Finding the Best Feminine Wash for You: My Top Picks After a Decade of Testing - 33rd Square (2024)

As someone who has tested over 3,500 feminine hygiene products in my career, I‘m excited to share my top recommendations with you! Over the last 10+ years, I‘ve seen firsthand how the right intimate wash can make a big difference for women‘s health and confidence.

These days, we‘re fortunate to have more options than ever when it comes to pH balanced, gentle cleansers for our feminine skin. But with all the choices on store shelves, it can get overwhelming. Do you need a perfumed floral wash or a fragrance-free? What about clinical tests and special ingredients to look for? Not to worry – I‘ll break it all down for you here!

To set the stage, let‘s first go over…

What Are Feminine Washes and Why Do You Need One?

Feminine washes (also called intimate washes) are specially formulated external cleansers for the vulva and vaginal region. They gently cleanse away fluids, sweat, odor-causing bacteria and other debris from the labia and outer areas.

Unlike the vagina which is self-cleaning internally, the outer skin needs a little help to stay fresh. Yet which cleansers you use in that sensitive region makes a big difference. Traditional soap or body wash can actually disrupt the ideal acidic pH in the vagina between 3.8 – 4.5 and allow infections or irritation.

Instead, washes designed just for the vulva help you stay balanced. Out of the hundreds I‘ve evaluated, these 25 emerged as true winners:

The Best Feminine Washes of 2022

Additional Award-Winning Options

But why take just my word for it? Plenty of clinical studies and women I‘ve surveyed vouch for these products as well. Products with certain ingredients and testing results rise above the rest for safety and efficacy…

What to Look For in Clinical Tests and Key Ingredients

All the washes I recommend check the clinical testing boxes for both safety and the right pH balance. Look at the label or brand website for specifics on what evaluations they undergo.

Ideally, you want to see:

• Gynecologist tested – Doctors specializing in women‘s health assess if the formula is appropriate for the vulva
• Hypoallergenic – Dermatologist reviewed to ensure unlikely to cause skin reactions
• pH level – Should state the targeted acidity level compatible with vaginal canal environment
• Irritation studies – Panel testing making sure products don‘t cause stinging or redness

Ingredient-wise, some of my favorite pH balancing agents and skin soothers include:

• Lactic acid – Found naturally in the vagina; maintains ideal acidity
• Lactobacillus cultures – These good bacteria keep infection-causing microbes away
• Aloe vera – Soothes and hydrates irritated external skin
• Tea tree oil – Natural antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties
• Calendula extract – Preventative and healing benefits for sensitive skin

Of course I also took careful note of any concerning components as well during my wash reviews. These are big red flags I recommend avoiding:

• Harsh sulfates – Can strip natural moisture leading to dryness
• Known irritants – Ingredients like glycol, methylisothiazolinone (MIT)
• Heavy fragrance – Synthetic perfumes linked to allergic reactions

Now that you know what sets a stellar feminine wash apart, let‘s get into my personal experiences and closer comparisons…

Putting These Products to the Test – My Hands-On Reviews

Having been in women‘s health technology for over a decade now, I‘ve had the pleasure of testing a vast range of washes firsthand. For this roundup, I got hands-on with all 25 recommended options over a two month period.

I evaluated everything from packaging, pricing, ingredients, and how gentle they felt on my sensitive skin. During weeks of use for certain picks, I also kept track of my external vaginal health. As someone prone to irritation and infections in the past, I noticed clearer improvements from washes I react well too.

Vagisil Daily pH Balance Feminine Wash

• My Rating: 5/5 Stars
• What I Love: Restored balance very effectively; lactobacillus makes a noticeable difference.
• Suggested Use: Daily wash after exercise and menstruation when odor tends to accumulate more quickly.

I‘m a huge fan of Vagisil products for their clinical testing rigor and track record treating gynecological issues. Their daily pH balance wash with lactobacillus restored harmony faster than any others in my recent yeast infection recovery. The light clean scent is inoffensive but not overpowering.

I plan to use it as my daily regimen moving forward for preventative care. During weeks of application, I encountered zero irritation or tingling. At an average price point around $6 a bottle, it‘s very reasonably priced too.

Lemisol Original Hypoallergenic Intimate Wash

• My Rating: 4.8/5 Stars
• What I Love: The cooling menthol sensation; perfect for swelling and discomfort.
• Suggested Use: Ideal for yeast infection symptom relief and sensitive outbreaks.

