Vulva cream is used to treat dryness, itching, irritation, and sensitivity on the outer genitals that are typically caused by menopause, breastfeeding, vaginal grooming, or altered vaginal pH levels. Primarily designed to soothe the external female genitalia, many vulva creams can also be used as internal vaginal moisturizers to combat vaginal dryness.
Keep reading to learn what causes vulvar irritation and the best and safest vulva creams to use to soothe your symptoms.
What Is The Vulva?
The vulva is a blanket term that refers to all parts of the external female genitalia. These include the clitoris, labia majora (outer lips), labia minora (inner lips), mons pubis, urethra, vaginal opening, vestibular bulbs, and vulva vestibule.
Symptoms of Vulvar Pain
Symptoms of vulvar pain can vary according to each woman and the underlying cause. The most common symptoms include a sensation of vulvar burning, stinging, or throbbing, along with discomfort during penetration and sex.
Some women also suffer from vulvar swelling, redness, red bumps, hypersensitivity when any part of the vulva is touched, vulvar pain when sitting, and higher stress levels due to the symptoms.
The Best & Safest Vulva Creams
In my experience, the best vulva creams should include only safe, and preferably natural ingredients, that will not irritate sensitive vulva skin. They should also be free of artificial scents or fragrances to avoid allergies and disturbances to vaginal pH levels. The third factor I consider with all products we recommend is price. While I don’t promote skimping on vaginal health, I do appreciate value for money.
The following list of the best and safest vulva creams is based on the above-mentioned factors, as well as research, personal use, and client feedback.
#1. Enchanted Rose Organic Feminine Balm 2oz - $24.99
Based on my clinical experience, this 100% natural vulva cream is the best and safest on the market, and it works within minutes. Not only does Enchanted Rose Organic Feminine Balm relieve vulvar pain quicker than other vulva creams, but it also nourishes and rejuvenates the vaginal and vulvar tissues after breastfeeding, menopause, allergies, grooming, and vaginal infections.
Made from organic essential oils and natural moisturizers, Enchanted Rose Organic Feminine Balm contains no chemicals, artificial materials, dyes, fillers, gluten, parabens, or phthalates. It’s also estrogen-free, non-sticky, long-lasting, and safe for internal use as a vaginal moisturizer to relieve atrophy, as well as external use to soothe vulvar pain and irritation.
Created by a board-certified pelvic health rehabilitation specialist, who also overcame her own pelvic trauma, this high-quality vulva cream ticks all my boxes – natural ingredients, well-priced, value for money, quick-acting, and ideal for long-term use to ease conditions like vulvodynia.
#2. Kindra Daily Vaginal Lotion 1 oz - $54.00
This daily vaginal lotion from Kindra for both vaginal dryness and vulvar pain is made with hydrating extracts from coconut oil, safflower seed oil, and sunflower oil. It is also estrogen-free and fragrance-free with added vitamin E and B3 for healing. In our experience, it provides quick relief from vaginal dryness during menopause and breastfeeding, while also calming vulvar pain, itching, and irritation.
Produced by the health and wellness brand, Kindra, we love that their products are natural and safe, however, the high price point for a 1oz bottle is a drawback for our clients. Especially when they can purchase a 2oz jar of vulva cream that is just as effective for half the price at Intimate Rose.
#3. Epigyn Intimate Calming Cream 1oz - $58.00
Although this cream is not produced with natural ingredients, Epigyn Intimate Calming Cream is considered scientifically safe for use in and around the vagina.
After gently rubbing it into the vaginal and vulvar skin, incorporated humectants leave a non-greasy layer on dry vaginal skin to prevent further dehydration and relieve friction during sex. Calming emollients also help to soothe irritation and inflammation both within the vagina and around the vulva.
Although it is priced on the expensive side and is not made with natural ingredients, it is one of the better vulva creams on the market, and it’s on the list because many of my clients have seen good results.
