Lubricants: What are They and What Kind Should You Use

Lube, jelly, oil, goo; call it what you will, but for many couples, lubricant is glue (lol) that holds them together. Lubricants are sex enhancement aids that can serve a variety of purposes, though their primary function is to help ease the penis into the vagina or into the anus-in both cases, it’s meant to replace natural lubrication. Lubrication can also be used in masturbation to make it easier and more comfortable. Without lubricant of some sort, sex becomes painful and can lead to irritation and even injury. Lubricants can be found anywhere; there are bottles, vials, jars, and many condoms are lubricated as well.

Some of the most traditional lubricants include KY Jelly, baby oil and Vaseline. This is because these products are easy to get and cheap. However, it’s now known that many of these products just aren’t suitable anymore; they can cause itching, irritation, they can disrupt sex toys, and there are more specific products on the market anyway. So what kinds of lubes are out there today?

Water Soluble

Water based lubes are largely made up of water and a few other ingredients that can make it last longer or decrease on irritation. Water based lubes are also the most common ones are the market; they tend to be the most affordable to create and to sell and thus to buy and there is a lot of competition.

What to watch for: Water soluble lubes should not be used in water as they will disperse and be rendered useful. Some require reapplication though and can leave a bad smell or residue if not washed off promptly after use. Make sure to check the ingredient listings and any caution labels closely for use.

Oil Based

Oil based lubes are lubes that are largely oil in content rather than water. These lubes were created in reaction to the bad things attached to water lubes; they don’t cause itching or irritation and can be used in water. They also tend to be made with more organic materials than water based lubes.

What to Watch for: Allergies mostly; people with very sensitive skin should try this lube somewhere else on their body to check for a reaction. You should also be aware of the fact that although it may say organic on the label, the FDA regulates lube very differently from other products and so the term ‘organic’ has to be used very carefully. The best thing to do is check the ingredients.

Silicone lube

Silicone lubricants are made up of silicone products. They aren’t absorbed by the skin so they can be used for a longer period of time and also vary in their ability to enhance sexual pleasure, so you can pick ones that fit what you want. Silicone based lubricants are most commonly found on condoms because they’re safe to use on them.

What to Watch for: Do not use with silicon based toys because it can cause more rapid disintegration.

Specialty Lubricants

Specialty lubricants can be anything from warming lubricants, to lubes specifically designed for anal sex, to lubes designed for male masturbation. These lubricants are very useful for these acts because they are created to make the sexual acts more pleasurable and cut down on irritation in ways that the traditional lubricants will not.

What to Watch For: Only get the lubricant that is suitable for what you’re doing. For example, masturbatory aid lubricants can cause irritation in a vagina or anus; they are specifically design for use on a penis in masturbation, nothing more.

Lubricants are extremely useful in a variety of ways, so be sure to keep some nearby, especially if you or your partner have trouble with dryness or you want to try a different kind of sex (anal sex absolutely requires) the use of lubrication. And always make sure to clean yourself up afterwards to protect against itching or infection.