Feminine cleansing brand called out for ‘dangerous and cringey’ description

One person accused the brand of ‘preying on people with vulva insecurities’

People are calling out this feminine wash for ‘misinformation’ (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The company behind a feminine cleanser that promises to leave users with a “happy, healthy little bajingo” is facing backlash after a photo of the product description circulated online.

On Sunday, a woman shared a photo of the front and back of the “down there wash,” made by Goodwipes, on Twitter, where she captioned the photos: “This company is owned by white men.”

In the photo, the product’s description calls it an “aloe-based cleanser” that is pH-balanced with calendula and sage, and is a “hoorah for your hoo-ha”.

On the back of the bottle, the description reads: “Did you know the vagina (internal) is a magical self-cleaning machine, but the vulva (external) is a whole other thang. BUT, using the right cleanser to keep your little lady fresh is super mega major KEY.

“The wrong thing can throw off her natural pH, which leads to dry, itchy skin, UTIs, yeast infections, odor and more. Bye Felicia, thank you, next! C U NEVER.”

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In the second paragraph, the product attempts to explain why regular soaps and body washes should not be used to clean your vulva, with the brand writing that these products generally have a pH of nine, which is “way too high for hoo ha town”.

The product has been met with disgusted reactions on social media, where people have called out both the “cringey” description and the “misinformation”.

While the vagina is self-cleaning, the vulva can be washed simply by using water, according to Healthline, which notes: “If you’d like, you can use a mild soap that won’t irritate the skin - but this isn’t necessary.”

“There is nothing ‘unfresh’ about the vulva or vagina,” obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Jen Gunter, author of The Vagina Bible, previously told The Independent, adding: “Feminine hygiene washes and sprays use destructive messaging that the way women are normally is problematic when it is not.”

“This is so cringey and also full of misinformation,” one person tweeted, while another said: “What [the f***] is that entire back label?”

Someone else wrote: “Jeez, are they all sniggering little 12 year olds?”

Others condemned the brand for incorrectly stating that a vaginal wash needs to be used to clean the vulva at all, with one person suggesting that the product description is “dangerous,” while others pointed out that any products used to clean the area should be fragrance-free, whereas the products sold by Goodwipes are not.

In addition to the wash, the company also sells “down there wipes,” which it says are 100 per cent biodegradable and pH-balanced, and which come in scents such as “golden hour,” with the description stating: “Who doesn’t like to stay fresh down there? Does toilet paper really make you feel clean? Add these to your daily routine for quick, soothing refreshment!” 

As of now, the products are available at retailers including Target, Walmart and CVS.

The Independent has contacted Goodwipes for comment.