Spooky Nookie History:
The Lysol Myth of Feminine Hygiene
If you think it’s hard to figure out what’s true about vaginal health today… imagine being told to douche with Lysol to avoid pregnancy. 😳
For generations, we've been given misleading, and sometimes downright dangerous, advice about our bodies.
From “medical professionals” to our favorite household brands, blatantly wrong information shaped how we cared for ourselves (and what we thought was normal).
This Halloween, we’re digging up some of the scariest feminine hygiene “facts” and products in history. And showing you the real, healthy, pH-balanced alternatives that actually support our Nookie.
Lysol as a feminine hygiene product...
Take me out the group chat, because...
why would I EVER want to use lysol as a wash for my nookie or as a birth control method...
Lysol & the “Vaginal Perfume” Era
Lysol itself wasn’t a “vaginal perfume” — it was marketed as a feminine hygiene and contraceptive product from the 1920s through the 1950s.
But its advertising set the stage for the later rise of “vaginal deodorants” and “intimate sprays.”
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The Lysol Chapter (1920s–1950s)
- During this time, Lysol ran ads in women’s magazines claiming to help with “feminine freshness” and “marital happiness.”
- The ads never said “contraceptive” outright (illegal under Comstock laws), but the language implied it would “prevent unplanned troubles.”
- Women were encouraged to douche with diluted Lysol... a household disinfectant.
The results? Chemical burns, inflammation, and even documented poisonings and deaths.
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The Vaginal Perfume Boom (1950s–1970s)
After public backlash against Lysol, companies shifted to “gentler-sounding” products:
- Brands like FDS (Feminine Deodorant Spray) and Vagisil started pushing the idea of “odor control” through “freshness sprays.”
- These sprays were full of alcohol, fragrance, and aerosol propellants — which caused irritation and threw off pH balance.
- They were marketed like perfume for your vagina: “Stay dainty. Stay desirable.”
So while Lysol wasn’t the first vaginal perfume, it paved the way for decades of feminine hygiene marketing that told women their natural scent was a problem.
- Brands like FDS (Feminine Deodorant Spray) and Vagisil started pushing the idea of “odor control” through “freshness sprays.”
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The Re-Education Era: 1970s–1990s
For decades, companies had made us feel like our natural scent was dirty, our discharge was shameful, and our bodies needed to be sterilized to be “feminine.”
But by the 70s and 80s, we started asking questions doctors and brands didn’t want to answer.Books like “Our Bodies, Ourselves” (1971) — written by women, for women, became underground guides to real vaginal health, anatomy, and pleasure.
It was the first time many of us learned how our reproductive systems actually work… and that we don't need perfume or disinfectant to “fix” them.
Still, the effects of the Lysol era lingered.
By the 1980s and 90s, the industry started introducing “feminine washes,” “pH-balanced soaps,” and “odor-control” products.
This time, it wasn’t just softer marketing, it was a step toward better care for our most sensitive areas.
But here’s the catch: big corporations stillllll built their campaigns around fear.
They sold us on the idea that freshness equals worth. That being “clean” was about being desirable to someone else.
The result? Products that looked safer on the surface but still fed the same insecurity underneath.
First off... a better routine is the answer!
Your body doesn’t need to be covered up.
You need support.
A safe, pH-friendly routine (and not just any pH — the actual one your vaginal microbiome needs) is what keeps things balanced, fresh, and healthy.
Start with the basics:
- Nookie Cleanser to gently wash without stripping your natural moisture.
- Nookie Fruit and Nookie Balancers to maintain your internal balance and keep odor from the inside out.
- Nookie Defense Drops for immune and hormonal support that helps your body stay consistent, even when life isn’t.
And for those moments when you just need a quick refresh?
Keep Nookie Drizzle in your purse or gym bag.
Bomb #2: Tampons
Tampons Started as a Men’s Idea
Yep... the fist 'modern' (if that's what we really want to call it) was invented by a man...
