for harmony DOWN SOUTH

DON’T USE FACE/BODY WASHES OR PRODUCTS ON YOUR VULVA

Chances are, your face and body products i.e. cleansers have a higher pH not ideal for the vulva.

A higher pH throws off vulva balance and can cause dryness, itchiness, or increase the growth of bad bacteria.
Also remember, no cleanser should be used inside the vagina. She’s already self-cleaning and needs no help!

vulvas + vaginas 
are amazing

So amazing that they even have their own eco-system - kind of like the rainforest, prone to constant humidity or dampness. An important part of having a healthy vulva and vagina means maintaining optimal pH balance of these amazing eco-systems.

what does PH BALANCE FOR WOMEN MEAN?

First of all, let’s define what pH means. pH stands for potential hydrogen with the “p” meaning potential and the “h” standing for hydrogen and measures acidity vs. alkalinity in the skin, and water-based personal care products.

Our skin has a protective layer on its surface called the acid mantle made up of sebum (free fatty acids) from skin’s sebaceous or oil glands which mixes with lactic acid from good bacteria and amino acids from sweat to create the skin’s pH.

The pH balance for women refers to the pH of our vulva (external skin outside the vagina) and vagina (internal canal). A healthy vulva pH averages a 4.0 where the vagina pH is more acidic averaging a 3.5 versus facial skin at 5.5.

It’s important to make sure the vulva and vaginal pH is optimized to keep the bad bacteria in check, which cause all sorts of annoying issues like skin itchiness, yeast infections, abnormal odor drama (bacterial vaginosis), and more.

So many things can throw off vulva and vaginal pH, like sex, lube, periods, changes in diet, etc. It’s a lot to think about, we know. But here are 5 effective ways to prevent pH problems for healthy harmony down south.