Feminine Wash: How to Choose & When To Use It

Beauty and skincare products for women usually take the front seat of the conversation. Still, one subject that's often not talked about is proper intimate hygiene.

Sharing skincare tips and self-care regimens seems almost like a habit when you're among close friends. After all, when you know a thing or two that might help the people you care about, you wouldn't have to think twice to share that knowledge. However, when the topic revolves around intimate hygiene, you and some friends may take a second thought before diving in for a discussion.

One of the most debated topics is whether or not you should be using feminine washes and how you should be using them. Personal hygiene, specifically vaginal health, can be a sensitive topic due to its intimate details. But no matter how uncomfortable it may be, having an open discussion about your sexual health prevents the spread of false information and misconceptions.

What is feminine wash, and how should it be used?

Feminine washes are mild cleaning formulas that you use to clean the outer part of your intimate area called the vulva. A common misconception is that feminine washes can also be used for the vagina, the muscular canal. However, OB-Gynecologists would confirm that the vagina is a "self-cleaning oven" that has its natural way of clearing out potentially harmful bacteria. In the form of the discharge it regularly produces, you can quickly determine and monitor your vaginal health.

Doctors would not recommend using feminine washes directly to your vaginal canal and only prescribe its use on the vulva.

Directly using intimate washes or douches to the vagina can disrupt its healthy pH balance, which should be around 4 and 4.5. In contrast, using these moisturizing washes on the vulva, which is the non-self-cleaning area, can have beneficial effects that prevent itchiness, dryness, and bacterial infection.

Top tips to keep in mind

When looking for intimate washes, keep in mind that the cleaning agents you use on the vulva can easily enter inside the vaginal canal. And that is why it's crucial to look for mild and gentle ingredients that won't cause dryness and irritation. Here are some helpful reminders when checking out products down at the drugstore aisle.

1. Look for a pH-Balanced formula

Have you come across the term "ph-Balanced" before? You might have heard this phrase to describe some intimate washes, yet its meaning remains unclear. This label simply means that the formula is made to appropriately complement the vulva's naturally acidic pH, which is between 3.8 to 4.5 on the pH scale. So make sure to have this tip at the top of your criteria when comparing products. But don't stop here. There are still more factors to consider.

2. Avoid SLS, Soap, & Parabens

A handful of ingredients are commonly used in general cleaning agents but aren't recommended for intimate washes. When reading the label of your chosen product, be alert of SLS, soap, and Parabens that appear on the ingredients list.

SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) is a surfactant often used in detergents to help get rid of dirt and grime. And although it's generally safe for human skin, it can have some irritable effects on your sensitive vulva.

Meanwhile, Parabens is an ingredient used primarily as a preservative to prevent the growth of fungi and bacteria. However, it has also caused some instances of allergic reactions in people with sensitive skin.

On the other hand, soap is naturally alkaline and is not compatible with the vulva's acidity. Using soap for feminine hygiene may cause unwanted imbalance and irritation.

3. Choose fragrance-free

Keep an eye out for natural ingredients and avoid formulas that contain chemical and artificial substances. These additives do not serve any essential benefit for you other than their fragrance, which may have drying effects. As much as possible, you also wouldn't want your intimate wash to include synthetic fragrances.

4. Be wary of glycerin

This moisturizing ingredient is widely used in various personal care products due to its lubricating effect. Essentially, glycerin is a humectant that helps your body attract and retain moisture, so it's a favorable substance for body wash.

As glycerin is considered a sugar, its presence in your vaginal canal may lead to yeast and urinary tract infections. Though most women can tolerate glycerin in their intimate washes, those sensitive to this substance can be prone to yeast infection. For your safety, it's better to tread on the side of caution and choose a feminine wash without this ingredient.

5. Ask for your doctor's recommendation

When choosing health products, you can never go wrong by going for your doctor's recommendation. Because of the sheer amount of feminine care products available, it can be tricky to sort through the pile to see the best options. But by prioritizing products trusted by healthcare professionals, it's easy to filter your options and see those that won't potentially harm you and your health.

NaFlora: Trusted by OB-Gynecologists

Suppose you're looking for an intimate wash that fits the bill of being gentle, hypoallergenic, and doctor-recommended. In that case, you'd want to look at Naflora. This feminine hygiene brand is trusted by most OB-Gynecologists for a good reason. Naflora offers two variants Protect and Moisture, each made for your specific needs.

Though you may still hesitate to openly discuss these intimate matters with your friends, learning these new things about your feminine wash is good to start. It's time you learn to be more comfortable in your skin and feel more empowered to seek products that deliver the care that you deserve. — (MyPharma)