How To Use Lube for Incredible Sex

Lube Types

A lubricant is typically a gel or liquid designed to reduce friction during sex and provide a slick feeling during sexual play. This, in turn, intensifies the pleasure and eliminates any pain or aftermath of skin rashes and irritations from happening.

Lube should be your best friend in any type of sex play, whether solo or with a partner. Choosing the right type depends on its purpose; however, you should also consider how they combine with your preferred types of condoms or sex toys.

Personal lubes are based on water, oil, or silicone; there are mixes that are called hybrid lubes. However, lubes also have other ingredients that can react differently with different people, so knowing these is imperative. Lucky for you, we’ll cover each of these at length below.

Different brands have differently priced products; while the price can be a pointer to a higher quality product, some more affordable options are just as good. Since there is no universal lube for all applications, you should know all this and more. As a sexual adventurer, you’ll probably have to get several types to accommodate various uses.

Water-Based Lube

Water-based lube uses water and thickening agents to make it more manageable; it features a soft texture and is easy to apply. Generally water-based lubes are usually the most affordable varieties and can be used for different applications.

These are great for solo play and even during oral sex and are safe to use with latex condoms, diaphragms, silicone toys, or other non-porous materials. They are also the safest option for those prone to yeast infections or skin irritations. Water-based lubes are easily washable as these dissolve in water, so they won’t stay on your body for too long and wash well from sheets. Water-based lubes are also pH balanced and don’t disturb the vaginal flora, thus eliminating the probability of bacteria developing in the area.

Water-based lubes usually don’t have any colors or scents so that they won’t interfere with sex - you won’t notice they are there, but they’ll do their thing and provide the lubricity you need.

Pro-tip: Lube is colder than your body temperature, so warm the lube between your hands before applying it to your most sensitive areas to make the whole experience more enjoyable.

On the cons, water-based can be somewhat impractical, as they dry off quicker than other types. It means that you’ll probably need to reapply them during playtime. Also, as it dries, the texture of the water-based lube changes and becomes stickier. To remedy this, you may need a few drops of water (like from a glass on your bedside table) or apply little saliva to get things sliding smoothly.

Also, you cannot use water-based lubes if you engage in playtime in the shower, the bathtub, or your pool. So, now you know the pros and cons of water-based lube that can help you decide when and where you should use them.

Silicone-Based Lubes

Silicone-based lubes have a silicone base, and on first touch, these may feel heavier, but they add excellent lubricity and make surfaces feel silky and slippery. These don’t dry out quickly and retain their texture longer, eliminating the need to reapply during play.

Silicone-based lubes allow smoother penetration and enhance sexual pleasure, reducing friction significantly. These are made with high-end ingredients and are compatible with sensitive skin. Most silicone lubes are hypoallergenic and don’t react with the skin.

Silicone lubes wash away easily from skin and sheets using soap and water and don’t stain sheets. Additionally, these are waterproof, so you can use them when you play in the shower, pool, or bathtub.

Pro-tip: To ensure you won’t stain your sheets, bed, or couch, place a towel beneath and avoid creating a mess with the lubricant.

While silicone lubes are safe to use with condoms and some sex toys, they are incompatible with silicone toys. Like dissolves in like, so silicone lubes don’t pair well with silicone toys; instead, these can cause the silicone to deteriorate and destroy your favorite silicone sex toy.

Another con of silicone lubes is that they are not pH neutral and increase the probability of getting a yeast infection, a UTI, or an STI. Plus, many users have reported they find these too sticky for solo play and feel they have a coating on their skin and need to wash them off immediately after play. Also, silicone lubes are not recommended for oral sex, as there is no proof of how safe to ingest these, and you wouldn’t want to be the one to test them.

Oil Lubes

Oil lubes are what the name says – lubricants with an oil base. You can use various oils as lubes, and plenty of scented massage oils are skin-safe and can enhance sensual sexual playtime.

