You talk about good lubrication a lot but what’s the difference between all the different kinds and how do I choose?
Great question. Your lube is a personal choice and there isn’t one lube that everyone will love. Here’s a brief outline of the types of lubes available and what you can expect. If you care about what you put in your body and try to buy organic, then an organic lube makes sense as your vagina is as absorbent as your mouth.
If you’re prone to thrush or UTI’s, avoid lubes loaded with sugar or fructose. Manufacturers seem to be copping on to the need for non-sugar products for those prone to yeast infections but also for diabetics and those watching their blood sugar levels.
Aspartame is an alternative sweetener often used so if you’re okay with that, it’s a good alternative to sugar. Glycerine is similar to sugar and is used to add slip to water-based lubes. While it may not act like sugar, some people have reactions to it.
Lubes sold for oral play are usually flavoured and sweetened, and if a lube claims to warm, cool, tingle, is flavoured or scented, it’s likely to have ingredients that could irritate so always read the ingredients.
Water based lubes:
Clean, no mess, can be used with toys and condoms. The consistency is usually quite water like and it can dry quickly and get sticky. Reapply often
Silicone lubes:
Thicker than water-based, safe with condoms but not with silicone toys (pop a condom over your toy-problem solved). Often a better choice if prone to dryness as it isn’t absorbed as quickly as water-based.
Hybrid lubes:
Combination of silicone and water-based. Stays slippery longer than water, often safe with silicone toys
Oil based lubes:
Moisturising, long-lasting, lovely for massage, messy, can stain, can irritate, safe with toys but not with condoms. You can opt for a natural nut oil such as organic coconut oil you cook with, or sweet almond oil. Or you can buy oil based lubes that are often thicker and may last longer but AVOID PETROLIUM! This can leave a thin film of oil inside your vagina that catches and hold bacteria and can lead to irritation.
I recommend Yes Yes Yes Organic water based Lube (in a pale green tube) sold in some chemists and health stores, or Sliquid Organic lube