Fertile women are more attractive
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A study has shown that females with high levels of the sex hormone oestrogen have prettier faces and are more likely to catch the attention of the opposite sex. Make-up such as foundation and powder can mask the effect, however.
Psychologists at St Andrews University asked volunteers to rate a selection of young women's faces for attractiveness, health and femininity. Those with higher levels of oestrogen came top with men and women.
Miriam Law Smith, who led the study, said: "Women are effectively advertising their general fertility with their faces. Our findings could explain why men universally seem to prefer feminine women's faces.
"In evolutionary terms, it makes sense for men to favour feminine fertile women; those that did would have had more babies."
The psychologist said oestrogen had an impact on appearance during puberty, when it can affect bone growth and skin texture. Those with high levels often have attractive bone structure and smooth skin.
But no link between appearance and oestrogen was found in the responses to women wearing make-up.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments