Intimate Care for Teens: A Simple Guide to Puberty and Hygiene
3 min read

Intimate Care for Teens: A Simple Guide to Puberty and Hygiene

Intimate Care for Teens: A Simple Guide to Puberty and Hygiene

Puberty brings a lot of changes at once, and intimate care is one of the topics that often goes unexplained. Many teens end up learning from marketing or from friends, which is how myths about "freshness" and scented products take hold. Here is a clear, shame-free guide to what's normal and what actually helps.

What's normal during puberty

As hormones change, the body starts doing some new things in the intimate area:

  • Discharge begins, usually a clear or whitish fluid. This is healthy and is part of how the vagina keeps itself clean and balanced
  • Sweat and natural scent increase, because sweat glands in this area become more active
  • Pubic hair grows, and what you do with it is entirely a personal choice
  • Periods start, often irregular at first for the first year or two
  • The skin becomes more sensitive to friction, sweat and certain products

None of this means something is wrong. It means the body is developing.

The one rule that matters most

The vagina is self-cleaning. Only the outside (the vulva) needs washing, and never the inside. No wash, wipe or spray should be used internally, and douching should be avoided entirely.

A simple routine

  • Wash the vulva once a day with warm water and, if you like, a gentle pH-balanced intimate wash made for this area
  • Skip regular soap and body wash, which are usually more alkaline than intimate skin likes
  • Avoid synthetic fragrance, which is one of the most common causes of irritation and often sits in products marketed to teens
  • Pat dry and change out of sweaty or damp clothes, especially after sport
  • Wear breathable underwear, ideally cotton, and change it daily
  • Change pads or tampons regularly during your period

Products to be careful with

Many products aimed at young people lean on strong scents and "fresh" claims. Be wary of:

  • Scented wipes and sprays
  • Foaming washes with sulfates and synthetic fragrance
  • Anything that promises to "eliminate odour", since a healthy body does not need to be masked

Talking about it

For parents and carers, the most helpful thing is to make the topic normal. Explain what to expect before it happens, answer questions plainly, and avoid language that suggests the body is dirty or embarrassing. For teens, a GP or school nurse is a good, private place to ask anything you're unsure about.

When to check in with a doctor

See a GP if there is itching that doesn't settle, discharge that is green, grey or strongly smelling, pain, or periods that are very painful or very heavy. These are common and treatable, and there is nothing to be embarrassed about.

FAQ

At what age should someone start using an intimate wash? There is no set age. Warm water is enough for many teens. If a wash is used, choose a gentle, pH-balanced one and use it on the outside only.

Is discharge a sign of poor hygiene? No. Discharge is normal and healthy, and it often starts before a first period.

Is it normal for odour to change during puberty? Yes. Hormones and increased sweat change natural scent. Regular gentle washing and breathable underwear are usually all that's needed.

Do teens need scented products to feel fresh? No. Fragrance is more likely to irritate than help. Gentle, pH-balanced care is a better starting point.

Laver's range is vegan, cruelty-free and made for gentle, everyday use. We scent lightly with real fruit and natural extracts, never synthetic fragrance, so intimate care stays kind to your pH from the very start.