How to choose an intimate hygiene product
A gynecologist explains what to look for in an intimate wash, and what should never be in one.
How to choose an intimate hygiene product
We're looking at what goes into intimate washes, together with a specialist: an obstetrician-gynecologist.
Answered by a gynecologist who specializes in chronic pelvic pain syndrome and female sexual dysfunction, and co-hosts the podcast Ginekologini ("Women Gynecologists").
Actually, you can do without a product at all
The vulva is delicate skin and mucous membrane with its own defense system.
The vagina is a self-cleaning system, and it doesn't need harsh "helpers" from outside.
But if you want to use an intimate hygiene product, that's normal. Many women feel more comfortable using something besides water.
What to look for when choosing an intimate hygiene product
1. The ingredient list should be short and easy to understand. The fewer ingredients, the lower the risk that something will cause irritation.
Look on the label for mild surfactants: for example, glucosides (Coco Glucoside, Decyl Glucoside) or betaines (Cocamidopropyl Betaine). They cleanse gently and don't damage the protective barrier.
2. Always check the pH: ideally it should be 4.5–5.5.
Products that are too "acidic" can irritate the vulvar mucosa. And inside the vagina, where the environment is most acidic, there's no need to wash at all.
Look for lactic acid in the ingredients
It is physiologically suited to the intimate area, supports its natural pH and helps lactobacilli, those "good" bacteria that protect you every day.
Moisturizing and soothing ingredients are a nice bonus
Look for panthenol, hyaluronic acid, aloe vera and bio-fermented extracts.
The product should be made for the intimate area
Not a shower gel, not a face wash, not an "all-purpose" product.
This isn't marketing: the pH and the mildness of the surfactants in these products are matched to the specific needs of the vulva.
Test a new product first
Apply a drop to a small patch of skin (for example, the inside of your elbow) and wait 24 hours. If there's no irritation, you can try it.
What should never be in an intimate wash?
Dyes (any "CI" followed by a number). They simply have no business being there.
Harsh sulfates. In women prone to thrush, they can cause a flare-up.
High concentrations of glycerin. In women prone to thrush, they can cause a flare-up.
Antiseptics (chlorhexidine, triclosan) without a medical reason. They kill not only the "bad" but also the "good" lactobacilli, which raises the risk of thrush and bacterial vaginosis.
Synthetic fragrances and scents. They are one of the most common causes of contact dermatitis and allergic reactions in the intimate area.
Douching and "vaginal showers". These are a special kind of evil: they wash out the protective microflora and raise the risk of infection. The vagina doesn't need to be washed from the inside.
Your intimate area deserves gentle care, not harsh "cleansing"
If you do choose a product, make it a mild one with a clear ingredient list and as few components as possible. If you don't want to use anything but water, that's also perfectly normal and physiologically sound.
And if you notice itching, burning, unusual discharge or odor, that's not a reason to buy "something stronger". It's a reason to see a gynecologist and find out what's going on. You don't have to put up with discomfort, and you don't have to deal with it on your own.
Take care of yourself, and remember: self-care isn't a luxury, it's the basics.
