AN INTIMATE AFFAIR

AN INTIMATE AFFAIR

An expert in cosmetic technology, Dr. Farhat Daud examines the evolving world of intimate care products. She discusses formulations designed for hydration, pH balance, and protection from irritation. With her vast experience, Dr. Daud emphasizes creating safe, personalized solutions for diverse age groups and physiological needs. 

Intimate Care has been an ever- evolving market since last more than 25 years. I use the term ‘ever- evolving’ because the market is relatively not as mature yet and most of its growth has been in the last decade. This is mostly due to the increased health awareness specially on personal hygiene mainly due to social media and internet promotional content.

Covid-19 has also impacted this hike as we all have seen how the importance of personal hygiene in general spiked during that phase.

The market statistics per global Market Statistics, it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.4% till 2033 from 2025 (forecast period 2025- 2033) which is relatively lower that the other popular external applications.

What is Intimate Care

 Intimate Care means care of the area of and around the private (read intimate) body parts of humans.

This is a broad term which them bifurcates essentially into Female Intimate Care and now Male Intimate care which is also seeing a surge in market.

When we talk of Female Intimate Care, it means a range of personal care products which are used to maintain health and hygiene of the vagina and the surrounding areas.

Male Intimate Care would mean male genitals and surrounding regions.

Traditionally these products include –

  1. Intimate Washes
  2. Intimate Care Solutions
  3. Wipes & Hygiene Liners
  4. Creams, lotions, Powders

The number game does not stop here and an expert product scientist and formulator can creatively think of and curate many more effectively based on client and market requirements.

Who needs intimate care?

Who doesn’t!??

Staying clean is one of the very basic of daily hygiene and could be a matter of life and death. Covid has shown us that very well!

Our intimate areas like many other parts of our body are most susceptible to infections and inflammations as they are full of microbial thrush due to the nature of their functionality. Besides, the fold and crevices due to human anatomy also make the area more susceptible to entrapment and build-up of natural secretions of the body, and in turn proliferation of microbes.

And if that is not enough, these are very sensitive areas of our body.

The area is open, wet, frequently used and covered most of the time which causes sweat and perspiration to bring about changes in its environment like the pH and a shift in optimum microbiome load. (Optimal pH around the Intimate area is typically acidic ranging from 3.5 – 4.5)

Before we move further, its essential to have a word on the Microbial Flora in Intimate area.

Data from my research says that the primary genus in the Vaginal flora are Lactobacillus, such as L. crispatus, and the lactic acid they produce is thought to protect against infection by pathogenic species. The primary colonizing bacteria of a healthy individual are of the genus Lactobacillus (90–95%), the most common being L. crispatus, L. iners, L. jensenii, and L. gasseri. (Source, Wikipedia)

This is what makes the pH to be 3.5 – 4.5 here.

Hence if we are not cleaning this part properly, it can cause issues like bad odour, itching, burning, inflammation and infections which can vary form being mild to severe enough to create a medical emergency.

A good example to explain is when a baby is born, we clean their intimate parts even before we give them their first bath !

Using a regular soap or body wash to clean your private parts is not a good idea. They are too harsh and can harm the sensitive skin there. Instead, you can use an intimate wash. It is a gentle product made especially for cleaning your private parts. Let’s learn why this is important, how to use it, and why it keeps you healthy.

Why Is Intimate Hygiene Important?

What happens if you don’t care for your Intimate area separately?

After all, when you are bathing or washing it as a part of daily routine, isn’t that sufficient ?

Well, as a Practicing Wellness Consultant, I can vouch for the fact that intimate care is not just crucial for maintaining your physical health, but it plays a significant role in enhancing emotional well-being, confidence, and overall quality of life.

In today’s context, embracing good and effective intimate care habits and routines contribute to overall sense of empowerment and creates a foundation for a healthier and more comfortable existence.

So, what is trending in the Intimate Care Market?

Earlier it was though that Intimate care applies only to married woman !

But with changing lifestyles, we now have live-ins and premarital sexual activity on the rise. This itself is a good precursor to start on intimate care habits.

A lot of innovation is constantly happening in this segment. The market (globally ) is chiefly being driven by some key factors like :

Increased Consumer awareness

Changing Lifestyles & dressing habits.

Changing climatic conditions

Dietary modifications (Gut- Skin axis)

Increased travels

Stringent Work Schedules

Increased Stress and Health issues, allergies.

Disturbed Work-Life Balance (Brain -Skin axis)

Separate Intimate Care products for various genders.

AN INTIMATE AFFAIR

Like they say – Necessity is the mother of all Inventions, this could not be true in this segment.

Earlier this was a more hushed up market. But now with the expanding needs and demands in this segment, and advancement in science and technology in the field of cosmetic science, opportunities for product innovations has increased.

And though Female & Baby hygiene care was the starting point in this segment which has pre-existed, the extensions into this segment were introducing Men & Geriatrics to this important personal care segment .

Be it Women, Men or Elderly, the intimate area is inhabited by 100 + microbiota and it makes it mandatory to keep it clean to prevent their proliferation.

Both men and elders need to take care of their intimate hygiene. After all, all the pointers we have discussed above naturally are applicable to them too!

So, what is trending?

Well, Intimate care is much more than luxury in today’s context.

Today, It is also not restricted to its primary purpose- cleanliness!

There are multiple issue that the market is trying to fulfil like-

Targeting aesthetic aspects like Pigmentation and Darkening in the area.

Overcoming mal odour as a primary concern.

Pre and Post Sexual activity concerns.

Changing needs of that with age and disease modifications.

Replacing synthetics with natural ingredients.

Starting of early with Tweens (8-12) & Teens (13-19).

When we talk of innovation and creativity, I always say – Sky is also not the limit.

We are here to cater to a Universe that is so diverse that every thought, idea has scope for expansion and execution.

Final Thoughts-

There are so many more innovative untapped aspects to this area of personal care and hygiene other than those listed above, that as you read through this article and believe that you are fit to take on this segment and create a trend that no one has, then you are in the right hands!

All you need is to move some muscles and reach out to me!

Dr Farhat Daud

Author: Dr. Farhat Daud

Dr. Farhat Daud, a Doctorate in Cosmetic Science is an Industrial Consultant, a leading Educator, Entrepreneur and an Academician in field of Cosmetics I Beauty I Personal Care having a rich experience of over 30+ years. An Expert Consultant with  renowned beauty brands & Ingredient developers & has to her credit more than 450+ Cosmetic & Beauty products designed, developed & launched for multiple beauty brands. She has been a faculty with the Post Graduate Department of Cosmetic Technology, LAD & Smt. R.P. College, Nagpur. She has more than 25 Research publications, projects & presentations done through her academic career with some research papers published in prestigious journals like CSIR, India and several others. As an Academician & Educator in her field of Beauty & Cosmetics she has delivered Lectures, Seminars and Conducted Workshops on Beauty and Personal Care for several organizations and institutes. She has several articles on personal care and on aspects of life published in newspapers and magazines and as a poet, she has to her credit 2 Anthologies.

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