In other words, the sexiest, most sensitive parts of your body.
You know that feeling when someone caresses your forearm or kisses your neck and you involuntarily shiver or get that tingly shiver all over your body? That telltale skingasm feeling is probably because one of your erogenous zones just got ~touched~. Erogenous zones are essentially your body’s master arousal buttons. They’re the parts of your body that are hypersensitive to touch and make you feel aroused when they’re stimulated.
While sure, your mind might immediately go to your genitals, it turns out that there are a lot more erogenous zones than just the one between your legs. In fact, any part of your body can be an erogenous zone. But what feels good now (or made you feel good in high school) might not always be your favorite spot. As your body changes and you have different experiences, you may discover new erogenous zones. This is because your brain maps your erogenous zones and organizes them as areas associated with pleasure, meaning that as you change, so does your brain’s pleasure map.
That’s why we suggest continuing to explore—even after you’ve found a few feel-good zones—because you might discover new pleasure spots you didn’t know existed. And when you consider how amazing these spots feel when stimulated, finding them is half the fun. Not only that, but learning about the most popular erogenous zones is like a secret weapon for arousal. The more places that provide pleasure = the more pleasure you can receive = the more pleasure you’ll have. It’s that simple!
What are the most common erogenous zones?
Since not all bodies are the same, there is no set erogenous zone map for everyone. Sorry, but this is not for everyone. What works for person A may not work for person B, which is why communication is vital.
Besides that, learning your own erogenous zones is pretty awesome. Knowing your erogenous zones and what turns you on is like having a superpower in the bedroom because you can guide your partner so they feel like a superhero.
Below, we outline 32 of the most common erogenous zones for people with vaginas and penises. As you read, keep in mind that some of these may not apply to you, some may do nothing for you, and some may make you purr like a kitten when petted. Meow.
1. The inner thighs
It’s like the fast track to your genitals, and for most people, the inner thighs that lie beneath the thigh crease are ultra-sensitive to touch. Try caressing, kissing, or biting the fleshy area as part of foreplay to make your partner moan.
2. The thigh fold
Speaking of the thigh crease, this is another spot full of feel-good nerve endings. The small area where the legs meet the torso/pubic area doesn’t often get attention, so focusing on it with your fingers, lips, or even a sensation toy like a feather is likely to cause sparks to fly. Try incorporating this into your next oral session to really make your partner squirm.
3. The wrist
Remember how it lowkey felt like your skin was on fire the first time someone caressed your wrist with their thumb during a movie as a teenager? The seemingly innocent wrist is home to delicate, sensitive skin that can still give you that feel-good tingle even after you’ve gotten past the hand-holding stage. Try gentle strokes or use some textured bondage toys (with permission, ofc!) to show those wrists some love.
4. The ears
Filled with sensory receptors, the ears are Erogenous Zones 101. Try lightly tracing the outline of your partner's ear canal with your finger, kissing directly behind it, or moaning softly into their ear.
5. The earlobes
If you’re looking for a place to nibble and suck on the sensational ears, the wattles are where you’re going. This area has thinner skin, which means you’ll want to start out super gentle to see how much sensation your partner likes. But if you’re given the green light, some people love a real nibbling sensation, so use lots of communication here to figure out what feels best for them.
6. The lower abdomen
The patch of skin below your belly button but above your pubic hairline should probably be called the “Foreplay Zone” because it feels so damn tempting. Give this area plenty of attention by kissing, licking, stroking, or scratching (if your partner is into it) as you build up the heat in your play. This is also a great place to experiment with temperature, so try dragging an ice cube along the area and then blowing some hot air over the wet path.
7. The back
There’s a reason back massages are so popular. Rubbing, touching, kneading, and stroking this entire area is typically a favorite for, well, pretty much everyone. That said, some people prefer to focus more on their shoulders, while others like it on the sensitive lower back, just above the buttock crease (where some people have those cute little dimples). Scratching and sensation play (like with feathers or jade rollers) are also *chef’s kiss* on the back, so experiment away!
8. The breasts
We don’t have to tell you that lots of people love breasts. They love looking at them, holding them, squeezing them, kissing them… you get the idea. But lots of people love being on the receiving end, which means that feeling their breasts and playing with them feels really fucking good. Not only are there lots of nerve endings woven into the fatty tissue, but the taboo factor makes (consensually) fondling feel extra erotic for some people.
