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Byrdie / Brian Kopinski
Sometimes, you need to freshen up down there—it’s natural and nothing a feminine wash can’t handle. Feminine washes clean the vulva—the external area of the vagina—and are good at removing debris and sweat, such as any vaginal discharge around the labia minora, clitoral hood, or in pubic hair, says Dr. Tamika Cross, an OB-GYN in Houston.
While meant for your nether regions, feminine washes are not, we repeat, 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. Douching—AKA cleansing inside your vagina—can lead to irritation and infection, she cautions. Experts warn against excessively using a feminine wash because it can disrupt the natural bacteria in the area, potentially increasing the risk of yeast and bacterial infections. If you plan to use a feminine wash, ensure it’s fragrance-free and ideally has a minimal ingredient list to avoid the potential for irritation, says Dr. Cross.
To find the best feminine washes, we conducted hours of research on the highest-rated products—evaluating their ingredients and how safe they are for the vaginal area. With expert recommendations from board-certified gynecologists and after considering dozens of formulas, we chose these top picks.
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Amazon
Can be used all over the body
Fragrance-free formula
pH balanced
Reviewers note it doesn't lather well
Key Ingredients: Antimicrobial peptides, green tea seed, leaf extract | Size: 8 oz | Cruelty Free: Yes
Both Dr. 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 Dr. Cross, while Dr. Shepherd lauds all of the brand’s offerings for being pH balanced. The product also contains prebiotics and peptides to support healthy levels of bacteria and yeast on the skin (helpful if you suffer from yeast infections). The addition of green tea extracts and bentonite clay (known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits) helps gently cleanse the skin and remove odor and blemish-causing impurities.
Who It’s For
This expert-approved formula is super gentle yet effective enough to be used all over the body. A great one-stop-shop.
Best Budget
Rael Natural Foaming Feminine Wash
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Amazon
Plant-based ingredients
Doesn’t dry you out
Certified natural and organic
Small bottle
Key Ingredients: Coco-betaine, p-Anisic acid | Size: 5 oz | Cruelty Free: Yes
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 (guaranteed organic) with 98% naturally derived ingredients, but it's also completely plant-based. It only has eight ingredients—including Coco-Betaine (derived from coconut oil) to create lavish bubbles and p-Anisic acid (derived from star anise) to gently remove bacteria—and is free of fragrance and other synthetic agents. Many reviewers noted a fresh and clean feeling after using the product and loved that it didn't dry them out or cause irritation.
Who It’s For
If you’re on a budget but still want the cleanest, gentlest product, this is a winning option.
Best Gentle
The Honey Pot Company Sensitive Foaming Wash
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Amazon
pH balanced
Foams nicely
Easy to dispense
Reviewers say sometimes the bottle's pump jams
Key Ingredients: Apple cider vinegar, lavender water, and grapefruit seed extract | Size: 5.51 oz | Cruelty Free: Yes
This extra-gentle formula from The Honey Pot Co. is a rich and luxurious foam, dispensed via an easy pump applicator. Dermatologist and gynecologist-approved, it employs cleansing lactic acid to remove dead skin cells and apple cider vinegar to maintain the ideal vaginal pH range of 3.5-4.5. In addition, the inclusion of lavender water and calendula soothe and moisturize, leaving skin soft and hydrated. The only thing we don’t love about it is sometimes the dispenser bump gets stuck.
Who It’s For
Sensitive skin types (or anyone who feels inclined to seek out an ultra-gentle formula for down there) will appreciate this foaming formula that’s free from irritating or harsh ingredients.
Best Moisturizing
Good Clean Love Balance Moisturizing Wash
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Amazon
Very hydrating
Gynecologist-recommended formula
pH balancing
Contains glycerin; which is important to avoid if prone to yeast infections
Key Ingredients: Aloe, calendula, lavender | Size: 8 oz | Cruelty Free: Yes
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 water-based formula made with a coconut-derived cleanser (cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine) and hydrating organic aloe. Use it daily to relieve odor as well as dryness and discomfort.
