Summer intimate care: staying comfortable and balanced
Heat, sweat, sea water, chlorine, hair removal and hours in wet swimwear. Summer tests the natural balance of the intimate area more than any other season — and most of the advice we hear (more soap, more wipes) makes it worse.
Wet swimwear is the number one culprit
Swimwear that dries on you traps moisture and heat exactly where you don't want it. That's the ideal environment for yeast overgrowth, particularly if you already get recurrent infections.
The rule is simple: change as soon as you're out of the water. A second, dry swimsuit in your bag does more work than any product.
Heat, friction and tight clothing
High temperatures and sweat soften the skin, and friction from tight clothing or from walking around damp irritates it far more easily.
Cotton underwear, looser cuts during the hottest hours, and a thin layer of lipid protection where skin rubs make a visible difference.
Chlorine and salt water
Both are drying. They don't "clean" the area — they strip lipids and leave skin more vulnerable.
A short rinse with lukewarm water afterwards and a gentle, non-foaming cleanser is enough. Nothing more aggressive is needed.
Hair removal: timing matters
Shaving or waxing right before hours at the beach is the combination that produces ingrown hairs and irritation. Leave twenty-four hours in between.
Exfoliate gently twice a week — never on the same day as hair removal — and soothe with oil on damp skin straight afterwards.
What not to do
No scented wipes, no douching, no soap between the labia. The odour you're trying to mask is usually caused by exactly these.
If discomfort, itching or a strong odour lasts more than a few days, speak to a doctor rather than trying yet another product.
This article is for information only and does not replace medical advice. For persistent or severe symptoms, please consult a doctor.
