Vagina and vulva care: how to keep it simple?
For some, caring for your vagina and vulva still feels like a taboo, while for others it’s an essential part of their selfcare routine. Yet there’s little reliable information out there about how to do it properly.
Chances are you already have a skincare routine. But do you also have a vagina and vulva care routine? Intimate care is just as important as looking after your face, hair or skin – especially if your vagina or vulva often feels irritated. Yet vaginas are still too often treated as a taboo: something you shouldn’t pay attention to at all. Or, on the flip side, as something dirty that needs to be thoroughly cleaned (neither is true). And with the rise of wellness culture, a wave of tools and treatments promise to make your vagina healthier – from vaginal steaming to Yoni eggs. While it’s positive that these trends make vagina and vulva care more openly discussed, they’re not always as healthy as they claim to be.
When it comes to a healthy intimate care routine, less really is more. Keep it simple: swap synthetic products for natural ones, give your vagina and vulva some extra love, and check out our tips below.
The vagina cleans itself; washing it can disrupt the natural pH balance and may lead to irritation or infections. The vulva can be gently washed with lukewarm water and a mild, fragrance-free cleanser; avoid scrubs, perfume, and scented wipes. Cotton menstrual products and underwear allow the skin to breathe, helping to reduce irritation, sweating, and infections.
Get to know your vagina and vulva
If you want to take good care of your vagina and vulva, it starts with knowing what they actually look like and how they work. Your vagina is internal. You can’t really see this yourself, whereas the vulva refers to the genitals that are visible from the outside. And just like faces, every vulva is unique. In most cases, the inner labia extend slightly beyond the outer labia – though the opposite is just as normal. Vulvas also come in different skin tones and colours, and their appearance can change over time, especially during puberty or after a pregnancy. Our tip? Take a look at your vulva and vagina every now and then with a (hand) mirror. Use your finger to gently explore your vagina. That way, you know what’s “normal” for you, and you’ll notice any changes more quickly.
"Your vagina (specifically the internal part) cleans itself. In fact, washing it can disrupt its pH balance, which can actually lead to infections or irritation."
Gently wash your vulva (and not your vagina at all)
There are many misconceptions about washing your vagina and vulva. Some say vaginas are dirty, or that they should always smell like roses. The truth is: your vagina (the internal part) cleans itself. In fact, washing it can upset its natural pH balance, which may lead to irritation or infections.
Your vulva (the external part), on the other hand, can sometimes use a little extra care and gentle cleansing.
How to take care of your vagina
- Experts advise against using vaginal douches, soaps, cleansing products, wet wipes or other cosmetics inside your vagina – even if they are marketed for that purpose. If needed, simply use lukewarm water to gently cleanse your vulva (the outer lips, also called the labia)
- If you experience vaginal dryness, you can use special creams or gels available at the pharmacy. These are safe for internal use. Always choose the most natural formula possible, preferably with medical certification.
How to wash your vulva
- Wash your vulva with lukewarm water. If needed, consult your doctor about which cleansing cream or gel you can use – preferably a mild, natural option without soap or perfume.
- Don’t forget to clean gently between your labia and around the skin of your perineum.
- Avoid scrubs, rough sponges, perfumes, scented wipes or other scented cosmetics – even if they’re marketed for intimate use.
- If your vulval skin feels dry or irritated, you can soothe it with a natural cream or balm.
- If your vulval skin is very irritated or damaged (for example, after giving birth), you can use a Peri Wash Bottle with lukewarm water while urinating to reduce discomfort.
- Dry by gently patting or softly rubbing. Avoid using hairdryers or warm air blowers.
Don’t forget your vulva hair
Unless you’ve had it lasered, hair also grows on your vulva – it’s often called pubic hair. Trends around it come and go, so style your hair however you like. Just be mindful of the effects that shaving, waxing (or letting your pubic hair grow out) can have on your vulval skin.
If you shave, always use a sharp, new razor and a mild, fragrance-free shaving foam. Wash your skin before and after shaving. After shaving or waxing, care for your skin with a fragrance-free, gentle oil or cream. And if you’d like to style or condition your pubic hair (for example with an oil), choose a natural, fragrance-free product.
Choose cotton menstrual products
On your period? Or do you like using a panty liner for everyday discharge?Choose products made from pure cotton. They’re soft and gentle on your vulval skin, and free from perfume, chemically absorbent beads or other ingredients that can disrupt your vagina. Cotton also allows your skin to breathe, helping to reduce sweating and that sticky feeling. This also makes it harder for bacteria to grow, lowering the risk of unpleasant odours or infections.
Wear cotton underwear
Cotton can be just as beneficial, even when you’re not on your period. By wearing cotton underwear instead of synthetic fabrics, you lower the risk of irritation, trapped sweat, discomfort and bacterial infections.