We must be clear that you can use different oils like coconut oil, olive oil, or another edible oil as personal lube, but you must be aware that these can’t be used with most sex toys. For example, oil lubes harm condoms and can’t be used with TPR/TPE or jelly toys.

Also, these are not recommended for vaginal play, as oil lubes don’t have a balanced pH and can harm the natural environment and cause yeast infections and STIs. Also, oil lubes and massage oils leave an oily feeling on the skin, don’t wash easily, and can stain sheets.

Hybrid Lubes

Hybrid lubes are made as a blend of water- and silicone-based lubes, like the Wicked Hybrid Water & Silicone Lube or between water- and oil-based ones. The idea is that water and silicone hybrid lube will last longer and bring the characteristics of both types together. It also means you get fewer skin irritations and a reduced risk of infections.

Hybrid lubes made by blending water and oil lubes minimize the oily feeling and let you enjoy the smoothness and texture of oil lubes without the added mess. It makes them easier to wash off skin and sheets.

We need to be clear that there is little proof regarding hybrid lubes, and these notions are based on customer reviews and user experiences. Please note that care is needed when using hybrid lubes because oil hybrid lubes can break condoms, and silicone hybrids are not compatible with silicone toys. For this, always check the lube’s label and be safe when using different types.

Lube and Condoms

Lubricants smooth penetration but don’t protect from STDs and unwanted pregnancy. So, condoms are a necessary evil that many of us need to use, and you should know what lubes you can use with condoms. Water-based and silicone-based lubes are safe to use with latex condoms and can be applied as much as needed.

Simply apply some water-based or silicone-based lube over the condom and on the vagina or anus; only a few drops will do the trick. Also, males should add a drop or two of lube before applying the condom to make things more comfortable.

Remember that oil-based and hybrid lubes are not a condom-friendly option. The same goes for alternatives like coconut oil, massage oil, or skin lotion, as these can break down the condom.

Lube and Sex Toys

How to use lube with your favorite sex toys? It is a crucial question, as nearly 50% of people use some sort of sex toy during their sexy times. While the main answer is that Yes, you can use lube with your sex toys, you need to note what type of lube to use with your chosen sex toy.

Water-based lube pairs well with all sex toys: metal, glass, wood, silicone, PVC, TPE, and even marble sex toys. The most abundant sex toys are silicone, so water-based lube should be your primary choice. You can apply a few drops of water-based lube on your dildo and enjoy smooth penetration. But, as water-based lubes tend to dry quickly, these need to be reapplied a couple of times during prolonged playtime.

On the other hand, silicone-based lubes are a no-go for silicone toys, but they can be used with metal, glass, plastic, and even wood and marble sex toys and accessories. Their smoothness and thicker texture ensure you can have extended play in the bedroom, even with only one application on your sex toy or genitals.

We recommend you avoid using oil-based or hybrid lubes, as they tend to add to the degradation of some materials. Oil lubes are only recommended with glass or metal toys, but they are not very safe for penetration.

How Much Lube To Use

There is no exact science behind how much lube is enough to use, so it all depends on individual preference. You can use as little as a few drops on your fingers, sex toy, or genitals, or you can go all out and apply more significant amounts everywhere, even inside the vagina or anus.

The base of your lube should also be considered, as some lubes last longer, and others dry out faster. However, it all comes down to feelings and sensations. If you start feeling minor friction or tugging sensation during penetration or your skin doesn’t feel too slippery and wet, it’s time to add more lube.

The activity you engage with also plays a significant role in your usage. For example, the vagina is self-lubricating, so it will likely consistently wet itself even if you initially use a tiny amount of lube. However, if you’re feeling dry even when you’re sexually aroused, loading up your hoo-ha with lube is a great choice.

Anal sex is a different story. Whether you’re starting with finger-play or moving straight to penetration, it’s advisable to insert lube both into the anus and onto the fingers, dildo, or penis. The anus is smaller and tighter and doesn’t self-lubricate, meaning you’ll have to be generous with your lubricant before you begin exploring the area.

