SUTIL Balm+ Intimate Moisturizer 2oz/60ml

SUTIL Balm+ is a water-based intimate moisturizer for the external skin of the vulva and the perineal area. It isn't a lubricant. It's a light daily balm that sinks in quickly, made with SUTIL's blend of ectoin, hyaluronic acid, oat beta-glucan and perilla extract, and it leaves no oily film behind. It's fragrance-free, glycerin-free, silicone-free and non-hormonal, and it comes in a 2 oz (60 ml) size.

Moisturizer vs lubricant

The two are easy to confuse, but they do different jobs. A lubricant adds slip for the minutes you're having sex, then mostly washes or wears away. A moisturizer like Balm+ is meant for regular use on the outer skin, the way you'd use a hand cream or face moisturizer, so that skin feels comfortable day to day. SUTIL makes Balm+ as part of a range that includes water-based lubricants for when you want glide during intimacy, and the two are designed to be used together.

What's in it

SUTIL calls its key ingredients the SUTIL Hydration System: ectoin, hyaluronic acid, oat beta-glucan and perilla extract. The full list is purified water, propanediol, oat beta glucan, lactobacillus ferment, hyaluronic acid, ectoin, maltodextrin, perilla frutescens callus lysate, citric acid, lotus root water and hydroxyethylcellulose. Just as important is what's left out: no fragrance, no glycerin and no silicone, and SUTIL notes it uses Ecocert ingredients. If you've found heavier oil-based balms leave a greasy feel, this one is formulated to absorb rather than sit on the surface.

How to use Balm+

Apply a small amount to clean, dry skin on the vulva and surrounding area, and smooth it in until it's absorbed. It's for external use. You can use it daily, a few times a week, or whenever skin feels dry, and many people make it part of a routine after a shower. Because it's light, you can dress straight away without it transferring onto underwear.

Before intimacy, a layer of Balm+ can make skin feel more comfortable. It's not designed to provide glide on its own, so if you want slip, add a water-based lubricant on top once things get started.

Non-hormonal, condom- and toy-compatible

Balm+ contains no hormones. SUTIL states it can be used alongside vaginal estrogen or other hormone therapy; if you're on a prescribed treatment, it's sensible to mention it to your doctor. Because the formula is water-based, it's compatible with latex condoms and with intimate toys, including silicone ones.

Patch test and storage

Even fragrance-free products can disagree with some skin. Try a little on your inner arm or a small area first, and stop using it if you notice stinging, redness or itching. If irritation continues, see a health professional. Close the cap after use and store the tube somewhere cool, out of direct sunlight, and check the date on the pack before using an older tube.

Specifications

• Brand: SUTIL, Balm+
• Type: water-based intimate moisturizer for external vulvar and perineal skin (not a lubricant)
• Key ingredients: ectoin, hyaluronic acid, oat beta-glucan, perilla extract
• Free from: fragrance, glycerin, silicone, hormones
• Compatibility: latex condoms and intimate toys
• Ingredients: purified water, propanediol, beta glucan (oat), lactobacillus ferment, hyaluronic acid, ectoin, maltodextrin, perilla frutescens callus lysate, citric acid, nelumbo nucifera root water, hydroxyethylcellulose
• Size: 2 oz / 60 ml

See the full SUTIL range and our water-based lubes, or read our guide to choosing a lubricant.