Is It Possible To Use Shower Gel for Your Private Area?

Intimate zones are sensitive areas with a particular ecosystem that must be respected to prevent infections, dryness and irritation problems. Indeed, the vaginal flora is composed to 95% of lactic bacteria or lactobacilli. They protect the vagina from infections by preventing the proliferation of pathogenic microbes. The lactobacilli protect the vagina by producing lactic acid which makes the environment acidic and hostile to most microbes. However, the vaginal flora is fragile, and excessive genital hygiene is one of the main reasons for its disruption.

Normally, the vagina does not need to be cleaned with a special product, water is enough. However, some women prefer to use an intimate cleanser, especially if they have bad odors. The use of a shower gel for intimate cleansing is normally not contraindicated, as long as it is gentle, soap-free, fragrance-free and respects the physiological pH of the vagina, which is between 4.5 and 8. More precisely, the vaginal pH is between 3.8 and 4.5, while the pH of the vulva area is generally neutral. However, for women who are prone to fungal infections, a cleanser with a neutral or slightly alkaline pH is recommended to prevent the development of fungal spores. Indeed, fungi proliferate in an acidic environment.