There are many factors involved with choosing the right lubricant for your intimate adventures. Let us help you with our guide to personal lubricants!
The first time I went into an adult shop, I didn’t understand why there were so many lubes available. Having now worked in a sex shop, I can totally understand why.
There are Many Factors When Considering Lubes
So many factors involved with choosing the right lubricant for your intimate adventures. Hopefully this post helps narrow that down for you.
While researching specific numbers and ingredients for this, I found numerous science-based blogs already out there about this. But they were all outside of Australia and talk about a lot of lubes not often found in adult shops.
Slippery When Wet – A Guide To Personal Lubricants
Can’t I just use one lube?
Well, yes. And no. Given that you’re reading this, and not simply buying cheap lube from the supermarket, chances are you are having bad reactions to the cheap stuff, or you require something for a more specific reason.
So what is you want your lube for?
Fit for Purpose – Slippery When Wet
There are a ton of lube brands out there, and a variety of different bases (water, silicone, etc). First step is making sure you know exactly what you’re hoping to get from your lube purchase.
This guide will help point out the best solution for your needs, be they for vaginal, anal or oral sex, or when playing with toys.
Vaginal Intercourse
Often lubrication isn’t needed for vaginal sex.
But there are a number of reasons a vagina may not be as slippery as usual with factors such as health issues, medications including birth control, cancer treatments, smoking STIs, low libido.
Having less sex than you’re used to, stress, fatigue, menopause, sensitivity to chemicals, and dehydration (which is where alcohol comes in to play).
Looking at Vaginal PH Levels
Beyond this requirement for hydration, the next thing to be looked at is your vaginal pH levels, your flora. And how it may be reacting to your current lube and causing itching, burning, pain or a manner of such ill effects.
Your pH levels can be easily worked out with a kit available from the chemist.
While I won’t go into the importance of why, you can read up a sciencey page about vaginal pH levels over here. But simply, pH is a scale of acidity from 0 to 14, with 0 being the most acidic, and 14 being the most basic.
A typical vaginal pH level is around 3.8-4.5, acidic enough to fight away nasty bacteria, right up to about 7 on the pH scale.
Why does this matter about lube?
I’m glad you asked. The easiest answer is that anything added can affect these pH levels. It can lead to an assortment of health issues such as Bacterial vaginosis (BV) and thrush, as well as being more prone to catching an STI.
So top choice for vaginal intercourse is a silicone based lubricant, with its fewer ingredients it is less likely to lead to osmolality.
By not absorbing into your skin, and instead creating a layer on top of your skin, silicone lube lasts a lot longer than water based lubes.
Silicone based lube is also safe to use with condoms, and in fact is typically what is used for pre-lubed condoms to stay slippery when wet.
To ensure that flora is kept in balance, look to Pjur Woman, specifically designed to do exactly that. If you’re not overly sensitive, run with SuperSlyde or the Pjur Original Bodyglide.
You might think they seem expensive, but you’ll use a lot less of these ones than you would with your supermarket brands (typically water based anyway).
Why would you use water based lubes for vaginal sex then?
First up, if you’re using (most) toys, silicone lube will start to damage your favourite toy (see below).
Silicone lube, by being such a great, long lasting product that can even be used in the shower. Also has that as a deterrent to some: it can take some time to clean up.
Water based lube on the other hand is easy to wash off, or can be left to absorb completely into the skin.
Although a clean up after is highly recommended to get rid of latex residue if using condoms. Or to wash away semen as sperm likes to thrive in a higher pH level.
Avoid flavoured or warming lubricants in vaginal sex.
Sugars (glycerine) in flavoured lubes don’t belong there, and warming lubes will seriously throw out your osmolality.
Anal Intercourse – Slippery When Wet
The Anal pH levels however sit fairly neutral, around 6-7 and remain that way regardless of hormonal cycles or age.
But unlike a vagina, the anus produces no lubricant, so a pain-free experience enjoyed by both will always require this to be added.