9. The nipples
While the breasts are generally erogenous zones, it’s the nipples that get the most attention. This is because almost everyone experiences some level of nipple sensitivity, from very light to extreme (which can be even more heightened during parts of the menstrual cycle and pregnancy). Lots of communication is key here, as some people enjoy intense stimulation like biting or using nipple clamps, while others simply prefer gentle touches or kisses.
10. The hands
If you’re a fan of holding hands, you probably already know how nice little strokes on the palm feel. You can simply squeeze, caress, or trace your partner’s hand, or give him or her a massage.
11. The fingers
Don’t think we’ve forgotten about fingers when we’re talking hands! Not only are fingers great tools for tracing all over your partner’s body, but when stimulated, fingers can actually bring you close to climax. When things are getting heated, try having your partner slowly suck on your finger—they can even gently bite down on the tip. Don’t be surprised if it feels like your genitals are tingling as this happens. This act sends similar genital signals to the brain, so it probably feels a little like you’re getting oral sex, even if there’s no stimulation below the belt yet.
12. The lips
The lips are full of nerve endings that lie close to the surface and are one of the most classic erogenous zones for a reason. Simple kisses can flood your body with endorphins, so there is no reason not to give the kisser/cuddler some extra attention. Try running your tongue or finger along the edge of your partner’s lips, gently biting and even sucking to arouse all sorts of sexual feelings.
13. The scalp
If you’ve ever enjoyed having your hair pulled during sex, or if you just love it when someone plays with your locks, you probably know what sensual attention to your scalp feels like. That’s because the area has thousands of nerve endings that can fire up at the lightest touch. Try some light tugging, scratching, massaging, or rubbing along your partner’s scalp.
14. The jawline
Between the feel-good ears and the erotic lips, there’s an erogenous zone that’s easily overlooked: the jaw. This area is one of the more sensitive spots on the face, and it’s the perfect little line to trace kisses down as you make your way to Makeout Station. You can also try veering off the path a little—stopping to lay down a few love bites on the neck—while giving the jawline some well-deserved action.
15. The sides of your torso
Similar to the lower abdomen, the sides of the torso—from under the arm to the hip—are one of the fleshy areas that can make some people shiver (in a hot way) from the skin. All it takes is a gentle caress with your fingertips—the lighter the better—to activate those receptors.
16. The Achilles tendon
Feet are one of the most popular fetishes and go down as erogenous zones thanks to how amazing they feel when they’re being pampered. While you might not think the tendon that runs down the back of your ankle—and the surrounding area—could be erotic, a light touch can create a sensation similar to the inside of your wrist. If you’re already in the foot area, give this spot some attention, too.
17. The bottom of your feet
Daan, here come the body shivers! The bottoms of your feet contain pressure points that can boost your mood, relax your body, and get your arousal going. The catch, of course, is that the arches are also some of the most ticklish spots, so to engage this erogenous zone without making your partner giggle, squirm, and kick, you’ll want to focus on firm, massage-like squeezes.
18. Between the toes
While you’re working your magic down there, don’t forget to pay some attention to the toes. Particularly the delicate skin between the toes. This is one of the least touched parts of the body and can be extremely sensual when stimulated. Some people may enjoy a gentle squeeze, while others prefer something a little more bitey, so work with your partner to find what feels best.
19. The inner knees
Granted, the area behind your knee might not exactly scream “sexy,” but it’s actually a pretty sensitive spot that’s easy to stimulate. The great thing about your inner knees is that you can casually touch, stroke, and caress them on your partner in public without raising an eyebrow. Better yet, when you’re alone, there are tons of different things you can try with the wide space, from pinching to licking to biting.
20. The mons pubis
The fleshy, hairy layer of fat covering the pubic bone may not get much attention as part of your usual sexual repertoire, but with its plethora of nerve endings, pheromone-releasing glands, and proximity to your genitals, it's a hot spot for good reason . Try lightly massaging the area with your fingers or a vibrating toy , or have a partner lick and blow on it to activate your senses. Sterling suggests experimenting with increased pressure and using objects like feathers, ice cubes, and heat to awaken the entire erogenous zone.
And of course we have the obvious spots like the clitoris and the anus, and even more less obvious spots, but this list would be too long… Go on a journey of discovery yourself and discover it yourself or together with your partner and let us know what your favorite erogenous zone is.
