Key takeaways
- Low estrogen is the main cause of vaginal dryness and is linked to menopause, breastfeeding, certain medications, or lifestyle factors.
- The best vaginal moisturizers have a pH close to the natural vaginal range (3.8–4.5) to avoid irritation and support healthy hydration.
- Our experts’ top pick is the Ah! Yes VM Vaginal Moisturizing Gel, thanks to its pH-neutral, fragrance-free formula, which is suitable for vaginal and vulva use.
• offers long-lasting moisture for both the vagina and vulva
• contains hyaluronic acid
• not compatible with condoms
• easy to find
• hypoallergenic
• pH-balanced
• some found it irritates skin
• easy to use
There are four main types of vaginal moisturizers for your vulvovaginal health:
- The first two are creams and gels, which are usually applied with an applicator or your finger directly into the vagina.
- There are also suppositories, which are pills and capsules that you place inside your vagina. Moisturizing suppositories can be convenient and easy to use.
- Lastly, natural oils can also work as vaginal moisturizers. Sometimes, oils come in capsule form, like vitamin E liquid capsules. Single-ingredient coconut oil and almond oil may also be practical options.
Though natural oils can be used independently, they’re also often included as an ingredient in creams and gels. Aloe is another common natural ingredient, notes Dr. Rebecca Brightman, a board certified OB-GYN and menopause specialist.
Another key ingredient is hyaluronic acid — just like what you see in skin care products that promise deep hydration by binding to water, said Dr. Alicia Jackson, the CEO and founder of Evernow.
“This makes the vagina more elastic,” Jackson told Healthline.
Another common class of vaginal moisturizers contains natural materials that act as adhesives (bioadhesives).
“These promote intracellular water absorption and also lower vaginal pH, which allows the vagina to absorb more good bacteria for a healthier environment overall,” Jackson said.
Here’s what we considered when choosing the best vaginal moisturizers:
- Osmolality and pH: Where possible, we’ve chosen products with the proper pH and osmolality, which is the relative concentration of chemicals in a product compared to what it is interacting with — in this case, your vaginal tissues and fluids. Products too highly concentrated or hyper-osmosed draw water out of vaginal tissues and may increase dryness and lead to tissue damage or infections. Products with a similar osmolality, coupled with the proper pH, will help maintain optimal vaginal pH balance and vaginal hydration.
- High quality ingredients: The best vaginal moisturizers use expert-approved ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, bioadhesives, and natural oils and extracts.
- Fragrance: It’s important to choose products that are fragrance-free and flavoring-free. “While these products may be tempting, they may be more likely to cause irritation,” Brightman said.
- Positive customer reviews: We considered real experiences with each product and the company that makes it.
- Under $25: Vaginal moisturizers don’t need to be expensive to be effective. There are plenty of options under this price point, with some on the lower end of the spectrum.
What’s a typical vaginal pH anyway? Why does it matter for the product I choose?
A typical vaginal pH balance is between 3.8 and 4.5. According to Jacobson, anything under 1,200 mOsm/kg is generally acceptable for a product (concentration of dissolved particles [osmolality]).
“Unfortunately, a number of vaginal lubricants and moisturizers do not include pH and mOsm/kg values in their ingredients,” Jacobson said.
Products with similar pH levels and osmolality will be physiologically most similar to natural vaginal secretions, Jacobson said.
Where possible, we’ve chosen products that fit these standards.
If you’re using a vaginal lubricant, you can apply it right before or during sex. For lubricants that may help, you can see our roundup of the best vaginal lubrication products.
A vaginal moisturizer needs to be used regularly for the best results, usually every 2 to 3 days.
“The effect is cumulative, so try to build a habit of using it a few times a week,” Jackson said. “For best absorption, apply it to the walls of the vagina.”
If you’re also using a prescription vaginal product, you can definitely keep using vaginal moisturizers and lubricants. You just want to be strategic about your timing with moisturizers specifically.
“I recommend applying moisturizers and prescription vaginal products on different days,” Jacobson said.
Vaginal dryness, a symptom of vaginal atrophy, is more common than you might expect. Symptoms of vaginal dryness that indicate you might benefit from vaginal moisturizing include:
- burning
- loss of interest in sex
- pain with sexual intercourse
- light bleeding following intercourse
- soreness
- urinary tract infections (UTIs) that do not go away or that reoccur
- vaginal itching or stinging
Most often, people experience vaginal dryness during perimenopause and menopause.
