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What Are the Most Effective Ingredients in Medicated Wipes?

Wipe being removed from a blue package

When butt irritation strikes while you’re on the go, reaching for a medicated wipe to soothe and calm the area is a great option. However, with so many different hemorrhoid wipes and formulations on the market, you may not know which ingredients are best for your butt. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of effective ingredients to look for in a medicated wipe, so you know what to choose the next time you need to treat your tush.

Treat Hemorrhoids with a Witch Hazel Wipe

Witch hazel is a botanical ingredient that’s historically been used to treat a variety of skin conditions, including acne and irritation.1 When used in a medicated hemorrhoid wipe, witch hazel soothes discomfort, itching, minor pain and burning while decreasing inflammation.2 Witch hazel wipes are great at soothing hemorrhoids and the surrounding skin after you go to the bathroom.2

Witch hazel is also an astringent, meaning it can shrink or tighten the tissues on your body.2 It’s frequently used in natural medicine and as a way to treat hemorrhoids and skin irritation issues.3 In addition, witch hazel has a high phenolic content, which means it contains compounds that are capable of inhibiting the growth of bacteria.1 Lastly, witch hazel can dry and tighten the skin around your butt, which is particularly useful after a bowel movement.4

Soothe Your Butt with Aloe

In addition to witch hazel, aloe vera is a quality ingredient to look for in your medicated wipes. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, aloe vera may help soothe hemorrhoids and inflammation.5 Here’s how aloe vera can benefit the skin when applied topically:6

  • Anti-inflammatory: Aloe vera reduces inflammation and helps soothe skin irritation and redness. This makes it effective in calming various skin conditions and reactions.
  • Wound healing: Aloe vera promotes collagen synthesis and enhances the strength of scar tissue. This accelerates wound contraction and healing, making it beneficial for cuts, burns and other skin issues.
  • Moisturizing: Aloe vera binds moisture to the skin and improves elasticity, reduces wrinkles and helps maintain skin hydration.
  • Antiseptic: Aloe vera has properties that inhibit fungi, bacteria and viruses, making it useful for preventing infections and keeping the skin clean and healthy.

Calm Inflammation with Chamomile

Chamomile, one of the oldest medicinal herbs, boasts several soothing qualities that make it deserving of a place in your hemorrhoid wipe.7 Chamomile flavonoids, when applied topically, can help reduce inflammation. In addition, studies show that chamomile can penetrate deep into your skin’s layers, making it more effective at soothing inflammation.7 As a result, chamomile is used to treat a variety of ailments, including hemorrhoids.7

Treat your Tush with Cucumber

Another quality ingredient to look for in your medicated wipes is cucumber. When applied topically, cucumber helps to hydrate the skin and reduce inflammation and irritation.8 In addition, cucumber also has properties that can help bring cooling relief to your skin, especially in hot weather.8

Thanks to its ability to cleanse and tone the skin, cucumber extract is a popular ingredient in skincare. It also contains naturally occurring acids, including glycolic, lactic and salicylic acids, that help gently renew the surface of the skin and keep its protective layers healthy.8

Why Use Medicated Wipes?

Medicated wipes, like the ones from Preparation H, help to cleanse and soothe hemorrhoids and the surrounding skin. They’re gentle enough to use daily. For maximum relief, use Medicated Wipes to cleanse and soothe the area before applying Multi-Symptom Cream or Rapid Relief Spray. Use as directed.

 

Source Citations:

  1. Witch Hazel Spells Trouble for Harmful Microbes. Tellus. U.S. Department of Agriculture. https://tellus.ars.usda.gov/stories/articles/witch-hazel-spells-trouble-for-harmful-microbes. Accessed 8/1/24.
  2. Witch Hazel: How to Use. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/18640-witch-hazel-wipes. Accessed 8/1/24.
  3. Witch hazel topical. University of Michigan Health. https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/d03762a1. Accessed 8/1/24.
  4. Hemorrhoids: Diagnosis & Treatment. NewYork-Presbyterian. https://www.nyp.org/digestive/hemorrhoids/treatment. Accessed 8/1/24.
  5. 5 Best and Worst Home Remedies for Your Hemorrhoids. Cleveland Clinic. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-get-rid-of-hemorrhoids. Accessed 8/1/24.
  6. ALOE VERA: A SHORT REVIEW. Indian Journal of Dermatology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2763764/. Accessed 8/1/24.
  7. Chamomile: A herbal medicine of the past with bright future. Molecular Medicine Reports. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2995283/. Accessed 8/1/24.
  8. Cosmetic, Culinary and Therapeutic Uses of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). IntechOpen. https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/75161. Accessed 8/1/24.