Vulvar Skin Care 101: Moisturizers, Lubricants, Pain Relief & What Actually Helps
Vulvar Skin Care 101: Moisturizers, Lubricants, Pain Relief & What Actually Helps
The vulva is one of the most sensitive areas of the body — and yet it’s also one of the most neglected when it comes to skincare. We moisturize our faces, treat our hands, exfoliate our legs… and then hope our vulvas magically stay healthy on their own.
Here’s the truth most people don’t learn until symptoms show up:
Your vulvar skin needs care, protection, and support — especially if you’re experiencing dryness, irritation, itching, pain with sex, hormonal changes, postpartum healing, pelvic floor tension, or chronic skin conditions.
The good news? A few targeted products and simple habits can make a dramatic difference. This guide walks you through what to use, when to use it, and how to know what’s right for your unique body.
Why Vulvar Skin Gets Irritated (You Are Not Alone)
Before we dive into products, let’s normalize something big:
Vulvar irritation is incredibly common — and very treatable.
People come into Practically Perfect Physical Therapy with symptoms like:
Burning or stinging sensations
Dryness or rawness
Pain with intercourse
Microtears around the introitus
Swelling or redness
Discomfort after wiping or wearing certain clothes
These symptoms may be caused by:
Hormonal shifts (postpartum, perimenopause, menopause, breastfeeding)
High-tone/pelvic floor tension
Over-washing or using scented products
Friction from exercise or intercourse
Tight clothing or pads
Skin conditions (lichen sclerosus, lichen simplex, eczema)
Medications (antihistamines, allergy meds, antidepressants, birth control)
Stress (yes — it affects the pelvic floor and skin)
Once you understand the why, you can choose the right support — and that’s where moisturizers, lubricants, barrier creams, and pain relief options come in.
Let’s Break Down the Main Categories of Vulvar Care Products
1. Everyday Moisturizers (Use 3–7x per week)
These help restore hydration, reduce irritation, and strengthen the skin barrier.
Best options:
Vaseline or Aquaphor
Simple, affordable, fragrance-free. Locks moisture in.Vmagic
Gentle, multipurpose vulvar balm with natural oils — great for dryness.CeraVe Healing Ointment
Good for sensitive skin and restoring barrier function.Coconut oil
Natural, soothing — but avoid with latex condoms.
When to use moisturizers:
After showering (pat dry, then apply a pea-sized amount)
At bedtime
After intercourse if you feel raw or dry
During breastfeeding/postpartum (hormones are low and dryness is common)
During perimenopause or menopause
When moisturizers aren’t enough:
If symptoms include white patches, tearing, cracking, or intense itching — that’s when a pelvic PT or gynecologist should evaluate you for skin conditions that require medical treatment. Moisturizers help, but they are not a replacement for appropriate diagnosis.
2. Lubricants (for intercourse, pelvic exams, wands, and dilators)
Vaginal dryness is one of the biggest contributors to pain with sex — and using the right lubricant is an essential tool.
Water-based lubes
Good for most people.
Examples: Slippery Stuff, Good Clean Love BioNude, Coconu Water-Based.
Great for:
Sensitivity
Pelvic floor tension
Postpartum healing
Anyone who feels “burning” with penetration
Silicone-based lubes
Longer-lasting, great for friction reduction.
Examples: Uberlube, Pjur, Coconu Silicone-Based.
Great for:
Perimenopause & menopause
Pain with insertion
Pelvic floor tension
People who need more glide
(Just remember: silicone lube + silicone toys = not compatible.)
Oil-based lubes
Natural, soothing — but not condom-safe.
Examples: Coconut oil, VMagic vulvar balm, vitamin E oil.
How to choose a lube if you have pelvic floor tension??
Choose something that is:
Water or silicone-based
pH balanced
Osmolality under 1200 (less irritating)
Free of fragrances, glycerin, parabens
If sex burns, stings, stretches painfully, or feels like “hitting a wall,” lubricant helps — but pelvic floor PT is the key relief.
3. Pain Relief Options (CBD, THC, Lidocaine)
Sometimes the skin needs relief before healing can happen.
Lidocaine 4–5%
Great for:
Pain with penetration
Clitoral or vulvar opening hypersensitivity
Skin that feels “raw”
Pelvic floor tension contributing to nerve irritability
Apply a thin layer 10–15 minutes before intercourse, exercise, or pelvic PT.
CBD vulvar balms
Great for:
Surface irritation
Tension-related burning
Mild inflammation
CBD does not get you “high” and can be used daily.
THC balms or suppositories
Great for:
Severe pelvic floor tension
Chronic pelvic pain
Vaginal or vulvar hypertonicity
Pain with penetration
THC may cause mild psychoactive effects depending on form and dosing. Always start low and go slow — and only use legal products.
When to use pain-relief products:
Before intercourse
Before pelvic floor PT
Before using dilators or wands
After exercise if chafing or tightness occurs
When tapering off long-standing pad use (friction + moisture = irritation)
These products support comfort, but again — they work best when paired with identifying the root cause (often pelvic floor tension, hormonal dryness, or skin disease).
4. Barrier Creams (for friction, sweating, exercise, or sensitive skin)
Barrier creams protect the skin from moisture, friction, and irritation.
Best options:
Desitin (zinc oxide)
A&D ointment
Vaseline/Aquaphor
CeraVe Healing Ointment
Anti-chafe balms (Megababe, BodyGlide) — safe for the outer vulvar area
When they help:
Cycling, running, HIIT workouts
Wearing pads or liners
Postpartum healing
Post-menopausal dryness
Skin chafing between the labia or inner thighs
Irritation from discharge changes
Think of barrier creams like the “winter coat” for your vulva — protective, soothing, and essential during irritation flares.
What NOT to Put on Your Vulva
A short, important list:
❌ Scented soaps
❌ Body washes marketed as “feminine hygiene”
❌ Wipes (even if they say “gentle”)
❌ Bubble baths
❌ Vaginal steaming
❌ Douches
❌ Deodorant sprays
❌ Powder
❌ Perfumes
❌ Essential oils (highly irritating!)
If any of these are in your routine, removing them is the first — and often biggest — step toward healing.
Real Talk: When Is It Time to Get Help?
Vulvar skin issues are absolutely common — but if they’re affecting intimacy, exercise, comfort, or daily life, you deserve real support.
Reach out if you’re experiencing:
Pain with sex
Burning at the vaginal opening
Feeling like you “can’t use tampons anymore”
Postpartum tearing discomfort
Recurrent irritation or rashes
A sensation of “tightness” or “closing”
Ripping near the vaginal opening
Changes in skin color or texture
These can be due to pelvic floor muscle tension, hormonal changes, skin disorders, or nerve irritation — all treatable with the right care.
The Bottom Line
Your vulvar skin deserves the same attention and kindness you give to the rest of your body. With the right moisturizer, lube, pain-relief option, and protective routines, you can feel more comfortable, more confident, and more connected to your body.
And if you’re unsure what your vulva actually needs right now, that’s exactly where we come in.
Need More Help?
Need more help figuring out your pelvic floor skin?
Call our office at (609) 300-3963 to schedule an appointment.
