“Intimate Wash for Men” vs. “Normal Cleanser,” How Are They Different?

In response to the recent massive release of feminine wash products, masculine wash (men’s intimate wash) had been produced and released in the market in various forms. Intimate wash was thought to be exclusive only for women, but now it is also in the field of men’s cosmetics. According to Wikipedia, the masculine wash is a “product that lessens stickiness in the groin area and prevents worsening of groin eczema.”

 

CARD 1. Feminine Wash vs. Masculine Wash

While feminine wash is for the hygiene of women’s vulva, a masculine wash is for improving or preventing discomfort in the groin. The groin here is also called the “crotch” and indicates the area between the inner parts of the upper legs. In specific, it is the triangular area of the lower abdomen under the left and right femoral regions, also known as the “inguinal region.”

 

CARD 2. The claims of why masculine cleansers are needed

How are the cleansers for women’s vulva and men’s groin different?

If you see the advertisements of intimate wash for men, they emphasize these benefits: ▲deep cleansing of the Y zone (the inguinal region), ▲removal of unpleasant odor, ▲subacidity of pH 5.5, ▲moisturization, and ▲cooling effects.

They claim that the masculine wash is both an essential product for hygiene and a solution to odor problems by removing “smegma,” the main substance causing an unpleasant odor.

 

CARD 3. The purpose of a men’s intimate wash

Furthermore, because of men's scrotum, men cannot help but be vulnerable to varieties of harmful bacteria since the groin area is damp and hard to air dry. Hence, the main purpose of a masculine wash is to help with hygiene and to remove substances that cause odor from the groin as well as the scrotum.

 

CARD 4. The relation between smegma and odor

Smegma, an unfamiliar term, is a mixture of dead skin cells and sebum and generally builds up in the convex part of the glans. It is also known to cause a very strong malodor once combined with mucus discharge or ammonia of urine. Here, the bacteria called “mycobacterium smegmatis” has to do with this problem.

 

CARD 5. Hygiene is a Must, Masculine Wash is Optional

Besides, the apocrine gland is more developed in men than women, being an optimal environment for producing sweat and odor. Thus it requires thorough cleansing and care. Therefore, undoubtedly, men must wash their genitals and groin areas with care. However, what specific ingredients of men’s intimate wash could remove the smegma?

 

CARD 6. No distinctive ingredients for men

Companies selling masculine wash explain that their products are necessary since regular soaps cannot wash smegma away. Taking this in mind, masculine wash sounds like it can remove smegma, the main cause of the odor. But, when you examine the ingredients of the products, you will be disappointed as nothing much is different from that of an ordinary cleanser.

The products of the companies are mostly made of purified water as the base, natural surfactants, foaming substances such as “sodium cocoyl apple amino acids” or “coco-glucoside,” other various natural extracts, menthol content, which adds a sense of refreshment, and an anti-rancidity agent. Due to these ingredients, advertising with descriptions such as “cleansing without irritation” and “abundant bubbles” is possible.

 

CARD 7. In the end, it consists of similar ingredients as feminine wash

As a result, men’s intimate wash is nothing, but a cleanser made up of natural surfactants, which does not contain any ingredients for removing smegma. Hence mentioning mycobacterium smegmatis, a cause of smegma, is meaningless. To sum up, despite the content of ingredients, feminine wash, and masculine wash are not so much different in terms of ingredients.

 

CARD 8. Masculine wash, a mild version of a normal cleanser

Besides, if you look closely at the patented ingredients presented by masculine wash manufacturers, they are not specialized for men’s groin or vulva but are “created by plant extracts useful for sensitive skin” or “toner for skin improvement.”

Moreover, the additional explanations of how masculine wash can also be used for “removal of foot fatigue and smell” and “cleaning weak skin areas such as the armpits” prove that intimate wash for men is nothing but a normal cleanser.