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Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:- Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
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We’ve vetted many products and are saying yes to Ah! Yes, Replens, Bonafide, and other top vaginal moisturizers.
- Best overall: AH! Yes VM Vaginal Moisturizing Gel | Skip to Review
- Best suppository: K-Y Liquibeads Vaginal Moisturizer | Skip to Review
- Best drugstore pick: Replens Long-Lasting Vaginal Moisturizer | Skip to Review
- Best natural moisturizer: Bonafide Revaree | Skip to Review
- Best feminine wash: FemiClear | Skip to Review
There are quite a few nonhormonal options to treat vaginal dryness. In terms of what’s available over the counter (OTC), there are vaginal moisturizers and vaginal lubricants. Both products are effective at relieving discomfort and pain during sexual intercourse for people with vaginas, according to Dr. Mary Jacobson, an OB-GYN and the chief medical officer of Alpha Medical.
“They reduce the friction associated with thin, dry genital tissue,” she explains.
Lubricants are applied just before or during sex and act rapidly to provide short-term relief from vaginal dryness and related pain. To see the various options, you can visit our roundup of the best vaginal lubricants.
Vaginal moisturizers, on the other hand, rehydrate dry vaginal tissues and are absorbed into the tissues. They replenish vaginal moisture and leave the vagina hydrated and supple.
Vaginal moisturizers can be applied anytime and are meant to be used consistently over a more extended period of time. Some vaginal moisturizers can be used as vulvar moisturizers as well.
“They adhere to the vaginal lining and mimic natural vaginal secretions,” Jacobson explains.
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, explains Alicia Jackson, MIT PhD graduate and the CEO and founder of Evernow.
“This makes the vagina more elastic,” Jackson says.
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 says.
What’s a typical vaginal pH anyways? Why does it matter for the product I choose?
A typical vaginal pH balance is between 3.8–4.5. According to Jacobson, anything under 1200 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 notes.
Products with similar pH levels and osmolality will be physiologically most similar to natural vaginal secretions, Jacobson says.
Where possible, we’ve chosen products that fit these standards.
Here’s what we considered when choosing the best vaginal moisturizers.
- pH and osmolality: 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 that are 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, Brightman says. “While these products may be tempting, they may be more likely to cause irritation.”
- 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.
Pricing guide
- $ = under $15
- $$ = over $15
Best overall
AH! YES VM Vaginal Moisturizing Gel
- Price: $$
- Pros: application options, affordable price, and pH and osmolality to mimic vaginal secretions
- Cons: Some users reported difficulty applying the product without the applicator.
- Who it’s best for: people wanting to moisturize both the vagina and vulva
Our top pick for best moisturizer for vaginal dryness is the fragrance-free, long lasting moisturizer gel by Ah! Yes. What sets it apart from the rest is that it’s both pH neutral and has the right level of osmolality to mimic natural vaginal secretions. In fact, it was one of Jacobson’s top picks for these two reasons.
This product comes in a bottle and can be applied with your fingers, but it also comes in prefilled tubes that can be emptied directly into the vagina, depending on what you prefer.
Another advantage of the Ah! Yes product is that it can be used as both a vaginal and vulvar moisturizer. Since your vaginal dryness can also be accompanied by vulvar dryness, and because the applicator product is more expensive, many customers prefer the option to apply it with their fingers.
Reviewers love that they notice a difference in burning, itching, and painful intercourse right away after using this product, and, in many cases, this moisturizer was recommended by their doctor.
Best suppository
K-Y Liquibeads Vaginal Moisturizer
- Price: $
- Pros: minimal mess, easy to insert
- Cons: only available in packs of six
- Who it’s best for: people wanting an easy-to-insert product with minimal mess
Capsule suppositories can be a great option for those who don’t want any mess or cleanup associated with using a vaginal moisturizer. This product is sold in packs of six and needs to be reapplied approximately every 2 days.
Since regular moisturizing is recommended, you’ll be looking at about $30 a month if you use the product every 2 days, which can be a little pricey.
Still, reviewers love how easy these are to insert and that they provide long lasting lubrication. K-Y is a trusted brand for many people with vaginas. K-Y lubricants are some of the most popular and well regarded on the market.
Best drugstore pick
Replens Long-Lasting Vaginal Moisturizer
- Price: $$
- Pros: lasts up to 3 days, easy to find
- Cons: not pH-balanced
- Who it’s best for: people looking for an easy-to-find in-store option
If convenience is key, Replens vaginal moisturizer is a great pick since it’s available at most major drugstores and retailers. That’s because it’s been around for years.
It was even
One potential drawback of Replens vaginal moisturizer is that it does not have an ideal pH balance for this type of product, so some customers say it leads to them having yeast infections. That said, many other reviewers have used it for years without problems. It does contain an all-important bioadhesive, which is part of what makes it so effective.
Replens are meant to be used every 2–3 days. That means one package should last a month or more, making it quite budget-friendly. For more information, you can see our Replens review.
Best natural moisturizer
Bonafide Revaree
- Price: $$
- Pros: easy-to-use, contains hyaluronic acid
- Cons: expensive, not compatible with condoms
- Who it’s best for: people looking for a product to relieve dryness regularly
As a vaginal moisturizer with hyaluronic acid, Revaree is a solid choice for those on the lookout for a natural vaginal moisturizer. Hyaluronic acid is a substance the body naturally produces to retain water and keep tissues lubricated and moist.
