In the years to come, at Bloomi, we hope the world will see
a revolution in the intimate care category. As more then more people learn
about the ingredients in their hygiene, menstrual and sexual wellness products,
we are confident that they will switch to using only or primarily healthy
products. technologyify
To help people on their journey, we are launching Clean
Intimacy, a monthly series in which we provide education on non-toxic personal
hygiene, sex, and general wellness products. For starters, let's see why you,
yes you! - you should consider switching to clean intimate care and what it
means and looks like. worldbeautytips
Up to 98% of today's intimate care products are unhealthy
In a study by Bloomi on intimate wash products, tampons,
sanitary pads, sex toys, emollients, and other products, we create that up to
98% of these items contain at least one toxic, allergenic, or irritant
ingredient. These components can be harmful to many people. For example, the
skin of the vulva and vagina is extremely permeable because the cells in these
areas are loosely arranged to allow substances to penetrate the skin. Thus, all
the ingredients of the products used in this sensitive area can enter the
bloodstream in a few seconds. Now consider that the normal person with a vulva
uses a wash on their genital area more than 16,000 eras and goes through about
15,000 sanitary pads and tampons in her lifetime. Over the years, accumulated
exposure to unhealthy products accumulates and can increase the risk of users
contracting bacterial and fungal infections, pelvic inflammatory disease, cervical
cancer, increased transmission of STIs and other effects adverse to health. technologyford
Intimate care products are very lightly regulated.
So why are there so many injurious products on the market?
Most people assume that their intimate care products have been tested for
safety. Unfortunately, cosmetic products (for example, this means that
manufacturers may include harmful ingredients or additives and are not required
to report health concerns to their patrons). techiesin
Items that are implanted into the genital area, such as
tampons, condoms, menstrual cups, and lubricants, are considered medical
devices. Although you would think they would contain strict manufacturing and
labeling requirements, products classified as medical devices do not need to
disclose the ingredients on their packaging. This means that harmful additives
can be included in your products without being listed and, in turn, can pose
serious health risks. blog4techies
Black and Latino people with vulvas are more prone to
vaginal infections caused by toxic ingredients.
Another important consideration is your ethnicity. Studies
have shown that Latinxs and blacks with vulvas are more prone to vaginal
infections than their non-Latinx white counterparts. Black and Latino
communities are genetically more susceptible to bacterial vaginosis, yeast
infections, and other sexual health infections because they have a different
makeup of the vaginal microbiome that creates a naturally higher pH level. This
makes it easier to create a pH imbalance in these people when exposed to products
that contain toxic and irritating ingredients, which also puts them at higher
risk for infections.
Why are these harmful ingredients used?
To meet consumer demands, major manufacturers choose to use
ingredients to make their products smell good and last longer on store shelves.
Examples of harmful preservatives used to increase the shelf life of products
that should be avoided include butylparaben, methylchloroisothiazolinone, and
octoxynol9. Also, people should avoid scented products entirely, as perfumes
often contain chemicals, carcinogens, and other undeclared toxic ingredients
created in a laboratory. Sometimes a product will be considered
"unscented," which means that it has no noticeable odor. However, in
many cases, these products contain masking scents to mask the unpleasant odors
of other ingredients. Unscented is different from unscented.
There are also ingredients that irritate the skin of the
vulva, known as vulvar allergens, but they are included in products and toys to
make them more desirable.
