Sometimes toilet paper just doesn't cut it and the possibility of a proper shower is hours away — that's when intimate cleansing wipes [1] come to the rescue with a quick refresh.
These moistened wipes are typically used to give the vulva area [2] (not inside the vagina!) a gentle, on-the-go cleanse and can be particularly helpful during your period or after a workout, when things can feel a little sweaty and messy down there.
Many intimate wipes on the market are specifically formulated with sensitive skin in mind, but they don't work for everyone. Even products advertised as being gentle and unscented could still include ingredients that are irritating for some. So, before adding a new product to your personal-care routine, you should read over the product's ingredient label carefully and consider checking in with your doctor.
Your vulva doesn't necessarily need the help of these wipes in the grand scheme of things either — sometimes warm water will do the trick [3].
If you are interested in trying out cleansing wipes, consider the seven options below. Bonus: most of these wipes can be used on other parts of the body that might need a quick cleanse, like your hands, feet, armpits, and more.
Lola Cleansing Wipes
Throw one of these individually wrapped wipes in your gym bag for a quick refresh after a workout. Like Lola's popular tampons, the Lola Cleansing Wipes [5] ($11 for 12 wipes) are crafted of 100 percent organic cotton. The liquid that moistens them is advertised as being all natural too, consisting of water, gluconic acid, sodium benzoate, lonicera japonica flower extract, lonicera caprifolium flower extract, and lactic acid. According to the brand, they're pH-balanced, hypoallergenic, and gynecologist-approved, and can be used on the entire body.
Rael Natural Feminine Wipes
Created from 98 percent natural pulp, the pH-balanced Rael Natural Feminine Wipes [6] ($9 for three packs of 10 wipes) have an eco-friendly draw. They're infused with botanical extracts that the brand claims are safe for sensitive skin, like aloe and camellia sinensis leaf extracts and grapefruit extract. But, hands down, the most convenient thing about these fragrance-free wipes is that they're flushable.
The Honey Pot Company Sensitive Feminine Wipes
Specifically formulated for those who commonly experience sensitivities, The Honey Pot Company's Sensitive Feminine Wipes [7] ($11 for 30 wipes) are made with coconut oil, aloe vera, cucumber, and oats to soothe, moisturize, and gently cleanse skin on intimate areas, the face, and the body.
Cora Body Cloths
The Cora Body Cloths [8] ($16 for two packs of 30 wipes) can be used anywhere — between your toes, under your arms, and even on skin in the external genital areas. However, remember that the vagina itself doesn't need any help in the cleansing department. These 100 percent bamboo wipes are infused with coconut oil, aloe vera, chamomile water, and red-raspberry leaf extract. The wipes in these pouches are naturally scented with lavender essential oil, but an unscented option is available on the brand's website as well.
Summer's Eve Fragrance Free Feminine Cleansing Cloths
Fragrances can sometimes be irritating to the vaginal area, so if you're worried about a reaction, opt for Summer's Eve Fragrance Free Feminine Cleansing Cloths [9] ($4 for 32 wipes) instead of the brand's classic scented options. You can purchase these cleansing wipes in individually wrapped packets too.
Love Wellness Mini Do It All Wipes
Good news: the pH-balanced wipes in this little pink pack are free of both natural and synthetic fragrances. You might notice the Love Wellness Mini Do It All Wipes [10] ($4 for 15 wipes) still have a scent, but the brand says that's just from the ingredients in the formula. Those ingredients include botanicals such as organic coconut oil, organic aloe vera, and organic chamomile extract. However, for the sake of your toilet, you'll want to remember that these wipes cannot be flushed.
SweetSpot Labs Unscented On-the-Go Wipes
This brand is known for its Vanilla Blossom-scented wipes, but you can get the same refreshed feeling with the SweetSpot Labs Unscented On-the-Go Wipes [11] ($8), which are also free of sulfates, alcohol, parabens, pthalates, gluten, soy, and dairy.