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The Invention Era (1930s–1950s)
In 1929, Dr. Earle Haas invented the first modern tampon with an applicator after hearing that a friend used a sponge inside a condom for her period.
Even before this, they were wrapping lint...lint y'all around wooden sticks to absorb period blood... Lord please don't ever make us go back there...
So, our friend Dr. Earle Haas sold the patent to Gertrude Tendrich, who founded Tampax in 1931 — one of the first mass-market menstrual products.The pitch? Convenience, cleanliness, and discretion.
The reality? Tampons quickly became the “modern woman’s” solution, but their ingredients were kept a mystery. Spooky right? -
The Chemical Era (1960s–1980s)
As businesses compete for absorbency and comfort, the makeup of the average tampon changed.
Synthetic materials like polyester, rayon, and carboxymethylcellulose replaced cotton — all in the name of innovation.Then came the horror story: Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) outbreaks in the late 1970s, most notably tied to the Rely tampon.
The materials encouraged bacterial growth, and the product was pulled from shelves after making hundreds of women severely ill.Even after that, tampon formulas weren’t as transparent as they should’ve been. Andddddd many still contained bleached fibers, dyes, and residues.
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The Awareness Era (1990s–Now)
By the 1990s, baby we are starting to question what was really inside our period hygiene products.
Ingredient transparency campaigns, organic cotton brands, and menstrual cups gained traction as people pushed back against decades of secrecy.We even have more options. Cups, better materials for pads, and period panties are all on the market to help us with our periods.
But misinformation STILLLL lingers! The idea that tampons were the only “normal” option or that vaginal health was separate from overall health still shapes how we care for our bodies.
The Past... Spooky
And horrifying honestly...
As we were doing research for this, so many more scary facts about women's health and hygiene came up.
- Experimenting on our bodies because we simply didn't have the same private parts...
- Making us feel less than or only valuable if we are sex objects...
- Intentionally using chemicals and poor materials just to profit off of us more efficiently...
All sickening...
But every “spooky” story is proof of why safe, educated, and transparent women’s health care matters.
We deserve products that protect, not poison.
Support, not shame.
And knowledge that empowers, not scares.
This Halloween, the scariest thing shouldn’t be your feminine care routine. 👻
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Mini Nookie Cleanser
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$12
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$12
Mini Nookie Cleanser
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$12 - Regular price
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$12
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Mini Honey Body Wash
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$12
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$12
Mini Honey Body Wash
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$12 - Regular price
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$12
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Nookie Drizzle
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$22
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$22
Nookie Drizzle
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$22 - Regular price
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$22
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Nookie Balancers
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$31
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$31
Nookie Balancers
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$31 - Regular price
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$31
Nookie Care Essentials
Why Choose Pink Nookie
At Pink Nookie, we believe your body deserves better than trial, error, and old wives’ tales.
We create pH-balanced, science-backed feminine hygiene products that keep your Nookie (and your confidence) right where it should be. Healthy, hydrated, and balanced.
No harsh ingredients, no outdated myths, no shame.
Where other brands sell “freshness" or "sexual desirability", we sell balance.
Where others chase trends, we focus on education and trust.
Because your Nookie care should work with your body, not against it.
And that’s what makes Pink Nookie different.
Want More Spooky Nookie Facts?
We’ve got plenty more where this came from. Follow us to see the rest of our Spooky Nookie Series all October long — the weird, the wild, and the downright creepy things women have been told to do in the name of “hygiene.”
🩷 Follow us on Instagram: @thepinknookie
🍋 Find us on Lemon8: @mrs.nookie_
Customers are saying
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Let customers speak for us
Never been a fan of body scrubs!