Once again, long lasting silicone based lube is the best option here. SuperSlyde and Pjur Original Bodyglide are decent for this, however Pjur does have a specific range for back door play.
Both Pjur Analyse Me and Pjur BackDoor have a relaxing silicone anal glide line, thicker than their standard range for a longer lasting lpay time.
So what’s the difference between the two?
Pjur BackDoor range is aimed at gay men, with a higher concentration of the main ingredients, designed for a more ‘rigorous’ session.
Both of these products also contain natural, relaxing jojoba. I often try to steer folks away from anal numbing lubes and gels, as pain is there for a reason. To let your body know that maybe you’re pushing things a little to far too fast.
By not using numbing gels, it means your body can feel pain. But provided you let yourself relax, and build up to the penetration, then things should go smoothly.
Which is where the jojoba comes into play.
While it’s not a numbing ingredient, it is a relaxant and jojoba was originally used by Native Americans to treat burns and skin ailments. As well as taken by pregnant women to assist with childbirth.
There are also some great water based lube options for anal play. I’ve listed them below in the toy section.
Though they can still be used for regular anal penetration if you were after something a little easier to clean up or something slightly cheaper.
Oral Sex – Slippery When Wet
As your mouth is already pretty good at generating lubrication in the form of saliva, the most common idea behind oral lubes is to add flavour.
I should probably clarify here, that by oral sex I’m referring to felatio, as again, these sugary lubes aren’t good for vaginas.
Not all flavours are created equal, just as ice cream flavours vary widely between brands. So straight off the bat here, I’m not talking about those flavours you maybe got at a supermarket or at an adult shop many years ago.
No, here we’re talking about the good stuff.
I really can’t go past the Wicked Aqua range of flavoured lubes here.
Since there are testers at work, I can say I’ve tried them all and Wicked wins hands down every time (perhaps with the exception of Jo Gelato TiraMisu – mind blowing!)
Sometimes when I’m offering the testers to customers, they are hesitant to actually taste them, given that they are indeed lubes.
But when I tell them that at Sexpo they were being served up on ice cream, that usually sets them well along the path to tasting a good few of them.
My Favourites
From their range, my favourite would be Wicked Aqua Cinnamon Bun. Essentially, it’s a liquid donut (mm, maybe I should add some to my next coffee?)
There are others in this spectrum, like Mocha Java and Vanilla Bean. On the fruitier side, they have Pomegranate, Sweet Peach, Candy Apple and Cherry Cordial (though those last two are super sweet!)
They also just released three new wicked (pun intended) flavours. Watermelon, Strawberry and Cherry (not as sweet as the cordial version).
Toy Play – Slippery When Wet
When it comes to toy play, there is generally one hard and fast rule. Only water based lubes can be used on silicone toys, even if the toy isn’t 100% silicone.
Why?
Simple – silicone lube can weaken and destroy silicone toys causing them to tear.
Thankfully, there are a lot of great water based lubes on the market (and some really shit ones too), whether or vaginal or anal toy play.
Intimate Earth has a great range of lubes and massage oils.
A natural, water based product without parabens or glycerin. For a more sensitive vagina, Intimate Earth Defense is a protection glide designed specifically with a woman’s flora in mind.
Pjur also has multiple water based lubricants
Although with over 20 years in the game, are definitely the go-to brand.
Not only do they have Pjur Aqua, they also have Pjur Aqua Basic. A lighter formula at a more affordable price to allow their customers a preiview of their range.
For vaginal play, the Pjur Woman range is all about keeping those pH levels balanced and have a few great offerings in the water based range. Pjur Woman Aqua is a classic, long lasting water based lubricant for use with all toys.
Nude is designed for the more sensitive ones, containing no glycerin, parabens or preservatives. They also have a Vegan and Aloe Vera range in the water based lubes.
Both of the above companies, Pjur and Intimate Earth, have water based anal specific lubes on offer.
