Personal lubricants can be used in lots of ways,  from insertion of a thermometer to sensual play.  For lovers they bring dimensions of longevity and comfort, preventing irritation and adding to the pleasure of your experience.  Whether you need them due to medical condition or side effect, or just want to experiment, lubricants are proven to enhance your skin's ability to receive pleasure.

Unfortunately, right now there's almost too much of a good thing, and the choices in personal lubes can be truly overwhelming!  In this guide I'll use my experience as a marriage and family therapist to help separate facts from the sales pitches, getting to the right personal lubricant for you.

Before you select a lubricant, there are some basic factors to think about.  First are health considerations.  Some lubes can cause allergic reactions or infections, others can cause stomach upset if used orally.

Second is cost, especially cost per use.  Some lubricants are quicker to dry than others, so actually may end up being more expensive in the long run.  Others can damage silicone items.   Let's  walk through the choices, pros and cons. To start, you should know about the three basic types of lubricants: oil based, silicone based and water based.

Oil Based

Oil based lubricants are a lot like Vaseline.  For women, these can trap bacteria or yeast, and cause infection.  As a result they're only used in personal lubricants for men as an aid for self stimulation.

Silicone Based

Longest lasting, often silicone based are the best cost per use.  Despite scary implant stories, silicone based lubricants are very safe, don't harbor bacteria or upset ph balance in women.  Safe for all types of sensual play, they're also compatible with all condoms.  Some, like Wet Platinum, Pjur Eros or Pjur Venus, also double as a wonderfully moisturizing massage lotion. Another advantage of silicone based lubes is that they're waterproof, great for intimate moments in the tub or shower.

The downside of silicone lubes?  They will damage silicone items, so not for use with silicone toys or massagers unless covered with condoms.  Also, silicone can cause stomach upset if used orally, so they're never sold flavored.

Water Based

Here's where things begin to get more confusing, but I'll try to make it easy.  Basically  you just need to know the two health risks associated with some water based lubes:  infection and skin irritation. 

First is risk of infection, usually caused by upset in a woman's ph balance.  This upset can lead to infection, most often yeast.  Any water based lubes that use glycerin (for consistency) or sugar (for flavor) can cause yeast build up or infection. 

Next is irritation, which can be from an allergic reaction to an ingredient or a  mild burning  from a particular agent.   Lubes that use "cooling," "numbing," or "warming" agents, all of which are chemical additives, can irritate sensitive skin, sometimes cause allergic reactions or long lasting irritation.  Another additive for "enhancement," L-Arginine, has been known to activate Herpes sores in those who have the disease in a dormant, or inactive state.

Luckily for all of us there are several companies working on lubricants to make them safer and milder.  Some of these, like Sensua Organics and Sliquid, are all natural or vegan formulations.  Sliquid and O'My even have some that are all natural AND flavored! 

To shop for lubricants guaranteed to be irritant free and great value, please visit my store.   If there's anything you'd like to know more about, can clarify or research for you, please write me here at my seller contact information.

Here's wishing you lots of good clean fun~

Lori