What is intimate skinscare?

For years, we’ve happily moisturised our faces, cared for our hands, and invested in skincare routines designed to keep our skin healthy and comfortable.

But when it came to intimate health, the conversation often stopped.

Many women were taught to simply put up with vaginal dryness, irritation, discomfort, or changes that arrived during menopause. Others were left navigating confusing products, outdated advice, or messaging that focused on hygiene rather than health.

Thankfully, this is changing.  

Today, more women are recognising that intimate tissues deserve the same thoughtful care as the rest of the body. Not because intimate health is a beauty concern, but because comfort, confidence and wellbeing matter.

What do we mean by intimate skincare?

When we talk about intimate skincare, we’re referring to caring for the delicate tissues of the vulva and vagina in a way that supports comfort, hydration and long-term tissue health.

This might include:

• Gentle cleansing that respects the body’s natural balance
• Regular moisturisation for ongoing vaginal dryness
• Lubrication to reduce friction and improve comfort during intimacy
• Professional medical advice and treatment where symptoms require additional support

Just like facial skincare isn’t about changing your face, intimate skincare isn’t about changing your body. It’s about helping your tissues stay healthy, comfortable and resilient throughout life’s different stages.

A quick anatomy refresher

Many people use the words “vagina” and “vulva” interchangeably, but they’re actually different parts of the body.

The vulva

The vulva is the external part of the genital area, including the labia, clitoris and vaginal opening.

The vagina

The vagina is the internal muscular canal that connects the cervix to the outside of the body.

Why does this matter?

Because different products are designed for different areas.

For example, a gentle intimate wash such as YES CLEANSE is designed specifically for the external vulval area, while products like YES VM Vaginal Moisturiser are designed to provide moisture support inside the vagina.

Understanding the difference can help you choose the right support for your needs.

Why intimate tissues change over time

Our intimate tissues are heavily influenced by hormones, particularly oestrogen.

Oestrogen helps maintain:

• Natural moisture
• Elasticity
• Tissue strength
• Healthy vaginal pH

As hormone levels change during perimenopause and menopause, many women notice symptoms such as:

• Vaginal dryness
• Irritation or itching
• Burning sensations
• Discomfort during intimacy
• Increased sensitivity
• Changes in vaginal discharge
• Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs)

These changes are extremely common.

In fact, more than half of women experience vaginal dryness during and after menopause, yet many suffer in silence without realising support is available. 

The good news? These symptoms are often manageable with the right combination of lifestyle changes, moisturisation, lubrication and medical support when needed.

What intimate skincare isn’t

Let’s clear up a few common misconceptions.

It’s not about masking natural smells

Healthy vaginas have their own natural scent. They don’t need perfumes, sprays or fragranced products.

It’s not about internal cleansing

The vagina is self-cleaning.

Douching and internal cleansing products can disrupt the natural vaginal environment and may increase irritation.

It’s not about making your body look different

Intimate skincare isn’t cosmetic.

It’s about supporting comfort, reducing irritation and helping women feel more like themselves.

The three most common forms of intimate care

1. Intimate cleansers

The vulva is skin, and like any skin, it may occasionally benefit from gentle cleansing.

However, harsh soaps, heavily fragranced products and foaming cleansers can sometimes leave intimate tissues feeling dry or irritated.

Products like YES CLEANSE are specifically formulated for the vulval area and are designed to cleanse gently without disrupting the natural balance of delicate skin.

2. Vaginal moisturisers

Vaginal moisturisers are designed to provide ongoing hydration and support to vaginal tissues.

Unlike lubricants, they’re used regularly, whether or not you’re sexually active.

For women experiencing persistent dryness, irritation or discomfort, a vaginal moisturiser can help replenish moisture and support tissue comfort over time.

YES VM Vaginal Moisturiser uses an iso-osmotic, pH-matched formula that works in harmony with the body’s natural hydration levels and can provide up to three days of moisture support. 

3. Lubricants

Lubricants are designed to reduce friction during intimacy, pelvic examinations or the use of vaginal dilators.

They provide immediate comfort when needed but don’t replace the ongoing hydration benefits of a vaginal moisturiser.

YES WB Water-Based Lubricant is pH matched and designed to mimic the body’s natural moisture, helping to reduce friction while supporting intimate comfort. 

Why more women are talking about intimate health

For too long, many symptoms associated with menopause and vaginal dryness were dismissed as something women simply had to live with.

But women are increasingly demanding better information, better products and better conversations around their health.

And rightly so.

At YES, we hear from women every day who tell us that finding the right support has transformed their comfort, confidence and quality of life. Many describe finally feeling like themselves again. That emotional impact is one of the strongest themes that emerges from our customer feedback. 

Because intimate health isn’t just about symptoms.

It’s about being able to exercise comfortably. Sleep comfortably. Sit comfortably. Enjoy intimacy comfortably. And move through life without constantly thinking about discomfort.

The bottom line

Intimate skincare isn’t a trend.

It’s simply a more informed way of caring for an important part of your body.

Whether that’s using a gentle cleanser, supporting vaginal moisture, reducing friction during intimacy, or seeking medical advice when symptoms persist, caring for intimate tissues is a normal and valuable part of overall wellbeing.

Because comfort shouldn’t be a luxury.

And women deserve science that understands their bodies.

Sources

• The Menopause Society. Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM) Position Statement.
• NHS. Menopause: Symptoms and Treatments.
• NICE Guideline NG23: Menopause: Diagnosis and Management.
• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG): Vaginal Health and Menopause Guidance.