We are spoiled with a universe of different lubricants, designed to titillate and caress our most intimate parts and make our love making even more sensual. Some lubricants will heat up our privates, some will cool them off, and some lubricants on the market will even tingle and vibrate as you play. These are all awesome features, especially for those looking for a new surprise to add to your bedroom adventures, but all these lubricants will have a base formulation, and this is what we’ll be focusing on in this article.
You’ve probably seen things like “water-based” or “silicone-based” written on the side of lubricant bottles. What do this mean? And which should you be using? Time to go down the lubricant rabbit hole…
Lubricants come in 4 main types; water-based, silicone-based, oil-based and hybrid. You may find some others that don’t quite fall into any of these categories, but these types are the most common and easiest to find in your local sex shop or online. You may think that lube is lube, and they’re all the same. You’d be wrong. It’s actually very important to use the correct lubricants, as using the wrong type can cause irritation in areas you really don’t want it in and may even damage to your favourite sex toys!
Thankfully lubricant type terminology is fairly self-explanatory.
Water-based lubricant includes water as the base and is generally runny and thinner than others. It works well for hydrating the skin and is the most common lubricant available, and for good reason too. Water-based lubricants are generally best for sexual intercourse and oral sex, as they are tasteless (unless, of course, it’s a flavoured lubricant),they are less likely to cause irritation as they are kinder to the skin and they also mimic the body’s own natural lubricant.
Water-based lubricants are condom compatible too (unlike some others which we will go onto shortly), so you’re better reaching out for a bottle of water-based lubricant the next time you’re planning intercourse.
Silicone-based lube is usually thicker and slicker than water-based lubricant. It’s designed to last much longer than water-based lube so you won’t need to keep re-applying it as often, as it isn’t absorbed by the skin as easily as water-based varieties. Although silicone lubricants don’t contain any water, they are also a good choice for those seeking intercourse as they are condom compatible too, and as silicone is hypoallergenic, you’re less likely to experience a reaction or irritation from using it.
But never use silicone lubricant with a silicone sex toy! The silicone lube can cause the product material to break down and “melt”, ruining your favourite dildo and disrupting your naughty night in. Definitely worth keeping in mind!
Oil-based lubricants have an oil base (you’d never have guessed!), often from plants oils or synthetic oils. Oil is a massive no-no when it comes to condoms, so if you’re planning to use a condom, avoid oil-based lubes at all costs!
This aside, they are wonderful to use for sensual, sexy massages as they tend to last a lot longer than water-based types and often come in different scents. They can also be used for intercourse in relationships where condoms are not worn and will reduce the need to reapply due to the longer lasting properties.
Hybrid lubricants are exactly that. Hybrid formulas of different bases, usually made for specific uses.
There are different formulations on the market of hybrid lubricants, but the most common is water-silicone-based hybrid lube. This formulation should be condom safe (although it’s always best to check the bottle) and will prevent the need to reapply as often. You’ll be getting the benefits of both water-based and silicone lubricants, all in one formulation. The best of both worlds!
So there we have it. Your lubricant lesson is over, and you can go off into the world knowing a little more about which one is best for you. But before you go, one more thing: please read the packaging. As there are so many different types of each lubricant available, you’ll find out a lot more information about what you’re buying and whether that particular lube will do it for you or not by simply reading the box or bottle. And you’ll probably have a lot more fun because of it too!
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