Intimate hygiene: is it worth using an intimate wash gel?

While intimate washes are a firm fixture in many women's daily care routine, there are also plenty of women for whom an intimate gel is just a term they've heard but never actually tried. And yes, it's true: you don't absolutely need a special gel for your intimate area, particularly as the vagina cleans itself. But if you'd like to improve your hygiene and you're after a gentle cleansing gel, here's what you should know before choosing the right product and using an intimate gel! 

What is an intimate gel?

According to gynaecologists, cleansing gels for the intimate area can help keep the pH of the vulva stable and so protect the health of your intimate zone. Did you know that the pH of the vagina and intimate area is often disrupted by harsh soaps and the detergents you use to wash your underwear? What's more, even your eating habits can alter it. An intimate gel, then, is a product developed specifically for the delicate vulva, used to tackle dryness, itching and irritation, and it can help you maintain your natural balance – thereby helping to prevent potential problems such as allergies, unpleasant odour and bacterial or fungal infections.

Keeping the intimate area clean is an essential part of personal care and hygiene – above all because it's a sensitive zone that's more prone to infection if not properly looked after. That's precisely why intimate gels exist: they help you maintain the natural vaginal pH – a pH that's frequently thrown out of balance by all sorts of factors: soaps, detergents and conventional menstrual products (which contain chemicals and plastic). 

We pay close attention to changes in our skin or hair – but how many of us notice the small details and changes in the intimate area? It's also something of a taboo subject that's rarely discussed. Yet, like every other part of the body, the vulva needs care in order to prevent infections and other health problems.

Who can use an intimate gel?

Any woman can use the ENROUSH intimate gel. It's a specially developed formula with 95% natural ingredients that helps prevent irritation, itching, dryness and Candida infections – thanks to its Tribulus Terrestris extract, it offers 87% effective protection against Candida. It can also be used during and after pregnancy, as well as during menstruation. 

The natural composition includes propolis extract to balance the vulval microbiome and neem oil for hydration and supple skin. What you won't find are parabens, allergens, preservatives and sulphates – many of these hidden ingredients are commonly used in conventional shower gels.

We developed the intimate gel to be more than just a cleansing product for the intimate area: it keeps you feeling fresh day after day. There are a great many women who want to prevent infections, unpleasant odours, irritation and other vulval discomfort – and who would like a natural solution! Traditionally, water and soap were used on the intimate area too, but dermatologists don't recommend harsh soaps for cleansing the intimate zone, as they can destroy the natural vaginal flora and alter the skin's pH. And since the pH of the vulva and vagina sits between 3.8 and 4.5, it's easily thrown off balance by a harsh soap. Of course, you can simply use warm water – but if you'd like to add a gentle cleansing formula, always choose a natural intimate gel developed specifically for your vulva.

How do you use an intimate gel?

As with any other skincare product, it's advisable to carry out a patch test on your skin before using it on the intimate area. That way you'll find out whether you're allergic to any of the ingredients. Also bear in mind: the gel isn't intended for internal use (douching), but solely for cleansing the external intimate area.

Never use the intimate gel for douching, because: 

1. It isn't necessary 

2. It can harm the vaginal microbiome

Put a small amount of gel into the palm of your hand and work it into a lather. Use it this way in the shower, applying it gently to the external intimate area and then rinsing off with clean water. Afterwards, pat the area dry carefully. The intimate gel can be an important step in your intimate hygiene routine – but don't overdo it: using it too often can cause dryness and irritation in the intimate area!