15 Feminine Wipes That Gynecologists Actually Approve To Keep You Feeling Fresh Down There
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After a sweaty workout, during a heavy flow, or following a series of rather intimate moments, you may feel like your lady parts could use a little TLC. But when you just don’t have the luxury of a full lather, rinse, and repeat, feminine wipes offer some quick and easy relief.
While the vagina is largely self-cleaning and doesn’t require the additional help of any feminine hygiene products, disruptions can negatively influence the bacteria that help keep a healthy acidic pH, says Sara Mucowski, MD, an ob-gyn in Dallas, Texas. “Disruptions to this environment, including sweat, semen, and menstrual blood may contribute to changes in odor, as well as the development of vulvar and vaginal infections,” she explains. An easy way to prevent these issues is practicing proper hygiene.
And feminine wipes are here to help! The right ingredients can soothe, moisturize, and prevent irritation of the vulvar skin, says Katerina Shkodzik, MD, an ob-gyn and the medical advisor at Mira. You should only clean the outside, meaning the vulva, with these wipes, not the inside of the vagina, she notes.
Note that there is no recommendation from ob-gyns to use vaginal wipes, so it’s up to every woman and her perception of comfort and freshness, says Dr. Shkodzik.
If you’re worried about odor, know that most women have a natural smell and are familiar with what it is. It also may vary with your cycle, says Alyssa Dweck, MD, an ob-gyn in Westchester County, New York. “Your natural scent doesn’t need to be masked with heavy fragrance, nor should the vagina or vulva need to smell like flowers, for example,” she says.
People think they need feminine hygiene products because of the stigma and shame about this area of their body, adds Katharine O'Connell White, MD, an associate professor in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at Boston University. If you bathe or shower regularly, your body should be more than clean enough.
Still want to check out some feminine wipes? Try these products recommended by ob-gyns for gently cleaning and caring for your lady bits.
Meet the experts: Sara Mucowski, MD, an ob-gyn and reproductive endocrinology and infertility specialist. She has a special interest in fertility preservation.
Katerina Shkodzik, MD, is an ob-gyn with a special focus on reproductive endocrinology and infertility issues who has been practicing since 2015. She is also the medical advisor for Mira.
Katharine O'Connell White, MD, MPH, is a practicing gynecologist and the vice chair of academics and the director of the fellowship in family planning at Boston Medical Center. She also serves as an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the Boston University School of Medicine.
Pros
- Free of paraben and dyes
- Clinically tested fragrance
Cons
- Soapy wipes
These feminine wipes remove odor-causing bacteria and won't disrupt your pH balance. While they are scented, the fragrance is clinically tested and the wipes are free of dyes and parabens, which is why Betsy A.B. Greenleaf, DO, a board-certified ob-gyn, likes this product.
Pros
- Compostable
- Hypoallergenic
- Larger than standard wipes
Cons
- Comes with a small number of wipes
These compostable, hypoallergenic towels expand as soon as you add water. They are fragrance and odor-free and crafted specifically for pre or post-sex cleanup, on-the-go cleansing, general cleaning around your sensitive areas, and more.
Alexandra Bausic, MD, a board-certified ob-gyn and sex educator at Let's Talk Sex, notes that “because they are larger than a standard vaginal wipe, they are best used after a workout or during menstruation.” They are also free of parabens and pH-balanced.
Dr. Greenleaf adds that these wipes are basically compostable, disposable washcloths. "This is a great option to use with just plain water. This is my favorite option. No harsh chemicals or ingredients to cause a reaction,” she says.
Pros
- Individually packaged
- No alcohol or parabens
- Limited ingredients
- Contains lactic acid for healthy bacteria
Cons
- Comes with a small number of wipes
- More expensive
Made from bamboo and pH-balanced, these single-use wipes are non-irritating and great for stashing in your purse or gym bag. The main ingredients are flower extract, honey suckle, and lactic acid, and *without* irritating alcohol and parabens.
These wipes have limited ingredients, which places them higher on Dr. Greenleaf's list for acceptable products. The lactic acid, which she explains can support healthy bacterial balance, is another big plus.
