Femcare (intimate care market), is experiencing its moment as beauty and wellness collide. Femcare products have expanded far beyond feminine wipes to encompass holistic product offerings for beauty and wellness.
Areas surrounding the genitalia require special care to maintain an ideal pH balance and healthy microbiota balance, and using perfumed hygiene products disrupting these balances increases inflammation risk as well as infection risk.
Cleansing Wipes
Cleansing wipes offer an effective and practical alternative to soap, shampoo or body wash for cleaning intimate areas. Incorporating moisturizing ingredients that help soothe itching and irritation.
Menstruation, post-exercise or any time when regular washing may not be possible is when vaginal wipes come in handy, to reduce odor, eliminate germs and maintain a healthy pH balance in the vagina.
However, not all feminine hygiene wipes are created equal. Some contain fragrance and harsh chemicals that may irritate sensitive skin; other contain preservatives such as MI or CMI which have been linked to severe allergic reactions in some people.
Choose hypoallergenic options free from unnecessary fragrance and chemical preservatives. Search for those formulated with natural ingredients such as aloe vera, chamomile and cucumber and be sure to read labels thoroughly. Wipes that contain IPBC preservative are currently under review by European regulatory bodies as they have been linked with adverse skin reactions; so steer clear of them!
Liners
Liners provide an effortless and effortless way to keep your intimate area fresh. Making them part of your daily routine will leave you feeling like you just got out of the shower and prepared to face anything life throws your way.
These thin and comfortable biodegradable liners can absorb your light menstrual flow to help keep you rash-free, dry, and confident throughout the day. For added peace of mind try one with quilted coverage that features Stay-Put adhesive which helps minimize bunching or twisting.
When dealing with heavier menstrual flows or spotting between periods, use a liner featuring Quick Absorb Pores for fast and reliable absorption. Breathable material also ensures it feels more like your skin than other options available to you. Be sure to change liners regularly (ideally every 3-5 hours) in order to reduce leakage risk and irritation, and properly dispose of used ones in a trash bin or toilet for safe disposal.
Daily Wipes
Intimate wipes can be useful when traveling or when running water is unavailable, but should never replace regular hygiene practices with water. Wipes should also be free from fragrance and harsh chemicals like DEP, DBP, DEHP phthalates as well as synthetic musks and phenols which have been known to cause skin reactions and hormone disruption.
IPBC preservative, found in many intimate care wipes, has been linked to various skin and reproductive health problems. Furthermore, many brands of wipes contain MI chemical which has been known to trigger allergies in some individuals.
Women should demand transparency and accountability from companies that use misleading marketing to coerce women into purchasing unnecessary products that could compromise their health. An intimate wash and healthy diet are among the best ways to cleanse vulvae and lower risks of UTIs or other conditions; just remember to wipe from front to back of anus (to stop bacteria spreading from the anus to vulva), never reusing a dirty wipe!
Feminine Wash
Gentle washes can be an essential component of an effective intimate care routine, but be wary of harsh cleansers or perfumes which could irritate delicate vaginal skin or alter its ecosystem – they could potentially do more harm than good!
The ideal feminine washes are specifically tailored to meet the pH levels in your intimate areas, helping prevent infections like yeast overgrowth while leaving you feeling fresh and confident all day long.
A good feminine wash should contain all-natural ingredients like glycerin–a moisturizing ingredient with natural lubricating properties–to soothe skin irritation. In addition, consider looking for hypoallergenic formulas without sulfates, parabens, phthalates or artificial fragrances; one such proven and tested feminine wash that features lavender, chamomile and calendula is made by EV tried and tested and is made to alleviate symptoms like dryness and itching during perimenopause and menopause stages.