Personal lubricants can make sexual activity more comfortable when one or both partners don’t produce enough natural lubrication themselves. Furthermore, personal lubricants may also be used medically for inserting vaginal or rectal suppositories.
Try to find a natural-based lube made with aloe vera or another plant extract as opposed to something made with glycerin, propylene glycol or any spermicides as these chemicals could irritate healthy vaginal or anal tissue.
Silicone
Silicone is a broad category of synthetic polymers composed of chains alternating silicon and oxygen atoms, making up its chains. Silicone can be customized through the addition of organic groups for different formulations and properties; in personal lubricants made from silicone-based personal lubricants there’s often no evaporation or dry out, eliminating additives like glycerin (which disrupts vaginal flora and may lead to yeast infections) or petroleum jelly (which damages latex) from personal lubricants made with silicone-based personal lubricants.
These long-lasting silicone lubes are known for their smooth feel and long lifespan, though they may be less forgiving when it comes to handling rough textures or kinks than water-based formulas. Furthermore, silicone products tend to be more costly. Conversely, water-based lubricants (liquid or gel form) can be found toy/condom safe and require no preservatives unlike silicone options which often include them. When selecting water-based options make sure the ingredients end in “cone or siloxane”.
Oil
Personal lubricants provide slipperier and cushionier fun during intimate encounters while helping prevent skin abrasion. Genital lubrication also enhances sensation, can reduce pain during penetration, and enhances pleasure with silicone toys.
Many lubricants contain ingredients that may irritate vaginal walls and disrupt the delicate balance of bacteria in your vaginal environment, including glycerin, propylene glycol and paraben preservatives. When not completely rinsed away with soap and water, these substances can lead to infections like thrush.
Aloe Cadabra Natural Aloe Lubricant has been designed to promote vaginal health. With an ideal pH level of 4.2 and an osmolality below WHO recommended levels (1,200mOsm/kg), this water-based product will not stain clothes or sheets while being compatible with condoms or silicone toys – making it easy to use and rinse away after each use or rinse session. Furthermore, this lube’s long shelf-life also makes for easy application – though over time it does become tacky as all water-based products tend to do.
Water
Water is one of the most versatile lubricants, useful as both an anal, vaginal, and penile lubricant. For women concerned about irritation and easy cleanup, it may be the ideal choice. Some water-based lubricants contain antimicrobials to combat potential bacterial infections so be sure to read the label thoroughly!
Krychman advises women to choose water-based lubricants with an acidity level that complements that of their vagina. High pH levels could alter the balance of microbiomes in their vagina and cause issues like thrush or other symptoms to arise.
Some water-based lubes incorporate cooling ingredients like menthol or caffeine for a cooling, tingling sensation. Other varieties may also feature flavor or fragrance notes while some even feature warming elements to increase blood flow. Water-based lubricants often outlast oil-based options but may be difficult to clean off sex toys and degrade latex condoms more quickly, less effective as herpes barriers but nonetheless decreasing friction and pain during penetration.
Natural
Many people prefer natural lubricants over those containing ingredients that could potentially cause irritation or an allergic reaction, such as glycerin which promotes vaginal yeast growth leading to thrush, propylene glycol found in many commercial lubricants, perfumes that can trigger allergies, or chlorhexidine gluconate which irritates tissues.
Many lubricants contain chemicals like sulfates and parabens which could disrupt your body’s delicate ecosystem. Natural lubricants should be free from these ingredients as well as being unscented/flavored as this could increase irritation levels further.
One of the top natural lubricants available today is Shibari Organics’ coconut oil-based formula, which does not contain glycerin, propylene glycol or perfumes and has been tested to be safe with condoms. Over 800 reviews rate it highly!
