You might have noticed intimate genital skincare products appearing on the market recently. They claim to be specially designed for your pubic area and your vulva, boasting results such as brightening, hydrating and smoothing.

Does our vulva require specialised skincare similar to the attention we give to our faces?

Let us break it down for you!

First, Let’s Get The Terms Right

(Image Source: Healthline)

I’d like to be very clear here: the vagina is NOT the vulva. They are not the same thing. Your vagina is an internal canal then doesn’t require special cleaning. It
can self-clean and should ideally have an acidic environment to maintain the growth of normal healthy defense bacteria in order to prevent foul-smelling conditions like
bacterial vaginosis and fungal yeast infections.

The vulva refers to the structure external to the vaginal canal.

Does Our Vulva Require Cleaning?

Yes! But don’t worry, you don’t have to embark on an elaborate 11-step Korean-style skincare process. Here’s what you can do:

1.Be comfortable touching your vulva- the area around the clitoris, the region between the labia majora and the labia minora.

2.Using your fingers, swipe away the smegma, which is the creamish yellow material that accumulates on your vulva throughout the day using water and a mild soap.

3.Use an exfoliating scrub to gently slough away dead skin unclogging your pores. This also helps to reduce the occurrence of ingrown hairs.

4.Apply a moisturiser to the labia and inner thighs daily after your shower. Use a cream instead of an ointment to avoid the residual “oily” feel.