Biolab enters the intimate soap market with a natural active ingredient from the Brazilian Cerrado
Company launches the first intimate soap with repairing action produced by a pharmaceutical industry with extract from the bark of the Stryphnodendron adstringens plant
Around 40% of gynecological consultations are due to vaginosis and vulvovaginitis, which can cause itching, burning, strong odor and recurrent infections, directly impacting on women's well-being and self-esteem. To prevent these problems and contribute to proper daily hygiene, Biolab, one of Brazil's leading pharmaceutical companies, is launching Higicalm, an intimate soap based on Stryphnodendron adstringensIt is made from the extract of the bark of a plant native to the Brazilian cerrado, collected sustainably by women farmers in Anastácio, Mato Grosso do Sul.
Dr. Ana Helena Mattos, a gynecologist who is Biolab's partner in the development of Higicalm, explains that the Stryphnodendron adstringens is known in traditional folk medicine as barbatimão, and has always been part of the care routine of women in the interior of Brazil. From washing after childbirth to treating wounds, its use has been passed down from generation to generation. "When we delved deeper into the studies, we realized the immense potential of this plant, with healing, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and soothing properties, which are important for women at different stages of life."
Higicalm helps with proper intimate hygiene and daily prevention of different conditions, such as relieving mild vaginal discomfort, odor control, postpartum hygiene, discharge control and general infections. The specialist explains that the hygiene of this area is still a topic surrounded by doubts and taboos and, for this reason, many women resort to common soaps or intimate soaps without an adequate pH, which do not prevent the problem and can even worsen its condition.
The female intimate area is naturally vulnerable and requires specific care due to its unique characteristics. As Dr. Ana Helena Mattos explains, the vagina is a cavity with its own ecosystem, in which various microorganisms live, such as lactobacilli and other bacteria, which help maintain the local balance. However, it is a region that is sensitive to normal day-to-day changes in women, such as menstrual flow, heat, sweat or tight clothing, for example.
The vaginal mucosa, unlike the skin, has no protective keratin layer and is therefore highly absorbent and sensitive to substances applied there. "Everything that is placed there is absorbed differently, and the balance of this environment can be easily altered."
Higicalm is the pharmaceutical industry's first and only intimate soap with repairing properties that help soothe discomfort without altering the vagina's physiological microbiota, and is gynecologically friendly, dermatologically and clinically tested, without colorants and parabens that maintain the physiological pH of the area, combining quality assurance with the safety of optimal extraction of the active ingredient.
Dr. Ana Helena Mattos points out that not all issues related to intimate health need to be completely resolved. Many can just be alleviated to ensure comfort and well-being on a daily basis. Vaginal discharge, for example, is natural and important for the health of the area. Eliminating it completely would be harmful and could lead to dryness and other problems, especially in phases such as the menopause. "The aim is to balance and reduce discomfort, such as a stronger odor, without interfering with local physiology. The vagina must maintain its natural characteristics. It's daily care that also has a positive impact on the emotional aspect."
In addition to its commitment to health, the launch also has a sustainable and social bias. By using the cerrado plant, which is a National Genetic Heritage, Biolab follows the guidelines of the Biodiversity Law, contributing to sustainable use and promoting the fair sharing of benefits with the community and the environment. "Today, we're able to identify precisely which tree the bark from which a given batch of products was taken. It's more than an intimate soap. It's ancestral daily care that has now also been validated by science," adds Dr. Ana Helena, a gynecologist and partner of Biolab Farmacêutica.
About Biolab
Promoting a future with a better quality of life requires a tireless search for safe and innovative treatments. That's why Biolab, a Brazilian pharmaceutical company founded in 1997 and with an international presence, invests in research and partnerships to overcome the growing challenges of health.
With almost 4,000 employees and one of the largest Sales Forces in the country, the company stands out among Brazil's largest pharmaceutical companies. In 2025, it was recognized by LinkedIn Top Companies as one of the 15 best places to work in Brazil, based on criteria such as growth opportunities, skills development, diversity and stability.
Biolab operates in various specialties, such as dermatology, gynecology, orthopedics, gastroenterology, pediatrics, clinical medicine and the central nervous system, as well as being a leader in cardiology. The Biolab Genéricos, Avert Humana and Avert Biolab Saúde Animal business units contribute to a portfolio of more than 500 products.
Biolab is constantly growing. It has three production units, as well as a modern manufacturing complex under construction. And it doesn't stop there: in Canada, it is the first Brazilian pharmaceutical company with a research center and has acquired the company Exzell Pharma to expand its borders.
Long live evolution!