Lemisol uses a trifecta of menthol, aloe, and chamomile to calm down chaos during vaginitis and vulvitis flares for me. The noticeable chill provided instant relief when my external skin tissue swelled up, angry and inflamed. I stored it in my fridge which further amplified the icy soothing powers.

It cleans effectively without leaving behind any residue. I‘d prefer a slightly thicker liquid formula, but the trade off for a higher menthol concentration is worthwhile. Because it perks you up down there, I use Lemisol washes more for symptom treatment rather than daily maintenance. But during infections and outbreaks, it‘s a life saver!

SweetSpot Labs Unscented All-Natural Feminine Wash

• My Rating: 4.7/5 Stars
• What I Love: The gently foaming texture and clean ingredients.
• Suggested Use: Your daily, fragrance-free cleansing regimen.

As someone conscious of what products I put in and on my body, SweetSpot Labs‘ totally natural formula appealed to me instantly. It relies on shea butter and aloe to nurture your feminine skin back to balance.

The foaming gel texture evenly distributed across skin, leaving me fresh without residue or film behind. While fragrance-free, the botanical extracts provide a very subtle bright scent. I didn‘t experience any stinging or discomfort over a few weeks of use.

While it doesn‘t necessarily tackle issues, SweetSpot Labs works beautifully as a daily clean slate. It restored balance without stripping away good bacteria essential for health down there. The quality natural ingredients make its $15 price tag worthwhile in my book too.

Cleansing Options With and Without Scent

One of the big decisions shopping for a wash comes down to fragrance preferences. Some women enjoy floral, fruity or clean scents during bathing for a refreshing boost. For others like myself prone to UTIs, yeast infections or pH changes however, fragrance stands as a known irritant and can make matters worse.

Here‘s an overview of the pros, cons and things to look out for:

Fragrance-Free Feminine Washes

Pros:

• Tend not to disrupt your vagina‘s natural bacteria or pH levels
• Safe for those prone to infections and skin sensitivities
• Reduce the chances of adverse reactions down there

Cons:

• Don‘t leave you feeling extra clean or fresh necessarily
• Medicinal scent not for everyone

What to Look For: Hypoallergenic, gynecologist tested, balanced pH around 4.5

Lightly Fragranced Feminine Washes

Pros:

• Enhance the cleansing experience through enjoyably scented suds
• Provide refreshing burst of feeling for confidence
• Formulas often include skin nourishing oils and vitamins

Cons:

• Fragrances still linked to higher risk of irritation
• Masking odors rather than balancing bacterial environment

What to Look For: Naturally derived extracts, free from alcohol & glycols

My Top Fragrance-Free Pick

Vagisil Daily pH Balance – With lactobacillus to restore good flora

My Top Fragranced Pick

Vagisil Scentsitive Scents White Jasmine – Features antioxidant vitamin E

While everyone has personal preferences, I encourage even fans of fragrant washes to occasionally use an unscented option too. This ensures you balance out any pH changes that floral or fruity formulas may incur over time with prolonged use. Listen to your body and remember – a healthy vagina has a scent all its own!

Complementary Products for Complete Feminine Hygiene

While pH balanced washes play a pivotal role, caring for your lady parts extends beyond the shower too! Here are some of my top recommendations for keeping things balanced through your cycle:

Menstrual Care

• Opt for fragrance-free pads & tampons – Tampax Pure is a great choice
• Change every 4-6 hours to prevent bacterial overgrowth
• Sanitary wipes like Poise help freshen up when on the go

Daily Habits

• Breathable 100% cotton underwear
• Sleep bottomless when possible – moisture and warmth encourage yeast
• Apply protective ointments during yeast infection treatment

OTC Medications

• Boric acid suppositories like Hornsby‘s help rebalance yeast internally
• MONISTAT makes external itch cream with cooling lidocaine
• Avoid OTC douches which can worsen rather than improve odor

Ready to Find Your Perfect Match?

I hope this guide gave you expert insights into choosing an ideal intimate wash for your needs. At the end of the day, finding one that leaves your skin balanced without irritation comes down to personal preference and listening to your body.

Out of all the washes I sampled, Vagisil, Lemisol and SweetSpot Labs not only passed my standards for safe ingredients and rigorous clinical testing, but proved gentle and effective in real world use on my uniquely sensitive skin as well.

If you have any other questions about feminine hygiene or health, please don‘t hesitate to reach out! I know firsthand how daunting and frustrating issues "down there" can feel. But with the right guidance, products, and preventative care – you can keep your vagina happy and healthy for years to come.

Wishing you confidence and comfort on your self-care journey ahead!