What do feminine washes do?

Once more, for the cheap seats in the back: They should only be used on the external, vulvar area, never inside the vagina, caution both doctors we spoke with. They can, however, be a good way for women who are on the go, busy moms, or those who exercise frequently to help minimize sweat and a general feeling of discomfort, says Dr. Shepherd.

How often should you use a feminine wash?

So long as you choose a gentle formula that’s free of potential irritants such as sulfates, dyes, and fragrance, you can use one daily, says Dr. Cross.

Are feminine washes safe?

Again, theoretically yes, as long as the above criteria are met and it’s never actually used inside the vagina, says Dr. Shepherd.

The 7 Best Feminine Washes of 2023

The 5 Best Feminine Washes of 2022 — Byrdie / Sabrina Jiang

Let’s address a very important elephant in the room first. Feminine washes, while yes, meant for your nether regions, are not, we repeat are not, meant for use inside the vagina. “The vagina is a self-cleaning organ, meaning that by the discharge and different types of organisms—yeast and bacteria—the vagina keeps itself clean,” explains Dr. Heather Irobunda, an OB-GYN in New York City. Any sort of douching—AKA cleansing inside your vagina—can lead to irritation and infection, she cautions.

Where feminine washes can be helpful is for cleaning the vulva, the external area of the vagina. Feminine washes are good for removing debris and sweat, such as any vaginal discharge that’s caked around the labia minora, clitoral hood, or in the pubic hair, says Dr. Tamika Cross, an OB-GYN in Houston. Still, even though there is a lot on the market, many experts warn against using a feminine wash because it can disrupt the natural bacteria in the area, potentially increasing the risk of bacterial infections.

The point is, if you are going to use one, there are a few super important criteria to keep in mind when choosing a feminine wash. Namely, make sure that it’s fragrance-free and ideally has as minimal of an ingredient list as possible, again, to avoid the potential for irritation, says Dr. Cross.

To find the best feminine washes available today, we conducted hours of research—evaluating every option on their ingredients and how safe they were for the vaginal area. With expert recommendations from board-certified gynecologists and after considering dozens of formulas, we chose these top-rated picks.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

SweetSpot Labs Microbiome Balancing Full Body Cleanser

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Best Budget:

Rael Natural Foaming Feminine Wash at Amazon

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Best Foaming:

The Honey Pot Company Sensitive Foaming Wash at Amazon

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Best Moisturizing:

Good Clean Love Balance Moisturizing Wash at Amazon

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Best Wipes:

Lola Cleansing Wipes Packets at Mylola.com

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Best for All-Over Use:

Cora One Wash Balancing Body Cleanser at Amazon

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Best Multitasking:

Osea V Cleanse at Nordstrom

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In This Article

Our Picks
Final Verdict
What to Look For
FAQ
Why Trust Byrdie

4.8

SweetSpot Labs Microbiome Balancing Full Body Cleanser

Amazon

View on Ulta View On Amazon View On Sweetspotlabs.com

What We Like

Can be used all-over the body
Fragrance-free
pH balanced

What We Don't Like

Reviewers note it doesn't lather well

Both Cross and Dr. Jessica Shepherd, a Chicago-based OB/GYN and the Chief Medical Officer of Verywell Health recommend this option, a formula that checks all of the boxes. It’s fragrance-free and 99% naturally derived, a boon for Cross, while Dr. Shepherd lauds all of the brand’s offerings for being pH balanced. It’s super gentle, yet is effective enough to be used all over the body, a great one-stop-shop.

Price at time of publish: $20

Key Ingredients: Antimicrobial peptides, green tea seed, leaf extract | Size: 8 ounces | Cruelty Free: Yes

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Getrael.com

What We Like

Plant-based ingredients
Affordable
Certified natural

What We Don't Like

Small bottle

If you only trust something that's completely natural for your vulva, this is a great pick from Rael. Not only does it have a COSMOS natural certification with 98% naturally derived ingredients, it's also completely plant-based. It only has 8 ingredients and is free of fragrance and other synthetic agents. Many reviewers noted a fresh and clean feeling after using, and loved that it didn't dry them out or cause irritation.

Price at time of publish: $11

Key Ingredients: Coco-betaine, p-Anisic acid | Size: 5 ounces | Cruelty Free: Yes

The Honey Pot Company Sensitive Foaming Wash

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Target View On Thehoneypot.co

What We Like

Affordable
Foams nicely
pH balanced

What We Don't Like

Reviewers say sometimes the bottle's pump jams

This extra-gentle formula from The Honey Pot Co. also ticks all of the boxes of things gynecologists say to look for in a feminine wash, namely no sulfates, parabens, or fragrance. It’s pH-balanced and instead relies on things such as apple cider vinegar, lavender water, and grapefruit seed extract, all in a formula that foams up nicely, a major boon for those who love suds.

