![]() “Generally, most soaps fall on the alkaline side of the pH range, and the vaginal area thrives in a more acidic environment. “Optimally, for the vulvar area, you want to use products that are gentle yet effective, specifically formulated for that area, and pH-balanced to support vaginal health,” McLaren tells TZR. When perusing the abyss that is vulvar skin care, she stresses the importance of reading the labels on products, just as you would nutrition labels on food. So while you might be tempted to lather up with your regular body wash or even dual-duty your facial skin care down there, McLaren says it’s best to reach for products intended for the area. “I advise avoiding products with added fragrance, perfumes, sulfates, alcohol, parabens, and dyes.” That goes for anything near the area - cleansers, lotions, oils, and even lubes. “I often see women scrubbing and using harsh soaps or perfumes to help them feel clean, and unfortunately, these habits affect the skin of the vulva and the pH of the vagina,” Samra-Latif Estafan says. “The skin of the vulva is not as strong as the skin on our face it’s more sensitive and thinner, so treatment has to be different,” Samra-Latif Estafan shares. Of course, the era of vaginal empowerment isn’t all sensual vibes and yoni oils - there’s some actual science that needs to be addressed here. (Think: labial bleaching, perfumed cleansers, and even what the OB/GYN calls “vagifacials,” which are exactly what they sound like.) Instead, there’s a focus on gentle ingredients, fragrance-free formulas, and sensual - sometimes almost spiritual - self-care. She’s particularly enthusiastic about the fact that many of today’s intimate innovations reject the aesthetic-driven products and procedures of years past. “As an OB/GYN, I absolutely embrace the change women have taken on the outlook of vaginal and vulvar care,” she tells TZR. Samra-Latif Estafan, a board-certified OB/GYN, agrees. “Women deserve to feel their best every day when it comes to vaginal health, and shouldn't wait to consider it only when problems occur.”ĭr. ![]() “When women develop a vulvar skin care routine, they are being more proactive about maintaining the right balance ‘down there’ and can often address most issues before they cause too much discomfort or stress,” she adds. The vulva and vagina are among our most prized possessions, the most intimate parts about our beautiful bodies,” she tells TZR. “When we talk about skin care for down there, we're really talking about the vulvar area, which is outside the vagina and requires daily cleansing. Barbara McLaren, a board-certified OB/GYN and the co-founder of Kushae feminine care brand, sees it. If we take care of our faces with a meticulous skin care routine, why wouldn’t we do the same for one of the most sensitive parts of our body? That’s how Dr. Should You Be Using Intimate Skin Care Products? The doctors I spoke with are truly excited about the emergence of more feminine care products. Second, I know what you’re thinking: “OB/GYNs are going to have a field day with this one!” I mean, haven’t people always been taught that the vagina is “self-cleaning” and that douching is the absolute worst thing you can do? But on the other hand, we’re talking specifically vulvar intimate skin care, so is that more smiled upon? With that in mind, I reached out to two OB/GYNs and a dermatologist to get their thoughts on skin care for down there, fully expecting them to say it was a scam. ![]() Most of the trending cleansers, moisturizers, and oils are technically “vulvar skin care” - the vulva being the fleshy area surrounding the vagina - but that doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, does it? Do you really need a multi-step skin care routine for your vagina, though?įirst of all, let me acknowledge that "vaginal" is not the anatomically correct way to describe these products. Vaginal skin care products are having what’s known as A Moment, with brands like Queen V, Rosebud Woman, and Lady Suite taking skin care to a whole new (significantly lower) level. Today, it seems like a perfectly reasonable notion. A few years ago, that statement probably would have prompted an eye roll or two. “Your vaginal routine should be just as important as your skin care routine,” Lauren Steinberg, the founder of intimate care brand Queen V, tells me.
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