Introduction
Hey, beautiful soul! Today I am going to be talking about all things emollients and Lichen Sclerosus. I will be running through what an emollient is, why you should use one, what to look for, things to be mindful of, and products I love. Emollients are super important and I believe they should be a part of your Lichen Sclerosus routine. However, emollients are seldom discussed in the doctor’s office. Instead, the focus tends to be on steroids, and, if you’re lucky, how to use your steroids. Then you’re out the door and on the way to the pharmacy. Thus, for today’s post, I want to focus on the underrated but oh so important emollients.
Don’t forget to read until the end for this week’s #TLLCTuesdayTip.
*Disclaimer: This post is NOT sponsored.
**All products mentioned in this post were purchased with my own money, except for Rescue Balm, which was sent to me by SweetSpot Labs. Although SweetSpot Labs sent me a product to test, I am not sponsored by the company, nor do I receive any kickback or compensation for mentioning their product.
What On Earth is an Emollient?
OK, if you’re anything like me, you probably never heard the term ‘emollient’ before getting diagnosed with Lichen Sclerosus, unless you work in the cosmetic/skincare industry or live in a region of the world where the term is common. Before I jump into why I think these are so important and why everyone with Lichen Sclerosus should be using them, let’s start with what they are.
An emollient is essentially a moisturizer. It is a cream, salve, balm, or oil that is used to protect, moisturize, soften, and lubricate the skin. Think of it almost as a serum or moisturizer but for your vulva. The sebum (oils) produced by healthy skin naturally protects, moisturizes, and lubricates the skin.
However, for folks with certain conditions, such as Lichen Sclerosus, these functions are more limited, and thus, we can benefit from a little extra help.
Why Should You Use Emollient If You Have Lichen Sclerosus?
As I mentioned above, healthy skin will naturally produce oils that help protect, moisturize, soften, and lubricate the skin. However, skin with Lichen Sclerosus doesn’t quite work the same. For example, the inflammation caused by Lichen Sclerosus makes the skin thickened and fibrotic, which can result in fissures, tearing, burning, and other uncomfortable symptoms. Watch my video on what Lichen Sclerosus does to the skin for more details.
Steroids will help combat the inflammation, but I’m of the mindset that some extra TLC/help can’t hurt. I’m a big proponent of stacking all the cards in your favor, in as many ways that are accessible to you. Thus, because Lichen Sclerosus skin is prone to irritation, inflammation, and tearing, adding an emollient to your care routine can be greatly beneficial.
Pros of Using an Emollient
- Provides moisture to the vulvar skin
- Helps soften the vulvar skin
- Can help protect the vulvar skin from irritants such as urine
- Helps soothe irritated skin
- Reduces friction (which can cause fissures, tears, and irritation)
- In conjunction with a treatment plan such as steroids, can help reduce fusing by making it more difficult for vulvar parts to stick together
Thus, adding an emollient to your treatment plan and care routine has a lot of benefits and can help the health of your skin and quality of life (especially if you suffer from dryness as I do).
What to Look Out For
There are many benefits to using emollients, and the side effects can be very minimal compared to prescription products. However, there are a few things to look out for and be mindful of.
- Any product you put on the vulva – prescription or otherwise – can cause irritation or an allergic reaction. Therefore, it’s important to always perform a patch test (keep reading to learn how to do this).
- Be mindful of ingredients. While there is no hard and fast rule on what is OK to use, as a general rule, try to pick products with minimal ingredients. This makes it easier to discern what ingredient is causing a reaction.
- Building on this, when you try a new emollient, track your symptoms. Try this free symptom tracker courtesy of the amazing Kathy from Lichen Sclerosus Podcast. This way you have a record of which products work well and which cause irritation.
- Cost. Emollients can be pricey, and unfortunately, for most of us, they are not covered by insurance or health care plans. Thus, cost may be a factor that plays into your decision on which product to try. Cheaper options tend to be pure oils with no added ingredients such as coconut oil, emu oil, castor oil, olive oil, etc..
Patch Test
I do a patch test every time I put anything new on my vulva. This is where you test out a small portion of product on one part of your vulva (versus applying it all over). For example, I usually rub a pea-sized amount on my mons pubis. I note the product I used and where I put it in my symptom tracker. Then, I wait one day without re-applying. If I have a reaction, I detail it in the symptom tracker and set it aside.
