IDK about you, but nothing ruins the afterglow of sex quite like discovering a giant pimple and then immediately questioning whether or not the sex you just had is responsible for that cute new breakout. While it’s true that having sex can do a lot of good for your mind and body, it’s also true that sex-related factors can end up triggering whiteheads, blackheads, or even cystic acne for those of us with acne-prone skin. Fun, right?
And because I know the last thing you want to think about going into sex is whether or not it’ll leave you with acne, I consulted the pros to give me all the need-to-knows. Ahead, an explanation for what those common “sex bumps” on your face are, the biggest acne-causing culprits during intercourse, and, ofc, exactly how you can prevent each one.
What are the sex bumps on my face?
“Sex bumps” on your face can refer to two different things: a post-sex flush or a skin condition that you could have developed from intimate, close contact with someone who has some sort of rash or skin infection. If your face “bumps” present as flushed cheeks, blotches, or rash-like, it is likely you’re just experiencing a totally healthy, totally normal body response to sex thanks to an increase in blood flow. This flushed-like reaction occurs after orgasm or sexual arousal and will disappear anywhere from a few minutes to a couple of hours. If it lingers longer, it may be something else...which leads us to the latter—an infection that you could have picked due to skin-to-skin contact. Don’t play doctor. Instead, go to a professional ASAP so you can get proper treatment and care.
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Can the hormones released during sex cause acne?
“There’s no concrete evidence that sexual activity can trigger or aggravate acne,” says dermatologist Kseniya Golubets, MD. However, acne is complicated and we must remember that the causes of acne can be complex and multifactorial, says dermatologist Gloria Lin, MD. That said, “It may be hard to determine if the temporary hormonal fluctuations during sex can contribute to this,” explains Dr. Lin.
It also could go vice versa—just as sex may cause acne (though unlikely), it also could reduce breakouts as well. As previously mentioned, we know that sex can do a whole lot of good for our physical and mental health. In fact, “having sex regularly may have more long-term effects on hormone regulation and stress reduction that could potentially decrease the risk of acne,” says Dr. Lin.
TL;DR: The science verdict is out—we don’t truly know if sex can cause or decrease acne, but what we do know is that there are acne can be triggered by things related to sexual activity, like sweat, facial hair, bed sheets, and birth control. Let’s get into it the details:
Sweat:
⮕ Why it may be causing acne...
Any physical activity can cause perspiration. Sex, especially if it’s extra vigorous (heyo), has the potential to turn into a really sweaty sesh. The result? Sweat, along with sebum, dirt, and bacteria can clog your pores, leading to the formation of acne, explains Dr. Lin.
⮕ What to do about it...
Dr. Lin says, if possible, to shower immediately after sweaty sexual activity to help prevent breakouts. If it’s not realistic (relatable), an easier-to-follow tip is to avoid putting your clothes back on right away and letting your body cool down a bit. This will prevent you from trapping the sweat against your skin, leading to more breakouts.
Other ideas? “Wiping your skin with towelettes could also help in a pinch if showering is not possible, as well as removing makeup before sex,” says Dr. Lin. Alternatively, Dr. Golubets recommends using anything with salicylic acid or a gentle wash to make sure your pores are clean.
Facial hair:
⮕ Why it may be causing acne...
If you’re kissing your partner with facial hair during sex, it can potentially result in a type of breakout called acne mechanica (beard burn, anyone?). Basically, this is a form of acne that is created through friction leading to excess oil production, in turn creating a moist and perfect environment for bacteria to flourish.
⮕ What to do about it...
Cleansing the area that came into contact with hair immediately after sex can help. You and your partner shaving before sex can help too, but if you FW a little ’stache or scruff, keeping up with a regular grooming and cleansing schedule should help a lot too.
Bed sheets:
⮕ Why they may be causing acne...
If your partner’s room is littered with open chip bags or you have to wade through old towels and dirty clothes to get to your bed, then it’s safe to assume that both of your bedsheets are just as poor shape. “Leaving dirty bedsheets can trigger flare-ups of acne because of dead skin cells, oils, and bacteria that can accumulate on unwashed fabrics,” says dermatologist Kaleroy Papantoniou, MD. Pillowcases are especially prone to this bacteria, says Dr. Golubets. They collect facial oil, hair products, and a myriad other bacteria.
⮕ What to do about it...
The solution here is quite simple: “Change the sheets at least once per week or after significant sweating,” says Dr. Lin. Though it may not always be possible to do so on a weekly basis if you don’t have a washer/dryer in-house, prioritize your pillowcases as they contain the most bacteria. Buy an extra set—that way you can easily switch them out every week. It’s well worth the investment.
Birth control:
⮕ Why it may be causing acne...
Hormonal acne is a whole different beast. As someone who deals with it on the reg, I’ve learned that some birth control options can work wonders on my skin; others, however, have had the opposite effect. For the gist: Hormones cause an increase in sebum production, and because some birth controls do exactly that (i.e., release hormones), it’s fitting that you may be experiencing more acne if you recently went on it or changed up your method.
⮕ What to do about it...
The absolute number one tip in this scenario is to see a board-certified professional. Some types of hormonal acne can only be treated with intervention via an Rx prescription or steroid injection (hi, cystic acne), and trying to mess with it yourself can oftentimes exasperate the problem.
Acne cleansing products for after sex!
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The bottom line:
To put it simply, straight-up penis in vagina or vagina on vagina or any combination of body parts that get you going isn’t magically going to produce breakouts. However, certain aspects of sex definitely could. The main culprits in question? Sweat, facial hair, bed sheets, and birth control. Though I highly stress seeing a professional for the latter, the other issues may be resolved through proper hygiene and washing as soon as possible after the act to decrease acne-causing bacteria as much as possible. Got it? Good. Now put this out of your mind for now and go forth with sexy time.
Meet the experts:
- Gloria Lin, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City.
- Kseniya Golubets, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in Hackensack, NJ.
- Kaleroy Papantoniou, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Simply Dermatology in Melville, NY.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Siena Gagliano is an associate editor at Cosmopolitan with more than four years of experience writing in the makeup, skin, and hair spaces. She constantly speaks with cosmetic chemists and dermatologists about the newest and greatest in the beauty world, with a particular interest and expertise in acne. Her stories include the best salicylic acid cleansers and blue light therapy for acne treatment.
