Daily Feminine Hygiene Routine
It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3 – MP Edition 003
Feminine hygiene is about keeping your external vaginal area clean to avoid irritation, infection, and odors. Whether you’re a #GirlBoss who’s busy killing it at work and kicking ass in spin class or you're chillin’ like a villain on holiday, you need a feminine hygiene routine that keeps up whatever moves you make! A well-balanced and thorough routine that’s easy but gets the job done right has three steps:
3 Steps:
Step 1: Cleanse with a wash
The first step is to wash your vulva, the external area of your vagina. It’s important to use a natural, pH-balanced, non-irritating cleanser that is gentle on the sensitive skin down there but is effective enough to get the job done and mitigate unwanted odors.
Here’s the deal - your vagina is one of your hardest-working body parts because it’s self-cleaning. The vagina produces secretions that sweep away dead skin cells and other impurities from the vaginal tract and deposits it on the vulva where the baton is passed onto you as you wash or wipe.
Some women simply use water, and others use the same soap or wash that they use on their bodies. However, not all washes are created the same so why not help a vulva out by using a dedicated, gentle feminine hygiene wash to take it that extra step further? Because your vulva deserves the best, be sure to choose one that only uses natural ingredients so it doesn’t dry your skin out even further.
Many feminine hygiene washes are heavily scented but rather than make you smell good, the fragrances will throw off your delicate pH balance. Basically, the more you try to cover up, the worse the odor may become so choose a cleanser that is either unscented or uses natural essential oils.
Directions: Pour a small amount of cleanser onto your hand and apply it to your vulva during a shower or bath, then rinse thoroughly with clean water.
Step 2: Tone with a spray
Next up is the feminine hygiene spray - think of it as your toner for your skin down there. While the function of a wash is to help you clean and remove any odor-causing bacteria, a spray helps keep your skin happy, healthy and hydrated. Since a pH balance that’s outside of the healthy range of 3.8 to 4.5 is a leading cause of feminine odors, your spray should also help pH balance your skin.
A feminine hygiene spray is also especially helpful in soothing itchy or red skin and preventing ingrown hairs post-shaving. Look for a spray that contains natural ingredients such as witch hazel and tea tree oil, which offers antiseptic and antibacterial properties to help calm and soothe the skin.
Directions: Hold about 8-10 inches away from your area and spray a few times.
Step 3: Moisturize with a lotion
The last step is a feminine hygiene lotion. Sometimes even after using a toner, your area down there can still feel extremely dry. A feminine hygiene lotion’s sole purpose is to quench dry skin and moisturize your delicate area, providing ultimate hydration and smoothness.
A little moisturizing lotion also goes a long way in calming any red or irritated skin after shaving and preventing ingrown hairs.
You know the drill: same as with the cleanser and toner, reach for a feminine hygiene lotion made with natural plant based emollients and pure beneficial essential oils that will leave you with a feeling of sublime softness.
Directions: After toning, apply a dime-sized amount of lotion on your vulva to moisturize the skin extending your smooth skin much longer.
Every step of the way: on-the-go feminine wipes
While the trio of wash, spray, and lotion is great for daily use as part of your hygiene routine, sometimes you need something for on the go or a little something extra when Aunt Flow comes to town. This is where feminine hygiene wipes come in.
Feminine wipes are cleansing cloths for your external vaginal area. They’re super convenient to pop in your bag to use during your period, after exercising, after waxing, or anytime you need to freshen up. Choose gentle biodegradable wipes to provide freshness that soothes whenever and wherever you need it.
Feminine hygiene isn’t just about keeping your area down there clean and unwanted smells at bay, it’s also about feeling fresh and confident. Your feminine hygiene routine doesn’t have to be a long or tedious routine. By incorporating a wash, spray, and lotion into your daily shower routine and using wipes on the go, you can feel clean all day, every day.