Chafing, tight clothes and crotch sweat: phwar that's a recipe for intimate havoc if ever we heard one.

Exercise and intimate comfort: the problem

If you've ever gone to the GP with a thrush infection or similar, they'll tell you to wear loose clothing, avoid tight underwear and leggings, and to keep the area ventilated and free from sweat. Unfortunately, when you're running, spinning or taking a pilates class, that's near impossible.

Common causes of intimate discomfort during exercise include:

• Too tight clothing
• Excessive sweat
• Dehydration (yes, your vulva gets dry, too)
• Chafing 

Why do we ignore vulva support when exercising?

Exercise is amazing for our mental and physical health, but every woman who's ever had to rearrange uncomfortable underwear in tight leggings knows it's not without its challenges. The truth is that our intimate skin goes through a lot when we're working out. 

We make sure that other parts of our body are supported - our breasts get sports bras, our feet get specialist trainers, and our face gets sunscreen. But what about our vulva? Does it just have to suffer? We don't think so.

A GP's vulva care tips for exercise

We asked GP, Dr Angela Wright for some advice when exercising. Here's her 3 tips:

1. Wear cotton underwear

The natural fibres really help our skin to breathe and that's really important when we're hot and sweaty.

2. Use oil-based moisturiser

It can help to use products that provide some moisturisation to this delicate tissue and can stop you chafing. 

3. Choose the right wash

When we're washing this part of the body, it's so important that you choose something that's going to protect and nurture the delicate skin there. I recommend using something that's oil-based.

Tip: Washing/douching inside the vagina isn't necessary, as it's self-cleaning, and it could actually cause more irritation. You can, however, wash the external vulval skin, if you wish.

Do a victory lap with The Victory Comfort Set

With natural, fragrance-free ingredients, this award-winning intimate care set, featuring Victory Oil intimate moisturiser, and Victory Cleanse Wash is your perfect 2-step daily routine to keep your vulva care in check, so you can do the workouts you love, in the activewear that makes you feel great.

How to use the set:

Step 1: In the shower, apply 3-4 pumps of Victory Cleanse Wash onto clean, wet hands.

Step 2. Gently rub the wash in your palm to transform the oil to a soft milky texture.

Step 3: Gently wash intimate skin and rinse with warm water.

Optional: You can use Victory Cleanse Wash over the rest of your body to soothe dry skin and sensitivity, too.

Step 4: After showering, apply 1-2 pipettes-full of Victory Oil to fingertips, and gently massage onto intimate areas including vulva, perineum, inner and outer labia.

Why we make intimate care products

Self-proclaimed skincare junkie, Fiona Toomey felt let down by the beauty industry after having children. Like lots of women, Fiona noticed that her intimate skin felt different after childbirth, and it turns out her hormones were wreaking havoc on her hydration. A runner herself, Fiona was worried about how she'd ever be able to workout comfortably again.

When seeking support, her healthcare professionals pointed her towards dusty old bottles on pharmacy shelves that looked like they'd been sat there since the 80s. The formulas were filled with chemicals, and Fiona didn't want to put them anywhere near her delicate skin. So, she consulted skincare chemists, gynaecologists and physiotherapists to help her develop her own natural formulas.

As well the formulas being loved by thousands of women, our Victory range looks beautiful on your vanity or in your gym bag. They fit seamlessly into your skincare collection - because skin is skin, at the end of the day.

About the expert:

Dr Angela Wright is a GP and a clinical sexologist. Dual-qualified, she's often described as a bit of a 'unicorn' in her field, though she assures us that there's one more of her, a colleague who specialises in men's support, while she specialises in women's.