These Feminine Washes Keep You Feeling Fresh and Are Safe to Use (2025)

The best feminine washes are often advertised as being the perfect way to ensure that you feel fresh down there. While they might seem like a harmless thing to try, many medical professionals advise against them for internal use, some going as far as suggesting you avoid anything dubbed a “feminine wash” since the vagina is a self-cleaning organ.

“I don’t think any feminine washes are necessary or worth the expense,” explains Kim Langdon, M.D., certified OB/GYN. “The hype around these products [is] ridiculous. Warm soapy water with a non-perfumed soap that is hypoallergenic is all that is needed for the outside of the vagina—not inside.”

Meet the experts: Kim Langdon, M.D., OB/GYN; Nisarg Patel, M.B.B.S., M.S. (Obstetrics & Gynecology); and Sunny Soroosh, C.N.M., W.H.N.P.-B.C., M.P.H.

Dr. Langdon says that if you’re looking for a quick way to freshen up “on the go” then a hypoallergenic cleaning wipe such as those used for infants or diaper wipes is just fine for external use. When it comes to getting a deeper clean, you only need to look as far as your shower caddy. “The vulva, labia, perineum, and rectum should be washed daily with warm, soapy water, rinsed, and pat dry,” she continues.

As for the inner workings of your vagina, that’s best left alone (a.k.a: the natural cleaning system within your body). The reason why your vagina is considered self-cleaning is that it creates mucous that naturally washes away anything that shouldn’t be in there in the first place.

Our top picks

That being said, if you do want to use more than just a little bit of soap and water on the area we talked to a few experts to find out what products they say are mild enough to use regularly. Plus, some top-rated options that reviewers are loving.

Nisarg Patel, M.B.B.S., M.S., at ClinicSpots likes these pre-moistened cloths because she says they’re perfect for on-the-go cleaning and can help freshen up after a workout or long day. The pH-balanced formula has been clinically tested for the intimate and sensitive skin of your labia and has been designed to work with (not against) your body’s natural chemistry.

If your vulva is experiencing dryness or irritation, the Intim-Protect Gentle Cleaning Fluid may be able to help thanks to ingredients like Lactic Acid (which is part of your skin’s natural moisture retaining barrier) and Bisabolol (which is supposed to help with healing). Best of all, this product shouldn’t alter the pH of your skin or your vaginal microflora, two things that can make symptoms worse.

Advertised as a pH-balanced product that will help relieve dryness and reduce odor, the Good Clean Love Balance Moisturizing Wash contains soothing and anti-inflammatory ingredients like Aloe Vera, Lavender, and Calendula. This paraben-free formula is free of harsh ingredients that could further dry your vulva out and works to mimic your own natural body chemistry. While this product has generated a lot of positive reviews on Amazon, there are so people who said that they developed rashes and UTIs shortly after using the product, so it may not be a good choice for those who are already sensitive to certain ingredients or who suffer from frequent UTIs.

This microbiome balancing body cleanser is mild enough to be used on your vulva and effective enough for a whole body clean. The Formula contains both prebiotics and peptides to help keep your skin’s healthy bacteria and yeast thriving while helping prevent the unhealthy ones from taking over. This product is free of common yeast triggers and contains fungal support that offers relief from everything from razor bumps to fungal acne.

This vegan friendly option from Rael is made with coconut, basil, and sugarcane. Safe for sensitive skin, this pH balancing product claims to alleviate both odor and irritation while remaining free of paraben, alcohol, and fragrance. Users have said they’ve had great experience with using it during times when they are doing a lot of running or sweating, saying that it helps them feel fresh for longer.

Freshen up on the go with Queen V pHun Wipes. Each pouch contains 30 wipes designed to support the microbiome of your vulva. Free from parabens and artificial colors these wipes help keep you fresh between showers without altering the good bacteria your vagina needs to stay regulated. Reviewers love the mild ingredients and how portable this product is, making it great for getting a discrete clean while you’re away from home.

We consulted Kim Langdon, M.D., OB/GYN; Nisarg Patel, M.B.B.S., M.S., and Sunny Soroosh, C.N.M., W.H.N.P.-B.C., M.P.H.. We also conducted our own research and poured through countless online reviews to find the best feminine washes available.

For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our editors interview medical experts to help guide our health-focused product selections. Additionally, Prevention also examines hundreds of reviews—and often conducts personal testing done by our staff—to help you make informed decisions.