INTIMATE HYGIENE GUIDE August 1, 2022

Proper intimate hygiene is a key issue as regards everybody’s health. Special attention should be paid over it during hormonal changes: adolescence, menstruation, pregnancy, menopause. Intimate hygiene is an important part of body care because of high risk of the occurrence of bacterial and fungal infections. Recommended method is intimate prophylaxis with specially customised products which in contrast to conventional soap, gels, antiseptic agents, don’t damage natural, beneficial flora. Products for intimate hygiene ought to be chosen individually. Nevertheless, independently from cosmetic’s choice, intimate wash product should perform 3 functions:

1. restoration or maintenance of physiological (acidic) pH by adding right amount of lactic acid to the product
2. prevention from bacterial and fungal infections by adding special extracts of floral origin
3. washing and care with the help of mild cleansing agents and hydrophilic and lipophilic substances

Neglect of intimate hygiene may lead to different gynecological problems.

Fungal infections:

• Vaginal infection caused by Candida albicans fungi. It is one of the most popular inflammatory disease of the genital tract among women. It is estimated that vaginal mycosis is about 40% out of all intimate area diseases. About 75% of women at least once in life has incident of genital tract inflammation caused by vaginal mycosis.

• The infection occurs when the natural bacterial flora is disturbed, which protects against the invasion of pathogenic bacteria and fungi. A humid, warm climate favors the development of infections.

• Fungi infections often occur in the second half of menstrual cycle, during pregnancy, suffering from diabetes,  during oral hormonal contraception and also among woman going to swimming pools, sauna, doing often vaginal irrigation.

• Infections caused by Candida albicans fungi have the tendency to return. It is often “easy to treat, but difficult to heal”.

Bacterial infections:

• They appear in the case of decreased immunity, during antibiotic therapy or as consequences  of improper intimate hygiene.
• In case of physiological bacterial flora imbalance in vagina, there is unwelcome increase of pathogenic bacteria that displace lactobacilli responsible for the acidic reaction of the vagina and increase the pH from 4.5 to 7.
• Complaints usually include pain, burning, itching, swelling and redness.
• They are often connected with vaginal discharge which mostly have changed appearance and smell.

Vaginal discharge: 

• The cause of excessive vaginal discharge is usually vaginal infections caused by bacteria, viruses, hormonal disorders or allergy to some washing powders or fabric softeners used for washing the underwear.

Itching or burning of vagina:

Might be caused by different agents that is:

• allergies (for example to synthetic fibers, soap, latex present in condoms, intimate deodorants, washing powders for underwear, fragranced panty liners)
• bacterial or fungal infections
• irritations caused by wearing tight clothes or tight, windproof underwear

Characteristics of the intimate hygiene products

Intimate hygiene product must have physiological pH. Its maintaining is possible with the help of right amount of lactic acid. Thanks to this ingredient, product doesn’t destroy natural pH in intimate area which varies between 3,5 up to 4,5.

Why is it so essential to use lactic acid in intimate hygiene product?

In vagina there is natural biological balance maintained by flora composed of Lactobacillus bacteria. The flora creates lactic acid which keeps acidic reaction in vaginal environment.  Lactic acid helps to control pH balance of vagina and this ensures protection from irritations, itching, infections of the intimate parts. 

Cosmetics for intimate hygiene should also have other adequately chosen substances:

• plant extracts – natural complexes with astringent, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, reducing burning and itching feeling action
• D-panthenol and allantoin- complexes with perfect soothing, moisturising and regenerative properties
• Mild washing agents – which are well tolerated by skin and mucosa. They protect lipid skin layer.

Basic rules of proper intimate hygiene routine

Intimate area needs to be washed regularly but not too often because of the risk of washing out the beneficial bacteria protecting from infections. Repeating washing once or twice per day is enough. For cleansing, specific products for intimate hygiene which don’t damage acidic pH and don’t cause dryness and irritations of intimate area should be used.  

The best solution is to clean the intimate area during shower. If you decide to do it while taking a bath, don’t exceed 15 minutes. Sponges and washers are not recommended as  they are a great source of microorganisms. Apply a small amount of intimate hygiene cosmetic on hands, dilute it with water and wash humid intimate area with the movement from front to back. It’s important to wash intimate area in such way in order to protect yourself from transferring bacteria occurring around the anus to the vagina. After rinsing with running, lukewarm water, the intimate area must be dried with separate towel (it must be changed every 2-3 days).

You should keep in mind that any exaggeration is not advised- neither excess  nor  lack of hygienic treatment is needed for organism. Excessive hygiene care, too frequent washing may cause sterilisation of natural bacterial flora ensuring protection from pathogenic bacteria.

Ziaja offer for intimate hygiene

All the products for intimate hygiene from Ziaja are vegan and out of microplastics. They are based on mild washing agents together with lactic acid which is necessary for keeping intimate area healthy. You can choose between several categories of cosmetics specially designed for intimate hygiene. 

