You use a face wash on your face, a body wash on your body, yet, you're probably not using an intimate wash on your vagina. But, believe us, you should. For some, this might seem controversial--we get it. Before we launched our Wellness Edit, we were of the opinion that the feminine hygiene category was a bunch of harmful junk foisted upon women with the underlying subtext of “your natural body is kind of gross.” Enter DeoDoc.

Swedish-based sisters and DeoDoc founders Hasti and Dr. Hedieh Asadi were disappointed by the look and experience of feminine care products. With packaging still stuck in the 1980s, the category needed an update. “We have hundreds of different creams for the hands, eyes, face, and even the feet,” says Heideh. “But for the most sensitive skin on our body, the intimate skin, we have two brands made by old men who have no clue what women like.”

While studying to become a surgeon, Hedieh met gynecologist Dr. Gunvor Ekman-Ordeberg, who also recognized the need for an intimate care line that was both chic and science-backed. “A lot of the products on the market today have allergens and the wrong pH, so we decided we needed to revolutionize the market,” says Hasti. “The woman that buys a Chanel bag doesn't want to buy the Vagisil.”

Fair. So what exactly constitutes good below-the-belt care? And what makes DeoDoc Intimate Wash and DeoWipes key to that routine? Curious to learn more--we're not alone; apparently most vagina education happens strictly in conjunction with childbirth--we asked the Asadis to reveal best practices to taking care of your vagina.

PH MATTERS
Here's some data: the outer part of your vagina has a pH of 5, while the inside is closer to 3.5. And when that internal pH gets altered, you are more prone to infection. FYI, most soap and body washes have a pH level close to 9. Hello dry skin and vaginal discomfort. “The inside of the vagina is very acidic because you don't want to get any bacteria inside,” explains Heideh. “The discharge that every woman has is like an automatic housekeeping function and that's how it self-cleanses.” She notes that the outer area, otherwise known as the vulva, has sweat glands just like your armpits and can be washed as long as you maintain a healthy pH. But don't go overboard--the Asadis deem that vaginal suicide. “If you douche, you'll get rid of the good bacteria,” says Hasti, “and that can cause a yeast infection.”

SLEEP NAKED
Heideh and Hasti recommend sleeping in your birthday suit to let your vagina breath. And while lace underwear is sexy, it's more constricting than cotton. It doesn't matter if you have a cotton strip in your delicate thong, it's not enough.

PEE POST-SEX
Urinating is one of the most important things to do after having vaginal intercourse. The flushing out of the urethra that happens when you pee will help prevent urinary tract infections. The Asadis also recommend to drink a lot of fluids, especially lemon water to lower the pH. Hasti adds, “Everyone knows how to contour, but few know how to take care of their vagina.”