Best Feminine Washes for 2023

Have you ever wondered how to wash your most delicate parts and what to use? The vagina self-cleans regularly, so it doesn’t require much hands-on cleaning from you. However, lightly washing the vulva (the clitoris and labia) with warm water and a mild cleanser shouldn’t hurt. That said, vulva cleaning is a bit more complicated than washing your face, body, or hair. Experts have advised us not to use harsh soaps when washing the vulvar region. The next best alternative? Feminine washes.

From cleansing wipes to liquid formulas, feminine washes are specifically designed to gently and effectively clean your private parts and are generally safe for recurring use. In case you get overwhelmed with product options, we’ve put together this curated list of top feminine washes on the market.

Best feminine washes overview:

• Best overall: The Honey Pot Company Sensitive Wash
• Best budget: Summer’s Eve Lavender Night-time Daily Refreshing Wash
• Best organic: Rael Natural Foaming Feminine Wash
• Best odor-blocking: Vagisil Odor Block Daily Therapeutic Wash
• Best full-body: SweetSpot Labs Fragrance-Free Wash
• Best wipes: LOLA Cleansing Wipes Packets

How we chose the best washes

To compile this list, we researched manufacturer specifications, including ingredient contents, formula safety labels like whether it’s dermatologist or gynecologist-approved, and more, to create a short list of the top feminine washes. Then, we combed through detailed product descriptions, ratings, and reviews to find the best feminine washes for each category.

Our picks for the best feminine washes

Formulated to help your vagina maintain a healthy pH balance and intensify moisture, The Honey Pot Company’s Sensitive Wash is a delicate intimate wash for your lady parts. What makes this our top choice is its clinical efficacy and support from professional dermatologists. 

The brand conducted a study involving healthy women between the ages of 18 and 75. After one week of product use, the wash left 97% of participants feeling confident and clean, 97% feeling sufficiently moisturized, and 94% feeling refreshed.

Its overwhelming approval and acclaim are likely due to its science-backed, hypoallergenic ingredient list. The plant-centered formula includes organic apple cider vinegar and soothing lavender. It’s also free of parabens and sulfates — this is why it’s ideal for sensitive skin.

However, the Honey Pot Company recently updated the original formula. Surprisingly, some of its loyal customers aren’t happy about it, especially the addition of glycerin as an ingredient. Despite the backlash, Sensitive Wash still boasts a four-and-a-half-star customer rating.

Size: 5.51 fl oz | Main ingredients: Lavender, organic apple cider vinegar, calendula, lactic acid

A favorable “women’s choice” pick on Summer Eve’s site, this scented daily wash gives total botanical garden vibes. The gynecologist-tested, pH-balanced formula includes a floral lavender scent — with a hint of sweet amber — to mask unpleasant odors.

This affordable pick not only has the lowest price tag of the bunch but also uses SafeScent fragrances that undergo rigorous safety testing. One drawback to this wash is that it contains sodium laureth sulfate, which is considered toxic and can irritate the skin.

Size: 12 fl oz | Main ingredients: Water, sodium laureth sulfate, Cocamidopropyl betaine, and 15 others

Conscious consumers: This one’s for you. This intimate cleansing foam is suggested to serve as both a daily vaginal refresher and pH balancer. According to multiple customer reviews, it lives up to its guarantee of banishing irritation and odor. 

You don’t have to worry about harmful chemicals or irritable fragrances with this product. The clean formula features eight plant-based, sensitive skin-friendly ingredients, including coconut and sugarcane. This washes natural contents are what make it a fab choice for a feminine wash. Its 98.22% naturally-derived formula is the reason behind its COSMOS NATURAL Certified status, representing the “highest standard of clean.”

Now for the negatives. Depending on your skin type, this wash may leave your skin feeling a little parched. The formula also seems to have undergone a few changes, which not all customers love.

Size: 5 fl oz each (2-pack) | Main ingredients: Sugarcane, coconut, basil

If you struggle with odor, you’re probably looking for a feminine wash with stronger odor protection. This daily feminine wash by Vagisil has built-in Odor Block technology to conceal unpleasant smells down below. Offering up to 24-hour odor protection, it’s appealing for everyday people with physically (or sexually) active lives. 

The women-developed formula is clinically tested for efficacy, according to the brand. It undergoes thorough microbiology, dermatologist/gynecologist, and stability testing to keep the product quality up to market standards. The formula’s hypoallergenic properties further mean it’s gentle when applied to your skin.

The product features a blend of natural and diverse ingredients, ranging from aloe to chamomile. However, you’ll also find some questionable ingredients, like sodium laureth sulfate and unspecified fragrances. Before you buy, we suggest glancing at the ingredient contents to see if you’re allergic to any. Be warned that the wash itself has a funky odor, so you likely won’t be too fond of the product’s smell.

Size: 12 fl oz each (2-pack) | Main ingredients: Water, sodium laureth sulfate, lauryl glucoside, and 20 others

Individuals with sensitive skin may gravitate to this fragrance-free, full-body cleanser. The brand notes that it delicately sanitizes impurities without stripping your skin of its natural moisture. Since it’s sulfate-free, you shouldn’t worry about your skin drying out with this wash. If anything, you’ll have softer and smoother skin that’s pH-balanced. 

