How our community co-created a vulva & vaginal moisturizer that works

From your voice to version 2.o

Your lived experience + feedback led Menopause Chicks to create—and then perfect—a Health Canada-approved vulva & vaginal moisturizer

Shirley Weir is the founder of Menopause Chicks, an education-first community elevating the clarity of women's midlife health topics, such as vulva, vaginal, urinary & pelvic health

When I first surveyed members of the Menopause Chicks Community in 2016, I thought I knew what my members needed most.

I was in perimenopause, struggling with mood swings, sleep disruption, and brain fog. Surely everyone would want solutions for those symptoms, right?

The survey results told me something completely different.

Overwhelmingly, the #1 response was: "Find me a solution for vaginal dryness!"

That response made sense once I looked at the data: over 80% of women (especially those postmenopause) were living with vulva & vaginal dryness...yet less than 4% had a viable solution. This broke my heart 💔

We took action—with evidence as our guide

I brought this challenge to pharmacy colleagues who shared my commitment to evidence-based solutions. Together, we developed (and you tested) a hyaluronic acid + vitamin E moisturizer grounded in research.

The science supports this approach:

• Research by Dr. Petra Stute (Swiss gynecologist, 2013) demonstrates that moisturizing with hyaluronic acid is effective for treating vaginal dryness

• Both the International Society of Gynecologists (2021) and Menopause Society (formerly The North American Menopause Society) moisturizing with hyaluronic acid as first-line treatment

For years, our members used this formula with positive reviews. I'd been moisturizing myself for nearly seven years postmenopause to successfully prevent vulva and vaginal dryness.

Why it was time to re-formulate our vulva & vaginal moisturizer: meet Version 2.0

Because listening doesn't stop after launch.

By late 2023, our original formula required a review. Led by our collaboration with a menopause-certified practitioner, and communication with Health Canada and their ingredient watch lists, we reformulated and re-launched in fall 2025.

What changed—and why it matters

Original Formula included glycerin (a common moisturizing ingredient recently added to the watchlist) and several non-medicinal ingredients, that while effective for some, were concerning for others.

Version 2.0 streamlines the ingredient list:

Medicinal ingredients:

• Hyaluronic Acid (our evidence-based star ingredient)

• Vitamin E

Non-Medicinal ingredients:

• Aqua/Water

• Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum

• Jojoba Seed Oil

• Tocopherol Acetate

• Citric Acid

• Sodium Benzoate

• Potassium Sorbate

Hylaluronic acid and vitamin e are Health Canada approved for the prevention and treatment of vulva and vaginal dryness--something all women will experience (if we live enough!)

Why we removed glycerin: Not because glycerin is problematic across the board, but because it appears on Health Canada's watch list and can be irritating or cause yeast—especially for people with sensitivities to sugar, including those with diabetes.

What to expect with the new formula

The improved formulation has a new consistency. Past customers may notice it is not as thick. This means some may want to change how they apply. For example:

• Apply one pea-sized amount at a time (one internally, then one externally) to prevent moisturizer from running off your finger

• Once you adjust to the new consistency, you'll appreciate the cleaner ingredient profile, fast absorption and continued effectiveness

• The core science remains unchanged = hyaluronic acid + vitamin e delivering proven relief

This is what community-created means

From that first survey in 2016 to today's Version 2.0, you have shaped this product at every turn.

Your initial voices told us what mattered most. Your ongoing feedback helped to refine the formula. Your experiences continue to guide every decision.

Because when we say the Vulva & Vaginal Moisturizer was created by Menopause Chicks, for menopause chicks—we mean it.

Questions about the reformulated moisturizer? Reach out—I'm here to help you find what works for your body.

~Shirley

Founder, Menopause Chicks

p.s. I almost forgot! During the review process, we uncovered savings (for example, through high volume ordering). I am so proud to be able to pass these savings onto you! What used to cost $119 CAD for 90 g is now (exclusive re-launch price) $59 🇨🇦 for 100 g.

p.s.s. Now shipping to 🇨🇦 and the 🇺🇸! $59 Canadian is approximatley $43.31 US dollars [02/20/2026]. Your credit card company will calculate the exchange rate on the day of your transaction.