Price at time of publish: $11

Key Ingredients: Apple cider vinegar, lavender water, and grapefruit seed extract | Size: 5.51 ounces | Cruelty Free: Yes

Good Clean Love Balance Moisturizing Wash

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Walmart

What We Like

Very hydrating
Gynecologist-recommended formula

What We Don't Like

Contains glycerin; avoid if prone to yeast infections

If you’re prone to dry skin all over, including your vulva, the last thing you want is a feminine wash that’s going to strip out more moisture. Enter this pick, a water-based formula made with organic aloe, that not only relieves odor but also combat dryness and discomfort, too.

Price at time of publish: $11

Key Ingredients: Aloe, calendula, lavender | Size: 8 ounces | Cruelty Free: Yes

My Lola

View On Mylola.com

What We Like

Portable and practical
Natural formula

What We Don't Like

Not flushable

Dr. Shepherd is a fan of feminine wipes, noting that they can be used to help decrease sweat in the external vaginal area (a boon for post workouts when there’s no time to shower). She likes these, an all-natural option made of a bamboo viscose material. These are also individually wrapped, great for travel or when you’re on the go.

Price at time of publish: $11

Key Ingredients: Water, gluconic acid | Size: 12 packets | Cruelty Free: Yes

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Cora.life

What We Like

Can be used all-over the body
Fragrance- and dye-free

What We Don't Like

Naturally-derived scent isn't for everyone

TBH, most body washes can be too harsh to use on your most sensitive spots, but not this one. Extra gentle and mild, it’s free of all the things you don’t want in a feminine wash, though it does contain a combo of argan, sunflower, and shea oils to help hydrate the skin around your vulva. While it’s free of synthetic fragrance, it does have a naturally derived scent, a blend of sandalwood, lavender, raspberry, and orange.

Price at time of publish: $16

Key Ingredients: Aloe, sunflower seed oil, niacinamide (vitamin B3) | Size: 8 ounces | Cruelty Free: Yes

Osea

View On Nordstrom View On Bloomingdales View On Oseamalibu.com

What We Like

Developed by gynecologists and dermatologists
Hypoallergenic
Contains prebiotics

What We Don't Like

Fragile glass bottle

This lightweight and gentle cleanser from Osea can also be used as a face wash— great pick if you love multi-use products (or just want to justify it being a little pricy). The V Cleanse is formulated with a prebiotic complex to balance bacteria and pH levels. The viscous texture also makes it perfect for those who are sensitive to foaming washes, and cleanses well without irritation.

Price at time of publish: $38

Key Ingredients: Coco-betaine, p-Anisic acid | Size: 5 ounces | Cruelty Free: Yes

Final Verdict

If you feel like you have a lot of build-up on the external, vulvar area, a feminine wash can be helpful, though gynecologists caution that you should never use it inside your vagina. Make sure the one you choose is fragrance-free, like the SweetSpot Labs Microbiome Balancing Full Body Cleanser, a multi-tasking formula that can be used all over the body, vulva included. We also love the more affordable Rael Natural Feminine Foaming Wash, which is made with 98% naturally-derived ingredients.

Meet the Expert

Dr. Jessica Shepherd is an OB/GYN practicing at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She is also the Chief Medical Officer of Verywell Health.
Dr. Heather Irobunda is an OB/GYN based in Queens, New York. She is currently the Medical Director for Robyn, a website that connects expecting parents to health specialists.
Dr. Tamika Cross is an OB/GYN based in Houston. She completed her residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center.

What to Look for in a Feminine Wash

pH Balanced

“Using products that have the wrong pH, especially in your vaginal area, can lead to yeast infections and/or irritation,” says Dr. Shepherd.

Fragrance-Free

Both doctors we spoke with cite this as the most important criteria, given that fragrance is one of the most common irritants.

FAQ

What do feminine washes do?

Once more, for the cheap seats in the back: They should only be used on the external, vulvar area, never inside the vagina, caution both doctors we spoke with. They can, however, be a good way for women who are on the go, busy moms, or those who exercise frequently to help minimize sweat and a general feeling of discomfort, says Dr. Shepherd.
How often should you use a feminine wash?

So long as you choose a gentle formula that’s free of potential irritants such as sulfates, dyes, and fragrance, you can use one daily, says Dr. Cross.
Are feminine washes safe?

Again, theoretically yes, as long as the above criteria are met and it’s never actually used inside the vagina, says Dr. Shepherd.

Why Trust Byrdie

Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. While she doesn’t use feminine washes, she does occasionally reach for feminine wipes after a workout or to freshen up on the go.

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