If I have no reaction, I try again a second time, putting a little bit more on the mons pubis and labia minora, once more, logging all of this in the symptom tracker. I typically wait 1-2 days in between each ‘test' to make sure I tolerate the product. Finally, if I have no reactions after a couple of days of this, I apply it to my clitoris, labia minora and majora, and the perineum.
In total, the process lasts me about 7 days.
Pass or Fail?
If it passes the test, I feel free to use it whenever I’d like. If it fails either the first or second patch test, I set it aside for a while. I might try it again in a few months or a year if I only experience minor irritation or issues. Sometimes, internal or external factors such as hormones, body care products, diet, or laundry detergents can impact vulvar symptoms. So, it might be worth a shot to try a product again if you make other changes to your care. Or, I may give it to a friend or family member who would love to add a new product to their self-care practices (as long as they are OK with second hand!).
One at a Time
When testing out new products, it’s important to only try one product at a time. This is especially important for skin with Lichen Sclerosus because the skin barrier is more easily compromised and prone to irritation. If you have more than one product you’d like to try, space them out by at least a few weeks. If you patch test more than one new product at a time and you experience a reaction, you run the risk of not being able to tell which product caused the issues for you.
How to Use Your Emollient
There is no hard and fast rule about how to apply. What follows are my thoughts and what works for me. Please consult your provider with any concerns.
- Do a patch test and make sure your body tolerates the emollient.
- Apply to the vulva – clitoris, labia minora, labia majora, and perineum.
- Apply anywhere between 2-5 times a day. You may apply more or less depending on the context. For example, I apply more on days where I’m active or swimming. I apply less when it’s a lazy day on the couch.
- *Be mindful of when you apply. Don’t apply immediately after you apply your steroid ointment; you want to give the steroids time to penetrate the skin. Generally you want to wait about 30 minutes to an hour after to apply emollient. (Personally, I apply my steroid ointment right before I sleep, so I don’t have to worry about this and just apply the emollient whenever I need it during the day).
Story Time!
When I was first diagnosed, I was given Clobetasol. However, no mention was made of emollients. Further, since my symptoms were so severe, I started using it 2x a day because I was desperate and wasn’t feeling like it was doing anything at first. Anyways, after a while, I started feeling super raw and drier than usual. That’s when I read about emollients. I applied some coconut oil and finally got relief from the dry/raw sensation. I’ve been using emollient alongside my maintenance steroid protocol ever since.
Furthermore, I always make sure to apply emollient before and after I swim. The emollient acts as a protective layer between my skin and the ocean water or chlorine. Read about my swimming with Lichen Sclerosus Protocol.
Products I Love: My Ride-Or-Dies
*All links in the “Products Mentioned” section at the end.
**These are just my personal favorites and quasi-reviews of products I've tried. Just because it works for me doesn't mean it will work for you. Further, if I don't like a product and you do, that does not mean it's a bad product. Instead, it just wasn't a good fit for my body.
One of my ultimate favorite emollients is coconut oil. It’s the cheapest option on the market, and I love it for that. It’s easy to apply and feels super soothing. Bonus! You can also use this as lube for sex! Just be sure to keep this out of the kitchen pantry so no one accidentally adds it to their meal.
My next favorite product is Yes Oil-Based emollient. It is thicker than coconut oil, somewhere between a cream and an ointment. This is a bit pricier than coconut oil and contains ingredients like shea butter, sunflower oil, sweet almond oil, and vitamin E. It is incredibly soothing, the texture is amazing and long-lasting, and their customer service is excellent. This brand creates products specifically for folks with vulvovaginal conditions. If you prefer no animal products, however, be sure to grab their Yes OB in the applicators – the tube version contains beeswax.
I also love Cleo by Damiva, which resembles the texture of oil. This one is also incredibly soothing and contains ingredients like cocoa butter, argan oil, borage oil, hemp oil, vitamin E, and hyaluronic acid. Vegan and cruelty-free.
More Products I've Been Loving Lately
Lately, I've been using CBD intimate lube from Alni Body Care as a vulvar emollient these days. It's a bit too thin for me to use as a lube, but as a moisturizer, it's wonderfully soothing and hydrating. I love the simplicity of its ingredients – CBD-infused Organic Cold-Pressed Hemp Seed Oil- and the fact that it is vegan & cruelty-free.