“Fluctuation of hormones, specifically a drop in estrogen levels, can lead to vaginal dryness,” Jacobson said. “Less estrogen means less natural vaginal moisture and elasticity.”
Vaginal dryness happens outside menopause, too. In people who are nursing, estrogen levels are low in part due to elevated prolactin levels, Jacobson explained.
“Estrogen levels usually return to [usual] once breastfeeding becomes less frequent or stops,” Jacobson said.
According to Jacobson, other possible causes of low estrogen and vaginal dryness include:
- surgical removal of the ovaries
- chemotherapy or radiation therapy of the pelvis to treat cancer
- secondary amenorrhea (which is when you don’t have a period for more than 3 months) caused by medical conditions or lifestyle factors such as:
- eating disorders
- overexercising
- low nutrient diet
- extreme stress
- chronic illness
- medications that suppress estrogen during the menstrual cycle, including hormonal contraceptives, such as:
- medroxyprogesterone acetate (Depo Provera, or “the shot”)
- progestin-only intrauterine devices
- hormonal therapies to treat breast cancer, such as tamoxifen
- leuprolide, a medication used to treat endometriosis or shrink fibroids
For more on what might be causing your vaginal dryness, you can see our article on the causes of vaginal dryness.
If you’re not sure which vaginal moisturizer is right for you, don’t hesitate to ask a doctor for a recommendation, Brightman said.
Also, if over-the-counter options don’t relieve your symptoms, it’s worth checking in with an OB-GYN.
While vaginal moisturizers and lubricants are useful for people with mild symptoms, others may have persistent symptoms. Jackson said hormonal medications and other treatments may be better options in these situations.
Without intervention, vaginal dryness may continue to progress, so it’s better to get help sooner rather than later.
Applying lotion to the vulva isn’t generally recommended, as most body lotions aren’t formulated for this sensitive area and may cause irritation. If lotion accidentally gets inside the vagina, it can disrupt the natural pH balance and increase the risk of infection.
That said, some products like Ah! Yes VM Vaginal Moisturizing Gel, have a gentle, vulva-safe formula and are specifically designed for intimate use.
Generally, yes.
If you have any doubts, check the moisturizer or lubricant’s directions for use. One exception is oil-based products.
“Oils will break down the latex in many condoms, and a damaged condom may not protect you from an undesired pregnancy or an infection from your partner,” Jacobson said.
If over-the-counter vaginal moisturizers aren’t effective, a doctor may recommend prescription treatments – many of which contain estrogen and are applied directly in the vagina.
According to Jacobson, these include:
- a vaginal cream for dryness, like Estrace or Premarin
- vaginal rings, like Estring and Femring
- vaginal tablets or suppositories, like Vagifem and Imvexxy
For moderate to severe painful sex, doctors can also prescribe a vaginal insert with prasterone, also known as dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA).
Additionally, ospemifene (Osphena) tablets can be taken orally and are a once-daily nonhormonal treatment for vaginal dryness and painful intercourse.
Problems with vaginal dryness are very common.
“So many people come to my office thinking something is wrong with them when they’re experiencing menopause symptoms like vaginal dryness or painful sex,” Brightman said. “The truth is, these symptoms are common, but often undertreated.”
Many people experiencing vaginal dryness aren’t aware of the treatment options, so knowing what to ask for — and that help is available — is the halfway point to addressing your concerns.
Replens is a long-standing product that has been available for more than 3 decades. It has been FDA cleared for use and is recommended as a possible moisturizer for vaginal dryness by a variety of clinical settings, such as Kaiser Permanente and Sloan-Kettering Institute.
Replens has long advertised that its moisturizer is doctor-recommended. For a recommendation for a vaginal moisturizer from a doctor, contact your gynecologist.
Vaginal dryness, a symptom of vaginal atrophy, is more common than it may seem, especially during perimenopause and menopause.
There are quite a few nonhormonal options, such as vaginal moisturizers and vaginal lubricants, to treat vaginal dryness. These products are also effective at relieving discomfort and pain during sexual intercourse.
Most vaginal moisturizers are designed to be used inside the vagina, but there are also external vaginal moisturizers designed to clean and soothe the vulva area surrounding the vagina.
If you’re not sure which vaginal moisturizer is right for you, or if they don’t relieve your symptoms, you can reach out to a doctor.