break. Aries doesn’t wait for permission—it creates the moment. This scent helps you claim it.

Nest Sunlit Yuzu & Neroli Candle

What it is:

Lift your spirits and embrace joy with this scented candle featuring notes of sunlit yuzu, mandarin, and neroli blossom.

Fragrance Notes

Top Notes: Sunlit Yuzu

Heart Notes: Mandarin

Base Notes: Neroli Blossom

If you would like to try this honey bath for yourself, you can shop Blue Mercury. For new customers only, take 15% off when you sign up for emails. Terms and conditions may apply.

Nestled Between Equinoxes

Seasonal repair isn’t performative—it’s deliberate. March pivots through lunar shifts, microbiome fatigue, and barrier depletion that don’t ask for urgency, but for clarity. It’s about knowing when to act, what to reinforce, and where recovery begins. And when the calendar is aligned, everything recalibrates even beauty.