Masturbation is impressive for many reasons — it's fun, feels great, and releases all kinds of mood-boosting hormones. But did you know that orgasms can have significant benefits for the body, including your skin? 

You might have heard about the post-orgasm glow, where the skin on your face might look flushed and healthy after a masturbation session. Even celebrities like Amber Rose swear by masturbation as the secret for their glowing skin.

Is masturbation good for your skin? Let's explore some of the short-term and long-term effects of masturbation on your body, including your skin. 

How Many People Masturbate? ‌

Masturbation is normal and very common. Across the world, a survey found that 78% of adults masturbate regularly. While the numbers tend to be higher for men than women, this may be due to a lack of sexual education or persisting stereotypes about female sexuality. 

People of all ages masturbate, whether or not they're in a relationship or having sex. It's part of having a healthy sex life and a fulfilling relationship with your body. That being said, not everybody enjoys masturbation, and there's no pressure to do it if you don't want to. 

What Effects Does Masturbation Have on the Body?

Masturbation triggers the release of hormones in your brain. These hormones include: 

• Dopamine. This is the body's natural "happiness" hormone that triggers the reward system in your brain.
  
  
• Endorphins. This hormone relieves pain, de-stresses, and boosts overall mood.
  
  
• Oxytocin. Known as the "love hormone," oxytocin increases feelings of closeness and bonding.
  
  
• Testosterone. This hormone, present in all genders and sexes, is released during sex to increase arousal and physical stamina.
  
  
• Prolactin. This hormone, most well-known for its role in lactation, can strengthen your immune system and influence your mood. 

This rush of hormones can have several different effects on the body. It can boost your mood, increase your focus, help you sleep, and alleviate stress and anxiety. Practicing self-love can also help boost your self-esteem. These effects can lead to overall physical, mental, and sexual wellness. 

What Are the Benefits of Masturbation?‌

Not only is masturbation a regular sexual activity, but it can also have benefits for your physical, mental, and emotional health. 

Sexual stimulation — including masturbation — can have the following effects: 

• Relieving stress
• Relaxing the body 
• Improving sleep 
• Boosting mood
• Relieving pain, including period cramps

Masturbation can also help you better understand your own body, including your wants and needs. Couples can also masturbate together to explore specific fantasies or desires. 

Is Masturbation Good For Your Skin?

While there's no hard scientific evidence of masturbation benefitting the skin, some dermatologists point towards evidence showing how other effects of masturbation, like hormone changes, might lead to improvement in the skin.  

Increase Blood Flow

The post-orgasm glow comes from an increase in the blood flow in your body, which increases your oxygen levels. This is why your skin, especially on your face, might look rosy and flushed after an orgasm.

Lower Stress

When you're experiencing stress, it tends to show on your skin. Stress can lead to inflammation, manifest as breakouts, rosacea, and psoriasis. Studies show that an increase in oxytocin — one of the hormones released during masturbation — can lower stress, tension, and anxiety. 

Boost Estrogen Levels ‌

Having an orgasm increases the levels of estrogen in your body. This hormone can prevent the natural decrease in collagen over time, effectively slowing the aging process and maintaining more youthful skin. It can also keep the skin hydrated, improve elasticity and make it more resistant to wrinkles. 

Can Masturbation Cause Acne?

One of the many myths and misconceptions about masturbation can cause acne. While both masturbation and acne are linked to hormones, there isn't any proven cause-and-effect relationship. 

Both acne and masturbation are common during teenage years, but that's the only link between the two. Masturbation can lead to a slight increase in testosterone in both men and women. Still, this change is barely significant, and your hormone levels typically go back to normal a few minutes after climax. This influx in testosterone isn't enough to trigger a breakout.‌

Can Masturbation Negatively Affect Your Skin or Body? 

While some harmful societal attitudes about masturbation can lead to shame, exploring your body through masturbation is perfectly normal. It doesn't lead to harmful side effects on your mind, skin, or body. 

