Let’s get one thing straight, right from the jump: Your vagina cleans itself. That means all those "feminine hygiene" products out there—douching, feminine cleansing—are basically BS. But that's not to say it's stopped you from conducting a solid search for "best soaps for vagina area," amirite? After all, *how* do you clean the skin around the vagina safely? Well, with these sensitive skin soaps, of course.

But, first, remember this: Your vulva—a.k.a. the sensitive skin surrounding your vagina that makes up your labia, clitoris, vaginal opening, and the opening to the urethra—can be cleaned, and the soaps you choose for that area are a BFD. "The tissues [there] are a little bit different," says Bethanee Schlosser, MD, an associate professor of dermatology and obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University. "It's more fragile in terms of irritant-potential, developing allergies, and physical trauma because the skin is not as 'thick,' so to speak, as external skin."

That means that in terms of the best soaps for your vagina area, it's important to keep in mind the products you use in this area can get into the opening of the vagina, which needs to maintain a certain pH balance to be healthy, says Jessica Shepherd, MD, an ob-gyn in Dallas. “A normal vaginal pH is usually less than 4.5 on the pH scale, meaning it's an acidic environment." Maintaining that normal vaginal pH prevents the overgrowth of bacteria and yeast that can cause an infection, adds Dr. Jodie Horton, MD, an ob-gyn in Oakton, Virginia, and chief wellness advisor for Love Wellness.

That's why douching is so bad for your vag—it can get rid of the good bacteria in there and increase the vagina's pH, leading to yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, and pelvic inflammatory disease. This can be especially problematic for Black women since research has shown that they tend to have fewer Lactobacilli bacteria in their bodies, which are needed to maintain a normal vaginal pH. As a result, they are two to three times more likely to have bacterial vaginosis.

So how do you keep this area clean without throwing off your vaginal flora? Tbh, you can totally clean your vulva with just warm water in the shower. But if you want to feel extra fresh, adding soaps that are gentle enough for use around that area is fine. And you don't need to do anything extra or use a stronger soap if you have discharge or are on your period. Just wash as you normally would!

A few tips for picking a vag-and-vulva-friendly soap? A mild cleanser is best, and you don't really need something that claims to balance your pH. While soap can throw off your healthy vaginal pH, it can't fix an unhealthy one. But if you use something mild, like the options below, and avoid going inside your vag while cleaning, you shouldn't have any issues. And definitely don't grab anything that claims to be exfoliating (ouch!). Also important: Skip the rough washcloths and loofahs—your hands are the only tools you need to clean your vulva, says Dr. Schlosser.

If you're not sure where to start (most of us aren't!), here's a list of 12 ob-gyn- and dermatologist-recommended cleansers, soaps, and wipes that won't irritate you down there.

Basis

walmart.com

$8.36

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Because of the soothing and moisturizing effects of chamomile and aloe vera, both of which are packed into this bar, it's always on Lauren Streicher, MD, clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University's list of recommendations for vulvar soaps.

Vanicream

amazon.com

$3.15

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This cream-based cleanser is packing all the moisture that sensitive skin is begging for. And, even for those whose vulvae aren't particularly reactive to irritants, Dr. Streicher says this hypoallergenic option will make sure they stay that way.

Eucerin

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This is one that Dr. Schlosser says is so gentle you could use it on skin as delicate your eyelid—which makes it ideal for the vulva. (Btw: If you wouldn't put it on your face, it shouldn't be anywhere near the skin around your vagina.) This cleanser is preservative-free, paraben-free, fragrance-free, and alcohol-free, which will both sooth vulvar irritation and keep it from reoccurring.

Dove

amazon.com

$11.99

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Dr. Ross is also a fan of this hypoallergenic bar, which, she says, is "gentle for the vulva." It washes off without residue, leaving skin feeling soft and moisturized.

Love Wellness

ulta.com

$4.99

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These wipes are a great option because they also contain aloe vera and chamomile extract, which is calming to the vulva, says Dr. Horton.

Cetaphil

amazon.com

$5.97

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You won't find any harsh ingredients in this Dr. Streicher rec. Cetaphil promises not to strip the skin of moisture and keep it feeling nourished all-day-long thanks to the fact that it's soap and detergent-free.

But if you're especially sensitive, Dr. Schlosser says to keep in mind that unscented doesn't mean fragrance-free, meaning this bar still has perfume that masks the smell of its ingredients, which could be an irritant.

Aveeno

walmart.com

$3.57

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This pick's biggest highlight, according to Sherry Ross, MD, an ob-gyn in Santa Monica and author of She-ology, is the fact that it's fragrance-free. It won't irritate the skin with unnecessary perfumes.

Aquanil

amazon.com

$17.06

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Aquanil bills itself as a "hydrating lotion" that can be used with or without water. It's oil-free, soap-free, and fragrance-free which makes it an prime pick by ob-gyns, says Dr. Streicher.

CeraVe

amazon.com

$5.49

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This cleanser is made with ceramides "which is part of the 'glue' that sticks the cells together in terms of promoting a natural barrier function," says Dr. Schlosser. The super-gentle ingredients reinforce and shield the vulvar area's skin to keep it healthy.

Cetaphil

amazon.com

$14.29

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If a pump works better with your shower situation, this cleanser, like the bar, has "been shown on skin to not exacerbate or create problems" for the vulva, according to Dr. Streicher.

Eucerin

amazon.com

$8.69

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This cleanser is one that Dr. Ross says you can "confidently use for feminine hygiene" since it's still gentle enough for your face. While it may not be as mild as the ultra-sensitive Eucerin pick above, it's still a great choice since it's fragrance and soap-free.

SweetSpot Labs

amazon.com

$25.00

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A shower is always better than a wipe, but if you're in a pinch, these are a good bet for freshening up safely. Dr. Shepherd recommends these wipes, as they’re pH-balanced and unscented, which means they’re less likely to cause any irritation if you have sensitive skin.