Who It’s For
If your skin tends to be dry, this hydrating product provides gentle moisturization that lasts. The product does contain glycerin (which can elevate blood sugar levels) though so if you’re prone to yeast infections, you’d best steer clear.
Best Wipes
Lola Cleansing Wipes Pouch
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My Lola
Portable and practical
Natural formula
pH balanced to support vaginal health
Not flushable
Key Ingredients: Water, gluconic acid | Size: 32 wipes per pouch | Cruelty Free: Yes
Dr. Shepherd is a fan of feminine wipes, noting that they can help decrease sweat in the external vaginal area (ideal for post-workouts when there’s no time to shower). She likes these, an all-natural option made of a bamboo viscose material with lactic acid for exfoliation and hydration and honeysuckle extract for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. The only negative we’ve found is they’re not flushable like some wet wipes.
Who It’s For
We love these wipes as a handy option between showers or any time you’re on the go and want to freshen up.
Best for Microbiome
Cora The Happy Biome Wash
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Target
Designed for sensitive skin
Packed with powerful postbiotics
Provides gentle hydration
Naturally derived scent isn't for everyone
Key Ingredients: Postbiotics, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and sunflower seed oil | Size: 5.07 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
TBH, most body washes can be too harsh to use on your most sensitive spots, but not this one. Cora’s The Happy Biome Wash is free from artificial fragrances, parabens (artificial preservatives), sulfates (detergents that can be irritating to skin), or phthalates (solvents that some prefer to avoid). The gentle formula is packed with postbiotics, which help slow down bacterial growth, including lactobacillus, a bacteria naturally found in the vulva and vagina, to encourage a healthy pH and maintain microbiome balance.
Who It’s For
If you suffer from bacterial or yeast infections, this postbiotic-packed wash will help bring your vaginal microbiome back into balance. It does have a natural that isn’t for everyone though.
Best Multitasking
Luna Daily The Everywhere Wash
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Sephora
Great for head-to-toe cleansing
Vegan and cruelty-free
Microbiome and pH balancing
Some reviewers didn’t like the scent
Key Ingredients: Lactic acid, inulin, vitamins C, E, and F | Size: 8.4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
The clue is in the name of Luna Daily’s The Everywhere Wash. This gentle, cruelty-free formula was designed for full-body use (the brand's tagline says it best: head, vulva, knees, and toes). Prebiotics lactic acid and inulin, plus a plethora of vitamins, work to support the skin’s natural microbiome, while soothing aloe vera, chamomile extract, and coconut oil add a dose of gentle hydration. Some users didn’t love the smell, but that’s sometimes the effect of a clean product.
Who It’s For
This is a multitasking product that people who want to minimize their shower time will appreciate. Why have a separate feminine wash when you can have one gentle formula that works for the whole body?
What to Look for in a Feminine Wash
- pH Balanced: The vagina and vulva have a natural pH of between 3.8 and five, and a good feminine wash will help maintain that range. “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 criterion, given that fragrance is one of the most common irritants.
- Minimal Ingredients: As we mentioned above, our experts stress that the fewer ingredients a feminine wash has, the better. Since your vagina already maintains itself and has a delicate pH balance, if you’re going to clean your vagina, you want to introduce as few new agents as possible (and it’s best if they’re all natural).
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.
Byrdie contributor Esme Benjamin checked and updated this article in November 2023 to ensure every detail was correct and each product deserves its place on Byrdie’s list of the best feminine washes.
Team Byrdie met with experts to inform this story:
- Dr. Jessica Shepherd, an OB/GYN at the University of Illinois at Chicago and chief medical officer of Verywell Health
- Dr. Heather Irobunda, an OB-GYN in New York City
- Dr. Tamika Cross, an OB-GYN in Houston
According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find any feminine washes from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com and we will evaluate the product ASAP.
