Personal lubricant is a substance designed for intimate encounters that reduces genital friction by making surface slippery.
They can increase sexual pleasure both with and without condom, relieve vaginal dryness and prevent condom tearing.
There are 6 categories of lubricants.
water based lubricants can be used for all types of intimate encounters including vaginal intercourse, anal intercourse, oral sex and masturbation. They are also latex condom and toy compatible. Their main feature is that they are smooth and slick but not sticky and messy like silicone and oil based lubes. Since they are water-soluble, skin and mucous membranes will absorb them, making it a breeze to clean up. You can easily wash off water based lube with warm water and soap.
This however means that you might have to periodically reapply it or reactivate it with water. This is one of the chief drawbacks of water based lubes.
One thing to watch out for in many water based lubes is glycerin, which can turn to sugar in the vagina causing yeast infection in sensitive women.
We recommend glycerin free water-based lubricants like Sliquid, Wet Naturals
Other suggestions for water based lubes:
Astroglide: Maybe the most popular water-based lube out there. It’s on the thin side, but nice and slick, and long-lasting. If you’ve never used lube and are just looking to try something out, Astroglide is a great place to start.
Slippery Stuff Gel: It’s thick and very long-lasting, but gets somewhat stringy as it dries
Wet: This one is almost as popular as Astroglide, but Wet is a bit thicker.
Flavored Lubricants are water-based and are designed for oral sex. Most contain sugar or glycerin that turns into sugar in the vagina so we do not recommend them for vaginal intercourse unless it is a sugar free version like Wet Flavored Body Glide or ID Juicy Lubricant.
Silicone-based lubes are similar to water-based lubes, but are generally greasier and longer lasting despite having a thinner texture. With silicone lubricants, a little goes a long way so your bottle will last longer. What’s more; you can actually use them in water and they’ll still work. They’re not quite as easy to clean up as water-based lubes, though.
Silicone based lubricants can be used for all types of intimate encounters including vaginal intercourse, anal intercourse, masturbation, and massage. They are latex condom compatible and can be used with non-silicone adult toys. Ingesting silicone lubricant is not harmful, but may result in an upset stomach.
Suggestions for silicon-based lubes include:
Wet Platinum: By the makers of Wet, naturally, this is high quality and very long-lasting.
Pjur Eros Bodyglide: A super-concentrated, silicone formula, this is one of the longest lasting, best skin conditioners available
ID Millennium: ID Millennium is a good lube, but not quite as smooth as Eros or Wet Platinum. It’s still a good choice, however. This silicone lubricant works great as an oil-free massage lotion too! ID Millennium Moisturizing Silicone Lubricant will not harm latex or rubber. It also stays slick under water so you can have fun in the bathtub, shower, or hot tub!
Sliquid Silver: The Glycerin and Paraben free formula make it hypoallergenic and non-toxic. The Silicone formula is compatible with latex and plastic. Sliquid is waterproof and ideal for sensual massage. Long lasting.
Oil lubricants are only recommended for male masturbation and non-genital massage because they cause bacteria growth in the vagina and are not condom compatible. They are made out of medical grade mineral oil, petroleum or natural plant oil extracts. They can also be used as moisturizer.
Products designed specifically as a lube for male masturbation include Happy Penis, Boy Butter. Just don’t use it for penetration.
Warming and Tingling Lubricants
Warming and cooling lubricants are designed to add excitement to oral sex, massage, and masturbation. When they are blown on or rubbed, they create a warming or cooling feeling depending on the product. They can be used for vaginal intercourse and anal intercourse, but it is possible that some individuals may experience an uncomfortable or excessive warming sensation. If this occurs, wash off immediately. They are also toy and latex condom compatible.
Our suggestion for Warming and Cooling Lubricants are:
ID Sensations Warming Liquid and System jo personal warming
As mentioned above, many lubricants are safe for anal sex, but there are products that are specifically designed to enhance the anal sex experience. Many of the anal lubricants contain benzocaine, a numbing agent that will numb the anal area for a more comfortable experience. Others like Astroglide Shooters do not have a numbing agent, but are conveniently packaged for ease of application. You may also like using Kinklab lube shooter for easy application of any lube.
Our suggestion for lubes specifically designed for anal use are Pjur analyse me! andSystem jo anal personal lubricant