Intimate care products are essential bathroom essentials that may often go unseen on vanity shelves. But regardless of their discrete nature, these items can help protect against infections and maintain healthy vulva skin.
Choose an organic feminine wash that is fragrance-free and gynecologically tested to maintain the delicate pH balance in the intimate area. Avoid using pads, douches, or sprays that contain scents as these can cause irritation and increase risk of infection.
Vaginal Cleanser
As women are well aware, maintaining proper genital hygiene is vitally important to overall health. But experts caution that overuse of so-called feminine washes may do more damage than good.
Gynecologists typically recommend using fragrance-free bar soap or body wash without dyes, fragrances or perfumes as an ideal means of washing the external genitalia. Dove’s Beauty Bar for Sensitive Skin or CeraVe’s Hydrating Body Wash may both be suitable choices to try.
Tanouye stated that excessive washing of external vulva can also disrupt its natural pH balance and vaginal microflora; to maintain balance it is recommended to only use small amounts of cleanser with thorough rinsing afterwards.
As for cleaning the internal vulva, she suggests using a soft cloth or sponge and warm water to gently rinse away any “smegma”, or buildup of dead skin cells and oils that accumulates over time. However, too much product may overwash and dry out your skin, leading to itching or burning sensations.
Vaginal Deodorant
Many women rely on antiperspirant and deodorants applied directly to their pits, but these products may actually cause more harm than good for the vulva. Their chemicals could irritate sensitive skin while blocking pores – potentially leading to infection or irritation; furthermore, some products contain talc which could travel down into the vagina and reach your ovary, potentially causing cancer; douching and rubbing the area can throw off its pH balance and increase risk of yeast infections that manifest themselves as itching, thick white discharge, or burning sensation when intercourse or urination takes place.
Intimate odor is caused by bacteria in the genital area, not sweat. Sprays that claim to remove this smell usually contain synthetic fragrance hexaclorophene – known to be irritating and potentially trigger allergic reactions in some people – rather than opting for natural alternatives like neem oil (containing antiparasitic properties that help prevent infection) or aloe vera ( which soothes delicate tissues).
Vaginal Liners
Vaginal liners are an ideal solution for light discharge or as a backup on heavier days, or between periods. Their slim design fits easily under clothing for discreet yet convenient management of flow.
Panty liners help your vagina stay balanced with its natural pH balance to remain self-cleaning, but sometimes extra discharge occurs, particularly during the week leading up to your period. They absorb any extra fluid so you won’t experience leakage or staining in your underwear.
Panty liners should be replaced regularly to prevent an accumulation of bacteria in the area. As with all intimate hygiene products, only flush the three P’s: paper, poo and pee! Anything else should be binned and disposed of as normal waste. Opting for natural and organic panty liners without harmful chemicals will ensure skin hygiene and comfort.
Feminine Wipes
Feminine wipes are like portable washcloths designed to keep you feeling clean during your period. Constructed of gentle material like aloe vera, they help maintain pH balance as well as support healthy levels of bacteria in and around your vulva.
Medzino, an online health care provider, recommends selecting feminine wipes which are hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, alcohol-free, paraben-free and pH neutral for optimal use. They should be created without ingredients that could potentially trigger irritation.
Always read and abide by the instructions for feminine wipes before using them regularly, as overdoing it could disrupt your vagina’s natural balance and cause yeast infections and irritation in your anal canal. Furthermore, always dispose of non-flushable wipes properly–don’t flush non-flushable ones down the toilet as that could contribute to blocked pipes and blockages in your system.
