Natural vs. Clean: Which is Better?

In recent years, words like ‘natural’ and ‘clean’ have started popping up more and more. And while it seems like they mean essentially the same thing, there are a few key differences that can have a big impact on your choice of intimate care products.

What does ‘clean’ mean?

In the skincare world, the word ‘clean’ is typically associated with lab-created ingredients that are considered safe. This is where a brand’s “free from” ingredient list comes into play. Labels like phthalate-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free and propylene glycol-free are becoming much more common as we learn more about how these synthetic ingredients can impact health, but not all clean ingredients are good for your vulvar skin. That’s why SweetSpot Labs formulates without the obvious toxins, endocrine disruptors, and allergens/irritants as well as ingredients that are conventionally clean, but can throw intimate skin off balance like glycerin, which is a potential food source for yeast. If you’re unsure just how clean a certain product or ingredient is, check its rating on the EWG cosmetics database.

What does ‘natural’ mean?

‘Natural’ refers to ingredients that are made by Mother Nature rather than in a lab. But just like there are clean ingredients you shouldn’t use down there, there are natural ingredients that aren’t great for sweet spots either. We are committed to using only ingredients that support a healthy skin barrier - that’s why we formulate without skin irritants like essential oils and coconut oil. Coconut oil? Yep! Although coconut oil is an all-natural fan favorite, it has comedogenic properties that can aggravate ingrown hair and simply doesn’t belong on vulvar skin.

Which natural ingredients are OK for vulvar skin?

Certain natural ingredients can do big things for intimate skin. Our gentle, non-irritating washes and wipes use aloe vera and witch hazel to help calm, soothe and protect vulvar skin. Buff & Brighten uses the soothing properties of witch hazel to prevent and soothe razor burn, razor bumps, and ingrown hair. The chicory root extract in A Clean S-Wipe acts as a powerful prebiotic to support the delicate microbiome of vulvar skin. Rescue Balm is packed with naturally-derived actives like sweet almond oil, shea butter and colloidal oatmeal to soothe dry, itchy, irritated skin.

Our top priority is using ingredients that work to support healthy vulvar skin, and that includes clean, lab-created ingredients as well as natural!