So if you’re aiming to keep your skin looking and feeling healthy and want to know one way that might help, the reasons below should convince you as to why sex (read: touch) is important to your skin’s health.
Good blood flow circulates oxygen, nutrients and hormones adequately around the body. Due to the increase of heart rate and deepening of breath during sex, circulation increases and fresh blood is supplied to wherever it’s needed – to places like vital organs as well as the skin. This boost of blood brightens the complexion and give the skin its most natural glow, aka the “after O-glow”.
Stress will make any skin condition worse. When the body is under duress, it releases a surge of cortisol – otherwise known as the ‘stress hormone’. And this increase of cortisol (particularly in the long run) is bad news for the skin. It immediately starts to break down collagen, lowering elasticity and increasing sebum (oil) production in the skin, which might begin to show as acne. But intimacy, tender touch or any other kind of positive physical contact counters the stress response and decreases cortisol levels in the body. Good for the body, great for the skin!
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The most effective pro-skin, anti-wrinkle treatment is simply to not hold worry or tension in your face. Researcher have proven that embracing someone for 20 seconds or more relieves tension, lowers the heart rate & relaxes the body. This form of physical relief helps us release tension in our face; in the absence of tense facial muscles, wrinkles don’t have the chance to carve deeper lines. That’s basically a hug a day to keep wrinkles at bay.
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A restful night of sleep gives your skin the time to work at rejuvenating itself. Beauty sleep is a thing. And sex is one of the easiest ways to the onset of sleep, due to the hormonal wave it releases. At our climax, the love hormone oxytocin starts going wild, and it is promptly followed by the relaxation-inducing hormone prolactin and a drop in cortisol. Sending us into slumber.
A vaginal orgasm also increases estrogen levels, enhancing the REM sleep stage, which results in a deeper sleep. Whereas penile orgasms are commonly known to induce a fast & solid onset of sleep – in what the French call “le petit mort”. But the fact of the matter is: the better sleep we have, the better our skin will look in the morning.
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And perhaps the most moving point about (good) sex enhancing your skin health: the fact that it tends to boost your self-esteem. You might recognize that anxiety drop you feel after some first-rate sex. Researchers have found the oxytocin kick you get from a successful orgasm can even help relieve social anxiety. So basically, you’ll feel great about yourself and your skin.
As it turns out, sex & physical intimacy can actually give you so much more than a momentary state of bliss. And for long-term skin health & well-being, it’s just as important as food and a proper skincare regime. So grab a partner (or two, or three?) or take a moment of self-love and enjoy all those skin bonuses in the comfort of your own company.
Cover photo credit: Mahrael Boutros
Tags: Body, Health, Sexual Health
Alana is a qualified naturopath & nutritionist from Australia. After years of studying and first clinical experiences, she moved to Europe where she spent many years as a health editor and writer for Amazingy Magazine. In 2020 Alana started her online Health Practice based out of Berlin. She believes the body has the innate ability to heal itself. The core of her work is teaching individuals the foundations of nutrition for an abundance of energy, smooth digestion and vital health. The stuff she teaches we just weren't taught at school, but it is fundamental for excellent health for everyone. Get in touch with Alana via her website: https://alanabonnemann.com/
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