The clean and creamy formula is vegan and cruelty free. It contains 99% naturally-derived ingredients, including moisture-replenishing oils like shea butter and apricot oil. According to gynecologists who have tested and approved the cleanser, it’s relatively safe for use around the vulva region. 

There aren’t many downsides to this product. If anything, it’s a bit overpriced compared to most washes on this list. This is probably because it’s a full-body wash rather than just a feminine wash. It’s only a few dollars higher than the average, though.

Size: 8 fl oz each (2 pack) | Main ingredients: Aloe vera, coconut surfactants, shea butter, apricot oil, and jojoba oil

Always on the go? It makes sense to take along a travel-friendly, no-mess cleanser with easy portability. Instead of a liquid wash, consider LOLA’s Cleansing Wipe Packets as an alternative. You can easily tote these all-natural wipes in your bag without the risk of spills or messes. 

Not only is it safe for your vagina, but it’s also safe for full-body use. Just rip open a packet when you want a clean refresh after sex or working out, then dispose of the used wipe. The hydrating ingredients also have a restorative effect on your skin’s moisture levels.

This gynecologist-approved product is vulva-friendly due to its pH-balanced and hypoallergenic formula. The cloth is made of 100% bamboo viscose, a naturally antibacterial material. As for the liquid formula, it contains high-quality ingredients ranging from honeysuckle flower extract to pH-balancing lactic acid. It’s also free of skin-drying alcohol, sulfates, and parabens. 

As a disclaimer, the wipe cloths are a bit small. You may deem it necessary to use more than one packet per wash. If so, you’ll run out of packets pretty quickly.

Size: 32 wipes/pack (6 pack) | Main ingredients: Bamboo viscose, water, gluconic acid, sodium benzoate

The bottom line with ‘down there’ care products 

Finding the right feminine wash for you doesn’t have to be difficult. Just be mindful of ingredients and safety features when you’re narrowing down your product options. We chose The Honey Pot Company’s Sensitive Wash as our preferred pick for its scientifically-backed results and dermatologist-approved formula. Of course, the other contenders on this list can work just as well, too.

How to pick the right feminine wash for you

Feminine washes can offer refreshing protection from unpleasant odors, among other benefits. You’ll want to consider the following factors when choosing the right wash for you. 

Gentle ingredients 

• Fragrance. Unscented washes are generally safe for sensitive skin, as they’re free of harmful and irritation-causing fragrances. But not everyone takes a liking to fragrance-free hygiene and cosmetic products. If that includes you, some feminine washes contain safe, non-toxic fragrances. If you choose the scented route, look for a wash that’s potent enough to block odors yet gentle when cleansing the vaginal area. Washes with natural oils and fragrances are best. 
• Hypoallergenic. Vaginas are naturally sensitive to certain chemicals and ingredients. For instance, too much glycerin could cause bacterial vaginosis. Hypoallergenic washes are most appealing since they avoid using irritable and inflammation-causing allergens.
• Lactic acid. If a feminine wash lacks this critical ingredient, look elsewhere. Lactic acid’s cleansing properties help balance the vagina’s natural pH levels. This further prevents unwanted bacterial growth and infections.

Formula safety and quality control 

• Gynecologist/dermatologist-tested. Dermatologists and OBGYNs are most familiar with what’s good for the vagina (and what isn’t). Their trusted opinions hold weight for this reason. Consider products tested and approved by one of these professionals. 
• pH-balanced. A pH of around 3.5 to 4.5 is ideal for the vagina. This maintains its preferably acidic environment, which is good since excess alkalinity leaves room for bacterial overgrowth. Most pH-balanced feminine washes are formulated to support a well-regulated vaginal pH. 

Type

• Vaginal-only wash. These washes come in liquid form and cater specifically to the vulvar area. Some feminine washes come in gel form, while some have a creamier base. 
• Full-body wash. These washes are safe for full-body use, meaning you can apply them to your body from head to toe. 
• Cleansing wipes. Feminine or full-body cleansing wipe packets feature an absorption-friendly cloth soaked in a safe liquid formula. These wipes are ideal for on-the-go use while you’re away from home or traveling long distances. 

FAQ

What’s the most effective feminine wash? 

The Honey Pot Company’s Sensitive Wash has clinically proven efficacy for cleanliness, freshness, and amplified moisture.

What’s the best product for feminine odor?

Vagisil’s Odor Block Daily Therapeutic Wash features a proprietary Odor Block technology. It offers up to 24-hour odor protection, making it an ideal choice for masking vaginal odor. 

Are feminine washes good for you?

While they aren’t necessary, feminine washes can be particularly helpful to physically active people. If you participate in frequent gym or bedroom activity, you could benefit from adding a feminine wash to your regular self-care routine for its refreshing and pH-balancing properties. Make sure to pick the right product for you and closely follow suggested use instructions.