However, some people can develop an addiction to masturbation. Regular or even frequent masturbation can be completely normal, but it may cross over into a habit if masturbation interferes with: 

• Work or school 
• Plans with friends or family 
• Chores or daily responsibilities 
• Important social events

This kind of compulsive masturbation can harm your work, studies, or even your relationship with friends, family, or a romantic partner. If you're worried, you might have an unhealthy relationship with masturbation, speak to a therapist or an addiction counselor. 

‌Top 5 Sex Toys for Masturbation (and Better Skin)

All it takes to masturbate successfully is your own two hands. But sex toys can enhance the experience — increasing your chances of getting an orgasm and enjoying all the benefits. 

Half of all women have reported using vibrators for masturbation. That doesn't mean sex toys are just for women — 17% of men use sex toys for masturbation and another 80% who have used sex toys say they help improve their masturbation experience. 

Let's explore a few of the top sex toys to take your masturbation experience to the next level. 

1. Clit Suction Toys 

Clitoral suction toys double down on the clitoris, simulating absolute oral pleasure with a motorized tongue. These toys offer everything from the traditional vibration to a powerful suction, ensuring that everybody gets the push they need to orgasm while going solo. 

1. G-Spot Vibrators ‌

While clitoral stimulation goes a long way, hitting the g-spot can open up a whole new world of pleasure. G-spot vibrators are flexible and perfectly curved to hit the right spot, while g-spot vibrators with clitoral stimulation pressure both to create deeper, more intense orgasms. 

1. Bullet Vibrators 

Bullet vibrators might be small, but they pack a powerful punch. These intense and discreet vibrators come with a wide range of vibrating speeds for every occasion. 

1. Motorized Masturbators ‌

Motorized masturbators give you a hands-free experience, providing both suction and thrusting action to intensify orgasms and stimulate the whole penis. Try the traditional masturbator, the elite masturbator with more deep thrusting modes, or the simpler and more elegant masturbator that offers a hands-on experience. 

1. Hydro Masturbators 

Hydro masturbators take the experience to a whole new level with aquatic stimulation. The design allows water to flow through both ends to enhance the stroking and vibration, making it perfect for shower masturbation sessions.  

‌Masturbation for Sexual Wellness 

The bottom line here? Masturbation can give your skin a serious boost — giving you a short-term glow and making your skin more youthful and resilient over time. 

But beyond the visible benefits, masturbation is linked to so many more benefits for your mind and body. It's just as much a part of sexual wellness as it is self-care. You can get to know your body, explore your desires, and experience all health benefits simultaneously. 

If you're ready to turn your self-pleasure sessions up a notch, take a look at our shop and explore our range of sex toys. Everything from vibrators to masturbators to fetish toys can take your solo orgasms to the next level. 

SOURCES: 

Amber Rose's Secret To Perfect Skin?. Masturbation. (October 2016). Self. 

Tenga 2020 Self-Pleasure Report. (June 2020). Tenga.

Why We All Need to Open Up About Masturbation. (June 2017). BBC. 

Is masturbation normal?. (November 2018). National Health Service (NHS).

Associations among physiological and subjective sexual response, sexual desire, and salivary steroid hormones in healthy premenopausal women. (March 2009). The Journal of Sexual Medicine.

Is masturbation good for you?. Planned Parenthood.

Oxytocin and Stress-related Disorders: Neurobiological Mechanisms and Treatment Opportunities. (February 2017). Chronic Stress.

Effect of estrogens on skin aging and the potential role of SERMs. (September 2007). Clinical Interventions in Aging.

Neuroendocrine and cardiovascular response to sexual arousal and orgasm in men. (May 1998). Psychoneuroendocrinology.

Cardiovascular and endocrine alterations after masturbation-induced orgasm in women. (June 1999). Psychosomatic Medicine.

Understanding and Managing Compulsive Sexual Behaviors. (November 2006). Psychiatry (Edgmont).

Prevalence and Characteristics of Vibrator Use by Women in the United States: Results from a Nationally Representative Study. (July 2009). The Journal of Sexual Medicine.

World's Largest Masturbation Survey Uncovers How Traditional Views of Masculinity Prevent