Need Help Choosing The Best Lube?

need-help-choosing-lube

Oil Lube, Water-Based Lube, and Silicone Lube

Choosing a good lube isn’t a simple suggestion, it’s a priority! The type of lube can make or break our intimate experiences, giving us a unique experience with different types of bases. Does your type of play require oil based lube? Water based lube? Silicone based lube? No matter the type of lube you use, you’ll be in for a slick experience with our help choosing the best lube. 

What is Lube?need-help-choosing-lube-gleam

Lube is a fluid or gel substance designed to offset genital dryness or inadequate natural lubrication. Lube can also be used for various other reasons that can be seen in this top 10 list of uses for lube. Why would genital dryness be the case? Well, almost anything can cause genial dryness from things like…

  • General dry skin
  • Vaginal dryness due to hormones, breastfeeding, side effects from medication
  • Diet, Stress, and medical conditions like diabetes
  • The type of sexual activity we are having - rough sex can cause dryness much quicker than typical sex.
  • Certain sex toys require lubricant vs. natural lubrication

When we don’t have the right lubrication, it can often be painful or uncomfortable - so let’s lube it up! 

A Few Lube Uses

On a sexual field, why would we use lube? Why would we use lube if there is adequate natural lubrication? Lube is a wonderful barrier to help make penetration slicker, protecting the delicate genital skin from cuts, tears, or micro abrasions. Using a good lube not only protects us, but helps us feel more, last longer, and have new experiences. Try lube for…need-help-choosing-lube-oil-based

  • Penetrative Sex like vaginal or anal
  • Masturbation
  • Fingering
  • Sex Toys
  • Massages

Not all lubricants are created equal and some even have significant risks involved, Let's check each unique base of lube!

Water-based lube

When deciding on the best type of lube, water-based lube should be at the top of your list! For starters, water-based lube is totally safe for use with all types of condoms and all materials of sex toys. In addition, water-based lubricants are significantly gentler on sensitive skin. If all that wasn't enough, it also will not stain your clothing or sheets. Our personal favorite lube is Gleam, our in house made water-based lubricant with an ultra slick feel. 

While water based lube is the easiest and safest choice of them all, it’s usually the least slick and will require reapplication depending on the sex you’re having. Make sure to buy lubes that are free of glycerin (sugars), harsh chemicals, and flavorings that can cause genital (and mostly vaginal) irritation.

Silicone-based lubeneed-help-choosing-lube-condoms

Silicone-Based Lube is ultra slippery and safe to use with all types of condoms. We recommend a silicone based lube for rougher sex, anal play, and when using toys that aren’t made of silicone. Silicone lube will degrade silicone toys since a reaction between the two is caused, shortening the lifetime of your toys. 

Silicone based lube is also known for staining clothing or sheets, so be prepared to clean up! If you have very sensitive skin, silicone lube may be irritating - make sure to get one free of glycerin, harsh chemicals, and added flavorings or color.

Oil-based lube

Oil-based lube is perhaps by far the slickest of all the lubes, but has the most cons! 

Unfortunately, Oil-based lube is not compatible latex condoms and incredibly difficult to clean from sex toys, clothing, and sheets. The oil will actually break down a condom, leaving it vulnerable to tears and accidents. Certain oil-based lubes, like coconut oil, can disrupt a vagina’s pH balance if used too often due to its antibacterial properties. 

 

If you choose to use an oil based lube, use it for foreplay like a massage or hand jobs/fingering. If applying a condom after, make sure to rinse off thoroughly with warm water and a gentle soap.

Conclusion

When looking at the 3 types of lube above, it’s a no brainer that water-based lube is the safest, most universal option for all kinds of play. While it may require you use a little more, the benefits outweigh any downfalls (which are not many). Slick, clean, for sensitive skin, condom and toy safe - water based lube really does it all! For the Best Water Based Lube, look no further... check out Gleam!