Women's health

What’s lurking in our intimate care products?

We pamper the skin on our face, nourish the hair on our head, but what about down there? Do our vulvas even need special care, or are they, in fact, self-cleaning?

The world of intimate health is often wrapped in a haze of hush-hush embarrassment, leading many of us to toss products into our shopping baskets without a second glance at the ingredients list. But should we?

Surprising ingredients in our intimate care products

Lurking in those pretty pastel tubes and discreetly packaged wipes could be a cocktail of sulfates, artificial fragrances, and phthalates – not to mention more surprising culprits, like lead in tampons or parabens in lube.

According to the British Association of Dermatologists, the delicate skin of the vulva is particularly prone to irritation from everyday products, including panty liners, soaps, bubble baths, shower gels, talcum powder, cleansing wipes, and feminine hygiene products. Even fragranced washing powders, deodorants, and antiseptics can do more harm than good.

Nutritional therapist and fertility and hormone expert, Gail Madalena points out that while many of us carefully consider what we put into our bodies, we rarely stop to think about what we’re putting on them – especially when it comes to intimate care. “The truth is that many mainstream brands contain harsh chemicals that can disrupt the natural balance of our intimate areas and cause irritation, infections, or even long-term health concerns,” she explains.

So, what should we be looking out for? Here are some of the biggest culprits hiding in everyday intimate products:

Fragrances and artificial preservatives – Found in scented sanitary pads and tampons, feminine washes, wipes, lubricants, vaginal gels, intimate sprays, and deodorants. These can trigger irritation, allergic reactions, and disrupt vaginal pH – leading to common infections like thrush.
Parabens and phthalates – Common in lubricants, vaginal moisturisers, intimate gels and creams, feminine washes/wipes, and some scented sanitary products. These are linked to hormone disruption, which can impact fertility and long-term reproductive health.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and harsh surfactants – Often lurking in feminine washes, soaps, intimate wipes, and shower or bubble bath gels. These can strip away natural moisture, causing dryness, irritation, and discomfort, while also disrupting vaginal pH and increasing infection risk.
Petrochemicals and synthetic gels – Found in lubricants and pads, these can interfere with the vaginal microbiome, leading to imbalances, irritation, and a higher risk of bacterial vaginosis or thrush.

A toxic mix

If you’re shocked to learn that many intimate care products are packed with a cocktail of questionable ingredients, you’re not alone. Women’s health and hormone coach Tara Ghosh admits she was taken aback, too.

“We’ve seen recent studies showing tampon use is a potential source of metal exposure, including mercury, while a pack of period pads contain the equivalent of five plastic carrier bags,” she says. “Even reusable options such as period pants aren’t always risk-free – Which? found that some brands contain unnecessarily high levels of silver.”

Unfortunately, the concerns don’t end there. “Many leading-brand lubricants contain a toxic mix of ingredients, including parabens, which should be avoided,” Tara warns. “They can disrupt the vaginal microbiome and may contribute to thrush or infections.”

What makes this particularly worrying, she explains, is the nature of the vulva and vagina. “The skin in this area is incredibly delicate and has a rich blood supply, making it highly absorbent. Whatever chemicals we put near our vulva and vagina don’t just stay there – they enter our body.”

So why is this allowed in 2025? According to Tara, there’s presently no legislation requiring manufacturers to disclose the materials they use and most brand websites only provide basic information.

Why balance matters

Gail explains that throughout the menstrual cycle, hormonal fluctuations naturally impact vaginal pH levels and microbiome.

“Oestrogen and progesterone play key roles in maintaining a healthy balance, but shifts in these hormones can create an environment where irritation and infections become more likely,” she says. “This is particularly true before and during your period, when a significant drop in both hormones causes pH levels to rise – making the vaginal environment less acidic. Menstrual blood itself can further disrupt this balance, creating a more favourable setting for bacterial overgrowth and yeast infections.”

She warns that using intimate care products with harsh chemicals (such as scented pads, washes, or wipes) during these hormonal shifts can worsen pH imbalances and cause further disruption to the delicate vaginal microbiome.

What’s the alternative?

Tara encourages us to seek out period and intimate care products that are loud and proud about being toxin-free.

“For disposable period products, look for ones made with organic cotton and free from dyes, plastics, and fragrances,” she suggests.

When it comes to lubricants, she advises checking labels carefully and avoiding parabens, preservatives, fragrances, and glycerin/glycerol. “YES is a brand that ticks all these boxes,” she adds.

Her golden rule? “If a brand isn’t shouting about its clean ingredients, there’s a good chance something nasty is hiding in there.”

Gail’s natural recommendations

Unscented, organic cotton pads/tampons – Free from bleach and synthetic fibres.
pH-balanced natural washes – Free from synthetic fragrances and sulphates.
Water-based, organic lubricants – Without synthetic additives.
Probiotic-rich care – Supports a healthy vaginal microbiome. This could mean a targeted probiotic supplement with strains proven to support vaginal and urinary health, or probiotic-rich foods like natural yoghurt, kefir, and fermented foods.
Reusable menstrual products – Silicone cups, cloth pads, or period knickers for a gentler, eco-friendly option.

Words: Holly Treacy-West