The owner is absolutely lovely too – amazing customer service.
Since it is pure hemp oil, you can also add it to coconut oil or another vulvar moisturizer (I do this sometimes).
Finally, I have also been using SweetSpot Labs' Rescue Balm. This balm is thicker than oil-based emollients like CBD lube, coconut oil, and Cleo by Damiva.
This product includes incredible ingredients such as castor oil, zinc oxide, shea butter, colloidal oatmeal, etc. Zinc oxide is great for irritation, cuts, fissures, etc., as it helps promote healing. Ingredients like colloidal oatmeal help soothe the itch that comes with LS.
Personally, due to the thickness of the balm, I found it a little difficult to spread. Thus, if you have active cuts, fissures, or tears, I'd apply the product gently and mindfully. Further, it is best to apply the product after you shower/bathe. I've been using this product for a couple of weeks now, and have had great results. Despite the thickness of the product, it keeps me moisturized down there and I barely know it's there. It's hydrating, long-lasting, and non-irritating.
Finally, ingredients such as sweet almond oil, shea butter, and aloe help to soothe and hydrate the skin. This product is made without hormones (estrogen-free and safe for pregnancy) and has been tested and approved by dermatologists and gynecologists.
*While most of their products are vegan, their rescue balm does contain beeswax. In the future, I will be trying their hydrate ever after serum as it is a fully vegan product.
Don't Be Afraid To Mix & Match
Before wrapping up, I want to say that you don't need to limit yourself to one product. Personally, I like to mix and match my products. I primarily use coconut oil for cost/financial reasons, but I love subbing in some of the more luxurious emollients like Yes OB. I also like to add my Alni CBD oil to my coconut oil as well. If I feel I need extra protection, or if I develop fissures or tears down the line, I will use SweetSpot Lab's rescue balm.
Don't mix afraid to mix and match if this feels right for your body and your specific needs at the time.
Conclusion
In sum, emollients can be a fantastic add-on to your treatment plan with Lichen Sclerosus. They help protect, soften, moisturize, and lubricate the vulvar skin. They help reduce friction, which is known to irritate the vulva (especially if you have active fissures or tears). Further, in conjunction with a treatment plan to address the inflammation, it can help prevent vulvar parts from sticking together and fusing.
Products Mentioned
YES OB: Regular version or YES OB: Applicator version if you prefer no animal products.
CBD Intimate Lube by Alni Body Care
Hydrate Ever After Vulva Serum by SweetSpot Labs
Coconut Oil (I get the 2kg jug from Costco because it’s inexpensive.)
To shop my Amazon Storefront for recommended products, click here if you're in Canada or here if you're in the USA.
#TLLCTuesdayTip: Apply emollient before you go for a walk or workout. This can help prevent tearing and reduce friction from exercise.
Disclaimer:
*The Lost Labia Chronicles does not provide medical advice or engage in the practice of medicine. The information provided by The Lost Labia Chronicles is for education and entertainment purposes only and does not under any circumstances constitute medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your healthcare plan.
Hi Jaclyn,
Have you tried pure emu oil? It’s hypoallergenic and penetrates through all 7 layers of the skin. Many LS sufferers have found it brings much needed relief.
Here is some info about using emu oil for LS:
https://emujoy.com/blogs/learn/lichen-sclerosus-natural-treatments
Hi, Carole. Thank you so much. I have tried it earlier in my LS journey and didn’t personally like it. Thank you for sharing this blog post with me. Just because I’m not a fan, doesn’t mean I think it doesn’t work. I know tons of people that use it for LS, and I usually include in a general list of options when I’m talking to people with LS (this was just me reviewing products I personally use, not an exhaustive list of options). I will share the blog you linked with others with LS; thank you so much 🙂
Hi Jaclyn, I am an older person, 77 and I have LS for over 10 years if not more. To me the best lubricant is organic cononut oil with a few drops of lavender. I use everyday morning and night and it keeps my skin from cracking. It also helps with the itching.
Hi, Lili! Thanks for your comment. I agree, coconut oil is fantastic! I’m glad it works well for you as well! I love the smell of lavender…so soothing 🙂