Pros
- Contains moisturizing ingredients
- Rich with antioxidants
- BIPOC brand
Cons
- Higher risk of allergic reaction to the many ingredients
- Contains glycerin and phenoxyethanol
- Slightly scented
These wipes are infused with healing plant-based ingredients like oats to soothe and diminish itchiness and irritation, acai extract to moisturize and infuse the skin with rich antioxidants, and chamomile to reduce inflammation.
This company has a great background of being founded by a woman of color who had recurrent vaginitis and wanted to look for her own solutions, says Dr. Greenleaf. “For the most part, these wipes contain soothing botanical essential oils and they use many organic products,” she adds.
However, she is concerned that there are so many ingredients that you could react to in this product. "I prefer the simpler, the better,” she says.
Pros
- Flushable
- Plant-based
- Biodegradable
Cons
- Harsh ingredients
- Not suitable for menopausal women
These wipes are flushable and biodegradable, making them especially good for cleaning up period messes or after getting busy with your SO.
However, people with thinning skin like those going through menopause may want to go with another option. “Women with vaginal tissue thinning may still find these wipes irritating due to some of the other ingredients,” says Dr. Greenleaf.
Pros
- Natural ingredients
- Cleanses and moisturizes
Cons
- Contains preservatives and humectants
These wipes are designed with sensitive skin in mind, as they’re infused with botanical extracts like aloe and Camellia sinensis leaf extracts to gently cleanse and moisturize the skin and grapefruit extract to remove unwanted odor.
Dr. Greenleaf notes that these vaginal wipes are made from organic pulp and contain other natural ingredients, but you'll still find preservatives and humectants in them. The good news is most of the chemicals used rate between one and three on the EWG scale, with one being the least toxic.
Pros
- Free of dyes, parabens, chlorine bleach, sulfates, alcohol, or synthetic fragrances
Cons
- Has a fragrance
- Wipes tear easily
- Packaging is difficult to use
These organic wipes are as simple as can be. They are 99 percent water, making them essentially an on-the-go fresh shower. They are also infused with aloe vera and coconut oil for a gentle touch on your more sensitive areas.
Pros
- Free of glycerin, sulfates, alcohol, parabens, and phthalates
- Includes witch hazel which balances the growth of fungi
- Approved by gynecologists
Cons
- Thin wipes
- Leaves a soapy film
- Strong fragrance
These gentle, soothing wipes are pH-balanced and free from glycerin, sulfates, alcohol, parabens, and other harsh chemicals. Gynecologists recommend them for their basic, unscented formula that cleanses, soothes, and hydrates even the most sensitive of skin. Plus, they're vegan, cruelty-free, and biodegradable. Check, check, and check!
Pros
- Good for thicker skin
- Fights ingrowns
- Smooths skin
Cons
- May not be suitable for delicate skin
- Pricier
If you're interested in wipes that are specifically developed for tackling ingrown hairs, bumps and hair-removal irritation alike, these biodegradable finger mitts are soaked in witch hazel and aloe serum. All you have to do is massage it along any region you feel could use some extra anti-ingrown love.
Some of the ingredients, including witch hazel, willow bark, and aloe are all great at soothing the skin, according to Dr. Greenleaf. “Based on this product's ingredients, it would be good for the thicker skin in the groin or over the mons," she says. "The ingredients can help with the inflammation that occurs with ingrown hairs. However, it is not something I would want to use on more delicate areas.”
Pros
- Contains pramoxine hydrochloride and vitamins A, D, and E
- Great for yeast infections
Cons
- Not meant for sensitive skin
- Not individually wrapped
- Cannot be flushed
In addition to fighting odors related to working out, urine leakage, or your period, these medicated wipes also help relieve vaginal itch. Specifically, the pramoxine hydrochloride relieves itching, while vitamins A, D, and E soothe the skin and relieve any discomfort, explains Dr. Bausic. Can we get a hallelujah?
This product is gynecologist-tested, so it is safe to use. But if the itching persists, Dr. Bausic urges women to see a dermatologist or an ob-gyn. “Because this is not a self-prescribed treatment, visit your doctor if you have any problems while using them,” she says.
Pros
- Tested by derms and gynecologists
- Free of oils, fragrances, and alcohols
- Individually wrapped
Cons
- More expensive
- Cannot be flushed
- Contains fragrance
Tested by dermatologists and gynecologists, these DeoDoc intimate wipes check all the important boxes—free of essential oils, fragrances, alcohols, and have a pH of 5. "Women can use them without restrictions for cleansing and refreshing themselves. The moisturizing ingredients, aloe vera and vitamins, soothe the vulvar skin,” says Dr. Bausic.
