Orgasm for Better Skin: Essential Oils for Sexual Enhancement and Healthy Skin
Sex, more specifically orgasm, is very good for skin firmness, elasticity, and radiance. Come again? True, a recent study has concluded masturbation to completion “improved texture and tone, as well as diminished sagging, fine lines, and wrinkles” (Trent, Nancy, 2020). The study was conducted by the personal vibrator company plusOne, which explains why masturbation was emphasized as the goal to better skin. Estrogen was shown to increase during sexual arousal (van Anders SM, et al. 2009) where “skin aging can be significantly delayed” by increased estrogen ( Stevenson S, et al. 2007). Using this information, along with a list of other orgasm-skin-health links, recommendations can be made that incorporate sexual activity with wellness and skin health, including suggestions for the best essential oils for sex, sensuality, and skin.
SEXUAL-WELLNESS AS SELF-CARE
The growing popularity of “sexual-wellness” is taking sex toys and intimate products, such as vibrators, lubricants and body oils, from taboo to health oriented self-care. Sexuality has made great progress over the past century, where the mainstream preference in the past was to keep the topic and activity hidden or disgraced, with much of it relegated to negative association. The progression, especially since the sexual revolution of the 1960’s, has been a slow opening to a healthy relationship with human sexuality.
There is plenty written about the health benefits of sex and orgasm, both emotionally and physically. By attaching the label of wellness and self-care, sexuality takes a rightful place in health-related practices. Supporting this wellness attitude toward sex is data accumulated over the past three decades showing direct correlation between pleasurable experiences and good health (Resnick,Stella et al. 2002). Intercourse has purpose and benefits beyond its primary function of reproduction. Humans are designed to desire sex and when enacted has some great payoffs for the human body and mind, and skin health. These benefits are the very core of health and wellness and includes stress relief, healthy cardiovascular function and increased immunity.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF SEX ARE GOOD FOR THE SKIN
The simple connection between skin health and orgasm can be seen in the benefits derived from a healthy sex life and regular orgasm (a general range of 4 or more orgasms per week). The requirements for healthy skin, based on a holistic or beauty-inside-out model, are similar to the physical, emotional, and psychological health benefits derived from orgasm. A short list of good-for-the-skin health benefits from orgasm would include:
increasing heart health : lowering blood pressure, reducing risk of heart disease, stroke, and hypertension
reduce inflammation
modulate immune function
better sleep
satisfaction with mental health: increased self-esteem and self-love, improved relationships, and reduction of emotional conflicts, anxiety and stress
THE NEURO-IMMUNO-ENDO-CUTANEOUS NETWORK
The skin is a highly complex organ linked to the immune and sensory systems in a relationship called the neuro-immuno-endo-cutaneous (NIEC) network. In systems of holistic health this is also referred to as psycho-neuro-endocrine-immunology (PNEI), linking bidirectional communications among the nervous system, the endocrine system, and the immune system in cross-talk with physical health (França K et al. 2017). The vital role skin plays in this system is acknowledged by adding cutaneous to the description of the NIEC.
When observing the complexity of neurotransmitter release and the results on nervous function and immunity during orgasm, it becomes obvious how sexual stimulation and orgasm have direct interaction with and influence on the NIEC network. The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems are involved and trigger specific activity during sexual activity. Arousal involves hormones commonly released in stressful, or fight or flight, responses adding to the “exciting quality of orgasm” ( Berlow, Yossi. 2004). At orgasm the stress response immediately swirls into the parasympathetic mode and blissful calming of the body (Mitrokostas, Sophia. 2019). Endorphins and serotonin are released promoting good mood and relaxation.
oxytocin is the primary influence for the experiences of escape of space-time, ultimate euphoria and a full-burst feeling of pleasure.
Dopamine and oxytocin are two compounds with important functions in sexual wellness, and released to create the phenomenal sensations at orgasm. These two transmitters are also understood for their importance to skin health (Deing, Verena, et al. 2013).
