Personal lubricants, more commonly referred to as “lube,” are gels designed to reduce friction during sexual activities by applying it to your penis, vagina or anus during intimate encounters. By doing so, they reduce friction between body parts or toys used during sex activities and enhance pleasure.
Lubricants can be used for various reasons; from those having trouble with natural lubrication to those using them simply for fun or curiosity.
What is a lubricant?
Lubricants are substances used to control (and reduce) friction and wear between moving surfaces, typically by liquid, solid or gaseous means. Lubricants come in all shapes and forms; liquid, solid or gaseous are commonly employed. Most are composed of base oil with additives added on. In some instances thickeners or viscosity modifiers may also be included for optimal performance.
Liquid lubricants can be divided into several distinct categories, including mineral, synthetic/semi-synthetic or environmentally acceptable oils derived from renewable resources like vegetable oils, animal fats or recycled petroleum products.
There are three basic forms of lubrication: boundary, mixed and full film. Boundary lubrication occurs when two surfaces come in contact, yet are separated by an oil film that absorbs and dissipates heat to lower surface temperatures and eliminate friction and wear. Oils with anti-wear additives or extreme pressure (EP) additives cling tightly to metal surfaces to form a protective sacrificial layer against wear – an extremely effective form of lubrication under most conditions.
Silicone-based lubricants
Silicone-based lubricants are highly effective at reducing friction between surfaces that normally restrict movement. Furthermore, silicone spray lubricants provide added protection by displace moisture which causes corrosion – as well as keeping dust, sand and dirt at bay when working with tools and equipment.
Silicone lubricants differ from oil in that they remain slippery for extended periods and don’t need constant reapplication, while being safe to use in tubs or showers without running out as quickly. Although silicone-based lubes may work great with silicone toys, over time their use could degrade the material over time and be detrimental.
Water-based lubes are well-regarded for their versatility and gentle nature, however, their application can be messy. Furthermore, they may not be compatible with some toys (like latex condoms) and may cause skin irritation for certain people. Furthermore, due to drying out quickly they need reapplying more frequently than silicone-based lubricants.
Oil-based lubricants
Oil-based lubricants like baby oil and mineral oils tend to provide longer-acting lubrication compared with water-based ones, while moisturizing dry tissues and increasing comfort during sex or sensual massage. Most often made up of natural oils or petroleum-derived hydrocarbons (derived ultimately from crude oil), while some use synthetic hydrocarbons or combinations thereof such as blends of plant extracts; additionally they often include additives like antifoaming agents and viscosity index improvers lubricants also frequently feature in formulations made this way.
Oil-based lubricants may stain bed sheets and are difficult to clean, while they may also degrade latex condoms and silicone pelvic tools or sex toys, rendering them unsuitable for vaginal lubrication unless you are using one with an airtight seal. It is wiser to opt for products without added fragrances or flavors as this could alter vaginal pH balance and contribute to yeast infections; so choose one without glycerin, parabens or petrochemicals instead.
Water-based lubricants
These water-based lubricants come packaged in clear bottles for easy identification, and offer smooth lubrication with little friction or cleanup afterwards. Latex compatibility also makes these latex-safe products suitable for use with most condom types without risking their integrity.
Many lubes contain ingredients designed to stimulate sexual activity. Warming or tingling effects may add extra pleasure during sexual encounters; use alongside vaginal moisturizer for an unforgettable sexual experience!
Recent research conducted at Vanderbilt University demonstrated five commercially available over-the-counter lubricants were effective and well tolerated for vaginal dryness and dyspareunia treatment, meeting WHO guidelines on osmolality and pH, with all showing improvements in FSFI scores after four weeks of use.