They are also individually wrapped, so you can keep a few in your handbag or pocket for whenever you need them.
Pros
- Resealable packaging
- Large wipes
Cons
- Contains alcohol
- Scented
- Cannot be flushed
These gentle, lightly-scented wipes can help you freshen up during your period or any time of the month.
Dr. Bausic also recommends Always Wipe to Go. “It is a better option because it comes with 20 individually wrapped wipes. For hygiene reasons, you can keep two to three in your bag and only utilize one,” she says.
Whichever you choose, Dr. Bausic suggests using them minimally because they contain alcohol. "I would not recommend using them on a daily basis. Alcohol can harm the natural bacteria in the vaginal area,” she explains.
Pros
- Biodegradable
- Flushable
- Made from natural fabric
Cons
- Large packaging risks contamination and drying out
While these biodegradable and flushable wipes aren’t specifically designed for women, they’re soft enough that they won’t irritate the skin around your private parts.
These vaginal wipes may be a gentler option for your most intimate areas, Dr. Bausic says. “Cottonelle wipes claim to be made of natural fabric components and do not contain alcohol or parabens. This is an excellent option for cleaning your intimate area with a soft and safe wipe,” she explains.
There is just one thing to keep in mind. "The only disadvantage is that if you constantly open the large pack of 168 wipes, they will come into contact with your hands and air and dry out rapidly. So, if this is your vaginal wipe of choice, consider using them sparingly so they do not dry out so quickly," Dr. Bausic says.
Pros
- Travel-sized
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Contains chamomile flower, vitamin E, and aloe vera
Cons
- Contains fragrance
- More costly
- Cannot be flushed
These pocket-sized natural wipes are travel-friendly, individually sealed, and made in the USA. They also come in pretty packaging if you want to be discreet about what they are. Dr. Greenleaf points out, though, that these vaginal wipes have a fragrance, which may be irritating to some people.
Pros
- No glycerin materials
- Portable
- Protects against microbial imbalances and infections
Cons
- Has fragrance, lanolin, and preservatives
These gentle cucumber-scented vaginal wipes are made with a water-based formula that contains no glycerin materials or parabens. These cleansing cloths come in portable packs of 25 and they do more than just keeping you fresh. “Though some people may have issues with the lanolin and preservatives, I like the fact that the wipes contain lactoferrin and lactoperoxidase, which both have a prebiotic protective effect on microbial balance and prevention of infection,” Dr. Greenleaf says.
What ingredients should I look for in feminine wipes?
The best feminine wipes will be free of irritating parabens, dyes, and fragrances. (One note: If an unfamiliar odor is the reason you’re reaching for wipes, Dr. Dweck recommends getting checked for an infection, like BV, rather than simply trying to mask it with wipes, especially if you have sensitive skin down there.)“
As with any topical product, sensitivity can occur, especially a product that may come in contact with vaginal mucosa,” Dr. Mucowski explains. She also recommends avoiding wipes with fragrance, in addition to products with alcohol, parabens, oils, talc, and are hypoallergenic and pH-neutral.
Dr. Shkodzik suggests looking for wipes that support proper pH balance. You can also look for products that contain natural compounds for soothing, softening, moisturizing effects on the skin of the vulva, such as aloe vera, calendula, chamomile, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E.
Are feminine wipes safe to use?
Because feminine wipes are meant for the vulva and not the vagina, they are perceived as a relatively safe product for most women to use, Dr. Mucowski says. If you’re prone to sweating in hot environments, then wipes can be useful to decrease sweat build-up in the vaginal area, says Dr. Shepherd.
However, if you’re prone to yeast infections, currently have abnormal discharge, or any sores or lesions, it is best not to use wipes at all. In fact, all you need to stay clean is mild soap and water, White says, and that in general there is no way to confirm a wipe is “safe” to use.
Lastly, don’t forget that constant use of wipes can disrupt the vagina's natural pH and that wipes do not treat or prevent STIs or pregnancy.
That said, if you’re armed with information and you’re still a fan of wipes, these are some gyno-approved options available online.
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