So I’ve never been a fan of body scrubs because they never seemed to do anything for my skin and seemed like they wouldn’t moisturize my skin. All it was, were some sugar and lots of fragrance. Ain’t no way Pink Nookie done changed my mind. When I first used the scrub I thought like yeah I ain’t gonna like this but truth is I freaking love it. Ain’t no damn say my skin should be this soft and smooth. I used it on my whole body including my face, also under my arms, the bottom of my feet. This scrub leaves your body feeling sooooo moisturized and the smell makes me hungry lol. Honestly after the scrub you dont even need the soft serve oil because the scrub alone leaves a good feeling but baby with the oil too. Whew Chile. Literally feeling as soft as a babies bottom. I swear this should be on a money back guarantee cause ain’t NO way in hell anyone gonna send it back. It’s that good!!!
Tamara
Soft Serve Bundle
Best product EVERRR
The OG GLAZE is by faaar my favorite!! The creamy texture from neing in the fridge has me obsessed 😍🥰 it smells soo good & then peppermint keeps you feeling & smelling fresh alll day & night. It helps with cramps pelvic pain if you have yeast it gi es you releif from that or any kind of irritation it makes your coochie feel brand new!! Spec after you shave 👌 i love using it on my face my under arms my booty i use it internally & externally def my bikini line! It never throws your ph off makes you feel more confident it helps with soo many different things just like the nookie glaze but this texture just hits different!!
Amisner M.
OG Glaze
Soft serveee baby I am ECSTATIC that this was
Soft serveee baby I am ECSTATIC that this was brought back out the vault. NOT only did Bre do her thing by bringing back this lovely product but she went a step further and brought a scrub to go with her 😮💨😮💨😮💨 absolutely amazing combination
Ariel C.
Soft Serve Body Oil
The glaze isnt called little miss do it apple for
The glaze isnt called little miss do it apple for no reason this product helps with a wide range of things. From helping with libido issues if you have them to eczema to clearing up acne to a diaper rash and let's not forget mosquito bites and cradle cap. I am sooooo happy I use pink nookie
Ariel C.
Nookie Glaze
Yallll don’t sleeeep on this soft serve👏🍨👏
Yallll don’t sleeeep on this soft serve👏👏 smooth operator she does everything she came to dooo! She will have your skin soft and smooth like butter but smelling like orange 🍨 💦 then top it off with that glow getter 💦
Amandakay
Soft Serve Body Scrub
The absolute best!!
The absolute best!! I didn’t understand what the hype was until I got my hands on her! Now I don’t want to finish my jar cause I want more. It’s so creamy and I love using it right out of the freezer! As you can see in the picture it’s almost gone 😩
EK
OG Glaze
A great body scrub that leaves your body feeling
A great body scrub that leaves your body feeling as soft as ever, without the fears of feeding into bad bacteria since it is a SALT scrub and not a sugar one!
Donesha S.
Nookie Scrub
When you’re feeling off balance just use the
When you’re feeling off balance just use the nookie balancers and your pH will be restored!
Donesha S.
Nookie Balancers
A feminine wipe in a bottle will help keep you
A feminine wipe in a bottle, will help keep you feeling fresh throughout the day. An absolute must have!
Donesha S.
Nookie Drizzle
Super beneficial great for daily use or even just
Super beneficial great for daily use or even just before getting intimate.
Donesha S.
Nookie Fruit
Truly the holy grail you can use this for
Truly the holy grail you can use this for almost anything! Definitely gets used daily!!!
Donesha S.
Nookie Glaze
The perfect product to use for baths especially
The perfect product to use for baths especially after having a period
Donesha S.
Nookie Bomb
Love this body wash down can’t go without
Love this body wash down can’t go without it!
Donesha S.
Honey Body Wash
Definitely great product that gives you a fresh
Definitely great product that gives you a fresh feel every time
Donesha S.
Nookie Cleanser
Leaves your skin so smooth!
Used this last night as my new nighttime routine. Started with nookie bomb soak, then washing up with the vspot bar, honey body wash, cleanser, then the SCRUB and ending with soft serve and berry drip. My skin was soooooo smooth it was unreal. I can’t believe how good this makes my skin feel. I should’ve ordered a little more lol
Tamara
Nookie Scrub