Pjur Analyse Me Comfort Water Anal Glide has an enriched moisturising solution. Also contains hyaluron, increasing the viscosity of the lube without bringing in the stickiness.
Intimate Earth Soothe is also viscous, almost to the point of being a gel and is paraben-free, DEA-free, condom and toy safe, and even completely vegan.
Not all toys only need water based lubes.
Toys made from steel, aluminium, ceramic, glass, wood or stone are all compatible with silicone. With steel products, I’d always recommend using Surgilube.
Sure, there are heaps of different lubes out there, and some are a lot cheaper than the ones I’ve listed. But if you’re using a product to go where the sun don’t shine, do you really want to skimp on that?
Just as you don’t want to use a toy with phthalates, you sure don’t want to put other impurities into your system.
A final note about searching for a lubricant that doesn’t affect your flora.
Most manufacturers and sciencey blogs out there suggest applying a little below your armpit and wearing that for a while to see if you have any adverse reactions to the new lube.
Get the most comprehensive range of lubricants at the adult lifestyle centers.
Wet Stuff Secrets Lubricant
Already a revolution in the intimate world. It is made specifically for special and natural personal lubrication to allow one to fully enjoy sexual relationships.
Thanks to its light texture and its silicone base it comes into play not only during contact with each other sexually. But also makes a great massage or water-barrier.
It is a long lasting option for everyone who wants to get slippery when wet.
Wet Stuff will surprise you with how good it is for the price plus it just contains low molecular grade and medical grade silicon.
Silicone does not get absorbed by the body and diluted by water so you can use it for anal purposes, too.
Not to mention, it is has not taste or color. You will be blown away by this innovative lubricant.
Enjoy its mild and pleasant warmth when massaging it on your lovers body as part of your foreplay. It is perfect for every encounter.
Be fully prepared to apply on the body, intimate areas like nipples, anal areas, lips, clit, etc there are so many places it suits.
Heat Up Your Relationship – Slippery When Wet
Are you tired of your relationships since they are always the same and want to heat them up?
If you want to break monotony and are seeking for something new, then this is for you- yes! You’re in luck. This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to discover a genuine lubricant.
A new way to ignite the flame of passion and get Slippery When Wet
This is perfect for improving your sex or using sex toys, you should use it with your partner. You can always use this quality lubricant to give a gentle massage.
Good news is, this product is dermatologically tested and it is compatible with latex condoms.
Silicone based lubricant are extraordinary in that their structure is not water based. Which, for all intents and purposes, implies the lube doesn’t dissipate or go away amid use (as all water based ones do).
When they were presented they were a vital other option to oil based, which don’t go away, however do wreck condoms. This silicone lube is condom perfect.
Actually silicone was a material used by condom makers to allow lubricant to be attached to them.
In the mid-1990s lube manufacturers started making silicones personal lubricants due to their resistance to water and longevity without drying up. From that point forward there has been a huge innovation into the quality of it and the quantity available on the market.
Be ready to apply on the body, intimate areas like lips, nipples, clit.
If you like delicate and silky wetness, you will simply love it. Some benefits of using silicone lubrication include the following.
Since these lubes contain no water they last a long time, so they’ll stay smooth for quite a while. Silicone is incredible for individuals with delicate skin.
They can also be used for full body rubs, and they’ll leave your skin delicate, smooth and soft. Great for sex in the shower or hot tub. Texture is silky smooth
Below I have listed some main reasons why people use silicone lubrication during sex and get slippery when wet.
If you simply need to improve things. Regardless of the possibility that you don’t think you require lube, it merits experimenting with a superb universally handy assortment. “Lube just improves sex,” says Notte.
It doesn’t dry out and moisturizes the skin creating a protective barrier. Great for delicate skin
Ideal to use during that ‘time of the month’ as it will ensure that any leaks will not dry out and cause friction . Will not alter the ph or other levels of the vagina
It will act as a protective barrier on the penis reducing the chance of STIs. Increases the stimulation with the silky smooth wetness. Can be used in both foreplay and sex
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