Do We Need Hygienic Products to Maintain a Healthy Vagina?

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Vaginal hygiene is still a taboo subject in India and it’s a fact that many women, even today, feel uncomfortable talking about vaginal issues even to their close ones or share tips on how to maintain feminine hygiene.

42% of women say they have never been taught how to look after their vaginal health

Given that it’s the most sensitive zone, we are conditioned to think that vagina is unclean and needs high maintenance to keep it clean and healthy.

The vagina is naturally a self-cleaning organ that cleans itself by producing natural secretions.

Here are some of the facts that you need to know about your vagina and its natural cleansing system.

Vagina and its Self-defensive Nature

The vagina is a tube of muscle that joins the cervix and the vaginal opening and is surrounded by the vulva (the exterior organ).

It is lined with mucous membrane and is colonized with healthy bacteria from the Lactobacillus group. Together, they keep the vagina healthy and hygienic with natural secretions and are responsible for protecting the vagina from infections.

Lactobacilli produce lactic acid and help maintain an ideal pH balance and play an important role in keeping the vagina healthy. Lactobacilli also produce hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and other substances which inhibit the growth of pathogens or unfavorable bacteria and yeast.

Do you need hygienic products to keep your vagina healthy?

It’s quite natural if you often feel the need to wash your vagina and most women use the so-called feminine hygiene products hoping to feel clean and fresh. But the vagina is self-defensive and doesn’t require any douches or cleansers to keep it healthy.

There is a range of products such as intimate washes, shaving gels, cleansers, lubricants, douches, and deodorants, available in the feminine hygiene market that claim to clean, freshen, and balance your vagina.

Do these feminine products help maintain vaginal health?

Good vaginal hygiene is key for intimate health. But it’s a myth that the vagina needs extensive cleaning with feminine hygiene products.

45% of women use soaps to clean their vagina which upsets the natural pH.

The truth is they do more harm than good and increase your risk of infections.

For instance, douches usually contain water and vinegar and other commercial products contain antiseptics and fragrances that can reduce the lactobacilli and reduce the protective effect of the discharge.

Some of the women even reported douching their vaginas developed cancer.

Any kind of harsh chemicals introduced to the vagina may damage the mucus of the vagina and upset the delicate balance of bacteria giving a chance to the pathogens to cause vaginal infections.

The mucous membrane that lines the vagina is also very porous which makes the vagina an efficient route for absorbing medication and pathogens. It could be a risk factor for bacterial vaginosis or even the potentially deadly toxic shock syndrome.

Final thoughts

Experts advise the women to avoid any feminine hygienic products like perfumed soaps, gels, and wipes as these can affect the healthy balance of bacteria and pH levels in the vagina and allow the growth of bacteria and yeast.

Instead, warm water and some unperfumed soaps are recommended for cleaning your vagina effectively.

The vagina is naturally designed to keep itself clean with natural secretions and is self-defensive and doesn’t need any internal washing or douching or steaming.

The best way to maintain a clean and healthy vagina is just to leave it alone.

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Acne-prone skin is one of the toughest skin types to care for. You have to put in extra effort when it comes to skincare or makeup. From diet to hormones to stress and even genetics can contribute to acne breakouts. It is one of the most common problems that people encounter nowadays and, therefore, there is an abundance of products catering to people’s needs.

Before we give you a list of nine products that work best for acne, let’s look at a few points that should be kept in mind before buying products for acne-prone skin types.

Quality- There should never be any compromise in terms of quality when skin care is concerned. Ensuring that the products are dermatologically approved and clinically tested is very necessary.

Ingredients– Ingredients play a very important role when dealing with acne-prone skin. Skin can be easily damaged by harsh and chemical ingredients. Therefore, it is always advised to use products with mild and gentle ingredients that are soothing for the skin. Products with parabens and alcohol should be absolutely avoided.

Exfoliation– Accumulation of dead skin also aids in increasing acne. Therefore, removing dead cells from the skin is a very important part of the skincare regime. Exfoliation is required to avoid dull and lifeless skin. Natural and mild exfoliants work best for acne-prone skin. Products that contain AHAs and BHAs can be used because they help in clearing dead skin cells and prevent acne.

