7 Ingredients to Avoid in Feminine Intimate Washes

SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) and other harsh surfactants. Surfactants are compounds that act as detergents and foaming agents. They are the key ingredients in most shampoos, body washes, intimate washes, toothpastes, facial cleansers, and many other products. While many surfactants are considered safe for human skin, SLS has been shown to irritate the skin, especially that of the sensitive lady parts. To be on the safe side, stick to feminine washes with natural surfactants that are derived from coconut oil, sugar, or vegetables.

Soap. Some feminine washes contain soap instead of synthetic surfactants. Although soap is definitely natural, it’s bad for your vagina. The thing is, your intimate areas have a low acidic pH, whereas soap has an alkaline pH. It disrupts the natural balance of your intimate areas and has a negative effect on the vaginal flora. Moreover, soap can cause the mucosal lining in these areas to become dry.

Parabens. Parabens are a class of widely used preservatives in pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. They are valued because they are active against a broad spectrum of bacteria and fungi. Although parabens are considered safe at low concentrations, they are known to cause skin irritation and contact dermatitis in individuals with sensitive skin. And even if you’ve never experienced allergic reactions before, you never know how the skin of your female genital area might react to parabens.

Synthetic fragrances. Most manufacturers simply state that their products are formulated with “fragrance” but don’t specify the exact chemicals they contain. Some synthetic ingredients found in fragrances may cause skin dryness and irritation. Besides, many women don’t like it when their feminine washes have a strong smell. Fragrance-free feminine products probably are the safest choice, but if you want yours to have a smell, look for products that contain natural fragrances such as floral water.

Synthetic colors. Although some manufacturers specify what colors they use and you can at least look them up in the food additives list, many don’t. Basically, the situation is the same as for synthetic fragrances. You can never be sure whether you’re going to have an allergic reaction or not. And why do feminine washes need colors anyway? Dye-free products are definitely safer.

Phthalates. Phthalates (phthalate esters) are mainly used as plasticizers in the production of polyvinyl chloride and other plastics, but they can also be found in some cosmetic products, including feminine washes. Although there are no direct links between phthalates and any health problems, these chemicals are plausibly endocrine disruptors. Although it is highly unlikely that you will find phthalates in your feminine wash, we suggest that you study the ingredient list carefully.

Intimate washes aren’t the only feminine care products that can contain hazardous ingredients. You should pay close attention to the ingredients in all products that come in contact with your genital area, including menstrual pads, pantyliners, tampons, vaginal anti-itch creams, vaginal douching solutions, intimate deodorants, etc.