Basic line with blue gels is a great option for everyday use. Cosmetics differ from each other by fragrance. All of them have refreshing activity. Products from basic line are based in 96% on ingredients of natural origin. Each of basic wash gel for intimate hygiene has been dermatologically and gynecologically  tested with the participation of gynecologists. In this category you can choose between intimate wash gel with the scent of lily of the valley or melon. They have physiological pH 4,0-4,5 which has positive influence on natural bacterial flora. They gently wash and provide a long-lasting feeling of cleanliness and freshness.

If you’re looking for products which are designed for women of different ages, you should choose herbal wash for intimate hygiene. In this group you can find cosmetics suitable for young girls, mature women, during menstruation, at the menopause time and also for people actively doing different forms of sport. Products differ from one another by herbal extract content which has various activity. Products from herbal line are based in 96% on ingredients of natural origin. Each of herbal wash gel for intimate hygiene has been dermatologically  and gynecologically tested with the participation of gynecologists. Products in this group have pH 4,0-4,5. They ensure feeling of cleanliness and freshness. Here you can choose between intimate wash gel with camomile extract which soothes the existing inflammation and prevents it from occurring. It effectively soothes itching and burning sensation. The next option is intimate wash gel with dandelion extract recommended for young girls. It has protective functions and calms irritations. It has a beneficial influence on mucosa by its regenerative action. For mature women it is better to reach for the intimate wash gel with moisturising marigold extract. It stimulates the renewal processes of epidermis and accelerates wound healing. It also has antifungal and antibacterial properties. The last option from herbal category is intimate wash gel with oak bark extract that presents astringent properties. It also accelerates healing of micro wounds. The extract strengthens the natural protective system of the mucous membranes. It is popularly used in case of hemorrhoids. 

If you have the tendency for ailments of intimate area you might concentrate on intimate creamy washes. This is a group of specialistic gynecological washes designed for everyday care as a prophylaxis against bacterial and fungal infections. They are great support in treatment of intimate area inflammation. You can distinguish the cosmetics by addition of organic acids with different activity. The creamy wash gels for intimate hygiene have  the lowest value of pH among other products in this category from Ziaja: 3,0-4,5.  They are based in 95% on ingredients of natural origin. Moreover, they are enriched with increased concentration of lactic acid. Intimate creamy wash with hyaluronic acid actively moisturises and decreases transepidermal water loss. It also protects natural hydrolipid barrier of skin. Intimate creamy wash with lactic acid has exceptional protective properties. It effectively prevents natural bacterial flora. Intimate creamy wash with lactobionic acid is characteristic because of its regenerative-soothing action. Lactobionic acid is a new generation acid derived naturally from lactose. It can be used even on sensitive or diseased skin. It helps with epidermal renewal processes and strengthens functionality of protective barrier of skin.

Fans of light formula consistencies looking for products based on modern clients’ needs, with no doubts will be interested in foam washes for intimate hygiene. The proposal of mild care, perfect for women at any age is an interesting alternative for conventional intimate hygiene washing products. They are based on delicate washing agents, efficient to use and leave a feeling of freshness. The foams contain non-allergic, floral scent compositions. They don’t have any colourants. Products’ pH is located in spectrum between 4,0-4,5.  They are based in 95% on ingredients of natural origin. What’s special about them? The presence of innovative substance: derivative of usnic acid which has proven antibacterial activity (mostly against Gram+ bacteria) and antifungal activity (against Pityrysporum ovale, Propionibacterium acne). Products differ from each other with particular plant extract. Intimate cranberry foam wash presents normalising, protective and antibacterial properties. The intimate lotus flower foam wash has moisturising and refreshing properties. The daisy flower foam wash is recommended for young girls. Its daisy flower extract shows regenerative and astringent action.

The last but not the least, is the feminine hygiene wash for pregnancy and post-partum care. Pregnancy is an exceptional time when there is an imbalance of vagina’s microflora. They are caused by significant hormonal changes. Estrogen stimulates the production of glucose in the cells of the vaginal epithelium – a nutrient for yeasts. The vagina’s pH reaction also is changing during this time – it is increasing which means deficiency of Lactobacillus bacteria responsible for production of lactic acid. Natural effect is the general decrease of immune system’s efficiency. During post-partum period it is a common problem with dryness of mucosa which is then under the risk of infections. When considering intimate hygiene care during pregnancy and post-partum period it is highly recommended  to choose products  with pH between 3,5- 4,5. Feminine hygiene wash for pregnancy and post-partum care by Ziaja is mild, transparent  gel which was subjected to extra research and tests in order to make sure it is safe for pregnant women. You can use it a few times during the day or even as a shower gel for the whole body.

Remember about regular intimate hygiene routine and don’t  forget about basic ingredients which are especially helpful to maintain health and freshness of intimate area. Ziaja products for intimate hygiene is a wide range of differentiated cosmetics for various needs of clients always ensuring safety and effective care.