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The role of skin in the level of serotonin and oxytocin in your body

3 minutes to read

A soft touch, a big hug or even an arm around your shoulder – these are all forms of positive touch that make us feel good. The reason they make us feel good is because when we experience positive touch, our bodies release serotonin and oxytocin – both hormones responsible for love and happiness. There are a number of ways how to boost serotonin and how to increase oxytocin, which we’ll cover in this article. But first, let’s find out what they are.

What is oxytocin and serotonin?

There are many hormones in your body that can boost your mood and promote general wellbeing (can we link back to article 1 please). Two of these include serotonin, which is responsible for wellbeing and happiness, while the oxytocin function is to regulate bonding, love and trust. The really interesting bit about these hormones is that they’re influenced by your environment, relationships, diet, exercise and even sometimes the microbes in your gut.

How to increase serotonin

If you’re looking to discover how to boost serotonin, it’s really simple and, as you might have guessed, pleasurable.

The first way is to get some sunlight on your skin. The UV light that’s absorbed through your skin produces vitamin D in your body, which promotes serotonin production. Just don’t forget to put on sunscreen before you catch some rays.

The second way is to exercise, which has been shown to increase both serotonin production and release.

The third way is to remember happy times. This very simple act of thinking about the good times is how to increase serotonin levels.

The last way is through touch. More specifically, massage. Massages have been found to increase your serotonin, giving you a sense of wellbeing and happiness.

How to increase oxytocin

If you want to know how to increase oxytocin, there are some really easy ways to do this. Because the oxytocin function is to regulate bonding, love and trust, the ways to boost this hormone almost always involves other people. Sharing a meal with someone, giving or receiving a gift or telling someone you love them – these are all great ways to boost your serotonin. The other way is through contact. Hugging, cuddling or even holding hands (can we link to article 4) can give you an oxytocin boost and make you feel more connected.

How Sanex can help

As we’ve discovered, our skin plays an important role in both hormones responsible for love and happiness. Whether it’s a massage, holding hands or a hug, skin contact is key to boosting these hormones. That’s why it’s important to Sanex to offer you products that look after your skin and why they’re dedicated to keeping it healthy. For soft, touchable skin that feels loved, try Sanex Dermo Moisturising Shower Gel. Its soothing formula helps hydrate, protect and replenish your skin’s barriers, while respecting its natural pH balance. Or you could try Sanex Zero% Sensitive Skin Shower Gel, which is fragrance free and specially formulated only with carefully selected ingredients to be kind to sensitive skin and reduce the risk of irritations.

Whichever you choose, it’s important to keep your skin healthy for the great benefits of boosting the happiness and love hormones.