Why your intimate skin has a different pH than the rest of your body
July 15, 2026
The skin in the intimate zone maintains a slightly acidic pH of 3.8 to 4.5. Your face sits around 5.5. Most body washes are formulated for pH 5.5 to 7 — which is exactly why using a standard body wash in the intimate zone disrupts the microbiome.
What happens when pH shifts
The vaginal microbiome is largely controlled by Lactobacillus bacteria, which thrive in an acidic environment. When that acid balance shifts — from a harsh wash, a fragrance, or even over-washing — the bacteria that suppress yeast and BV-causing organisms lose their edge.
This is not a rare sensitivity. Research shows pH disruption is one of the leading causes of recurrent yeast infections in otherwise healthy women.
What to look for in a wash
- pH formulated to 3.8–4.5 (the brand should be able to tell you the exact pH)
- No synthetic fragrance (even "natural" fragrance can be irritating at low pH)
- No sulfates (SLS strips the acid mantle)
- Short, readable ingredient list
Velour's pH Balance Gentle Wash is formulated to pH 4.0 and contains no fragrance, dyes, or sulfates. The full ingredient list is on every label.
Keep reading
- How to prevent ingrown hairs in the bikini area (and what to do when they appear)
Ingrown hairs after shaving or waxing are frustrating, sometimes painful, and usually avoidable. Here is what actually causes them and what works to stop them before they start.
July 24, 2026