Intimate Hygiene for Women: Simple Daily Habits for Freshness and Comfort

Little known fact about intimate care: Your body does a lot of work for you already. The vagina cleanses itself, maintains its own healthy balance and protects itself from infection all by itself without the use of any product.

Intimate hygiene is not about scrubbing more or harder. It's all about some simple gentle habits that complement the ability of your body, and a bit of self-care that brings you a feeling of freshness and confidence from morning to midnight! That's what it does look like.

Easy Everyday Ways To Keep You Feeling Fresh And Comfortable

Rinse off the exterior, lightly

Rinse vulva with lukewarm water or mild unscented cleanser once a day. Don't douche or wash in the vagina.

Wipe in front to back direction

This helps to prevent bacteria spreading from the back passage to the vagina and urethra.

Pat dry, don’t rub

Be sure to use a clean, soft towel, and dry the area thoroughly before dressing.

Opt for breathable cotton panties

Cotton has good air permeability and moisture absorptive characteristics. Change your underwear every day.

Dry and change clothing promptly

A damp swimsuit or sweaty gym clothes clings to sensitive skin.

Bend and replace period products frequently

Use pads, tampons and menstrual cups following the instructions on the pack and wash the outside with water.

Keep it simple

Each additional product added to the mix, be it scented wipes to perfumed washes, is another opportunity for irritation. Less is better and not too much.

Read our guide for fresh and comfortable personal care for more easy everyday habits.

Your Day, Made Fresh

Morning shower

gently wash and pat dry. End with 2 drops of Leira Jasmine for a fresh light to a busy day if desired.

During the day

High heat, humidity and long hours sitting at a desk may make you feel worn down. Clothing made of breathable fabrics and looseness allow skin to remain comfortable.

Change into clean, dry underwear after gym

Do not layer perfumes on top of sweat.

Freshen up for date night with a quick wash and dry

If you're looking for something more daring, you can go with Leira Ylang Ylang. You should use latex condoms and make sure they absorb completely to the bikini line as oil-based condoms can be less effective with latex.

At night

get into fresh, soft, cotton clothing to allow skin to "breathe" while sleeping.

Where Leira Jasmine Fits In

A hygienic keeps you clean. The scent makes you feel great. These are separate steps, and they should be done in order: cleanse before fragrance, NOT fragrance before cleanse.

Leira's three intimate perfumes are Leira Jasmine, which is light, Leira Rugged, which is fresh, and Leira Hysterical, which is dark. Made with pure jasmine essential oil, it feels light, airy, fresh and soft, and has a romantic and sweet taste. It's designed to be worn all day long and not overwhelming.

Alcohol Free

Free from alcohol, parabens and artificial fragrance.

Essential oil based

Leira claims to be the first essential oil based intimate perfume in India.

Designed to fit close to the skin pH balanced and dermatologically tested

Precise

15ml Glass bottle, with precision dropper. After a shower, two drops might be enough.

For outer intimate area bikini line

do not use inside the vagina.

Keep in mind that a perfume brings an aroma onto the skin. It will not clean the sensitive parts or remove odours and Leira is not intended to take the place of your daily cleansing routine. Curious about why alcohol-free is important? Check out our “How to pick alcohol-free intimate fragrance” guide.

Prefer a Different Mood?

Leira Damask Rose

Creamy, elegant and smooth with a very exotic quality. A pretty selection for late nights and post-menstrual days.

Ylang Ylang Leira

rich, exotic and musky. Wild and free, Leira is the boldest of scents for dates and nights out. We will discuss it and explain it, note by note, in our intimate perfume guide on Ylang Ylang.

Can’t decide? Compare all 3 fragrances.

Intimate Hygiene Myths To Let Go Of

Myth	Fact
Inside, it's necessary to wash to be clean.	The vagina is self-cleaning. Douching can upset its balance and is linked to infections such as bacterial vaginosis.
The more you wash, the fresher you'll be!	Over washing and hard soaps may dry out and upset sensitive skin. This can be done once a day, typically.
If there is a scent of any kind, it is an indication that something is amiss.	It's okay if it smells faint, and may shift during your period.
The word discharge is as yet not a clean word.	The vagina is self-cleaning and will discharge clear or white discharge. Look for colour, odour and texture changes.
Use perfume to eliminate intimate scent.	If the fish has a strong or fishy smell, it may be a sign of infection. We don't need an ointment for it, we need a doctor.

Timing Of Consultation With a Doctor

Be aware of your normal, know when things are different. If you have any of these symptoms, see a doctor:

• a strong smell, or odour of fish.
• Itchiness, burning or soreness.
• discharge which is coloured (grey, green or yellow), smelly or thick (cottage cheese like).
• pain when you pee or during sex
• bleeding, lumps or sores between periods

Don't mask these symptoms with perfume. They are prevalent, treatable and not something to be embarrassed about. If you're looking for a step-by-step guide to the use of an intimate perfume, read how a vulva perfume fits into your day.

The Final Note

Intimate hygiene isn't a perfection thing or a stuffing thing in it. It's a matter of mild and steady treatment, caring for your body's natural harmony. Gently cleanse the outside of the body, dry and breathable skin, and listen to body signals.

When it's just you you want, complete your routine with two drops of Leira Jasmine or try the complete line.

The most commonly asked questions on intimate hygiene.

What is the proper way for women to clean their private parts on a daily basis?

Make sure the outside, vulva, is washed daily with lukewarm water or a mild, unscented soap and pat dry. Don't need to wash within the vagina as it cleanses itself.

Does using soap around the private parts of the b ody pose a risk?

Only use a mild (unscented) soap or cleanser on the outer skin. Delicate skin can be irritated and the vagina's balance is disturbed by perfumed soaps, bubble baths and harsh cleansers.

Should people be douched for the purposes of intimate hygiene?

No. The vagina is self-cleaning, and douching could remove the good bacteria that keep it healthy, increasing your chances of developing infections like bacterial vaginosis.

Is it normal for the intimate area to have a smell?

Yes. A pleasant natural odor is perfectly normal and may vary throughout the menstrual cycle. The smell is strong or fishy, or it causes itching and unusual discharge is a good reason to see a doctor.

What's the best underpants for intimate hygiene?

For day-to-day wear, cotton underwear works best since it allows air to flow through it and absorbs moisture. Replace daily and immediately after exercising or after a swim.

What can I do to keep myself cool while on menstruation?

Disposable tampon pads or a cup should be changed according to the instructions provided by the pack, the outer surface should be washed with water, and cotton underwear should be worn. Fragrance will not hide, change or eliminate period smell, so pay special attention to changing products regularly.

May I Use Perfumes For My Personal Hygiene?

Yes, as an end-product, not a clean-up task. Only cleanse and dry first, then apply an external intimate area product, like Leira Jasmine, to the outer intimate area and bikini line. Do not use it in the vagina.

What Should Be The Best Perfume For Leira's Everyday Use?

Leira Jasmine is the lightest of all three, with an ideal comfort for everyday wear. Pick Damask Rose for a creamy floral, elegant, or Ylang Ylang for a big, showy evening fragrance.

When To Get Medical Attention For Intimate Odor Or Discharge?

If you have a strong or fishy smell, itching, burning, pain, sores or discharge that looks, smells or feels different, consult a doctor. They are common and treatable, do not need to be covered or waited for.