Skin invites intimacy. Think of the difference between lying in bed with clothes on and clothes off. Or holding a loved one’s hand with gloves on and gloves off. That layer of cloth separates. When appropriate, skin-to-skin contact offers a sensual experience that says I am vulnerable, vibrant, and cared for. Nerve endings close to the skin create waves of sensation when skin is touched, tickled and teased. If stimulated suggestively, sexual arousal can occur across the body via its blanket of skin. Sensual skin care invites everyone to experience these pleasures.
Presence
Skin helps us be aware of what or who is in contact with our body. If you see or feel skin disruptions, tend to it. Nurture it. Fully inhabit your body. Enjoy the feel of a summer breeze on your bare feet. A whisper into the ear. Silk sheets. A kiss on the neck or inner wrist. A new scent. Skin communicates sensations. It may physically respond with goosebumps, sexual arousal or relaxation. It varies by person. If you aren’t present, you will miss it.
Tension
Sometimes the timing isn’t right for touch. Respect this. When it is right, let your sensual pleasure build. Linger your touch with a pause, move toward the lower abdomen or up the thigh and then retreat. Leave a trail with your fingers. Teasing builds tension and raises pleasure when released. Your brain gets flushed with feel good hormones. Blood vessels open wide and skin may blush red.
Pressure
Touch has many degrees. To be interesting, modulate between soft and deep touch. Apply different amounts of pressure. A kiss on the eyelid is different from a tongue thrust in the mouth. Stroke, tickle, grab, cup, brush. Whatever is welcomed. A brush to the skin of your inner arm can be more sensually intense than a grab. Changing up your touch can be as easy as bathing together with soap, applying body cream, or massaging with essential oils.
Boundaries
Skin doesn’t come with a map showing designated boundaries. You draw them. Your skin should be a safe place. A beautiful place that allows you to connect to your surroundings, people and purpose. There are vulnerable spots. For some it’s the belly, armpit or feet. Feel free to designate detours. When you own your body you practice self-care, identify and communicate what’s off limits, and forgive any flaws. Give attention to all areas of the skin, not just what is visible.
Novelty
In his article “The Strange Phenomenon of Musical Skin Orgasms,” David Robson writes: “If a song follows the conventions too closely, it is bland and fails to capture our attention; if it breaks the patterns too much, it sounds like noise. But when composers straddle the boundary between the familiar and unfamiliar, playing with your expectations using unpredictable flourishes, they hit a sweet spot that pleasantly teases the brain, and this may produce a frisson.” He defines a frisson as a skin orgasm that causes chills, shivers down the spine, or goosebumps. In essence, don’t let your sensual skin care pleasures become routine. Shake it up. Tingle.
Desire
Sensual skin care stories are not limited to soft, youthful suppleness. People have callouses, scars, imprints from tight pants, bruises, wrinkles and a variety of colors on their skin. Don’t worry about the warts, celebrate what’s unique. Indulge your desire to apply creams to your skin. Take care of your skin and it will enhance sensual rewards. If your skin has kept you away from the sensual life you want to live, change the story line – when you feel desirable you are desired.
(photo: Alexander Krivitskiy/Pexels)