I’ve always wondered how orgasms affect your skin. I mean, everyone knows that sex rivals the treadmill when it comes to cardio. And then there’s that whole post-coital glow that people talk about, which I swear is real. So with those two factors combined, one would think that there’s a scientific reason behind having good skin after an orgasm. Right?
After some research, I’ve stumbled upon some good news: orgasms will make you look younger and glowier! Seriously, after-sex skin is a real thing, and by that we mean super glowy, literally lit-from-within skin. It sounds too good to be true, and you’re probably thinking, well that glow’s not gonna last long, but here’s where it gets really interesting; there are tons of studies that show having more orgasms will actually make you look younger while the short term benefits include decreasing stress, helping with sleep, and improving your skin. Even if you’re still not convinced, it’s worth a try, right?!
The thing is, having an orgasm as often as you can could be the cheapest wellness hack you discover this year. Oh, and for the record, Medical News describes an orgasm as “a powerful feeling of physical pleasure and sensation, which includes a discharge of accumulated erotic tension. Having a successful orgasm has numerous health benefits like your body releases serotonin, dopamine, oxytocin, and prolactin,” says Shirley Chi, MD, a California-based dermatologist. “What that cocktail does is basically reduce the effects of the stress hormone—cortisol—that’s in your body and creates a deep sense of relaxation.” Here’s all the proof and all the ways orgasms are going to make you look and feel ten times better.
Orgasms Will Make You Look Younger
One study examined 3,500 people and found that women who had three orgasms a week looked, on average, 10 years younger than the women who only had two! Another study, which came to the same conclusion, revealed the reasons behind why having orgasms can make you look so much younger:
Endorphins: The release of the ‘feel good’ chemical, endorphins, naturally acts as a painkiller and helps to reduce anxiety, thereby helping you sleep better – and sleep is the key to health!
Human growth hormones: Orgasms cause human growth hormones to release, which helps improve the skin’s elasticity.
Another study by the University of Michigan showed that orgasms increase estrogen levels, which also has anti-aging benefits: it maintains collagen, which we all know is a protein that promotes more youthful skin. Higher estrogen levels also help skin thickness and elasticity, and may even help lock in the skin’s moisture, thereby keeping the skin plumper and more resistant to wrinkles.
Orgasms Will Make You Feel Better
Okay, so that’s obvious, but it will make you feel better in the unobvious ways! When you orgasm, your body releases what people refer to as the love hormone, aka oxytocin. Oxytocin helps to decrease stress by lowering cortisol levels and it also helps release tension by stimulating feelings of warmth and relaxation.
All this oxytocin and de-stressing leads to better sleep, decreased inflammation in the body – less inflammation means less acne and puffiness – while the lower levels of cortisol improve collagen production, helping the skin to heal better.
Orgasms Will Make Your Skin Glow
After an orgasm, the increased rate of blood flowing through your body coupled with blood-vessel dilation means your system is flooded with oxygen, which boosts collagen production that stimulates and repairs the skin. All that increased blood flow also gives your cheeks what’s referred to as an ‘orgasm flush’ – hence the name behind NARS’ iconic Orgasm Blush – as your body pushes all the blood to your skin to make your face look flushed.
Finally, increased blood flow means more water is transferred to your skin (your largest organ), and we all know hydration is essential for a glowy complexion.
So, other than the initial glowier appearance that you’ll get after an orgasm, the results of orgasm often are actually much longer lasting than you’d think – not just for your skin and body, but for your mental well-being too! And the best thing about orgasms is they’re completely free, and you don’t need anyone else to help you!
This of course doesn’t mean you should ditch your skin-care regimen for a more actively-seeking-orgasm life all in order to get a glow. “Sex and masturbation aren’t the answer to acne, but they’re definitely not bad for the skin,” says Dr. Chi. Sounds like doctors orders to me. If you don’t have time to orgasm you can always fake it – no, not like that! – with makeup!
For the ultimate glowy skin, check out this after-sex skin makeup look that Huda Beauty shared:
beautyleebar.org 