We spoke with gynecologist Cynthia Bustamante about cleansing the skin of the vulva. The doctor explained that washing only with water is not enough. The vulva is made up of skin, semi-mucosa, and mucosa, and it is different from the rest of the body because it is constantly exposed to friction, heat, and humidity—making it more sensitive and prone to absorbing any substances applied to it.
The pH of the vulva is around 3.5-4.7, while water has a pH of 7, which is far from the internal balance of the area. That’s why washing only with water can dehydrate the skin, increase itching, cause infections, and leave the area more sensitive. In addition, the vulva has glands that produce sweat and oily substances, and water alone is not enough to remove this buildup. For this reason, the doctor highlights the importance of finding products with a pH as close as possible to that of the vulva.
She explains that bar soaps, or soaps derived from animal fats or vegetable oils, usually have a pH higher than 7, while supermarket soaps typically have a pH of 9 or 10—far from the physiological pH of the vulva. This can cause irritation and alter the microbiota. However, the gynecologist points out that there are “syndet” soaps—non-detergent cleansers with a pH closer to that of the skin (around 5). These do not disrupt the skin barrier. They are synthetic detergents or “soap-free soaps” with lipophilic molecules that encapsulate dirt and wash it away with water.
The gynecologist concluded by once again emphasizing that cleansing only with water is not recommended, and that it’s best to use gynecologically tested soaps—ideally syndet products.
And to you, reading this blog, we ask: why do you choose a special cleanser for your face or other parts of your body, but not the right one to cleanse your genital area?
Bustamante, C. (August 20, 2024). Information extracted from content published on Instagram: @biolouve.uy, @gineco.pde