Men who have been dealing with an itchy penis for what seems like forever can get pretty frustrated, especially if they’re doing everything “right”: practicing excellent penis care, keeping their skin clean and moisturized, and even using the adequate protections when it is time. for a night of passion.

What men may not realize is that the full shower they enjoy every day could actually be to blame for that dry and itchy penis. Penile itching is often the result of using soap-based products, such as a typical bar of soap or a body wash that contains certain chemicals. To keep the skin on the penis hydrated, soft and supple, and to eradicate that itch, a man needs to use a soap-free cleanser.

But what is the difference?

There may seem to be very little difference between soap and non-soap cleansers. In fact, some bath bars marketed as ‘beauty bars’ or ‘bath soap’ or ‘men’s care’ may actually be soap-free, but look just like their soap-filled counterparts on the shelf.

Sometimes it is clear what is soap and what is not. If the ingredient list includes a variety of things that no one can really pronounce, as well as added fragrances, it’s a safe bet that a man is eyeing a bar of soap. Remember, the more ingredients, the more likely it is to cause an allergic reaction or lead to an itchy, red penis, even if it doesn’t appear to harm the skin on the rest of the body.

If a guy is not sure, he should pay close attention to etiquette. Write down the ingredients and do an internet search; anything that comes back as ‘detergent’ or ‘surfactant’ usually means it’s a non-soap cleaner.

How do they work?

Soap is usually a combination of fats, salts and oils. The fatty acids in soaps can actually dry out the most delicate skin on the body, and the higher pH content dries it out even more, providing more opportunities for bacteria to take up residence.

Soap-free cleansers skip fats and replace them with more oils. While a man might think that putting more oil on his skin is a bad thing, the opposite is actually true: an oil cleanser removes ‘used’ oil from the skin that has accumulated residue and pollution along the way. and replaces it with the ‘new’ oil that comes from the cleaner. The result is cleaner skin, but with the same feeling of hydration as before starting the shower.

And in many cases, soap leaves a thin layer of residue on the body. Although it may not be seen, it can certainly be felt when soap scum dries out the skin. Soap-free cleansers are non-alkaline, which means they wash easily down the drain and leave no residue behind, helping to ensure your skin doesn’t get a layer of drying chemicals when you’re done with your shower.

How to choose the right products

Once a man has determined which products are soap-free, it’s time to think about which one to use. He should look for a cleanser that doesn’t contain fragrances and lots of moisturizing oils. He should also look for something that contains natural ingredients. If he can’t pronounce most of the ingredients, it’s time to look for something else.

And in between those showers, a man can help ensure better penile health by using a good penile health cream. (Health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven to be gentle and safe for skin.). A man should look for a cream that contains vitamin A, to help fight bacterial growth, as well as shea butter and vitamin E to protect against itchy penile skin that results from insufficient hydration. For an added boost, a man can opt for a cream that contains vitamin D and C, as well as beneficial amino acids that help maintain penile health.