Our Complete Guide To The Best Feminine Wash On The Market

Finding the best feminine wash to use isn’t as simple as it might seem.

Taking care of such sensitive parts of the body has a little more science behind it.

Many women use the washes they use on the rest of their bodies in their intimate areas, but that can cause problems.

The vagina is naturally acidic and cleans itself, so the goal is to avoid upsetting that balance.

Perfumed soaps, gels and washes can irritate the delicate skin of the vulva.

Washing inside the vagina (douching) raises the risk of bacterial vaginosis, according to the CDC.

Did you know that an estimated 75% of women will have a yeast infection at some point during their lives?

You want to keep the good bacteria that’s naturally found in the vagina and, if you use a product at all, find a great product that is gentle on the outside skin.

The NHS advises washing the skin around the vagina gently with warm water and a mild, non-perfumed soap, and never washing inside the vagina.

How Do I Choose the Best Feminine Wash?

Choosing the best feminine wash needn’t be tricky!

You just need to make sure that the product you choose ticks a few important boxes.

You don’t want anything upsetting the balance down there, so look for a short ingredient list.

It should be mild, not harsh, and shouldn’t have a strong scent to it.

Fragrance is a common irritant, so unscented is the safest choice.

A product labeled pH-balanced may be gentler than ordinary soap, but use it on the outside skin only, never inside the vagina.

If the product you decide to go with meets all these criteria, you’re on to a winner.

Is Using a Feminine Wash Safe?

Some of us are so nervous about our vaginal health that we prefer to just ignore the issue altogether.

If you’ve chosen to start taking control of matters, however, you still might be worried about the idea of putting anything on such a sensitive area of your body.

You’re right to be cautious, but if you buy a feminine wash from a reputable brand that fulfills all of the criteria above, the risk is low. Even mild products can cause dryness or irritation if you have sensitive skin or an infection, though.

Avoid scented sprays, powders and wipes, which may raise the chance of a vaginal infection.

If you’re still concerned, do a patch test by using just a little in a sensitive area like the inner thigh.

If there are no adverse reactions, you can proceed with confidence!

Feminine Wash Vs. Soap

If you’ve never used a special feminine wash and soap has done the job just fine over the years, you might be wondering whether you really need to make the change.

The honest answer is no, you don’t have to.

Warm water, or water and a mild unscented soap, on the outside area is all most people need.

Ordinary soaps are more alkaline than the vagina, which is one reason harsh or perfumed soaps can irritate. A pH-balanced wash is an option if regular soap bothers your skin.

What really upsets the vagina’s ‘good’ bacteria is washing inside it. Douching can lead to an overgrowth of harmful bacteria.

It’s worth remembering, too, that many people with bacterial vaginosis have no symptoms. See a doctor if you notice unusual discharge, a fishy odor, itching or burning.

A separate feminine wash is optional, not a must.

How to Use Feminine Wash?

Simple!

To use your feminine wash, just pour a small amount onto your hand and apply it to the outside area (the vulva) only while you’re having a shower or a bath, then rinse well.

You can also use it in between showers if you want to, after having used the bathroom.

Gentle daily washing is enough. Washing more often can dry out and irritate the skin.

Just be sure that the product that you decide upon is as natural as possible and has the right ph so that you’re helping, not disturbing, the natural balance!

The Role of Yeast and Bacteria in the Vagina

Yeast and bacteria are extremely important when it comes to vaginal health.

You may not have realized it before, but your vagina is actually home to a whole colony of extremely important micro-organisms, and the key to having a healthy vagina is keeping them all happy and in balance!

Your body can only support so much yeast and bacteria at a time, which means they compete with one another for resources.

If yeast gets the upper hand and grows too much, you can develop a yeast infection.

If ‘bad’ bacteria takes hold, that’s when you get odor or a bacterial infection.

The good news is, you also have plenty of friendly bacteria down there, which serve to keep the bad bacteria in check.

No wash can boost those good bacteria. The best way to protect them is to avoid douching and scented products, and to see a doctor about symptoms instead of trying to cover them up.

5 Best Feminine Wash Brands

We’ve gone out and trawled the market for the top feminine soaps available.

We’ve taken into account customer ratings, product ingredients, and performance reviews to find the 5 best feminine wash products available.

1. Summer’s Eve Cleansing Wash

Summer’s Eve is a leading brand in feminine care wash products and has different types available, from wipes to sprays to powders.

The brand says its cleansing wash is gynecologist tested for sensitive skin.

It comes in scented versions, but fragrance-free products are less likely to irritate.

If you want a pH-balanced wash for the outside skin that is easy to find, this best seller in feminine hygiene is a common choice.

2. Vagisil Intimate Wash, Odor Block For Sensitive Skin

Vagisil is a well-established brand that’s known around the world and trusted.

Their Odor Block wash is marketed to control odor.

A new or strong odor can be a sign of an infection such as bacterial vaginosis, so see a doctor rather than relying on a wash.

As our vaginal areas change with age, Vagisil also offers a variety of intimate wash products, from their pH Balance Wash to their Sensitive Plus Wash.

You’re sure to find one to suit your needs.

As with any wash, use it on the outside skin only.

3. Organyc Certified Organic Natural Intimate Wash With Chamomile

Organyc as a brand really bring something unique to their intimate wash product by using organic, plant-based ingredients.

It is made for the outside skin and isn’t meant to change the vagina’s bacteria.

It includes calendula and chamomile. Plant extracts can still cause reactions, so patch test first.

Like anything, many of us choose to consume and use only organic products.

Why not do the same when it comes to such delicate matters? Choose this organic intimate wash with chamomile.

It has no artificial fragrance, which makes it a good fit for sensitive skin.

4. Luvena Therapeutic Feminine Wash

Luvena has designed their feminine wash to cleanse and soothe your delicate areas.

Unlike regular soaps, it has no drying agents, instead, moisturizing and replenishing to leave the skin calm, soft and protected.

Free of parabens, PABA, and sodium lauryl sulfate, this product is made for sensitive skin.

Another feature this product excels in is the discreet packaging it comes in, designed to be vague and basic. This aspect will appeal to many people.

5. Healthy Hoohoo, All Natural Gentle Feminine Wash

Healthy Hoohoo has made a feminine wash for anyone wanting a natural product that is fragrance-free.

Many people will struggle to find a fragrance-free product on the market.

With this all-natural feminine wash you won’t be hindering your freshness by opting for a scent-free product.

It is marketed as pH-balanced and gentle.

So, if it’s a fragrance-free wash that gently cleanses, moisturizes & soothes the delicate vulvovaginal area that you want, then the Healthy Hoohoo wash is a top choice.

Conclusion

By selecting a great feminine wash product, you can keep the outside skin clean without irritating it.

A wash can’t prevent or treat yeast infections or bacterial vaginosis. See a doctor if you notice itching, burning, unusual discharge or a strong odor.

Focus on the product description and try to select brands focusing on pH levels and sensitive skin properties.

Remember, regardless of your personal preferences, as long as you’re choosing a product that’s been specifically designed for feminine hygiene care, you’re sure to pick the best feminine wash for you. And remember, warm water alone is enough for many people.

Sources

• Vaginal discharge, NHS
• Douching, Office on Women's Health (womenshealth.gov)
• About Bacterial Vaginosis (BV), CDC
• Guideline: Vulvovaginal candidosis (AWMF 015/072, level S2k), Mycoses (PMC)