With so many personal lubricants on the market it can be really hard to know which one you should use. I mean, between the ads, commercials and hearsay, how does one pick? It's enough to make your head pop! To make your life easier I'm going to give you the low down on all the different types of lubes and their benefits and drawbacks so that you can start having some slippery fun ASAP!
Before I get into all of the different types of lubes there are a few things that you'll need to think about when choosing, such as how you're going to be using it—vaginally, anally, on toys, with condoms---all of the above?? These things can make a difference. Then you've got some other things to consider, like do you want it flavored to use for oral sex? Do you want something that warms or tingles so you can add some spice to the usual or even use it for a hot and sensual massage? Also, are you allergic to anything? Latex perhaps? Just a few things for you to ponder...
Different Types of Lubes
Water-based Lubes:
- Most commonly used and manufactured
- Compatible with ALL toy material types
- Can be reactivated by adding water
- Offers the most variety including flavors, stimulating, natural, Etc.
- Washes away from the body quickly
Water based lubes are a godsend for anyone who may have allergies to contend with or even just sensitive skin. Water based lubes are safe to use with condoms and are easier to wash off than silicone or other lubes meaning no sticky mess on your skin or sheets. You can also find these in flavored and warming formulas. The downside; they don't always last as long as the silicone based lubes so you tend to need to 'top up' during play.
Silicone Lubes:
- Creates the longest lasting glide
- Can also be used for all over body massage
- Great for use in water (tub, shower, pool)
- Compatible with latex, rubber, glass, metal and plastic materials
- Not compatible with other silicone materials
- Feels like an "oil" but safer to use inside the body
Silicone lubes are also safe to use with condoms and come in flavored, warming, tingling, etc. The great thing about silicone lubes is how silky smooth they are and that they do tend to do the job a little longer than the water-based lubricants so that you get more bang for less lube! This is also the preferred option when using sex toys because they are thicker and can make things go a lot smoother with sex toys that are usually harder and less pliable than a real penis or finger. The downside; some do stain sheets and clothing and can get a little sticky on the skin.
Oil Based Lubes:
- It is possible for oils to trigger an infection when used vaginally, and oils are not compatible with rubber and latex
Oil based lubes are becoming a lot less common now that the most of the world is aware of their ability to eat away at condoms and lessen the effect of them as well as diaphragms and other contraceptives. While oil based lubes do provide a nice long lasting slide, they also tend to trap in bacteria which can wreak havoc vaginally and anally. Yeast infection anyone?
Anal Lubes: These are exactly what you think—lubricant made specifically for bum play. While you can use pretty much any type of lube anally, those made for the rear tend to be a little thicker, slicker and longer lasting than others. You can also find anal lubricants that are made of a desensitizing formula and that can be tempting when you consider the fact that there will, at least initially, be some pain or discomfort involved with anal penetration. One word of warning though; masking pain during anal play isn't necessarily a good thing because pain is your body's way of telling you that something is wrong. If you feel some pain during anal play, then you need to slow it down, be more gentle and if using a sex toy, stop and check for any damage or nicks to the toy before continuing on. You're better off taking your time and dealing with the pain than you are masking it.
Warming Lubes: It used to be that you had to head to a sex shop to get yourself some warming lubricants, but nowadays even the 'drugstore' brands are making them! Hurrah! Warming lubes offer something new to your sexual experience and can be especially nice on a cold sex toy! People have been concerned that they wouldn't be safe or could cause irritation but there haven't been any major issues reported and they are known to be safe. They come in water and silicone based formulas and range in price, though some makers happily charge more for the extra sensation. The plus side is that they offer something different from the usual and who doesn't like to feel all warm and cozy anyway? The downside; not always worth the extra money since things tend to get pretty hot down below during sex and sex toy play anyway. If you have sensitive skin, this may not be the best choice.
Flavored Lubes:
- Designed to enhance oral lovemaking
- Great to use with flavored condoms
- Can be used for oral play or penetration
Flavored lubes are great for those of you who are a little squeamish about oral sex! Why else would you need a flavored lubricant?? They come in all kinds of flavors, colors and prices and can be used on any part of the body for your tasty pleasure. The downside is that they tend to be stickier than other types of lubes and have been reported to dry out a lot faster as well. Also, you may want to be careful with your sheets and lingerie when using a colored one. As
fruitylicious as the color may make it; it can mark up fabrics and stain them permanently.
Enhancing Lubes:
- Designed to increase sensation for both partners
- Often include active ingredients like menthol that increase blood flow and awaken the nerve endings
Fairly new on the market, enhancing lubricants are made to enhance pleasure by way of tingling or even just upping the sensitivity. Again, many have questioned whether or not these are safe and so far there has been no evidence to suggest that they aren't perfectly safe. Whether or not they really do enhance your pleasure really comes down to personal preference. Some people love and even need the added sensation while others find it about as pleasurable as someone pouring alcohol onto a cut! You really won't know how much you'll enjoy an enhancing lube until you actually try it.
But wait..... There's MORE!!
Thick Lubricants
- Stays on the surface of the skin longer
- Provides more "cushion" feeling
- Reduces friction and sensation
- Ideal for anal penetration
Thin Lubricants
- Allows people to feel more sensation without friction
- Perfect for someone who wants a "kick start" and then their own lubrication takes over
- Often associated with "women's" formula (who generally prefer to feel more sensation during penetration)
And Lastly... A few more terms to know....
Glycerin-Free: Glycerin, which is a common ingredient in most water-based lubes, reacts in the body like a sugar. A growing number of women have noticed that glycerin-based products trigger yeast infections or vaginal irritation.
Paraben-Free: Parabens are a common preservative found in most beauty products, but some women have develop a sensitivity toward petrochemicals in the form of skin irritations. Most products with parabens are banned in Europe.
Fertility Friendly: Standard lubricants have the potential of blocking sperm as they travel toward the cervix, or change the ph balance environment inside the vagina. One of our customers, Jenni, (the inspiration behind this whole article) wrote in asking what lubricant we recommend as she is trying to conceive and her Doctor advised against KY. Not knowing the answer, she asked her Doctor and informed me that the lubricant of choice and the only one proven to help with sperm mobility / survival is a lubricant called
Pre-Seed. View corporate web site by clicking here:
http://www.preseed.com
Pre-Seed is a water-based lubricant specifically designed to be used by couples trying to conceive. While many lubricants can interfere with the conception process, either by slowing down sperm on their way to the cervix, or killing them off to to a pH mismatch, Pre-Seed is pH balanced to keep sperm alive and healthy.
Now that you know all you could possibly need to know about lube you should have an easier time choosing one. My suggestion is to research lubricants further and use this article as a guide. Also, buy trial sized packs or samples whenever possible and give all kinds a go because you never know which one will really tickle your fancy the best way for you. Besides, lubricants are like sex toys in themselves and can open you up to a whole new world of pleasure when it comes to sex toys, sex with a partner or even masturbation!
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