Review: Luvena Restorative Moisturizer – how does it work?

Luvena Restorative Moisturizer is a vaginal product designed to moisten a dry vagina for several days after one application.

Many women are very happy with this product, however the main objection has been intense burning after application. This may be due to inflamed vaginal mucosa from infection or imbalance, but it’s very difficult to know without examining each woman before and after application.

Ingredients

• Water
• Propanediol (a chemical used to make things into a gel, pH acidifier, depending on what form, can be carcinogenic or a skin irritant)
• PEG-20 (a safe derivative of beeswax, can trigger dermatitis if applied to broken skin)
• PEG 150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate (a chemical that increases viscosity of liquids) (safety report)
• PEG-150 Distearate (thickening agent, emulsifier)
• Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil (fungicide, easily absorbed by skin, increases suppleness quickly)
• Vaccinium macrocarpon (Cranberry) Fruit Extract (used orally to combat UTIs)
• Lysozyme (an enzyme that damages bacterial cell walls)
• Lactoferrin (milk protein with bactericidal properties)
• Lactoperoxides (enzyme that has bactericidal properties)
• Lactic Acid (pH acidifier)
• Potassium Thiocyanate (a stabiliser for the liquid, added for shelf life)
• Glycogen (normally produced by vaginal cells to feed lactobacilli, affected by the action of oestrogen)
• Mannose (a form of sugar that is found in cranberry that helps attach bacteria, particularly E.coli, useful in UTIs)
• Tocopherol Acetate (possibly skin irritant, vitamin E mixed with acetic acid, added for shelf life)

How does it work?

The formula has a few ingredients in it that either soothe irritated mucous membranes, help good bacteria thrive, or actively work as a bactericidal – like an antibacterial agent. It states it has a unique blend of five moisturisers, however what these are exactly has been hard to tell. The only ingredient that is well-known specifically as a moisturiser is jojoba seed oil.

Dose: one pack contains 6 x 5g pre-filled applicators
Cost: varies, but about US$15-30 depending on where you shop

Problematic warning on product page

There is a warning on product pages that states one ingredient is known to cause serious problems, however it doesn’t state which ingredient it is. All Things Vagina has approached the company for comment (watch this space).

“WARNING: This product contains a chemical known in the State of California to cause cancer and/or birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to: www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/.”

Side-effects

Burning and irritation can occur, in which case it would be advisable to stop using the product.

Who makes Luvena Restorative Moisturizer? Luvena is a brand developed by Laclede, Inc, a registered trademark of GlaxoSmithKline, a pharmaceutical company.