93% improved on virgin coconut oil, vs 53% on mineral oil. After eight weeks, the skin also held water better and lost less of it.
Evangelista 2014, Int J Dermatol
Vulvar Irritation & Dryness
When it itches or burns, but it isn't an infection.
The skin of the vulva is thin and works hard. When soaps, friction or falling estrogen wear down its natural barrier, it can itch, sting and feel dry with no infection at all. Here's what's going on, how to care for it, and what research shows about the plant oils in Momotaro Apotheca's products.
27–84%of women past menopause have vulvar or vaginal symptoms from falling estrogen
93%of children with eczema improved on virgin coconut oil, vs 53% on mineral oil
What are vulvar irritation and dryness, really?
The skin of the vulva is built like the rest of your skin: flat cells stacked like bricks, held together by a mortar of natural oils. That barrier keeps moisture in and irritants out. When soaps, fragrance, friction or falling estrogen wear the mortar away, the skin loses water, and everyday things start to sting.
Irritation and dryness aren't infections, though they can feel like one. They're among the most common reasons for vulvar itching and burning, and they're often the easiest to soothe.
What are the symptoms?
Itching or burning
On the outside, often worse after washing, sex or exercise.
Dryness or tightness
Including less natural lubrication during sex.
Redness, soreness or small splits
Skin that feels raw or cracks easily.
Stinging when you pee or pain during sex
Where urine or friction touches irritated skin.
The same symptoms can come from a yeast infection, BV, a UTI or a skin condition, so if they don't settle in a week or two, or keep coming back, see your clinician. Not sure which one it is? Try the symptom sorter.
Where do irritation and dryness come from?
Soaps and scented products
Strong soaps, bubble baths, bath oils, douches, spermicides and feminine hygiene products are common irritants.
Tight or synthetic clothing
Tight pants, pantyhose and synthetic underwear trap heat and rub.
Menopause
As estrogen falls, vulvar and vaginal tissue gets thinner and drier. Between 27% and 84% of women past menopause have symptoms such as dryness, burning, irritation or painful sex.
Skin conditions
Lichen sclerosus makes vulvar skin thin, wrinkled and prone to splitting, most often after menopause. It needs a clinician's care and regular checks.
What else can feel like irritation?
If it isn't settling, it might be one of these. Each has its own page.
Yeast infection
Itching with thick, white discharge.
Bacterial vaginosis
Thin, gray discharge and a fishy odor.
UTI
Burning when you pee, needing to go often.
Lichen sclerosus
White, thin, wrinkled patches. See a clinician.
How do you care for irritated vulvar skin?
Wash with water
Plain water or a soap substitute, then pat dry with a soft towel.
Skip the fragrance
Choose unscented products, and avoid douches and bubble baths.
Moisturize the outside
A non-perfumed ointment or oil, used regularly, helps the skin barrier recover.
Use a lubricant for sex
For dryness after menopause, lubricants during sex and regular moisturizers are the first step.
Which Momotaro Apotheca ingredients have been studied for dry, irritated skin?
Human study tested in people Lab study tested in the lab
| Ingredient | Dry skin | Irritated or inflamed skin | Healing after birth | Vaginal dryness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coconut OilSalve, Suppository | Human study | Human study | ||
| CalendulaSalve, Suppository | Human study | Human study | ||
| Sunflower Seed OilBody Oil | Human study | |||
| Argan OilBody Oil | Human study | |||
| Sea BuckthornBody Oil | Human study |
What did the studies find?
Coconut Oil
Dry skin improved in 81% using coconut oil, with no irritation. It worked as well as mineral oil over two weeks.
Agero 2004, Dermatitis · Source
Cleared staph bacteria from eczema skin in all but one person. With virgin coconut oil, 1 in 20 still carried S. aureus after four weeks, vs 6 in 12 using olive oil, and eczema scores were lower.
Verallo-Rowell 2008, Dermatitis
Calendula
Less pain from day two, and less redness and swelling. Women applied calendula ointment to their perineal stitches three times a day for 10 days.
De Angelis 2022, J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med
Calendula protected skin as well as a steroid cream. Radiation skin reactions came on at about the same time and were no worse than with betamethasone.
Calendula vs betamethasone trial, breast radiotherapy · Source
Sunflower Seed Oil
Kept the skin barrier intact and improved hydration, with no redness. Olive oil, tested on the other arm, damaged the barrier.
Danby 2013, Pediatr Dermatol
Argan Oil
Skin held more water and lost less of it. Women applied argan oil nightly for two months.
Boucetta 2014, Prz Menopauzalny
Sea Buckthorn
The vaginal lining was healthier after three months than on placebo. Women with vaginal dryness took sea buckthorn oil capsules by mouth; a gynecologist rated the tissue.
Larmo 2014, Maturitas · Source
How can Momotaro Apotheca help?
See your clinician if it doesn't settle. Itching or burning that lasts, keeps coming back, or comes with white patches, sores or bleeding needs a proper look.
Then care for your skin every day. Our products are made for everyday vulvar comfort, with no added fragrance.
Soothe & Restore Salve
Calendula and coconut oil with tea tree oil (about 2%) and berberine-rich herbs, to soothe itchy, irritated outer skin.
See the SalveOrganic Body Oil
Sunflower, argan and sea buckthorn oils to moisturize dry skin, including the outer vulva.
See the Body OilOrganic Hydrosol Toner
A fine mist of steam-distilled plant waters to cool and refresh irritated outer skin, with nothing to rub in.
See the TonerCommon questions about irritation and dryness
Is vulvar itching always an infection?
No. Irritation from soaps, fragrance, friction or dryness is one of the most common causes. If it doesn't settle, see your clinician to rule out an infection or skin condition.
What should I wash with?
Plain water or a soap substitute is enough. Skip douches, bubble baths and scented products.
Why am I drier after menopause?
Lower estrogen makes vulvar and vaginal tissue thinner and drier. Lubricants and regular moisturizers are the first step, and your clinician can talk with you about other options.
Can I use oils with condoms?
Not with latex condoms. Oil-based products can weaken latex and make it more likely to break. Use a water-based lubricant with latex condoms.
Is it safe to use these ingredients on irritated skin?
Patch test any new product on your inner arm first, and stop if it stings or burns. The Salve contains tea tree oil (about 2%), which can irritate some skin. Oil-based products can weaken latex condoms. Most of these studies were done on skin elsewhere on the body; they don't show that a product treats any condition, and our products haven't been tested as treatments.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Momotaro Apotheca products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Sources
- Better Health Channel (Victoria State Government). Vulval conditions.
- The North American Menopause Society. 2020. The 2020 genitourinary syndrome of menopause position statement. Menopause 27(9):976.
- CDC. Condom Use: An Overview. cdc.gov/condom-use.
- Evangelista MT, Abad-Casintahan F, Lopez-Villafuerte L. 2014. Int J Dermatol 53(1):100.
- Agero AL, Verallo-Rowell VM. 2004. Dermatitis 15(3):109.
- Verallo-Rowell VM et al. 2008. Dermatitis 19(6):308.
- De Angelis C et al. 2022. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med.
- Calendula vs betamethasone in acute radiation dermatitis, randomized trial (via CORE).
- Danby SG et al. 2013. Pediatr Dermatol 30(1):42.
- Boucetta KQ et al. 2014. Prz Menopauzalny.
- Larmo PS et al. 2014. Maturitas.
Reviewed by the Momotaro Apotheca medical team, including OB-GYNs and naturopathic doctors. Educational information, not medical advice. All ingredient research