There’s a menagerie of sexual lubricants out there, so how do I choose the right one? It can be confusing, but if you let your intuition guide you, a little information can go a long way. Here are some pointers.

Water-based Lubricants
Water-based lubricants are an excellent “catch-all” choice. They don’t harbor bacteria and don’t tend to irritate the body. They also don’t break down latex or silicone sex toys. Best of all, they are safe to use with latex condoms, dental dams, diaphragms, and cervical caps. Rejuvenate water-based lube by adding a few drops of water or saliva if it gets dry or tacky when in use.

Silicone Lubricants
Silicone lubricants are great to use for sex in the water. Though counter-intuitive, sex in the water is dry sex because water washes away natural lubrications made by the body. Silicone lubricants, however, have resilience in water. Keeping a bottle in the shower or by the pool can help make aqua-sex more fun. Silicone lubricants are a great choice to use with latex products such as condoms, diaphragms, cervical caps, and latex toys.

A word of caution:
silicone lubricants break down silicone toys.
Glycerin-based Lubricants
I suggest choosing a glycerin-free lubricant. Glycerin is a main ingredient in many soaps and shampoos and can irritate the anus and the vagina. Glycerin-based lubricants don’t break down latex and are safe to use with condoms, diaphragms, and cervical caps.

Oil-Based Lubricant
Oil-based lubricants are those lubricants that you’ll find in the kitchen or medicine cabinet, such as vegetable oil or Vaseline. Many commercially made lubricants also contain oil, such as most massage oils. Oil products coat the walls of the vagina interrupting the vagina’s natural self-cleaning cycles. Oil can also hold bacteria in the vagina or anus causing an overgrowth and potential infection. If you are a person that suffers from vaginal or anal bacterial infections or don’t want to risk it, oil-based lubricants are not recommended.

A word of caution:
oil-based lubricants cause a chemical reaction with latex condoms, diaphragms, cervical caps, latex gloves, dental dams, and latex sex toys causing them to break down and fall apart. I don’t recommend using oils with any of these products.
Flavored lubricants
 

Flavored lubricants can be lots of fun adding pleasure and novelty to oral sex. Flavored lubricants are a great idea if enjoy oral sex, but you haven’t yet developed a taste for your freshly showered lover’s genitals. A word of caution: any product that contains sugar should not be used on or in the vagina. Sugar disrupts the natural and healthy bacterial balance in the vagina and can easily cause yeast infections in women. A sugar-free flavored lube is just as fun without this potential side-effect. Check the bottle to make sure that your flavored lubricant is latex friendly.

Have Some Fun
I recommend having some fun when choosing a lubricant. Many stores, such as Fascinations, display samples of their sexual lubricant options and have knowledgeable staff. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, try some on your skin, and even give them a taste. You’ll learn a lot and be happier with what you take home.

 view water based sex lubricants

Angela Towne, Sexuality Educator