OXYTOCIN
The big reward at orgasm has oxytocin as the primary influence for the experiences of escape of space-time, ultimate euphoria and a full-burst feeling of pleasure. Oxytocin has several functions in the human body, “triggering, or modulating a full range of physiological functions and emotions: happiness, attraction, love, and affection” (Magon, N; Sanjay, K. 2011).
Oxytocin is expressed in keratinocytes and in the skin’s dermal fibroblasts (Deing, Verena, et al. 2013). As a mediator of a wide spectrum of tissue-specific actions, oxytocin “modulates key processes which are dysregulated in atopic dermatitis, such as proliferation, inflammation and oxidative stress responses” (Deing, Verena, et al. 2013). The 2013 study by V. Deing, et al. continues by stating that elevated levels of oxytocin occur with hugs, massage, and in response to touch, and thought to originate from nerves in the skin. The oxytocin connection provides more logic to the relationship between skin health and sexual intimacy.
ABUSE, PTSD AND EMOTIONAL FACTORS
Lack of sexual desire, sexual discomfort, inability to orgasm, erectile disfunction and other sexual issues may be, and likely are, related to health concerns and systemic imbalance in the body, or are due to stress, PTSD and similar psychological concerns. Abuse or trauma are, of course, of direct cause in sexual disfunction. These same health concerns will often effect skin condition and aging due to the resulting inflammation and stress hormones released from emotional impact.
These circumstances must be acknowledged though are not a topic to be discussed here. Where sexuality and skin health are intertwined, the link would require recognition that sexually based emotional and physical health, like any imbalance of mind and body, may be involved with skin conditions that have been otherwise difficult to resolve. These concerns would be directed to the appropriate professional.
naturally occurring body odors play a role in attraction and arousal
ESSENTIAL OILS, SMELL, SEXUALITY AND SKIN HEALTH
Scent has a profound and often controlling influence on sexual attraction, arousal and orgasm. The history of scent, poetry of fragrance, and the centuries old perfume industry’s quest for the ultimate aphrodisiac, point to a biological programming for human scent in sexuality. It begins with the naturally occurring body odors that play a role in attraction and arousal. Driven by reproductive biology, these are distinctive personal odors and provide allure to who makes the best, most passionate, sexual partner (Furlow, F. 1996). The highly misunderstood pheromones are included in this human soup of olfactory pleasure.
Body oils, aromatic diffusing, sprays and massage are commonly used for intimacy and sexual pleasure, with both natural and perfume fragrances used. The main character of aphrodisiac and intimate fragrances are those that closely mimic human body odor (Jellinek P. 1997), ones from certain foods or spices (Hirsch, A. 1998), and exotic tropical florals (Global Cosmetic Industry. 2006).
Essential oils are available in all of the mentioned fragrance categories and are ideally suited as an aphrodisiac when considering their potent skin rejuvenating effects, similar to the benefits derived through orgasm. Naturally derived aromatic extracts are active by-way-of the olfactory system and receptors on the skin surface, with response throughout the neuro-immuno-endo-cutaneous network (Harrison, J. 2005). Through the sense of smell, essential oils enrich the pleasure and arousal of orgasm. Some essential oils have been analyzed and shown to stimulate release of oxytocin (Tadokoro, Yuriko, et al. 2017) and other feel-good neurotransmitters (Zhang, Kai and Lei Yao. 2018; Villareal, Myra O., et al. 2017).
THE SEXUAL-WELLNESS CATEGORY
The products already common for sexual pleasure and now included under the sexual-wellness category are vibrators and lubricants. Products that take sexuality into sexual wellness are those that can contribute more holistic activity beyond the physical pleasure of sex. Body oils, massage lotions, diffuser blends, natural perfumes and other products using essential oils and botanicals, having wide-ranging properties to address emotions and skin health, are ideally suited to expand the products to a whole body, mind and spiritual experience.
