What is men's intimate skin care?

Skin care for the face has had its moment. Below the belt, most of us still grab whatever is in the shower and hope for the best. Men's intimate skin care is giving that area the same bit of thought: what you wash it with, how you dry it, how you groom it, and what you put on it afterwards.

Why does intimate skin need different care?

The skin of the penis and scrotum is thinner and more delicate than the skin on, say, your forearm. It also lives in a warm, covered spot where sweat and friction build up through the day. That combination means it reacts more easily to fragrance, harsh soaps, rough towels and blunt razors, so it does best with a gentle routine.

Do men need an intimate wash?

Not necessarily. Plain warm water is enough to keep the area clean day to day. If you prefer a men's intimate wash, pick a mild, fragrance-free one made for intimate skin rather than a scented shower gel. If the skin on your penis is sore or irritated, the NHS suggests washing with just water or an emollient (a plain moisturiser you can wash with instead of soap), and not using soap or shower gel. If the head of your penis is red, sore or swollen, see a GP.

Water, intimate wash or soap?

	Plain warm water.	Mild, fragrance-free intimate wash.	Ordinary soap or scented shower gel.
Good for	Everyday washing, and skin that reacts easily	A fresher feel after the gym or on hot days	The rest of your body
Watch out for	Rinsing properly under the foreskin and in the creases	Fragrance, if your skin is easily irritated	Fragrance and harsh detergents, which can dry or sting intimate skin

Whatever you use, rinse well and pat dry.

How to wash your penis and under the foreskin

Wash your penis once a day with warm water. If you have a foreskin, gently pull it back as far as it comfortably goes, rinse underneath, then always put it back over the head of your penis. Rinse well and pat dry.

1. Use warm water. It's enough on its own. If you use a soap or wash, make it unperfumed. The NHS says perfumed soap, talcum powder and deodorants may irritate the penis.
2. Gently pull back your foreskin, as far as it goes without forcing it.
3. Rinse the head of your penis and under the foreskin. The NHS lists not washing properly as one cause of balanitis (a red, swollen, sore head of the penis), so this daily rinse is worth the few seconds.
4. Put the foreskin back over the head of your penis every time you wash. If it ever won't go back, call 999 or go to A&E: the NHS calls this a medical emergency.
5. Wash the shaft, scrotum and creases: where your thighs meet your groin, and behind the scrotum, where sweat collects.
6. Rinse well. Leftover soap or shower gel can irritate the skin and make it itch.
7. Dry gently with a clean, soft towel.

If you're circumcised, there's no foreskin to pull back: wash the head and shaft with warm water, rinse and pat dry in the same way. Either way, once a day is plenty, plus a rinse after exercise or a hot day. Scrubbing or washing over and over can dry the skin out.

If your foreskin is tight and swollen or painful, or there's a thick discharge or an unpleasant smell from under it, see a GP.

How should you dry your groin to avoid chafing?

Damp skin plus friction is how chafing starts. Pat the area dry with a clean, soft towel rather than rubbing, and give the creases a moment longer. Loose, breathable cotton underwear helps on warm days, and a fresh pair after the gym is never wasted. If sweat is the bigger nuisance, our guide to sweaty balls covers staying fresh below the belt.

Should men trim or shave their pubic hair?

Trimming is kinder to intimate skin than shaving, because it leaves a little length and the hair is less likely to grow back into the skin. If you do shave, use a fresh blade, warm water and a light touch. Our guide to manscaping covers trimming, shaving and the rest of grooming below the belt, our guide to a simple men's intimate grooming routine walks through it step by step, and our guide to razor burn, razor bumps and shaving rash covers what to do when the skin complains.

Where do intimate creams and sprays fit in?

Intimate creams and sprays are leave-on products for the outer skin of the intimate area, used on clean, dry skin after washing. Some are plain moisturisers. With others, like the not yet. spray, cream and gel, you may notice a gentle cooling or tingling feel on the skin.

Whatever you choose, a few rules apply to all of them:

• Check it says for external use.
• Patch test before first use: apply a little to the inside of your forearm and wait 24 hours. Our guide to how to patch test walks you through it.
• Use it only on clean, unbroken skin: not on broken, irritated or sunburnt skin, and not within 24 hours of shaving, trimming or waxing (see how to use).
• Keep it away from the eyes and the opening at the tip of the penis.
• Check the ingredients, and don't use it if you're allergic to any of them.

If you are weighing up the formats, our guide to intimate cream or spray: what's the difference? compares them side by side.

When should you see a pharmacist or GP?

Good habits keep most everyday irritation at bay, but some things need a professional look. Speak to a pharmacist if redness, itching or soreness doesn't settle within a few days. See a GP or an NHS GUM clinic (free, confidential clinics for genital health; you don't usually need a GP referral) if you notice swelling, an unusual discharge, sores, blisters or lumps, or pain when you pee. It's routine for them.