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The definitive guide to feminine hygiene
by Cumlaude Lab
It doesn’t matter whether you’re 20 or 50: looking after your intimate health is crucial for your wellbeing at every stage of life, and maintaining good daily intimate hygiene habits (as well as choosing the right products to do so) is the best way to achieve this.
Below, we present a comprehensive guide to looking after your intimate health, detailing the key tips and best practices for daily intimate hygiene, as well as helping you choose the best intimate hygiene products to care for your vaginal area.
Daily intimate hygiene: key to our intimate health
Although it is often something we take for granted, the specific care and cleansing of the vaginal area plays a key role in our intimate health.
Maintaining a proper daily intimate hygiene routine not only helps us feel more comfortable and fresh, but can also prevent infections, odours and other complications (such as itching, burning or dryness) that can affect our wellbeing.
For this reason, it is recommended that you take a series of steps to ensure proper daily intimate hygiene. Are you sure you’re doing it right? Are you choosing the right products?
Tips for proper daily intimate hygiene:
Here are a few tips:
Maintain a daily routine specifically for your intimate area:
Wash your vaginal area daily (once a day is sufficient, or at most twice if you’re menstruating or doing sport, to avoid disrupting the vaginal flora), taking care and using only suitable products such as intimate washes specifically formulated for the intimate area. To ensure gentle and respectful cleansing, avoid perfumed gels or soaps, which can cause irritation and alter the pH of your vaginal area. Instead, opt for an intimate hygiene gel free from fragrances, colourants, parabens, sulphates and alcohol, which respects your body’s natural pH. If you’re new to intimate care, you could try: Origyn Daily Intimate Hygiene. A moisturising and protective intimate wash.
Keep an eye on the water temperature
Using water that’s too hot to wash your intimate area can dry out your skin, cause irritation and disrupt your vaginal flora. It’s best to use lukewarm water for your daily intimate hygiene routine.
Choose the right underwear
Your underwear also plays a key role in your intimate health. Instead of tight-fitting garments and synthetic fabrics, which can trap moisture and heat and cause irritation (as well as creating the perfect environment for fungi and bacteria to thrive), choose breathable underwear made from natural fabrics such as cotton.
Avoid dampness
After sweating, always change your underwear and trousers to prevent sweat from becoming trapped and encouraging the growth of bacteria. In summer, after swimming at the beach or in the pool, avoid keeping your wet swimwear on for too long.
Say NO to vaginal douches
The vaginal area has its own natural cleansing mechanism, so it does not need to be washed internally (nor is it advisable to do so). Although it may seem that vaginal douches provide an extra level of hygiene, the reality is that they can be counterproductive to our intimate health because they remove the protective bacteria from the vaginal flora, leaving the vaginal area vulnerable to infections by altering the pH.
Therefore, when it comes to your daily intimate hygiene, it is sufficient to wash only the external area.
Drink enough water every day
Intimate health is also linked to your level of hydration, so make sure you drink enough water every day.
Look after your diet
Maintaining a healthy diet rich in probiotic foods (such as natural yoghurt and kefir) can help maintain a healthy balance in your vaginal flora. It’s also important to eat fruit and vegetables rich in vitamin C and to avoid excess sugar, which can encourage the growth of fungi such as Candida.
During your period, change your intimate hygiene products regularly
During your period, it is essential to change tampons and pads every 4–6 hours and to empty your menstrual cup at least every 8 hours to prevent the growth of bacteria. If you use tampons, alternate them with pads or a menstrual cup to prevent vaginal dryness. To avoid any discomfort associated with your period, we recommend using intimate hygiene products containing prebiotics.
If you experience any discomfort, consult your gynaecologist
If you experience symptoms such as itching, irritation or abnormal discharge, see your gynaecologist. Not only is this helpful for detecting (and treating) potential problems early on, but they can also advise you, based on your specific needs, on which intimate hygiene products are best suited to you.
Types of intimate hygiene products: a comprehensive guide
Fortunately, the intimate health industry is constantly evolving, and every year new solutions and types of care products specifically designed for the intimate area become available, which can make a big difference to your daily intimate hygiene routine.
Below, we present a selection of our recommended intimate hygiene products that will help you look after your intimate health safely and effectively:
With a gentle formula that respects the natural pH balance, it is ideal for daily use; helping to maintain the balance of the vaginal area and providing a lasting feeling of freshness and cleanliness.
Specifically designed for daily intimate hygiene during the menopause and for genital mucous membranes experiencing itching, redness, stinging or hypersensitivity. It respects the natural pH balance and is gentle on sensitive mucous membranes.
An intimate cleansing and moisturising oil that relieves itching. It has an emollient and soothing effect whilst gently cleansing, without damaging the skin’s hydrolipidic film or the mucous membranes, and helping to restore the skin’s barrier function.
Intimate cleansing gel formulated with chlorhexidine, postbiotics and a plant-based antimicrobial complex with sanitising, refreshing and protective properties. With a physiological vulvar pH (5.5) to gently cleanse the intimate area, whilst respecting the surface balance of the skin and mucous membranes.
An intimate cleansing mousse enriched with prebiotics, lactic acid and provitamin B5, which helps to rebalance the microbial flora. It complements treatment with PREBIOTIC OVULES, helping to rebalance the vaginal bacterial flora.
An intimate hygiene cleanser suitable for cases of dryness of the external genitalia. Its formula, containing high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid and naturally derived soothing active ingredients, has a lubricating and moisturising action that restores comfort. Its specialised texture gently cleanses the intimate mucous membranes thanks to its compatibility with them, keeping them soft and lubricated.
Skin-protecting paediatric intimate hygiene product enriched with mallow, peony, calendula and lime blossom extracts, which provide soothing, softening, refreshing and emollient properties that help to relieve the symptoms of vulvovaginitis.
Cleansing and refreshing wipes, suitable for cases of excessive growth of the intimate microbiota causing a burning sensation or itching. Refreshing and soothing action.
Choosing the right products isn’t just a matter of comfort; it can also influence your long-term intimate health. Remember: each of us is unique, and what works for one person may not be ideal for another. It is therefore crucial to do your research, check the ingredients in intimate hygiene products and choose those that are best suited to your personal needs.
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