The full list of ingredients includes water (aqua), octyldodecanol, borage officinalis (borage) seed oil, glyceryl stearate, glycerin, isodecyl oleate, stearic acid, propanediol, dimethicone, ceteareth-20, tocopheryl acetate, centearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, ethylhexylglycerin, capriylyl glycol, hexylene glycol, carbomer, cetyl palmitate, phenoxyethanol, sodium hydroxide.
When using a non-natural cream in and around the vagina, it's always best to check with your doctors that the ingredients will not irritate your existing condition.
#4. Soothing Lavender Vulva Cream 1oz - $11
This vulva cream from The Honey Pot is made from a combination of natural oils, propolis blend, mint, and lavender, making it safe for use within and around the vagina. While the oil blend moisturizes the skin, the mint is intended as a cooling effect, and the lavender calms and soothes irritation. The price and value for money are also agreeable.
However, even though the formula is backed by science, approved by a dermatologist, and considered hypoallergenic, the viscosity of this cream can be off-putting for some.
For instance, upon using the cream, some of our clients found it to be too “gluggy” and Vaseline-like, which made it difficult to squeeze out of the tube. But when warmed, it quickly turned runny and gushed too quickly out of the tube.
While some clients found this product to be very effective, others clients ultimately sought other options for a vulvar cream that was easier to extract from its container.
#5. Vmagic Vulvar Balm 2 oz - $29.99
Vmagic Vulvar Balm from Medicine Mamas Apothecary is a natural, estrogen-free cream that relieves vulvar pain and vaginal dryness. Made from olive oil, avocado oil, sea buckthorn oil, beeswax, and a propolis blend - which is a mixture of bee saliva, beeswax & plant extracts - this hydrating balm soothes, moisturizes, and protects the intimate genital skin.
In my experience, this is indeed an effective soothing product for vulvar pain and irritation, it is also well-priced and provides value for money. However, feedback from some of my clients was not very positive.
Some had allergic reactions to the product, despite not being allergic to any of the ingredients, while others developed UTIs while using this balm. Furthermore, clients who initially enjoyed the effects, reported that although one jar was effective, a second purchase revealed a different consistency of cream and did not work as well.
Conclusion
Suffering from vulvar pain can be stressful, debilitating, and life-altering, particularly if the pain is persistent, as with a condition known as vulvodynia. It can also be embarrassing to talk about, but it is possible to return to a pain-free life once the cause of vulvar pain is diagnosed and treated.
Temporary vulva pain & irritation caused by vaginal infections, allergies, menopause, breastfeeding, vaginal dryness, or disrupted vaginal pH levels are easily treated with medication and/or an organic vulva cream to soothe and rejuvenate the genital skin.
Vulvodynia, on the other hand, can be eased with a combination of organic vulva cream, vaginal dilators, biofeedback, and behavioral therapy.
Not all vulva creams are made from natural ingredients and due to the ultra-sensitive genital skin, those that are not can result in further irritation. Our top pick of the best and safest vulva creams to use is Enchanted Rose Organic Feminine Balm. For the rest of our list, read above.
References
Medical News - What is the Vulva - https://www.news-medical.net/health/What-is-the-Vulva.aspx
The American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists - Disorders of the Vulva: Common Causes of Vulvar Pain, Burning, and Itching - https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/disorders-of-the-vulva-common-causes-of-vulvar-pain-burning-and-itching
Science Direct – Vulvodynia - https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/vulvodynia
Cleveland Clinic – Boric Acid Vaginal Suppository - https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/19641-boric-acid-vaginal-suppository
National Library of Medicine - The Role of Probiotics in Vaginal Health - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9366906/
National Library of Medicine - Low Dose, High Frequency Movement Based Dilator Therapy for Dyspareunia: Retrospective Analysis of 26 Cases - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8240346/
Dr. Barb DePree, M.D., has been a gynecologist and women’s health provider for almost 30 years and a menopause care specialist for the past ten.