Years ago, I took advantage of a Groupon deal on a low-cost back wax and, wow, I paid for it a day later—with the worst case of folliculitis imaginable (aka: itchy, painful, inflamed hair follicles). It was like chickenpox and just as painful. I learned two things that day:
- No more Groupon.
- Hibiclens is not only a remedy for hair removal problems, it is also an antimicrobial lifesaver.
What is Hibiclens? It's what my dermatologist “prescribed” to me, but it's actually an over-the-counter, medical-grade antiseptic cleanser that hospitals use as a skin disinfectant and is terrifically effective at reducing infection rates.
The active ingredient is chlorhexidine gluconate, which can also be found in other antiseptic products like mouthwashes and ointments. You can buy it as a liquid on its own or in pumps that create foam. Personally, I recommend the pump for easy foaming.
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I was thrilled to see Hibiclens being praised by so many notable dermatologists recently, recommending it for a number of fungal and bacterial issues, including odor control, athlete's foot, and groin fungus (the latter two of which involve fungal buildup). After soothing and reversing my back wax irritation in a week, I've been using Hibiclens as a preventative measure (or corrective solution) for these other germ issues ever since.
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My main application: preventing groin fungus, especially after a day of sitting in my own sweaty filth or a long summer day walking around in the sun. Hibiclens is great for removing dirt from under my thighs and buttocks, and I even use it as a hand wash when I feel like I need a deep clean (like after handling raw chicken).
The one place you can’t use Hibiclens is on your face. It’s probably gentle enough as a facial cleanser, but it’s not formulated for that, and you don’t want to risk getting it in your eyes, ears, etc. Many clinics even warn against using it near mucous membranes, so you don’t want to get it near any openings.
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Especially for groin fungus, Hibiclens can be great for washing around be especially meticulous about jewelry, so clean up your junk. (Personally, I've had no problem giving it a quick once-over there too, especially with a quick rinse in the shower, but I Negative (Go to the doctor! Proceed with caution and when in doubt, consult a medical professional.)
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But let me offer some real advice from my experience when it comes to body odor in sensitive areas: You can tame bad odors by strategically using Hibiclens every month. Just ask Heather Rogers, RD, board-certified dermatologist at Modern Dermatology in Seattle, WA, and founder of Doctor Rogers Skincare: “To help control odor, wash any areas that tend to smell with Hibiclens for the first five days of every month,” she advises.
Again, you don't want to use this as a daily body wash for weeks on end; you want to give your skin's natural microbiome some peace of mind, not bleach it. I personally use Hibiclens specifically for fungal control on days when I'm particularly concerned about sweat buildup and germ growth.
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You wouldn't mistake Hibiclens in the drugstore aisle. It's bright rose-pink, so doctors won't mistake it for something else in the hospital. And for the same reason, you'll want to rinse it thoroughly in the shower so it doesn't transfer to your towels (and if it does, don't bleach them; that red stain will turn brown).
This might not be a product you display loudly and proudly in your shower (I do, but I've been a couple for five years anyway). But it's is It's a product you should always have on hand if you want to reduce the itching and stinging sensation in your nether regions or treat your level five folliculitis with discounted back waxing.
There's nothing sexy about irritated, fungal, odorous, inflamed skin. You can rely on Hibiclens for deep cleansing and then stash it deep in your medicine drawer if you prefer.
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