Personal Lubricants, Sex Lubes, Lube, Lubricant whichever word you use, they are an essential part of sexual wellness. Lubricants make any penetrative sexual activity more pleasurable and can help prevent discomfort and pain. Different types of lubes are available, these include silicone-based, water-based, and oil-based. Not all can be used for all activities and each of them have benefits and drawbacks. It is important to understand what will work best for you and the sexual activity you have decided to enjoy.
Silicone-base lube
Silicone-based lubes are long-lasting, waterproof, and don't absorb into the skin, so they are great for the shower or water activities (be careful they make things very slippery). They are made from a mix of silicone and other ingredients and are thicker than water-based lubes. The pros and cons of this are they create an intense sensation during use but can be a bit harder to clean up and may leave a residue on the skin or fabric. They are not recommended for use with silicone sex toys as they can damage the surface. Silicone based lubes are safe to use with condoms. One of the best would have to be Uberlube because it only has 4 ingredients, it is silky-smooth and doesn't leave a sticky residue.
Water-based lube
Water-based lubes are very popular because they are easy to clean and safe to use with all types of sex toys and condoms. They're thinner than silicone-based lubes and they tend to absorb into the skin more easily than silicone-based lubes. This means you may need to reapply more often. One great water-based lubricant is Dame's Aloe Lube because it is made from plant extracts which are formulated to match the vagina's PH, you may need to reapply it during sexual activity though.
Oil-based lubes
Oil-based lubes are long-lasting, but are not recommended for use with latex condoms, as they can weaken the condom and make it more likely to break are made from a mix of oils. They can be made from oils like coconut oil or olive oil and can be used as a massage oil if the need arises. They can be harder to clean up and leave a residue on the skin or fabric. One great Australian made oil-based lubricant that can also double as a vaginal moisturiser is Olive and Bee Intimate Cream.
Hybrid lubes
Hybrid lubricants are a mixture of two different types of lubes. Commonly that combination is water-based and silicone-based lubricants, you get the long-lasting slippery silicone-based lubricant and the easy-clean water-based lubricant all in one.
How they are combined varies between manufacturers and should be used with caution with toys and in water play. So, it’s worth testing your hybrid lubricant of choice in a spot test on the base of your silicone dildo to test compatibility for example and try a bit between your fingers in water to see how it lasts.
The type of lube you choose depends on your personal preference and sexual activity. You may need to try a few brands and types until you find the right product for you, but you will undoubtably have fun trying along the way. When you do find the right lube for your body and the activity you choose it will only increase your pleasure.
