Intimate care buying guide: how to care for your intimate area safely

Not every product on the pharmacy shelf is suitable for the intimate area. The table below gives an overview of the most common product types and the associated advice.

Core rule: the vagina is self-cleaning. Clean only the vulva (the external, visible skin and labia), never the vaginal opening or inside.

The vagina naturally contains a protective environment of lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus), which keep the acidity low (pH 3.5-4.5). This acidic environment inhibits the growth of harmful micro-organisms. As soon as you wash internally, use a vaginal douche, or introduce soap, you flush away this protective flora and disrupt the pH balance.

The consequences are well documented according to Thuisarts.nl and Rutgers:
- Bacterial vaginosis (BV): an imbalance in the vaginal bacterial flora, characterised by a fishy odour and abnormal discharge. BV is the most common vaginal infection in women of reproductive age.
- Yeast infection (Candida): the yeast Candida albicans overgrows when the protective flora is disrupted. Symptoms: itching, burning sensation, and thick white discharge.

The message from Rutgers, Thuisarts.nl, and Sensoa/allesoverseks.be is clear and consistent: wash the vulva (externally) with lukewarm water or a mild, pH-friendly intimate wash. NEVER introduce anything internally for cleaning purposes.

Daily or twice-daily cleansing of the vulva is sufficient for good intimate hygiene. Here is how to do it properly:

1. 1Use lukewarm water as standard, that is already enough for healthy skin.
2. 2Choose a mild, pH-friendly intimate wash gel (formulated at an acidic pH around 3.5-5.0) if you want extra reassurance. Look for products without fragrance, dyes, and preservatives.
3. 3Wash only the outside: the vulva, the labia, and the area between the legs. Never wash at or inside the vaginal opening.
4. 4Do not use regular shower soap: most soap has a basic pH (8-10), which neutralises the vaginal acid mantle and causes irritation.
5. 5Dry the area gently but thoroughly with a clean towel to avoid moisture, which encourages fungal growth.
6. 6Wear breathable underwear (cotton) to regulate the microclimate, especially if you have sensitivity.

For everyday drogist and lichaamsverzorging products, Intimico carries a selection that aligns with the vaginal pH.

Pubic hair serves a protective function, but those who choose to shave or remove it can do so safely with the right approach.

Shaving:
- Use a sharp, clean razor and replace it regularly (a blunt blade means more irritation).
- Apply a shaving gel or foam first to protect the skin.
- Shave in the direction of hair growth to reduce ingrown hairs and red bumps (folliculitis).
- Never shave over wounds, rashes, or inflamed skin.
- Rinse thoroughly and apply a mild, fragrance- and alcohol-free soothing lotion.

Depilatory cream:
- Depilatory creams contain caustic agents (calcium thioglycolate) that dissolve hair. Never apply them to mucous membranes or around the vaginal opening: chemical burns can result.
- Always test a small patch on the inside of the wrist first (patch test).

Waxing and laser:
- Waxing removes hair at the root for longer-lasting results but can make the skin more sensitive to irritation and minor infections immediately after. Avoid tight synthetic underwear for the first 24 hours.
- Professional laser treatment is the most permanent option but requires multiple sessions and must not be done on tanned skin.

After any shaving or hair removal: check for redness or inflammation. Ingrown hairs that do not free themselves on their own should be gently released with a clean needle, never squeezed.

Intimate deodorant, vaginal sprays, and scented wipes are broad product categories sold as a 'fresh feeling'. Nevertheless, the advice from Soa Aids Nederland and Sensoa/allesoverseks.be is consistent: avoid scented products on, and especially in, the vulva or vagina.

Why?
- Alcohol and fragrance substances in sprays and wipes can dry out and irritate the delicate mucosal zone.
- A pleasant natural body scent at the vulva is normal. If the scent changes significantly, becomes fishy, or is accompanied by itching or abnormal discharge, that is a signal of an infection (BV or Candida), not a cosmetic issue.
- Masking odour with a product does not address the underlying cause and may worsen the symptoms.

What does help?
- Daily washing with lukewarm water or a mild intimate wash gel.
- Clean, breathable underwear.
- If you are uncertain about your health: see a doctor, do not reach for deodorant.

