I’m sure most of us understand the importance of vaginal care, but how many of us actually put in effort into the products that our delicate vulva interacts with? There seems to be a lack of discussion on personal care products, as opposed to other ‘-care’ items like skincare. I am guilty of carrying around my pads veiled in opaque pouches, purchasing the same brand of pads my mother uses without much thought, and you will never catch me asking another female: “so what do you use down there?”
But perhaps it is an apt time for us to be discussing and sharing vagina care tips as we would any other forms of self-care. It is, after all, a precious organ that allows us to experience pleasure and deliver new life into the world. We should be owning it loud and proud!
That’s where organic feminine care products come into the picture. Yes, you read that right — it’s not just your diet that can be organic, your feminine care products can be too. While the current products we use may be alright for now, they could pose significant threats to our vagina and vulva (the external area of our genitals) in the long run.
Is Organic Really Better or is It Just Marketing Fluff?
I get it, the term ‘organic’ has been overused by so many industries that the word itself seems to lose much of its value. In fact, it almost seems like a new synonym for snobbery and a privilege flex, but I’m here to convince you why switching over to organic could be one of the best life choices you make this year.
As Elaine Hong, co-founder of organic period care brand Enya, puts it: “Your body is like a temple. Take care of it, own it and listen to it. Understand what is suitable for you because only you know what’s best for yourself. Especially during your period where our body is most vulnerable and needs extra attention.”
There is nothing snobbish about wanting the best for our body, especially when it comes to our sensitive and delicate vagina. When feminine care products employ “organic”, they typically mean that their ingredients are carefully chosen to be a safe and clean alternative to their mass-market counterparts.
Tampons and Pads
Despite being termed sanitary products, commercial tampons and pads are rampant with harmful materials in their composition. Ever wondered why pads and tampons look so pristine and white? It is actually due to the bleached fibres, which leaves a toxic byproduct known as dioxin. These dioxins are disruptive to hormones and can lead to cancer.
The cotton used in these sanitary products are also seemingly harmless, but carry with it its own set of negatives. Unless the cotton is 100% organic, it is likely sprayed with pesticide. Enough research has been done for us to be wary of pesticide use in our produce, but who knew they would also be laying within our feminine care?
Fragrance is also another unsuspecting villain in our feminine care journey. Specifically, synthetic fragrance. They are a hormone disruptor that can also create an imbalance in your vagina and vulva’s pH values. A balanced pH value is important in preventing yeast infections and bacteria overgrowth, making such scents detrimental.
Vaginal Smell is Natural
At this point, I feel that it is important to stress that healthy vaginas have varied smells and odours — what they are not supposed to smell like are a bed of roses or powdered lavender. If you are concerned about a particularly pungent odour, please do not mask it with perfumes (especially if they are not meant for your privates!). Instead, seek out a gynaecologist for professional advice — trust me, it may seem like a chore now but it is every bit worth your time.
On the flip side, organic tampons and pads are free of toxins and fragrances. They tend to be made from 100% organic cotton, guaranteeing that no trace of pesticide will be found near your hoo-hah. Oh, and did I mention that they are comfortably breathable too?
Feminine Wash and Wipes
I want to preface this by saying that feminine wash is not a necessity. Our vaginas are troopers that are capable of self-cleaning (thus the discharge). Similarly, all our vulva needs is warm water to be adequately clean. However, there are times when we might want to cleanse or moisturise our vulvas between showers, such as during our menstrual cycle or after an exercise. That’s when these products should be used — and if we are going to use them, we might as well choose the better option.
Most commercial feminine wash and wipes contain synthetic fragrances, which we have already established as a big no-no, along with a slew of chemicals we wouldn’t want near our private areas. Some examples include sulphates, which can cause irritation to the skin by stripping away moisture, and parabens, a preservative that can cause disruption to your hormones and reproductive system.
The better alternative would be organic wash and wipes that do not interfere with your pH levels and are far from drying. That means looking out for natural ingredients over damaging chemicals.
Here are five organic feminine care products you can look into to make that organic switch:
1. Enya Premium ($11.90)
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Skin-friendly, hypoallergenic and made with 100% organic top sheet, Enya’s pads are suitable for ladies that tend to suffer from rashes or irritable itches during their cycle (Exhibit A: me). Available as a monthly subscription service that delivers to your doorstep, gone are the days of panic texting to your family to BRING HOME PADS NOW!!!
I have personally tried out Enya’s pads and my verdict is yes, yes, yes! My usual non-organic go-tos have a tendency to leave rashes after use. However, these Enya pads are extremely comfortable and did not irritate my lower areas one bit. Best of all, they are slim and compact, making it convenient to toss into your bag or slide into your pockets en route to the toilet.
2. Rael Applicator Tampons with Certified Organic Cotton ($12.90)
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Readily available in Watsons, Rael offers tampons made with responsibly sourced organic cotton from Texas. Free from harsh chemicals that could inflame your vagina, their lightweight tampons are perfect for sporty individuals to feel a little lighter during heavy flows.
3. The Period Co. Eco Femme Resuable Cloth Pads ($13.90 – $15.90)
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If you are looking for a sustainable approach to period care, why not try out reusable cloth pads? Made from 100% organic Indian cotton, these Eco Femme pads are not only gentle to the environment, but are also creating safe spaces for discussion of menstrual care among females of economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Every reusable pad purchase buys one pad for an Indian girl through the Pad for Pad programme.
4. VMagic Feminine Wash (~$21.30)
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Organic and made from 100% natural ingredients, VMagic provides a gentler alternative to feminine wash that is free from chemical nasties — I’m side-eyeing you, parabens — and instead focuses on the efficacy of natural ingredients. This includes camellia and chamomile, which soothes the skin. Derived from organic ingredients, the formula is also less likely to cause pH imbalance in vagina.
5. Two L(i)ps Blackout Activated Charcoal Vulva Mask ($28)
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Sometimes, the delicate skin of our vulva can get stressed and sensitive after hair removal. Two L(i)ps provides a 15-minute pampering aftercare sesh for your privates through an activated charcoal mask. As the first-ever vulva mask, it made sure to tick all the “good” boxes: made with organic ingredients, no sulphates or parabens, gynaecologically tested. The mask itself looks like lingerie at first glance, but with much more moisturising benefits than your average undies.
If this mask sounds like something you would like to invest in, why not have a look at our review first?
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Despite my dedicated (albeit preachy) praise of organic feminine care, it is at the end of it, your vagina. Just like how our skincare is incredibly personal and tailored to our individual skin’s varying concerns, the same applies to vaginal care. While there are theoretically better alternatives, there is no one-type-fits-all solution for your vagina. Regardless of whether you make the switch, I hope that this read has spotlighted the importance of caring for our lower regions, which we may have neglected out of embarrassment or lack of knowledge.
After all, who’s gonna take care of them if we don’t?
Love,
Cheyenne
