We Tested 5 Vulva Balms: See Our Top Pick

Vulva balms may be all the rage, but as a pelvic floor PT who specializes in women’s health, I’m wary about any product that claims to “improve” vulvar health. That’s especially true when it comes to products that contain fragrances or harsh chemicals. These ingredients can do more harm than good, potentially leading to irritation, itching, or even infections. For most people, the vulva naturally maintains its own moisture and balance, and adding products — even soap — could disrupt this delicate ecosystem.

That said, there are specific situations where a vulva balm might do some good. For those experiencing dryness due to hormonal changes—like during menopause, postpartum, or while breastfeeding—a gentle, fragrance-free balm can offer relief. And if you’re looking for another way to connect with this part of your body, applying a balm can be a conduit for self-care. But even in these cases, it’s crucial to choose products carefully.

If you’re currently experiencing symptoms of any kind, consult with your healthcare provider to ensure that what you’re using is both safe and necessary for your needs.

For those browsing for balms, you might be tempted to pick one of the top-selling brands, but are they really your best choice? I decided to find out. Keep reading to find out what happened when I tested the five most popular vulva balms on Amazon.

Why I Tested These 5 Vulva Balms

First off, I want you to know that these products were not sent to Origin for free and Origin is not associated with these brands. So these reviews are based entirely on my personal experience and my perspective as a women's health pelvic floor physical therapist who has treated a lot of vulvas.

When it came to choosing which balms to test, I had to start with VMagic Vulva Balm by Medicine Mama, which has (at this moment) 12,859 reviews on Amazon and is vulvas-down the most popular balm on the market.

Next, I searched Amazon for products that were marketed similarly to VMagic and had at least 100 reviews, the majority of which were positive. (Could all those reviews be fake? Possibly, but at least the company is making an effort.)

Surprisingly, relatively few fit these simple criteria, and I ended up a manageable list of 5 balms.

My Vulva Balm Test Drive

All of the balms on my list make similar claims, including that they moisturize and help relieve symptoms like dryness and itching. To be thorough, I tested each of these balms during the day and night to see how comfortable and effective they were. Here’s what I experienced:

VMagic by Medicine Mama

Primary ingredients: Olive oil, Avocado oil, Sea Buckthorn oil, Beeswax, a blend of Honey and Propolis (also from bees)

Price: $29.99 for 2oz at Medicine Mama

My experience: This product contains beeswax and honestly did remind me of a pot of lip balm. It had a very limited scent and went on just slightly oily. Overall, it was comfortable to use and I didn’t notice it getting sticky or irritating throughout wear. I had been exposed to this product in the past and had my kiddos try it instead of diaper paste if they sat in a wet swimsuit too long or weren’t the most thorough wipers. It seemed to help clear the skin within just a couple of applications.

3 adjectives that come to mind: smooth, unscented, oily

Bottom line: This seems like a pretty easy balm to use for the masses. Nothing too wild, but if you’re looking for a classic vulva balm, I think this is it.

Sweet Spot Labs Rescue Balm

Primary ingredients: Shea butter, sweet almond oil, allantoin (produce from uric acid), colloidal oatmeal, zinc oxide

Price: $24.99 for 2oz at Sweet Spots Labs

My experience: This stuff is crazy thick. I was using max grip strength to get it out of the tube. It has the consistency of a thick diaper paste. I can see it being helpful if you’ve gotten yourself into a wild razor burn situation, but otherwise it seems much too thick for regular use. I’d definitely want to take a shower and rinse it off prior to wearing delicate underwear or getting naked with a partner.

3 adjectives that come to mind: thick, white, paste

Bottom line: It’s listed as being for very dry, itchy, intimate skin and is definitely the thickest of all the balms I tested, so it does succeed in creating a serious, soothing barrier that holds in moisture and protects against external irritants.

NewLife Natural Organic Vulva Balm

Primary ingredients: Olive oil, Avocado oil, Beeswax, Sea Buckthorn Oil, Honey

Price: $15.90 for 2oz on Amazon

My experience: This product has an extremely similar ingredients list to VMagic by Medicine mama and yet feels and smells very different. It has a slightly tacky texture, similar to Vaseline and smells waxy.

3 adjectives that come to mind: medium thickness, slimy, candle-smelling

Bottom line: Too slimy for my liking.

VulvaCare by PharmaPulse

Primary ingredients:

Price: $24.99 for 2oz at PharmaPulse

My experience: This balm was smoother and thinner than I anticipated when looking at it in the container. It was very silky, felt soothing to put on, and glided really well. There was no scent. While not advertised on the container, I’d happily use this on dry hands or lips, if it was recommended.

3 adjectives that come to mind: thin, gliding, unscented

Bottom line: This was my favorite balm that I tested. It was slippery, unscented, and very comfortable to wear. I’d apply and then forget about it because it just felt natural.

Femissy Vuca Organic Vulva Balm

Primary Ingredients: Tea Tree Oil, Menthol, Beeswax, Geranium, Chamomile, Ylang-ylang

Price: $29.97 for 2oz at Femissy

The test drive: This container looked nice with a wooden top that comes with an unnecessary, but nice little scooper. The actual balm is pink (while just about all the others were a yellow-clear color) and it smells STRONG. It claims that it soothes using tea tree oil and menthol alongside other scented oils, but when I applied it and walked around fully clothed, my daughter asked me why I smelled like bug spray. The menthol did feel slightly cooling for a short while, but was otherwise unpleasant.

3 adjectives I’d use to describe this balm: strongly scented, cooling, slimy

Bottom line: There are too many unknown additives in this for me to suggest someone put on their vulva. Why the need for the strong scent? This one’s a no in my book.

How to Use Vulva Balm

Given their thickness, vulva balms are definitely not everyday moisturizers — and, in case you were wondering, cannot be used as lube (check out our lube post here). They are really for acute itchy or dry spots that need extra protection and should be used sparingly.

When it comes to addressing vulva symptoms, as I mentioned above, it’s best to talk to your gynecologist first. It could be that you need something stronger than a balm or you may have an underlying issue that needs to be addressed. Your gynecologist may also have some tried-and-tested vulva moisturizers, serums, or balms that they swear by.

If you’re browsing for a balm and looking for a recommendation, I’d start with VulvaCare by PharmaPulse. It felt the most natural, was soothing but not too thick or slimy, and no one will ask you any questions about surprising smells.