Some lubricants are scented and flavored, which is excellent for oral sex. They usually feature edible fruit extracts that won’t cause harm when ingested. Just a few drops on the tip of your partner’s penis will be enough to give them a sensational blow job and smooth the feel of your lips on it. Please note that you should avoid using edible lubes for vaginal penetration.

Lube Ingredients To Avoid

Not all lubricants are created equally. Because this is not a regulated field, manufacturers have a lot of freedom to experiment with products, which brings us many choices regarding texture, scent, flavor, etc. It also increases the probability of harmful ingredients added to the lubes that must be better researched or tested to ensure they’re body safe. There’s also the subject of allergens and what ingredients are less or more likely to irritate sensitive skin or disturb the natural pH balance of your vagina.

Pro-tip: A healthy vagina has a pH of 3.5 to 4.5, so the lubricant you choose should be in that ballpark. If the pH level isn’t listed on the lube, you can always test them with litmus strips available at any pharmacy.

You want to avoid glycerin, propylene glycol, petroleum, nonoxynol-9, and chlorhexidine gluconate.

• Glycerin is primarily added in water-based lubes to give them a slightly heavier texture and help them retain moisture. However, many researchers claim this ingredient can damage the skin barrier, making it prone to infections and rashes. It is also said that it can disturb the balance between the beneficial and harmful organisms in the vagina.
• Propylene glycol has similar effects as glycerin and can be overall harmful to vaginal tissue. Moreover, this allergen can cause rashes and irritation in most people and even trigger heavier allergic reactions if used repeatedly or in larger quantities.
• Petroleum is commonly encountered in oil-based lubricants but can also be found in Vaseline (petroleum jelly). Some find them beneficial during sex; however, it’s in their nature to weaken condoms and negatively affect sex toys, so they’re impractical. Lubes with petroleum also increase your susceptibility to bacterial vaginosis.
• Lubricants that feature nonoxynol-9 claim they are spermicidal, and they may even suggest usage without a condom or contraceptive. However, although this ingredient is known as a spermicide and can decrease sperm mobility, its effectiveness isn’t thoroughly tested, and it should be taken at face value. Additionally, it can cause vaginal irritation and boost the environment for yeast infection, so it’s best to avoid it.
• Finally, testing shows that lube with chlorhexidine gluconate on its ingredient list can hurt all sorts of bacteria in your vagina and healthy cells. It makes it unsafe to use due to the risk of causing bacterial infections, vaginosis, and extensive damage to the vagina’s inner lining.

Apart from these, most other ingredients in lubes are body safe. Reading labels is necessary before purchasing or using lube; this list will make shopping much easier.

Final Thoughts

Lubricants are an integral part of the sexual experience; they enhance the good stuff and eliminate the bad. Whether solo or with a partner, penetration or oral, the sex act, pose, or surrounding doesn’t matter as long as you’ve got lube at hand’s reach.

Some general guidelines should be followed as the material of your sex toys, whether you intend to have anal sex or want to heat things in the shower, and there’s a lube to match every experience you desire.

Water-based lubes are highly recommended since they are compatible with every sex act and toy. But if you’re someone who wants longer erotic sessions without having to interrupt the sex to reapply lube, silicone-based lubes might do a better job, but these are not compatible with silicone toys.

Remember that no matter what the label says, no lube can protect you from STIs or pregnancy, so contraceptives are necessary. If you plan to use condoms, ensure the lubricant you buy doesn’t contain oil and won’t damage the latex.

Once you choose the base of the lube, you’re in for a treat! Start exploring different scents and flavors and choose a lube that feels smooth during penetration and tastes excellent when giving oral. Make an inventory of the materials of the toys you have or want to buy, keep in mind ingredients you’re sensitive to, bring our list with you, and you’re ready to shop for the perfect lube!