Many essential oil or fragrance products are available designed for sexual activity and ready for use. These are mostly old school sex shop-like products and other “aphrodisiac” lotions and creams. For this to really fall under the heading of wellness, a new breed of products are being introduced that enhance the positive emotions, feel-good body chemistry and skin strengthening activity related to sexuality and orgasm. The next step in this sexy adventure is to develop and
choose products that go beyond the superficial aphrodisiac fragrance, integrating the holistic emotional, physical and skin care benefits, while encouraging more intense orgasms and sexual intimacy. This is sexual-wellness from a perspective of whole-body health and healing, as well as an expansion of what self-care means. Essential oils become an ideal tool for these products due to their already established use, addressing emotions, physical issues and the skin.
SEXUAL-WELLNESS PRODUCTS
There is a long list of product categories beneficial for sexual-wellness, like vitamins and herbal supplements, already used for holistic health. The emphasis here will be on products that incorporate aromatherapy and the use of essential oils. To get the most from essential oils it’s necessary to remove any negative or harmful habits that would interfere in a healthy relationship with the body and skin. This means that poor diet, lack of or improper exercise, unhealthy lifestyle, stressful work habits and toxic environmental conditions would be recognized for their impairment to sexual-wellness. The opposite; healthy diet, exercise, and lifestyle, would be encouraged for enhancement of sexual health with the added skin vitality.
Essential oil products can be designed to fit any fragrance category. Aphrodisiac lotions, creams and diffuser formulations may have florals such as ylang ylang, neroli and rose, or spices and foods that include cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and chocolate, as well as human-like odors (referred to as animalic in perfumery) using angelica, jasmine and ambrette seed. The possibilities are endless using combinations of the fragrance categories into one blend, or made specific to capture a specific scent identity.
Expert formulation with strong essential oil and botanical ingredient knowledge is emphasized. Awareness of sensitivity and stimulation of the ingredients and how they can be incorporated into the formula is important to avoid any irritation or discomfort, though a truly expert formulator may include just the right amount of heightened sensitivity to the skin.
SEXUAL-WELLNESS ESSENTIAL OIL AND EXTRACTS
There’s a long list of essential oils, absolutes and supercritical extracts that can be used in aphrodisiac formulation, and it should be mentioned most have benefit to skin health. Fragrance is very subjective, and in relation to sexuality can make or break the proper mood. Here are a few suggestions:
Ambrette Seed CO2 extract or absolute (Hibiscus abelmoschus) - distinctive for its subtle, musk-like aroma with floral undertones. Though difficult to find in pure quality, it is worth the search.
Atlas Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica) - used as a woody base note with aphrodisiac, skin rejuvenation and anti-inflammatory effects.
Cinnamon Bark (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) - provides a strong aphrodisiac quality, though with concerns of sensitivity. Cinnamon bark may add the right amount of spice and a tinge of heightened skin sensitivity when used at a recommended 1.5% or less of the essential oil formulation (which becomes lower when considering the essential oil concentration in a lotion, spray or cream is 2 to 3%).
Jasmine absolute (Jasminum grandiflorum) - The queen (or king) of aphrodisiac oils. Jasmine is a richly exotic, sweet-floral with animalic character unmatched for its beautiful aromatic quality.
Sandalwood (Santalum album) - the indistinguishable exotic odor of authentic Indian sandalwood is a long recognized aphrodisiac with spiritual connotations.
Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata) - the exotic tropical sweet-floral fragrance of ylang ylang is a historically sultry aphrodisiac.
The essential oils, supercritical CO2 extracts and absolutes may be blended and used in:
Diffuser or room mist spray to create an enticing and intimate environment.
Cream or lotion that would benefit from an added or higher amount of maybe vegetable glycerin or guar gum to enhance slip and lubrication.
Body spray having an additional cooling sensation and slip to the skin when sprayed.