It’s all about balance…

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By contributor Allie White.

Hey, you. Yes, you, reading these words. Stop what you’re doing. Before reading any further, before passing “Go,” before collecting $200, take a quick trip to your bathroom. Open up your medicine cabinet/linen closet/shower door/wherever you stash your products and take inventory of every single item you have deemed “self-care.”

Let me guess: lots of skincare for your face; a few shampoo/conditioner/masque options; definitely some body-centric exfoliators and lotions; a couple of toothbrushes and floss, standard mouth stuff; probably some nail-based tools; maybe a multivitamin or two; loads of sunscreen (please and thank you!). Sound about right?

Let’s take stock. Based on your collection, you can easily care for your hair, skin, face, hands, feet, nails, teeth...from the top of your head to the tips of your toes, everything is covered, right? Sorry, but no.

Yup, we’re talking about the vagina, most magical of organs and one whose health — or lack thereof — can have a serious impact on your body’s overall well-being.

Now, the thing is that for thousands of years, women practiced feminine hygiene and wellness with little more than plain ol’ water. So if that’s your jam, please continue doing what works for you — don’t fix what’s not broken! But! If you want to make sure all the body part boxes are checked in that list of stuff we went through earlier, you’re in luck. Now more than ever, there are smartly-formulated, holistic, science-backed products for anyone interested in showing their most intimate parts some extra love. Here are three to get you started.

You’ve no doubt heard about how helpful probiotics can be when it comes to gut health. What you might not know is that specially-formulated probiotics can also be useful when it comes to vaginal health. Like your gut, vaginas are home to a lot of “good” bacteria and there’s a delicate balance between this bacteria and yeast that helps maintain a normal, healthy pH level. (A “normal” vaginal pH level is between 3.8 and 4.5, which is moderately acidic.) When this balance is off, your vaginal ecosystem gets disrupted, making it much easier for bad bacteria to get in and cause yeast infections, UTIs, etc.

So adding a probiotic tailor-made for vaginala and urinary tract health may be a smart move. Case in point: HUM’s Nutritional Private Party is specifically made to support vaginal and urinary tract health thanks to cranberry PACs taken from cranberries and three strains of probiotics — Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus reuteri — all of which work together to balance yeast, promote a healthy microbiome, and keep vaginal pH levels optimal.

As we already covered, the optimal vaginal pH is 3.8-4.5 (slightly acidic), but most common soaps and cleansers have a pH between 9 and 10 (netural). So while your body wash may leave you feeling clean, it could also be messing with the delicate balance your vagina needs to thrive. This gentle cleanser, on the other hand, supports the pH balance of your intimate areas through a thoughtful blend of probiotics, naturally-derived botanical extracts and rose quartz to balance, soothe, and soften.

You take care of the hair on your head — why not do the same with the hair below your belt? Sure it might seem gratuitous to deep-condition your pubic hair, but think of Fur Oil as a way to not only soften pubic hair, but to also moisturize the skin beneath it and clear pores, reducing the likelihood of ingrown hairs and inflammation.

And, of course, you’ll want to change your underwear regularly. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, going commando at night can help reduce the risk of yeast infections and other problems. But for all the times you need some fabric down there, your best bet is a pair made from natural fibers, like these organic cotton briefs or these pima cotton boyshorts — they’re gentle, breathable and comfortable.

Now go forth and care for your privates!