Women's skin is generally softer than men's due to several key factors related to hormonal differences and subcutaneous fat distribution.
Hormonal Influence
The primary driver of this difference is the influence of hormones, specifically androgen and estrogen. Higher levels of androgen (like testosterone) in men lead to thicker skin. As stated in one source, "Androgen (testosterone) stimulation causes an increase in skin thickness, which accounts for why a man's skin is about 25% thicker than a woman's."1 This thicker skin is naturally less soft. Conversely, estrogen's influence in women contributes to thinner skin.
Subcutaneous Fat
Another significant factor is the distribution of subcutaneous fat (fat under the skin). Women typically have a higher proportion of subcutaneous fat than men. Multiple sources highlight this: "Generally woman have extra subcutaneous fat (fat under skin) than men. This gives the much softer and plumper feel to the flesh."2 This increased fat layer acts as a cushion, contributing to the perception of softer skin. A plastic surgeon's perspective reinforces this, stating that women "are softer to touch because they are well padded in fat and also have softer fat."3
Neoteny
Finally, the concept of neoteny also plays a role. One source explains that "Women are more neotenous than men, meaning that they retain more juvenile physical features into adulthood."4 This includes features like softer, more supple skin, typically associated with youth.
Summary of Contributing Factors:
- Higher Androgen Levels in Men: Result in thicker skin.
- Higher Estrogen Levels in Women: Result in thinner skin.
- Greater Subcutaneous Fat in Women: Creates a softer, more cushioned feel.
- Neoteny in Women: Retention of youthful skin characteristics.
Exceptions
It's crucial to note that these are general trends. Individual variations exist, and factors like age, lifestyle, skincare routines, and genetics all influence skin texture and softness.
1 [Source: Unidentified source, provided in prompt text.]
2 [Source: Quora - "Why do girls have soft bodies?"]
3 [Source: Quora - "Are women softer than men in general?"]
4 [Source: Reddit - "ELI5:Why is girls skin softer than guys skin?"]
