Do You Need Skincare Down There?
BY BETHANY HEITMAN
When it comes to taking care of your complexion, you likely have a bit of a routine. You wash your face, apply moisturizer and maybe have a few serums to address specific skin concerns.
But your face isn’t the only place that needs to be tended to. The skin down there could use some love, too!
For most of us, we were either taught that the skin down there is sensitive and shouldn’t be messed with or no one ever dared to even talk to us about taking care of it. Thankfully, there are tons of new products hitting the market to help you take care of your vulva skin. Here, everything you need to know.
Photo by Monika Kozub
But First, A Little Anatomy Refresher
Before we dive in, you may need a quick reminder of what’s what. Your vagina is the part of your nether regions that is internal, while your vulva is the outer part (think the area that touches your undies).
Your vagina is self-cleaning and generally doesn’t need to be messed with. In fact, doctors recommend you avoid trying to clean or douche your vagina. Your vulva is another matter. It does not clean itself. A gentle cleanser and some water are usually enough to keep things fresh down there. However, there may be some instances when your vulva could use a bit more attention.
Reasons Your May Need Vulva Skincare
Perhaps you just want to treat yourself to some fancy, high-quality soap specifically formulated for the sensitive skin south of the border—there is nothing wrong with that!
But you may also have some skin concerns that may need to be addressed. The most common issues that affect your vulva are:
Dryness: As you age, the delicate skin in that area can get dry and call for some moisturizer.
A Not-So-Fresh Feeling: Workout a lot? Live in a sticky climate? Or maybe you’re just sweaty. These things can leave you concerned about odor. It should be noted, if you notice a scent that’s not just sweaty smelling, it could be a yeast infection or something else that needs to be treated by a doctor.
Ingrown Hair or Bumps: If you shave or wax, you may be prone to ingrown hairs. One way to prevent this is to keep pores clear with a gentle exfoliator.
Photo by Momotaro Apotheca
Products Worth Trying
Want to incorporate some vulva skincare into your routine? Below, a few items that are considered safe to use in that area.
If you are noticing dryness, consider using a moisturizer on a daily basis. The Honey Pot Company’s Soothing Lavender Vulva Cream ($11) is dermatologist-approved and contains coconut oil to hydrate and mint and lavender to soothe itching.
Tend to get sweaty down there and notice odor? Keep a few of Hazel’s Clean Slate Wipes ($10) in your bag. The individual wrapped wipes will wipe away bacteria (which is what leads to a funky smell) and leave you feeling fresh as a daisy. When you’re done, just toss the wipe in the toilet and flush!
Kick ingrown hairs to the curb with Fur’s Ingrown Concentrate ($32). You apply this silky oil with a textured finger mitt that helps gently exfoliate and moisturize to prevent ingrowns and bumps after you wax or shave.
Finally, a women’s brand that is crushing the game in education and variety of products to back it is, MOMOTARO APOTHECA. You can take their vaginal wellness quiz and read more about their mission HERE.
One word of warning: Similar to skincare for your face, not every product works for every person and it may take some trial and error before you find the right items for you. If you notice any kind of irritation or redness, you should stop using a product immediately.
Bethan Heitman, Contributor
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