This Women’s Health Week, we are highlighting the spring/summer skincare step you’re probably skipping! When the weather starts to get warmer, we tend to swap our skincare routines. We switch to lightweight moisturizers, load up on SPF, or incorporate post-sun soothing products. But there’s one area that’s still often overlooked in the season of heat, sweat, and movement, even despite its sensitivity: The vulva.
According to Dr. Sara Reardon, a board-certified pelvic floor physical therapist (also known as The Vagina Whisperer), this sensitive region is especially prone to irritation during warmer months and caring for it should be integrated into your summer wellness routine.
“Summer means more time outside: biking, hiking, walking, swimming,” says Dr. Reardon. “But for many women and vulva-owners, it also means uncomfortable side effects: chafing, sweat, and irritation near our most sensitive areas. These issues are common, but rarely talked about, and often go unaddressed.”
With 1 in 4 women and people with vulvas experiencing vulvar dryness and itchiness, there’s a need for safe, science-backed solutions. So, what can you do to take care of this sensitive area? This Women’s Health Week, Dr. Reardon offers her top tips for pelvic wellness:
1. Be proactive
Many people wait until they feel itchy, sore, or inflamed to do something about it. Dr. Reardon encourages a shift in mindset. “Prevention is so much easier than treatment,” she says. “Supporting your vulvar skin every day, especially in hot and high-friction seasons like summer, can help prevent issues before they start.”
2. Add your vulva to your skincare routine
“A little daily care goes a long way,” says Dr. Reardon. “Just like you wash and moisturize your face, you should gently cleanse and hydrate the vulvar skin.” She recommends using a pH-balanced, fragrance-free cleanser and avoiding overly harsh soaps. Follow with a lightweight, non-irritating moisturizer to prevent dryness and reduce friction.
Diva’s new Vulva Care Collection makes this routine simple to implement, with products formulated specifically for daily use on the vulva. After over 20 years of leading the conversation around menstrual health and equity, the conscious cycle care brand created this collection to support vulva-owners changing bodies through different stages of life. The line, which includes a cleanser, moisturizer, refresher spray, and lubricant, is vegan, cruelty-free, and free of sulfates, parabens, fragrances, and dyes. It’s designed to be gentle, effective, and non-irritating, even for the most sensitive skin—perfect for easy, daily use. Made for real bodies, real needs, and real life.
3. No damp clothes!
Whether it’s a swimsuit, bike shorts, or post-Pilates leggings, Dr. Reardon says staying in wet or sweaty clothes for prolonged periods of time is one of the biggest triggers for irritation. “Moisture and heat create the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive,” she explains. “Changing into dry clothes as soon as possible and letting your skin breathe can really reduce discomfort.”
4. Choose breathable fabrics
Cottons and natural fibres can help make underwear more breathable. Dr. Reardon also recommends looking for moisture-wicking options.
5. Normalize the conversation this Women’s Health Week
Above all, Dr. Reardon wants to continue the conversation so that people can feel empowered (not embarrassed) to talk about and take care of their vulvar health. “This is an essential part of your body that deserves care,” she says. “Taking time for intimate wellness is so important. Talking about it will help people access the tools they need to be proactive and minimize discomfort.”
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