The genital area, including the surrounding skin, is very delicate and can be easily damaged. There are several ways to protect and care for your genital skin; learn more below.
Use plain water or an emollient to wash your genitals. Although you can use water alone, we recommend washing with an emollient such as an aqueous cream, diprobase, or double base. You can find these at pharmacies, supermarkets, and online, and they are very inexpensive. You can apply the emollient as a cream to your genital skin before bathing or showering; this will act as a barrier against other soaps and shampoos you may use. Rinse the area well after washing. Emollients are safe for daily use. If you have dry genital skin, apply a little before bed. Let fresh air reach your genital skin! During the winter months, our genitals rarely breathe because we wear multiple layers to keep warm.
And in summer, our genitals can get hot and sweaty due to the outside temperature. Whenever possible, for example, when you’re home watching TV at night or sleeping, try not to wear underwear! Loose-fitting pajama pants are ideal for hiding your modesty and allowing air circulation. Wear cotton underwear (or ones with a cotton gusset). Cotton allows the skin to breathe, while synthetic fibers don’t and can heat up the skin, causing irritation. It’s preferable to use non-biological liquid or powder detergent for washing underwear.