Masturbation and acne: Find out if there’s a connection

Masturbation offers many benefits. In addition to pleasure, it can help reduce stress and improve sleep quality. It is thought to be a natural act, during which hormones such as endorphins and dopamine are released. There may be positive effects of masturbation on your health, but it is also linked to a common skin problem. Many people have doubts about masturbation and acne, which occurs when hair follicles are blocked. Excessive sebum production is one of the main causes of this skin problem. However, some people also wonder if self-love can lead to acne.

What is masturbation?

Before we explore the possible connection between masturbation and acne, let’s find out what this self-care tool is. It is an activity in which a person touches their genitals for sexual stimulation or pleasure. According to a 2015 study published in Journal of Sex Education and Therapy, Married women who masturbated experienced more orgasms and higher self-esteem. They also had better sexual desire and greater satisfaction with sex life.

Another study published in Borders in 2019, showed that participants who masturbated found it helpful in improving sleep quality. It can also improve your mood. Masturbation and the resulting orgasms can have a positive effect on your mood, according to research published in International Journal of Sexual Health in April 2024.

Are there skin benefits of masturbation?

Masturbation and orgasms release feel-good hormones like oxytocin and endorphins, which can reduce stress levels. “Less stress often means reduced cortisol levels, which can indirectly benefit the skin by reducing inflammation,” says esthetician and cosmetologist Dr Karuna Malhotra. Improved blood circulation during arousal and orgasm can also deliver more oxygen and nutrients to the skin, enhancing its natural glow.

“While masturbation is not a skin care treatment, the stress relief aspect can contribute to overall skin health,” says the expert. Also, better quality sleep after orgasm can promote skin repair and regeneration, further supporting healthier skin.

Masturbation and Acne: What’s the Connection?

Although there are potential benefits to masturbation, some people believe it can negatively affect the skin. So, is there a connection between masturbation and acne? Despite popular myth, masturbation has no effect on acne, according to research published in the Postgraduate Medical Journal in 2006.

There is no direct scientific evidence to show a link between masturbation and acne, which is often caused by hormonal changes.

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1. Hormones

“Some people think that masturbation and acne are linked because of the temporary changes in hormones it can cause,” says the expert. This minimal hormonal fluctuation is not significant enough to cause acne in humans. Also, it’s sex hormones like testosterone and progesterone that can affect the skin and lead to excess oil production, according to research published in Dermatology Clinics magazine in 2017. Masturbation affects the release of hormones such as endorphins, prolactin, dopamine and oxytocin, according to research published in Basic and Clinical Andrology magazine in 2021. But these hormones have nothing to do with acne or oily skin.

2. Stress

Although masturbation and acne are not directly linked, the myths surrounding it can create unnecessary stress, which can indirectly worsen acne. “Guilt or anxiety related to masturbation, stemming from social stigma, can lead to anxiety and, in turn, worsen acne in stress-prone people,” says the expert.

What causes acne?

There is no connection between masturbation and acne. But there are other factors that cause this common skin condition, which occurs when hair follicles become clogged with oil and dead skin cells, leading to pimples, whiteheads and blackheads.

1. Excessive sebum production

Although masturbation and acne are not connected, there are sebaceous glands in the skin that produce an oily substance called sebum to keep the skin moisturized. “Overproduction of sebum, often caused by hormonal changes, clogs pores and creates an environment where acne-causing bacteria can thrive,” says Dr. Malhotra.

2. Hormonal changes

Hormones, especially androgens such as testosterone, increase during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy or due to conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome. “These hormonal spikes can stimulate the sebaceous glands, leading to more oil production and clogged skin pores,” says the expert.

3. Bacteria

The bacterium Propionibacterium acnes (now called Cutibacterium acnes) lives naturally on the skin. “When the pores of the skin become blocked, these bacteria increase in number, trigger inflammation and lead to redness, swelling and the formation of cysts in various parts of the body,” says the expert.

4. Medicines

Certain medications, such as corticosteroids or birth control pills with specific hormonal formulations, may help reduce inflammation in the body or prevent pregnancy. “But these drugs can also cause or worsen acne,” says the expert.

How to treat acne?

Effective treatment of acne requires an individualized approach:

1. Topical treatments

• Retinoids: Derived from vitamin A, they help prevent clogged pores and promote cell cycle.
• Benzoyl peroxide: It fights acne-causing bacteria and reduces inflammation, and is particularly effective for people with mild acne,” says the expert.
• Salicylic acid: A beta-hydroxy acid that exfoliates skin and unclogs pores, salicylic acid is a common ingredient in many over-the-counter acne products.
• Antibiotic creams: These reduce bacteria and inflammation and are often prescribed for topical acne.

2. Oral medications

• Antibiotics: “Oral antibiotics such as doxycycline and minocycline are used to treat moderate to severe acne and reduce bacterial growth and inflammation,” says the expert.
• Hormonal treatments: Birth control pills or anti-androgens such as spironolactone can regulate hormonal imbalances in women by reducing sebum production.
  Isotretinoin: This drug, derived from vitamin A, is used for severe, cystic acne.

3. Lifestyle modifications

No, you don’t have to give up on self-love, as there is no connection between masturbation and acne. But you need to eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, zinc and antioxidants to promote skin health. “Practices like yoga, meditation and regular exercise can help lower cortisol levels which can help reduce acne breakouts,” says Dr. Malhotra.

Masturbation and acne have nothing to do with each other, so don’t believe this myth. Hormones do play a role in acne, but the ones released during masturbation have nothing to do with this skin condition. If you have persistent acne, you should consult a doctor.