[ faq ]

I've heard the vagina doesn't need cleansing?
Women have been told that cleansing the vagina or vulva (external vagina) may be unnecessary or consequently harmful. This theory about feminine cleansing is now thought to be dated. More recently, women are being told to cleanse with only a mild soap. This information may also be inaccurate when we look more closely at feminine pH. Both schools of thought are well intended, although they may leave today's woman limited and confused. The vulvo-vaginal area is indeed self cleaning, just like the mouth and/or other mucous membranes; although, in the modern world, various internal and external forces may create an environment where cleansing is desired. fém-ology is designed to support the natural functions of the skin and surrounding mucosa, so there is no concern for disturbing intimate balance.

Why is pH important?
pH is technically the measurement of hydrogen ions in a specific solution, ranging on a scale anywhere from 0-14. Distilled water has a pH of 7 and is 'neutral.' Anything below 7 is considered acidic and anything above is alkaline. pH plays an important role in the body, as well as skin and feminine care. Each bodily fluid, tissue surface, etc., has a specific pH range at which it functions best, to maintain overall health.

The vulvo-vaginal skin is covered by a protective barrier know as the 'acid mantle.' This invisible mantle is made up of various lactic, amino and fatty acids, creating an acidic surface over the skin. The specific pH range of the vulva is between 4.5-5.5, with the internal vagina being closer to 4. This lower pH provides protection from ever present microbes (bacteria, fungi, etc.), which are unable to proliferate in an acidic environment.

Why not just use soap for my feminine cleansing?
Soap by default is alkaline in pH, ranging between 9-10. The elevated pH in soap makes it a very effective degreaser to wash away dirt and grime on hands, etc. However, it is extremely harsh and drying to the delicate skin and mucosa of the vulva. When a woman uses soap for feminine cleansing, she is essentially stripping away her protective acid mantle. Fortunately, within several hours (sometimes up to 12), a healthy vulva will become acidic again. The more alkaline the substance used, and the more repeated the use, the longer the vulvo-vaginal area will take to re-establish acidity.

Some other common alkaline substances and activities that can temporarily disturb feminine pH are: exercise (sweat), intercourse (semen/lubricant), swimming (water), and menstruation (blood). With repeated contact of alkalinizing substances, the pH-regulating function of the skin can be compromised. Once the vulva/vagina remain at an alkaline state too long, bacteria can take a foothold and odor and irritation can result.

What is the difference between fém-ology^TM products and other feminine cleansers and sprays?
Most feminine cleansers are chemically saturated, consisting of inexpensive detergents, perfumes, dyes and harsh preservatives. In addition many cleansers are formulated in a base of glycerin. Glycerin is a by-product of the soap-making industry and breaks down into a simple sugar, which can in turn feed vaginal yeast. Also, you may occasionally find the addition of 'herbal extracts' in some commercial formulations. These 'extracts' are typically presented in minute amounts, being neither therapeutic grade nor organic in origin. fém-ology products are plant based and formulated from a holistic standpoint, incorporating synergistically blended herbs for delicate, but refreshing cleansing. We also utilize organically grown or wild crafted herbs whenever possible while maintaining affordability.

Have these products been tested and are they tested on animals?
We neither use nor condone animal testing, nor do our suppliers. All the ingredients we use have been safely used in the natural cosmetic industry for many years. Products are also quality checked and assured to provide purity and stability by an outside lab.

Do you use sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) detergents or paraben preservatives?
No. We do not use sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, or ammonium sulfate detergents, or any sulfate derivatives. Reportedly 90% of all soaps, cleansers and shampoos contain some form of SLS as an inexpensive foaming agent. Due to the controversy surrounding the potential health risks of SLS, and coupled with its powerful degreasing action, we feel it too harsh to be used on intimate skin. Instead, we use coconut based surfactants for a mild foaming action.

We also do not use methyl, ethyl, propyl or butyl paraben preservatives. Recent lab studies done on parabens have shown a possible link to unwanted hormonal effects on the body. Since we do not use alcohol in our formulations, a certain level of preservation is required. We have chosen a pareben and phenoxyethanol free system at a level of less that 1%; this system is also supported by the use of essential oils and antioxidants.

I have sensitive skin, do these products have any perfumes or dyes?
There are no artificial perfumes or dyes used in the fém-ology^TM line. Although a light plant-based fragrance from the essential oils may be enjoyed in all products except for the 'hypo-allergenic feminine cleanser' which is completely unscented. Furthermore, when the word 'fragrance' or 'parfum' is seen in an ingredient list, be advised. Besides being a common skin irritant, this can stand for one of hundreds of different chemical compositions. The word 'fragrance' is protected by the FDA as a trade secret, so its comprising ingredients are not required to be revealed.

Is the packaging recyclable and are the products biodegradable?
Yes. Our formulations are biodegradable. We also use amber PET (polyethylene) plastic bottles which are coded with the number 1. These amber bottles help protect the essential oils and other botanical ingredients from possible UV damage. We also use PET for bottling since it is virtually unbreakable and considered to be one of the most inert of all plastics - meaning it doesn't have the potential to react to solvents (such as essential oils) as lower grade plastics may. Health Haus Labs also uses environmentally friendly labels, which are created from a biopolymer of corn rather than petrochemicals.

What organizations does fém-ology support?
Health Haus Labs and fém-ology brand products support various local and national programs focused on assisting women and children. Educating women and girls on proper feminine cleansing and maintenance practices is very important to us. We donate products to women's shelters, homeless teen organizations, and women in need whenever possible. For more information please contact us directly.