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For a long time, I couldn’t find a soap that didn’t irritate me down there. It’s one of those things nobody really talks about, so I just kept trying whatever was on the shelf and hoping the next one would be different. Most of them weren’t.
So when I started looking again, I got intentional. I gave brands owned by Black women and other women of color the first chance. I shopped Black because I figured we’ve been through the same things, and that a brand run by someone who looks like me would be looking out for me as a Black woman in a way most brands don’t. And I shopped woman-owned because who better to buy from than someone who knows this part of my body and knows what I go through? There’s one exception, a Korean brand I trust for a different reason. More on that below.
This is everything I use for intimate care right now: what each one is, how I use it, and what I’d change. One note before we start: this is just my experience with my body. If something irritates you, stop using it and check in with your doctor.
my routine at a glance
- daily wash: Hygiene Hero Daily Ritual Oatmeal Private Bar
- daily moisture: Vipstick Daily Nourishment at night, VV Oil when I’m heading out
- after shaving: VV Oil
- on my period: Lacto-Medi Foaming Wash, alongside my Hygiene Hero bar
- after sex or after my period: Lacto-Medi Intimate Care Gel
- on the go: Lacto-Medi wipes or Salt.XO All Over Wipes
hygiene hero
Hygiene Hero is woman- and minority-owned, founded by Michelle Yeh, who has been in the clean beauty space for over three decades. It’s where most of my routine comes from.
daily ritual oatmeal private bar
shop the daily ritual oatmeal private bar →
This is the only bar soap I use on my vulva. After having the hardest time finding something that didn’t irritate me, finding this one felt like a relief. It comes in other scents, but oatmeal is my favorite.
what i’d change: the price. For the amount of soap you get, it’s too expensive. I finish a bar in about three weeks, and I think it should cost $12, $15 at the most. You can subscribe or purchase bundles to save some money.
vipstick serum — daily nourishment
shop vipstick daily nourishment →
Instead of lotion, I use this on my vulva. It’s made specifically for the labia, but it’s safe to use all around, including the clitoris. It’s part of my daily routine, and it’s also great before or after sex. Just make sure your skin is clean before you apply it.
what i’d change: it can be uncomfortable when you’re out and about if you use too much. It gets slippery, unless you’re into that. I’ve started saving it for nighttime.
vipstick serum — original warming formula
shop the original vipstick serum →
This is the original warming formula, designed to plump the labia and clitoris. I love it. It’s way better than any messy lube I’ve ever tried, and the warming sensation is gentle and fun, even on your own 😉 It comes in nine flavors.
what i’d change: nothing so far. One tip, though: if you get a flavored one, pick the flavor your partner wants, not the one you want. You won’t be the one tasting it. Or maybe you will. Who knows.
vv oil — unscented
I use this after I shave down there. It helps me avoid razor bumps and ingrown hairs, and it leaves my skin really soft. You can use it on your armpits and inner thighs too.
what i’d change: no complaints. It actually absorbs a little better than the Vipstick Daily Nourishment, so this is the one I’d reach for before going out. It doesn’t leave you feeling slippery.
lacto-medi
Lacto-Medi is my one exception. It isn’t woman-owned, but it’s owned and operated out of South Korea, and if you know anything about K-beauty, you know they do not play when it comes to skincare and wellness. That’s what earned it a spot.
total care set
If you’re new to the brand, I’d start with this set. It comes with three things, and I use all of them differently.
The Intimate Care Gel is made to support pH balance. I use it after sex and after my period.
The Feminine Wipes are my go-to for freshening up on the go, and they’re flushable.
The Foaming Wash is super gentle. I usually only use it on my period, alongside my Hygiene Hero bar.
what i’d change: the wipes smell and feel a little medicated. They give me a slight warming sensation on my labia that goes away shortly after. I’ve never had any irritation or burning from them, but it’s worth knowing going in.
salt.xo
Salt.XO is a Black- and woman-owned brand created by Jhalesa Seymour. Everything is pH-balanced and plant-based.
all over wipes (cooling peppermint + soothing aloe)
What I love about these is the quilted texture. It sounds like a small thing, but I genuinely feel cleaner after using them. I like both versions, but peppermint is my favorite. It leaves my vulva feeling fresh and a little tingly.
what i’d change: they aren’t flushable, and the packaging doesn’t say so. If you’re used to flushable wipes like the Lacto-Medi ones, that’s an easy mistake to make, so toss these in the trash.
That’s everything, for now. It took a lot of trial and error to get here, and I’m sure this routine will keep shifting. Ask me again in six months.
If you have a product that works for you, leave it in the comments. I’m always looking.