The Forgotten Zone: How to Care for the Skin Around Your Vulva

No one ever really talks about it.
We’re taught to shave it, wash it, hide it, sometimes show it — but not to care for it.
The skin around your vulva goes through more friction, heat, and hormonal change than almost anywhere else on your body.
And yet it’s the one area left out of every skincare routine.

Let’s change that.

It’s skin, not taboo

The vulva — the outer folds, the skin you can see — is just that: skin.
Soft, thin, and packed with nerves and glands that respond to stress, hormones, and even the kind of underwear you wear.

It stretches. It sweats. It gets rubbed by clothes, pads, workouts, sex, and toilet paper.
So when it’s dry, red, or sore, it’s not “TMI.” It’s your barrier saying, “I’m tired.”

What goes wrong

• Overwashing: Even “gentle” soaps strip away the natural oils and microbes that keep this skin balanced.

• Friction: From tight leggings, thongs, bike seats, or sex. Constant micro-rubbing weakens the outer layer, causing irritation or tiny tears.

• Sweat + heat: Trap moisture and bacteria in the creases, leading to chafing or inflammation.

• Hormonal shifts: Periods, birth control, or menopause all change oil and moisture levels here — often leaving skin drier and more reactive.

When the vulva’s barrier breaks down, you feel everything — sting, itch, burn, sensitivity — even if there’s no infection.

How to actually care for it

1. Wash less, rinse more.
   Warm water is enough. If you must cleanse, use unscented pH-neutral products sparingly and never internally.

2. Keep fabric breathable.
   Cotton underwear and loose fits let the area dry naturally. Avoid synthetic liners that trap heat.

3. Support recovery after friction.
   Apply a thin layer of a plant-based balm (like Nooks™) to calm irritation, reduce redness, and protect the skin’s natural barrier.
   Ingredients like squalane, jojoba, and calendula work with your body’s oils to restore flexibility and hydration.

4. Don’t use petroleum jelly.
   It might feel soothing, but it’s occlusive — it seals sweat and bacteria against the skin.
   Plant oils let your body breathe while still cushioning against friction.

5. Hydrate internally.
   Water and healthy fats (like avocado, flax, and fish oil) help keep mucosal tissues supple from the inside out.

6. Add a recovery ritual.
   After your shower or a long day, pat dry, then massage a fingertip of balm gently into the outer folds.
   It’s grounding, it’s healing, and it teaches your body that care isn’t shameful.

How Nooks™ helps

The skin around your vulva isn’t weak — it’s responsive.
It heals fast when it’s supported, but breaks easily when ignored.

Nooks Universal Balm™ is built for that balance.

• Shea butter + beeswax reinforce the skin’s lipid barrier, keeping it soft yet resilient.

• Jojoba oil + olive-derived squalane mimic your own sebum — restoring natural glide without residue.

• Calendula and chamomile CO₂ extracts reduce inflammation, helping redness fade faster.

• Manuka and rosemary defend against bacteria while letting your microbiome thrive.

• Vitamin E repairs micro-tears, strengthening the skin over time.

Together, these create a flexible, breathable layer that feels like skin — not product.
Used daily or after shaving, sex, or workouts, it helps the vulva stay calm, balanced, and irritation-free.

Taking care of this skin isn’t overindulgence.
It’s body literacy.
The kind that makes you feel more connected, not more complicated.