Personal lubricants (or lubes) are liquid gels designed for intimate activities. Available to everyone and available in multiple forms, personal lubricants provide essential aid during intimate activities.
As long as they contain body-safe ingredients and are compatible with STI barriers and toys, contraception products should be safe to use. You (or your partner) should also avoid anything which might trigger an allergy reaction.
What is a lubricant?
Lubricants serve multiple functions, from reducing friction between surfaces to making objects easier to move and adding sensation. Their primary goal, though, is preventing wear; when two materials come into contact they generate microscopic projections which cause friction and heat that damage materials over time. Lubricants reduce this friction by creating an adhesive film between them that protects them.
Oil-based lubricants are among the most frequently used. Constructed of mineral or synthetic oil and enhanced with additives that improve performance, these are often utilized in applications where continuous oil supply cannot be guaranteed such as open gears and bearings.
Non-liquid lubricants include solid materials such as graphite and PTFE, as well as powders like molybdenum disulphide and tungsten disulphide powders. These non-liquid lubricants work at higher temperatures than their liquid counterparts, often including pour point depressants, corrosion inhibitors, additives to repel water, and defoaming agents to break down foam bubbles.
Choosing a lubricant
Lubricants come in many varieties; you have your pick between water-based lubricants, silicone-based ones and organic personal lubricants. With so many choices, it may be difficult to select the one best suited to you.
As part of your selection process for lubricants, consider your needs carefully. Do you require something long-lasting or something easier to use and clean up afterwards?
Once you know exactly what it is you need, shopping is the next step. Before making a purchase, read over the ingredient list and note any potential allergens. Also consider trying different lubricants before selecting one as best for yourself; be wary of those designed to create extra sensation or with flavoring as these could cause irritation.
Using a lubricant
Lubricants can help reduce friction between body parts or between them and a sex toy during vaginal, anal or masturbatory sexual activity and increase pleasure during such activity. Lubricants may be used alone or combined with oral sex, vaginal penetration or intercourse sexual acts.
Most lubricants are water-based, though there are oil-based ones as well. Most contain humectants like glycerin or propylene glycol to retain moisture; thickeners may also help prevent spoilage quickly.
Studies demonstrate the beneficial effect of lubricants in terms of female sexual wellbeing during sex, but it’s essential that any chosen products contain ingredients which are safe for vaginal ecosystem. When selecting your lubricant it is wise to avoid products made with petroleum-based components or those promising antibacterial or anti-inflammatory effects, as these may upset healthy flora balance.
Taking care of your lubricant
Lubricants make sexual, masturbatory and toy play more comfortable by eliminating friction. Lubes come in various forms–water-based, silicone-based or oil-based–with some including additives like menthol, capsaicin or niacin to add tingle sensation and anesthetics to reduce discomfort during use.
Select a lubricant with an ideal pH level ranging between 3.8 and 4.5 to maintain optimal vaginal health. Lube with either lower or higher pH levels could disrupt the balance of healthy microorganisms within your vagina, potentially altering their ecosystem and altering how effectively you function as a sexual being.
Consider selecting a lubricant made of hydroxyethylcellulose-based material, which most closely mimics natural vaginal mucus. Avoid natural oils as lubes as these are difficult to wash away and could potentially be toxic for reproductive systems.
Make sure that bulk containers are clearly labeled, and rotate lubricant inventory regularly in order to preserve its ingredients and prevent contamination and extend its shelf life. Storing it in a clean, dry location will also keep its quality in optimal condition.