Hydration And Moisturization– Excess oil production is one of the major causes of breaking out, but that does not mean that acne-prone skin shouldn’t be moisturized. Anything containing oils should be avoided; instead, water-based products containing Hyaluronic acid and glycerin will work best.

acne types — Types of acne on the skin or pimples illustration

Below is a list of products that are suitable for acne prone skin.

Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser– It is one of the best, dermatologically tested cleansers that is helpful for removing oil from a combination or blemished skin. The cleanser is completely non-fragrant that gently removes oil, dirt, and skin debris through its foaming action. It also helps the dry skin to rejuvenate. While removing impurities, it has no effect on the skin’s barrier and instead helps to keep it moisturized. It is designed to be used as an anti-aging medication that does not clog pores.

Himalaya face wash-With the goodness of neem, nimba, turmeric and haridra, Himalaya Purifying Neem Face Wash is enriched with unique qualities and herbal ingredients to treat acne on the skin and keep it healthy. It helps to remove excessive oil from the skin without making it very dry and dehydrated. It’s a good, trusted product that women have used for years, and it’s also very affordable.

Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Face Wash– Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Face Wash’s oil-free formula effectively gets to the deepest of pores and cleanses them. To prevent future inflammations, the Salicylic acid present in this Oil-Free Acne Face Wash soothingly removes all acne and pimples without dehydrating the skin. It’s gentle on the skin and does not cause any irritation.

Himalaya Herbals Gentle Exfoliating Walnut Scrub– People do feel a little hesitant to use scrubs on their face when it is already acne-prone. They fear that it will break them out because of its harsh particles. But this scrub is an answer to all the anxiety. It is enriched with natural ingredients like Wheat Germ Oil and Crab Apple that do not leave your skin feeling all dry ripped of any moisture, or irritable.

Dermalogica Active Moist– You got to try this if you are looking for a dermatologically tested moisturizer that does not irritate or overly mattify your acne-prone skin. This moisturizer contains ingredients like lavender, antioxidant-rich Cucumber Fruit with Silk Amino Acids, and Mallow that helps in soothing your skin, giving it an intensely hydrating experience without making it too oily. It applies easily and sheerly without feeling tacky on the skin. Also, as a bonus point, it is absolutely vegan, cruelty-free, and paraben-free.

The Body Shop Tea Tree Mattifying Lotion– Tea Tree has been a holy grail for people who have been struggling with acne-prone skin. Its medicinal properties destroy acne-causing bacteria and help in reducing swelling and redness. The Body Shop has created this lightweight and clean formula using the properties of tea tree to cleanse pores, clear blemishes, and reduce sebum production. It is formulated to keep the skin feeling soft without any appearance of greasiness or oil on the skin. People who have tried it have loved it.

Kaya Ultra Light Aquagel Sunscreen SPF 25– It is one of the best sunscreens with SPF 25 for acne-prone skin that helps in protecting the skin from damaging UV rays without leaving the skin greasy or clogging the pores. It is a gel-based formula that does not leave a white cast while giving superior sun protection and a weightless matte finish.

Salicylic Acid 2% by Minimalist– Salicylic Acid is famously known for its ability to unclog pores and exfoliate the skin. It can help with deep cleansing by penetrating through oily skin and clogged pores. Minimalist’s Salicylic Acid 2% is formulated with RonaCare Salicylic Acid Extra Pure and aloe vera juice, making it soothing for irritated skin in case of a breakout. It helps in exfoliation, giving skin a flawless matt look. It is fragrant-free, silicon-free, and oil-free.

Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution- One of the most difficult and stressful issues with acne is scarring. This serum helps in fading acne scars, evens out the skin tone, and lightens the dark spots in less than two weeks. Since it has Activated C A potent next-generation actives and White Birch extracts, making it one of the best acne treatments for acne-prone skin.

Kama Ayurveda Nimrah Anti Acne Face Pack– The benefits of Ayurvedic products for acne-prone skin cannot be overstated. Kama Ayurveda Nimrah Anti Acne Pack is one of the top products that works as an acne treatment. It is an effectual mix of Ashwagandha, Red Sandalwood, Vetiver, Lodhra, Liquorice, and Coriander. All of these ingredients are well-known for their ability to treat acne, pimple scarring, and dark circles. This pack can be used twice a week for better results.