Love's Radiant Effect: How Romance Transforms Your Skin
Posted by Ellie Swain on Mar 17th 2023
We’re often told how factors like the foods we eat, the products we use, and our environment affects our skin. But less often do we think about how our feelings can influence our complexions.
Sometimes, no matter how many serums or night creams we slather onto our skin, it never looks better than it does after an amazing date with someone you’ve just started seeing or the rush of an intense fling.
A great night with someone you’re attracted to can lead to a healthy glow flooding your cheeks, almost as if you’ve just had a two-hour in-spa facial.
So, how do our emotions affect our skin when we fall in love? Does the key to beautiful skin lie in our emotional and psychological health? Let’s explore the topic more.
Does Being In Love Affect The Skin?
Here’s the good news: that rosy glow people associate with being in love is true to some degree.
Those fluttery butterflies that fill your stomach and the mushy feelings you experience while falling in love reflect a physiological process that can improve your skin more than any serum or sheet mask can.
This is all thanks to the hormone oxytocin, otherwise known as the ‘hormone of love’. It’s also known as the ‘attachment hormone’.
Oxytocin surges contribute to the bonds between sexual partners, mothers and children, and even between people and their pets. The hormone is known to reduce some of the inflammatory factors that slow healing.
As such, when you’re flooded with oxytocin from a hot date, this means less irritation and more glow. Not only that, but oxytocin also helps reduce the body’s production of cortisol, a stress hormone that can adversely affect the skin.
Stress is known to have negative effects on the skin, including zit breakouts, increased sensitivity, and a weakened skin barrier. But reduced stress levels can lead to better overall skin health.
When people are in love, they’re more likely to take better care of themselves, exercise more, and pay closer attention to their nutrition and skincare routine, all of which can contribute to better skin.
Does Excitement Affect The Skin?
With love often comes sex and the excitement and euphoria with it.
The art of making love comes with many health benefits, the most significant being the boost in dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) hormone levels to improve your skin’s appearance.
This occurs as DHEA increases your skin’s thickness, enhancing your skin’s hydration levels and lessening the amount of pigmentation on your face.
Having sex also leads to a surge in adrenaline and helps you clear your pores via the sweat created during the session.
Not only that, but the ‘exercise’ can also reduce stress and increase the blood flow towards your skin. This increases the oxygen and nutrients reaching your skin. It’s a win-win!
Products To Keep Your Skin Happy
No dates on the horizon? Don’t worry. Being in love isn’t the only way to keep your skin radiant.
Here are some of our favorite products to keep both you and your skin happy.
Foreo UFO Bulgarian Rose UFO Masks
There’s nothing like some self-love of pampering your skin with a mask, and these Foreo UFOBulgarian Rose UFO Masks are just as fun to put on as they are good for your complexion.
Infused with all-natural rose water, this mask transforms dry, tired-looking, dull skin in mere minutes. Plus, they smell heavenly.
Pair with the Foreo UFO device for the ultimate radiance-boosting results that leave the skin healthy and hydrated.
Avant 8 Hour Radiance Renewal Sleeping Mask
Treat your skin by investing in a rich night cream like the Avant 8 Hour Radiance Renewal Sleeping Mask.
This luxurious overnight treatment is designed to revitalize and transform your skin as you snooze. Infused with potent ingredients like Shea Butter and Rice Bran, this innovative mask nourishes, hydrates, and refreshes your complexion.
Its unique formula penetrates deeply to boost the skin's natural radiance, diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and welcome a youthful glow.
iS Clinical Brightening Serum
You can’t go wrong with a luxe serum to treat your skin, right? And the iS Clinical Brightening Serum is the perfect candidate to do so.
The powerful formula treats the appearance of uneven skin tone while also providing controlled exfoliation without peeling.
The serum is lightweight and easily absorbs, which is ideal for overall coverage, or as a targeted treatment for problem areas.
Teeming with potent botanicals, the serum not only treats an uneven skin tone but offers various anti-aging benefits.
Do you want more skincare advice? Here are the best oils to nourish and rejuvenate your skin.