It used to be that there was one kind of personal lubricant. It came in a tube and you had to hide your embarrassment and ask the pharmacist to get it for you from behind the counter. Well, those days are gone. There is a wide variety of lubricants available for different uses, each with advantages and disadvantages, and they’re available right out by the condoms at your local pharmacy or grocery store. You can even get warming, tingling or flavored lubricants and the selection at adult novelty stores and online is amazing. So which lube is best for you?
NOTE – Lubricants are being applied to sensitive tissues. Any lubricant, commercial, natural or homemade, can cause an allergic reaction. Always do a patch test when using a new lubricant. BOTH PARTNERS should rub a small amount on the inside of their elbow and leave for 24 hours. If there is any redness or itchiness, throw out the lube.
Oil based lubricants – Commercially available oil based lubes are generally for masturbation. You probably already know this, but just as a reminder, NEVER use any kind of oil based lubricant with a latex condom. Oil breaks down the latex in the condom, making microscopic holes that can let through sperm and viruses like HIV and Herpes. Even if the oil is something natural like almond, coconut or jojoba, they can break down latex. Do not use massage oil, baby oil or petroleum jelly as a lubricant with latex condoms.
Water based lubricants – These are safe for use with latex condoms.
Advantages – They are easy to clean from skin and sheets. They are generally cheaper than silicone based lubes.
Disadvantages – They can dry out more quickly than silicone based lubes so you may have to apply more, especially if you’re doing something like tantric sex that takes a long time.
Silicone based lubricants – These are also safe for use with latex condoms.
Advantages – These are very slippery and don’t dry out as quickly as water based lubes so you may be able to use less.
Disadvantages – They are more expensive than water based lubes. They are not water soluble, so they can be very hard to wash from sheets. They can leave a “coated” feeling on the skin that some find unpleasant. They generally taste worse than water based lubes.
J -Lube – This is technically for “veterinary use only”. That’s right; for animals. It’s a powder that you mix with water. It is preservative, glycerin, sweetener and paraben free. 10 oz. of powder ( $18.95 at www.CheapLubes.com ) makes 6 gallons of lubricant.
Natural or Organic- No surprise here, these are the most expensive. Natural means no artificial dyes, flavors or colors. There are no parabens or petroleum products. Most natural or organic lubricants are water based with aloe vera as a major component. A few are silicone based, which is odd because silicone is not a natural ingredient. Additionally, organic means that the plant ingredients were grown without artificial fertilizers or pesticides. Don’t expect to find a lube that’s 100% organic because there’s no such thing as organic water.
NOTE – some natural or organic lubes have glycerin and/or sugar (glucose) and can therefore promote yeast infections.
Since personal lubricants are applied to mucous membranes, up to 60% of the chemicals can be absorbed into your bloodstream. There are some ingredients you may want to avoid or might just wonder, what the heck is this stuff?
Glycerin – A natural vegetable product, but promotes yeast infections.
Sweeteners – Promote yeast infections. Include honey, glucose, dextrose, sucrose, sorbitol and sucralose (saccharin and aspartame do not promote yeast growth).
Propylene Glycol – AKA Anti-freeze! Considered non-toxic and generally doesn’t cause allergic reactions. Not a known carcinogen. The most plentiful ingredient in many “warming” lubes.
Parabens – Low cost preservatives. There is some controversy because low levels of parabens have been found in breast cancer tumors. Some lubes will be labeled “paraben free” because of this concern.
Polyquaternium – Skin conditioner. Anti-microbial. Safe.
Cellulose Polymer – A thickening agent. Safe
Sodium Benzoate – Anti-microbial. Safe
Carbomer – Thickener. Safe
Potassium Sorbate – Preservative. Safe
EDTA – Normalizes pH. Safe
Urea – Rehydrates the skin. Safe
Arginine (also L-Arginine) – An amino acid, vasodilator, increases blood flow to genitals. Supposedly enhances genital sensitivity. Generally safe, but should be avoided by people with herpes.
Menthol – Found in “tingling” lubes. Safe
Tocopherols – Vitamin E. Safe
Dimethicone – Moisturizer, Safe.
Benzocaine, Lidocaine – Numbing agent in anal lubes, Safe.
NOTE: The same manufacturer will have different ingredients in different products. For example, KY Yours & Mine’s male formula contains glycerin and honey. Other KY products do not. Read the ingredients on any product you buy, not just any brand.
Home made lubricants – There are a variety of recipes on the web (see some on www.ehow.com) that use things such as corn starch, flax seeds (makes an oil based lube) and seaweed (algin). Most ingredients would be available at a health food store.
Advantages – They can be cheaper. They don’t contain chemical additives. They may be less allergenic.
Disadvantages – Since they don’t have preservatives, bacterial and fungal contamination is an issue, so they should be refrigerated. You must use sterile bowls, pans, utensils, surfaces and containers to make them.
Natural Oils – If you have a dryness problem, like after menopause, a natural oil might be a good choice. As mentioned before, do not use oils with condoms.
Advantages – They can be inexpensive. All are edible to some degree. They don’t dry out like water based lubes. They can be used for massage also. Unlike silicone, they can still be washed out of sheets.
Disadvantages – Most aren’t very thick. Although none of these need refrigeration, they don’t contain preservatives so don’t buy excessive amounts. Some options:
Virgin Coconut Oil – Thicker than most. Long shelf life. Has natural anti-yeast and anti-bacterial properties.
Jojoba Oil – Actually a liquid wax. Closest to our body’s natural oil (sebum). Natural anti-yeast and anti-bacterial properties.
Sweet Almond Oil – Naturally high in vitamin E. Long shelf life.
Apricot Kernel Oil
If you are trying to get pregnant, DO NOT use regular commercial or homemade lubricants. Even plain, non-spermicidal lubricants can kill sperm, interfere with sperm motility, change the pH of the vagina, and damage embryos. A conception friendly lubricant is available called “Pre-Seed”. Some of the bottles even come with free pregnancy tests! It does contain parabens, but no glycerin or propylene glycol. It is expensive. Nine single use applicators are $13. This manufacturer also makes a lubricant for everyday use called Pre’ . It is pH balanced and is guaranteed not to cause itching or burning. This may be a good option if you’ve had trouble with irritation from other lubes. These are available online through different fertility websites like MommyBound.com and TheFertilityShop.com .
So whatever your need, there is a lubricant for you. Just be sure to match the lubricant to your use. Never use oil based lubricants with condoms. If you have a problem with yeast infections, avoid glycerin and sweeteners. Both partners should always do a patch test with a new lube. Otherwise, have a happy, slippery sex life!
“Personal Lubricants – Finding the right personal lubricant” – by Cory Silverberg http://sexuality.about.com/od/sextoys/a/lubricants.htm
Lubricant Ingredients – http://www.wikipedia.org/
“Pregnancy and Personal Lubricants” by Stephanie Crumley Hill – http://www.ehow.com/about_5208279_pregnancy-personal-lubricants.html
