Best Vaginal Acne Spot Treatments
The only thing worse than getting a pimple on your face? Getting one on your vagina.
Vaginal acne is a very real (and very frustrating) fact of life, but dealing it doesn't have to be as scary as it sounds. "I think that women of all ages really should start thinking about the care of their vulva vagina the same way that they take care of their face," says gynecologist Dr. Sherry Ross, author of She-ology. Because if you think about it, the vulva area has the same amount of hair follicles and sweat glands and things that make it challenging because those glands and hair follicles are prone to the dirty build up from the sweat and the urine and being so close to the anus, that those glands are prone to acne and pimples, just like our face."
And just like the pimples on your face, vaginal acne can be treated with the same spot treatments that you probably already have in your medicine cabinet. To find out which options can work double duty on your face and down below, we quizzed Dr. Sherry and dermatologist Dr. Michelle Henry on their top picks. Scroll through to see what's worth stocking up on.
1/8Dermalogica Clear Start Breakout Clearing Emergency Spot Fix
Turns out, you really can repurpose some of your favorite facial treatments on your vagina — to a certain extent. Avoid the opening and inside of the vagina, but pimples on the skin or lips are fair game to treat with an OTC spot treatment, like this one from Dermalogica. "If you have to open the lips up and its more in the moist mucus membrane in there, it may not be acne, it might just need hot compress," says Dr. Sherry. And be sure not to double dip with the applicator, and use a q-tip to apply as a way to keep things clean.
Shop Now: Dermalogica Clear Start Breakout Clearing Emergency Spot Fix, $20.50. Amazon.com.
2/8Peter Thomas Roth Acne Spot and Area Treatment
Before treating a vaginal pimple with a spot treatment, it's important to confirm that it is, in fact, a pimple, and not something else. "It is important to distinguish these bumps from ingrown hairs, razor burn, herpes sores, etc," says Dr. Henry. "Ingrown hairs typically contain a trapped hair, but acne lesions do not. You will notice razor burn shortly after shaving especially if appropriate shaving creams or gentle techniques weren't used. A herpes outbreak is usually proceeded by pain, burning, or sensitivity. This sensation will be followed by notice fluid filled bumps that will eventually crust over. Acne lesions are typically moderately tender, red bumps with occasional pustules."
Shop Now: Peter Thomas Roth Acne Spot and Area Treatment, $15. Amazon.com.
4/8Alba Botanica Fast Fix For A Pimple Instant Solution
This all-natural drugstore treatment promises to kick zits quickly with 6% Salicylic Acid. Another organic way to help your situation down there? Soak in a warm bath and treat the area with coconut oil.
Shop Now: Alba Botanica Fast Fix For A Pimple Instant Solution, $7.73. Amazon.com.
5/8Neutrogena On-the-Spot Acne Treatment
In addition to spot treatments, there are other things you can do to help avoid vaginal acne in the first place. "If you're going to shave or wax, you can loofah the skin of the vulva as well. That helps prevent the acne and ingrown hairs, and antibacterial soaps are always good and the lotions that you can use for preventing any sort of rash," says Dr. Sherry, who also notes the importance of keeping any tools that go near your vagina extra clean. "Make sure you're cleaning and changing your [razor] blades, washing your hands... you know, preventing as much dirt to go in that down south as possible."
Shop Now: Neutrogena On-the-Spot Acne Treatment, Vanishing Formula, $6.82. Amazon.com.
6/8Mario Badescu Drying Lotion
"I love Mario Badescu drying lotion — the sulfur is great for the bacteria laden vaginal area," says Dr. Henry. "Benzoyl Peroxide can be quite drying on gentle vaginal skin, [so] I prefer spot treatments with ingredients like sulfur, glycolic acid, or even salicylic acid."
Shop Now: Mario Badescu Drying Lotion, $17. Amazon.com.
7/8Clinique Acne Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel
Dr. Henry suggests this clearing gel from Clinique, but notes there are other things you can do to help treat vaginal breakouts. "Oral contraceptives can help with acne due to hormonal fluctuations," she says. "Medications like spironolactone can reduce the effect of hormones on the skin as well. I like washing the vulvar area not the mucosal vagina (the moist area) with gentle washes and gentle exfoliants. Consider acne or ingrown wipes that contain ingredients like glycolic acid or lactic acid, and wear loose cotton underwear."
Shop Now: Clinique Acne Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel, $18. Macys.com.
8/8Murad Rapid Relief Acne Spot Treatment
"If you use a spot treatment, just like with your face, you should start to see it go away within 24, 48 hours," says Dr. Sherry. "And I think if it doesn't, you may want to go to your Gynecologist to make sure its nothing else."
Shop Now: Murad Rapid Relief Acne Spot Treatment, $20. Sephora.com.