The same rule applies to scented toilet paper, fragranced pads, and scented panty liners: always choose unscented variants.

Before and after sex, a few simple habits are valuable for your intimate health.

Before sex:
- No intensive cleansing immediately before sex; your flora does not need to be 'extra clean'.
- Do make sure that toys and hands are clean.

After sex:
- Urinating after vaginal or anal sex helps flush bacteria from the urethra and reduces the chance of a urinary tract infection (RIVM).
- Wash the vulva briefly with lukewarm water afterwards if you wish.
- Clean any glijmiddelen and toys thoroughly after use.

Lubricants and vaginal flora:
- For vaginal use, opt for a lubricant with an acidic pH (3.5-5.0) and low osmolality (ideally below 380 mOsm/kg per WHO guidelines). Hyperosmolar lubricant damages the mucosal epithelium.
- Avoid glycerine-containing lubricant if you are prone to yeast infections: glycerine can feed Candida.
- See the glijmiddel-kopen guide for a complete overview by type.

Condoms:
- Use a condom during sex with a new or non-exclusive partner to prevent STIs. Condom use also reduces the risk of BV after sex. See the condoommaat-bepalen guide if you are unsure about the right size.

Many intimate complaints are minor, but certain signals indicate a medical problem that requires treatment. See your doctor if:

• Discharge changes in smell (fishy), colour (yellow, green, grey) or quantity.
• There is a strong or unpleasant odour (classic sign of bacterial vaginosis).
• You experience persistent itching, burning, or pain, even outside of sex.
• There is bleeding outside your period.
• You have symptoms after sex with a new partner (may be an STI).
• External care products and good hygiene show no improvement after one week.

Intimate health complaints are not a cosmetic problem. Self-treatment with vaginal douches, acidic gels, or over-the-counter antifungal products without a diagnosis can worsen symptoms. Your doctor or sexual health clinic (via Soa Aids Nederland: 0800-022 66 88) will make the correct diagnosis and provide treatment.

This is general information, not medical advice. For any symptoms, always consult a doctor, midwife, or sexual health specialist.

Intimate care is not exclusively a topic for people with a vagina. The penis and anal zone also need attention.

Penis:
- Wash the glans and the rim of the foreskin daily with lukewarm water (for uncircumcised individuals: gently retract the foreskin and rinse). Smegma (white deposit) is normal and is easily cleaned with water; no soap needed on the mucosal zone.
- Avoid strong soap or shower gel directly on the glans: this can disrupt the natural moisture balance and cause irritation.
- Dry thoroughly after washing to prevent fungal growth (men can also develop a Candida infection on the glans).

Anus:
- Wash the anal area externally with lukewarm water and optionally a mild soap. Rinse thoroughly.
- Anal douching (internal rinsing) is not medically necessary for daily hygiene. For those who do it before anal sex: use lukewarm-cool water, a small volume, and rinse no more than 2-3 times per week; too frequent or too forceful rinsing damages the protective mucosal lining and increases the risk of irritation and STI transmission (Healthline, RIVM). See also the anaal-voor-beginners guide for more information.

General for all genders:
- Cotton underwear, loose fit or breathable synthetic fabrics are better than tight synthetic fabrics for persistent irritation.
- Dry skin folds (groin, between the buttocks) thoroughly after showering to prevent chafing or fungal growth.

To summarise, these are the criteria to look for when choosing intimate care products:

1. 1Choose pH-matched products: for the vulva, a product with an acidic pH (3.5-5.0); for the penis or anus, a neutral to mildly acidic product.
2. 2No fragrance or dyes: the shorter the ingredient list, the better for a sensitive area.
3. 3No alkaline soap on the vulvar zone; a mild soap on the outer skin of the pubic area is acceptable.
4. 4No vaginal douches or internal cleansing products: the harm is well documented in scientific literature.
5. 5Lubricants and toys: ensure lubricant is pH-friendly with low osmolality. Read the glijmiddel-kopen guide for details.
6. 6For unusual symptoms: see a doctor first, buy products second.

At Intimico, the drogist and lichaamsverzorging categories feature a selection of products that meet these criteria.