Personal lubricants are an effective way to enhance sexual pleasure, heighten sensation and relieve pain during intercourse. Containing ingredients such as glycerin that prevents water evaporating too rapidly and preservatives that inhibit microorganism growth, these lubricants provide maximum sexual pleasure with maximum sensuality and sensation during each encounter.
Choose a lubricant with minimal and safe ingredients, and steer clear of those like menthol (which may trigger anal itching), as well as anything that you are sensitive to.
Choosing the Right Lube
Lube can play an essential part in creating an enjoyable sexual experience, whether that means penetrative sex, masturbation or with a sex toy. But not all lube is created equal – with so many types available nowadays it may require some experimentation before finding what suits your personal needs best.
Some lubes contain ingredients that could potentially harm vaginal or rectal microbiota, or can alter pH levels of vaginal canal or anal tissue. Furthermore, some have high osmolality that draws water away from cells and causes irritation.
To avoid such dangers, always read product labels carefully when buying products at your local pharmacy or big box store, particularly those which contain potentially allergenic or sensitizing ingredients. Also make sure that any hypoallergenic options contain ingredients suitable for you without potentially irritating allergy reactions.
Oil-Based Lubes
Oil-based personal lubricants such as baby oil, mineral oils and petroleum jelly can make excellent personal lubricants for intimate massages and intimate encounters. Their longer-acting properties also help moisturize dry tissues to reduce friction during sex sessions while simultaneously moisturizing dry patches to decrease friction levels and enhance comfort during sex sessions. Unfortunately they leave behind an oily sticky residue which staining can result in; moreover they degrade latex condoms/diaphragms making them incompatible with many sex toys.
Oil-based lubes may contain additives like fragrances or dyes that could irritate delicate vaginal or anal tissue, while their higher osmolality can draw water out of cells in tissue and increase your susceptibility to sexually transmitted infections. To minimize any such issues, look for lubricants with few ingredients and low osmolality levels. To minimize risks associated with these lubricants, look for ones with short ingredient lists and low osmolality levels.
Water-Based Lubes
While oil- and silicone-based lubricants may stain delicate linens, water-based lubes are much simpler to use; they’re washable away easily for effortless lubeing with latex condoms and provide a natural, silky sensation.
Water-based lubes are among the best choices for vaginal intercourse and anal play, as they’re gentler on skin than their silicone-based counterparts and less likely to irritate genital tissue – an advantage for people with sensitive skin, UTIs or yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis or vulva irritation issues.
Water-based lubes offer similar versatility as silicone-based versions; they’re suitable for masturbation, anal, penetrative sex and shower sex use. In fact, they’re particularly suited to shower sex when combined with wet or dry toys and may need frequent reapplying during extended anal/vaginal activity.
Natural Lubes
People often opt for natural lubricants as an alternative to chemical-laden alternatives, particularly for intimate use. Natural options may include coconut oil and aloe vera; vegan or organic ingredients without pesticide sources may also be included in their formulation.
However, many of these products lack clinical studies that demonstrate their safety for vaginal and anal use. Furthermore, some may contain ingredients unsuitable for sensitive areas like glycerin or diethanolamine (DEA).
An individual can test lubricants by applying it to an area of skin and monitoring how it feels over time. If any irritation develops, it’s wiser to look elsewhere for their product. In the same way that we consider food before eating it, why not extend that principle when selecting sexual lubricant products as well? For best results consider water-based options that are both condom-safe and toy-safe products for testing out sexual lubricant options.
