Using lubricant for better sex is a no-brainer. So, what kind is best?
It depends what you like. There are two main varieties of lubricant, and a variety of choices within each.
Water-Based
The most versatile and common, all water-based lubricants are condom-safe and compatible with all toys. Easy to clean up, inexpensive, available in a variety of textures and viscosities, many people prefer these. As the water in them absorbs, however, they will dry out, which means you may have to reapply or re-hydrate by adding water (keep a spritzer bottle handy). Our Frisky Fave, System JO H2O, is the exception to this. It stays slippery and slick for an long time, much like silicone lubricants.Why not use water-based?
There are two ingredients present in most water-based lubricants that some people may prefer to avoid:
- Parabens are found not only in most lubricants, but also in most cosmetic products. While these are approved as safe by the FDA, there has been some concern among some scientists and watchdog groups that there may be lasting harm from longterm use of products with parabens, specifically relating to breast cancer. In addition, some may suffer irritation or an allergic reaction. Read more.
- While safe for most users, women who are particularly prone to yeast infections are advised to avoid lubricants containing glycerine, since the glycerine converts to sugar in the body and may lead to problems. If you do not suffer from frequent yeast infections, the amount of glycerine in lubricant is unlikely to cause a problem. Some people may also be allergic to glycerine.
Silicone-Based
Luxuriously smooth and never sticky, many connoisseurs prefer silicone. Hypoallergenic, free of parabens, glycerine, and propylene glycol, they are unlikely to cause irritation for even the most sensitive users (some brands do contain small amounts of preservatives or other ingredients). These are safe for use with condoms, but may be incompatible with some toys, including lower-grade silicones (high quality silicone toys and high quality silicone lubricants usually get along, but you should test on a small area of your toy before using) and Cyberskin-type, “real feel” materials.Silicone lubricants are hands-down the most slippery of all lubricants, and they don’t dry out. A quality silicone lubricant will stay slick for… well, almost forever. They are also usually somewhat thicker than water-based lubricants. This combination of features makes them an excellent choice for anal sex.
- We are sometimes asked if silicone is safe in the body. The answer is yes, as long as it has a way out. The bad reputation silicone once had was caused by silicone leaking from breast implants and becoming trapped in the chest cavity. Since it cannot absorb into tissue, this was a problem. However, used for sexual activity, it will flush out very easily, and since it does not absorb, cannot build up in the body. This actually makes silicone lubricants possibly safer to use than water based products.
Specialty lubricants
Some lubricants are designed to function beyond just reducing friction in genital areas. Flavored lubricants add an extra dimension to oral sex. Some include ingredients to “intensify” sensation (usually menthol), and warming liquids heat up on contact with mucous membranes or when they are blown on.Since many people prefer a heavier lubricant to smoothen anal penetration, specialty anal formulas are now available. These typically are similar to their regular counterparts, only thicker.