Revaree’s easy-to-use vaginal insert makes it one of the more popular vaginal moisturizing suppositories. Revaree is designed for use every 2–3 days for vaginal hydration and relief from pain during intercourse.
Bonafide says Revaree works by attracting and retaining moisture in the vaginal lining to help repair and restore thinning and damaged vaginal tissues. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Revaree as a Class II Medical Device.
Reviewers generally love the product and find it effective. The main complaint is the high price point. To find out more, you can see our review of Revaree, including Bonafide supplements for menopause symptom relief.
Best feminine wash
FemiClear
- Price: $
- Pros: can be used daily, hypoallergenic, pH-balanced
- Cons: for exterior use only, brownish color, some found it irritates skin
- Who it’s best for: people wanting a mild product to clean the vulva daily
This is a mild unscented wash for cleansing the vulva, which is the external genitalia surrounding the opening to the vagina. FemiClear is designed for exterior use only, not inside the vagina.
FemiClear can be used daily to keep the vulva clean and moisturized, which may help soothe itching and calm irritation.
It is vegan-friendly and is not tested on animals. It contains natural ingredients, including some organic moisturizing ingredients. There are no artificial fragrances, parabens, or sulfates.
Reviewers like that FemiClear is gentle on delicate skin, and it doesn’t have a strong scent. They also say it cleans well and leaves a fresh feeling. On the downside, some reviewers report irritation and discomfort in their genital area after use.
| Product and price | Pros | Cons | Who it’s best for |
| AH! Yes VM Vaginal Moisturizing Gel $$ | • pH and osmolality to mimic vaginal secretions • multiple application options • affordable price | some users found it difficult to apply without the applicator | people wanting long lasting moisture for both the vagina and vulvar |
| K-Y Liquibeads Vaginal Moisturizer $ | • minimal mess • easy to use | only available in packs of 6 | people who want an easy-to-insert product with minimal mess |
| Replens Long-Lasting Vaginal Moisturizer $$ | • lasts up to 3 days • easy to find | not pH balanced | people looking for options that are easy to pick up in-store |
| Bonafide Revaree $$ | • easy to use • contains hyaluronic acid | • expensive • not compatible with condoms | people looking for a product to relieve dryness on a regular basis |
| FemiClear $ | • can be used daily • hypoallergenic • pH-balanced | • brownish color • some found it irritates skin | people wanting a mild product to clean the vulva daily |
If you’re using a vaginal lubricant, you can apply it right before or during sex. For lubrications 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 2–3 days.
“The effect is cumulative, so try to build a habit of using it a few times a week,” Jackson says. “For best absorption, apply it to the walls of the vagina.”
The vagina usually produces its own natural lubrication for sexual activity and overall vulvovaginal health. When this natural lubrication is insufficient, you may turn to moisturizers and lubricants.
Nonhormonal vaginal moisturizers and lubricants are appropriate first-line therapy for your vulvovaginal health, especially to treat vulvovaginal atrophy, according to a 2021 study. The study found that both moisturizers and lubricants generally give moisturizing results and have minimal side effects.
Although topical vaginal estrogen products have long been considered the gold standard for treating persistent vaginal dryness, a 2022 randomized trial showed a vaginal hormone-free moisturizing cream was just as effective as a nonhormonal cream containing estriol (a form of the estrogen) for treating symptoms of vulvovaginal atrophy.
There is no one best vaginal moisturizer for everyone. The “best” is the one that works best for you. Hydrating moisturizers can be especially effective.
In this roundup of vaginal moisturizers, we list products that are popular and generally effective. You may also want to talk with a doctor about available options.
In making your choice, you may want to consider such options as:
- how often you can use it
- ease of use
- ingredients
- any known side effects
Lotions are on the list of products you should not use in your vagina, Jacobson says.
That’s because lotions, petroleum-based products (like Vaseline), and massage oils not designed for internal use can change the pH of your vagina and increase your chance of developing an infection.
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 notes.
“Most prescription medications contain estrogen and are used directly in the vagina,” Jacobson says.
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.
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 says. “The truth is, these symptoms are common, but often under-treated.”
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 three 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.
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 says.
Vaginal dryness, a symptom of vaginal atrophy, is more common than you might expect. Signs 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 with vaginas experience vaginal dryness during perimenopause and menopause.
“Fluctuation of hormones, specifically a drop in estrogen levels, can lead to vaginal dryness,” explains Jacobson. “Less estrogen means less natural vaginal moisture and elasticity.”
The drop in estrogen causes the vaginal tissues that line the vaginal walls to thin, so fewer cells secrete moisture. To see products that may help you manage symptoms of menopause, you can see our roundup of herbs and supplements for menopause.
Vaginal dryness happens outside menopause, too. In people who are nursing, estrogen levels are low in part due to elevated prolactin levels, Jacobson explains.
“Estrogen levels usually return to [usual] once breastfeeding becomes less frequent or stops,” Jacobson adds.
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
- over-exercising
- 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 says.
Also, if OTC 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 says 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.
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.
