Choosing the right lubricant can be confusing. You might even wonder if you need it at all. In this blog post, I’m breaking down exactly who needs to use lube and how you know which is the best option for you.
Just like sex toys, there’s now an overwhelming number of lubricants out there to choose from. You might find yourself sticking to your old faithful or whatever you can grab quickest at the supermarket.
Along with the folks at PleasureBase, who help you find the best pleasure toys and intimacy products at the right price, I’m here to make choosing the right lube for you, simple and straightforward.
Do I really need lube?
Let’s start with the first question I get when talking about lube: Do I really need it?
Using lube can increase your pleasure and add to your turn on. While some people feel embarrassed or inadequate when using lube, there’s really no need to.
Using lubricant doesn’t mean you’re not turned on or that you’re not doing it right. There are a number of factors that can impact a woman’s lubrication including stress, hormonal changes and dehydration.
Even if you lubricate adequately, adding lubricant can increase sensation and therefore your pleasure. So, whether you’re self pleasuring or getting intimate with a partner, using extra lubricant is a good option.
* Even if you are using lubricant make sure you spend at least 15-20 minutes in foreplay when having penetration sex. This dramatically increases a woman’s chance of reaching orgasm and reduces the likelihood of any pain.
What kinds of lubes are there?
There are 3 main types of lubricant available:
- Water based
- Oil based
- Silicone based
There are also:
- Combination or Hybrid lubes
- And specialised anal lube
So, which kind of lube is best?
Choosing the right lube for you can largely depend on what you’re planning on using it for. Sometimes, you may need to try a few options to find the one you like best.
Let’s look at each in more depth.
Water-based lubricants
Water based lubes are versatile and popular. The only downside being they can become sticky and tacky as they dry out.
I recommend:
Use with:
Toys
Condoms
Don’t use with:
There’s nothing it can’t be used for
Silicone based lubricants
Silicone based lubricants are popular due to their ‘silky’ feel and long-lasting nature. They don’t become sticky or tacky like water-based lubes.
Because silicone can’t be absorbed through the skin, silicone based lubes stay where they are until they’re washed off with soap.
Silicone lubes can’t be used with silicone sex toys as over time they’ll cause the materials to break down.
I recommend:
Use with:
Condoms
Don’t use with:
Silicone sex toys
Oil based lubricants
There are two types of oil based lubricants:
Natural oils and synthetic oils (like mineral oils and Vaseline).
Stay away from synthetic oils.
Oil based lubes can feel great but can’t be used with latex condoms as they cause weakness in the latex.
Use for:
Toys
Don’t use with:
Condoms
Combination/Hybrid lubes
Some lubes are now made of a combination of bases, giving you the best of both worlds. The fusion of silicone and water in products like the System JO Classic Hybrid Lubricant provides silky longevity with a no-fuss clean up.
I recommend:
Use with:
Condoms
Don’t use with:
Silicone sex toys
Anal lubes
Using lubricant (and I can’t stress this enough) is an absolute must for anal sex.
Specialised anal lubes are more concentrated than other lubricants due to the delicate nature of the rectal lining and the fact that the anus does not produce its own lubrication.
I recommend:
Use with:
Condoms
Don’t use with:
Silicone sex toys
What to avoid
Stay away from lubes containing glycerin, spermicides, petroleum, parabens, or those with a warming/tingling action as these increase a woman’s risk of yeast infections.
Glycerin breaks down into sugar and can cause yeast infections. Spermicides often contain nonoxynol-9 (N-9) which can irritate the delicate skin of the vagina and increase a woman’s risk of contracting an STI.
Stay away from synthetic oils and mineral oils like petroleum based products (like Vaseline). They shouldn’t be put inside your body.
Still unsure?
Here are the top 3 lubricants that I recommend:
- Sliquid H2O Original Water-Based Lubricant – a great ‘all-rounder’
- System JO Classic Hybrid Lubricant – not for use with silicone sex toys
- Pjur Original Silicone Lubricant – not for use with silicone sex toys
