Personal lubricants (commonly referred to as "lube") are used to protect against dryness and friction during sex or during medical procedures like when performing an ultrasound or when administering medications in the form of rectal or vaginal suppositories. Yes. In fact, more lubricant can help the condom do its job even better. Additional lubricant can reduce friction even further to minimize the chance of the condom breaking. It can also reduce the chance of irritation of delicate tissues which can lead to infection.

Used by salons as a brilliant smoothing, finishing, and antifrizz product for hair. A great relaxant to crazed frizzy strands and when combined with other hair products gives a perfect understated sheen. Protects against harsh chlorines in the pool. Sex

The Best Lubes, at a Glance

We love that it comes in a bunch of flavors–from cherry vanilla to pina colada to cater to a variety of taste preferences. It’s sugar-free, but it does contain aspartame. There’s some mixed messaging around the safety of aspartame for internal use, so you may be best off using this exclusively for oral or non-penetrative sex.

There are many personal lubricant products on the market, with countless additional ingredients and customization of the fundamental base ingredient (whether it's water, silicone, or oil). Examples include adding menthol, caffeine, capsaicin(chemical found in chill peppers) or niacinfor tingling effect, adding an anesthetic like lidocaineor benzocainefor numbing effect, or adding various kinds of flavoring. Silicone-based lubricants are generally benign with proper use or if a small amount is swallowed because silicones are not absorbed into the body. Besides these natural ingredients, many lubes contain preservatives. Sodium benzoate and citric acid are two such preservatives that are considered to be safe. Hydroxyethylcellulose is another ingredient you might see in lube; it is helpful for those trying to conceive because lubes with this ingredient closely mimic natural vaginal fluids and have been found to be helpful because they don't decrease sperm motility. For penetrative sex without a condom, we recommend WOO’s More Play Coconut Oil Lube because it has a subtle vanilla flavor and is safe to swallow. For penetrative sex with a condom, we recommend Lube Life’s Water-Based Personal Lubricant. So, avoid things like warming agents. Dodge ingredients such as glycerin and spermicides. With a water-based lube, consider the PH level of the area you're using it on: the anus has a relatively neutral pH, whereas the vagina is just slightly acidic, so use a lube which matches.

Oil: Coconut, avocado and sunflower oils can be used, or they can be synthetic, like Vaseline. They are not recommended for use with a condom and can cause irritation. Besides the base ingredients of oil, water, or silicone, lubes often have other ingredients to enhance their function. Aloe vera is a common one that provides natural lubrication and moisturization. Vitamin E is another commonly added ingredient with similar benefits to aloe vera. For oral sex, flavored lubes can mask the latex flavor of a condom and add novelty. We recommend Sliquid Naturals’ Swirl because it is free from potentially harmful ingredients like glycerin, parabens, and propylene glycol. It is vegan and hypoallergenic as well.

Oil-based lubricants can have various kinds of oils and might also be marketed as massage oils. They are less popular because they are not as easy to wash off and are not compatible with certain types of condoms, increasing the risk of condom breakage. But maybe it's not quite that simple. If you're using condoms, you need to avoid oil. It can cause both latex and polyisoprene condoms to degrade, and fast: a condom that's going to fall to bits halfway through the act is not an effective condom. So that's one kind of lube eliminated from this category, at least. Aside from the lube’s base (explained in detail above), here are a few key criteria to keep in mind when shopping for lube: LOLA’s Personal Lubricant is a relatively affordably priced option that is free from potentially harmful ingredients like parabens, glycerin, and fragrances. LOLA considers it to be hypoallergenic, meaning the risk of an allergic reaction is low compared to other similar products (however, it’s worth noting that the FDA doesn’t really regulate these claims). There are ways to combat sexual and intimate health symptoms associated with post-menopause, and one of those ways is experimenting with some seriously amazing lubricants. Keep on reading if you’re looking to get it on and want to know more!

The best anal lubes

Oil-based lubricants are slippery and long-lasting, which is why sex experts like them. Coconut oil-based lubes especially have become popular in recent years. However, “oil-based lubes cannot be used with polyisoprene or latex condoms, as the lube can cause them to weaken and break,” says Mason. We do recommend using condoms for any kind of sex, so ensure that you find a compatible option (like lambskin, nitrile, or polyurethane condoms) should you opt for an oil-based lube. What to look for when shopping for anal lube

Long lasting antichafe for high performance athletics. Reduce fabric and skin rub while running, swimming, and biking. Stays in place for a long race, not runny or messy. Gets you in and out of that wet suit in a hurry. Style All of the experts we spoke to discouraged the use of flavored or scented personal lubricants for anal, vaginal, and oral sex. What’s more, avoid glycerin in your lubes, as it contains sugar, and that can alter vaginal pH, SELF previously reported. Water-based lube is also the best lube for sensitive skin. According to Engle and Dr. Queen, you should also avoid petroleum-based lubricants, and anything with parabens or preservatives. Oh, and please don’t put Vaseline down there. If you use a lube with numbing agents that gives you “tingly” or desensitizing sensations for vaginal sex, Dr. Queen says to skip it for anal play. “Anal sex can be painful when it’s not done right, but you want to listen to those messages and respond accordingly,” she says. “Slow down, add lube, take a break, ask your partner to be more gentle, etc. You don’t want to ignore your body’s signals. If you’re numb, you won’t receive those signals clearly, which can put you at risk.”Even if your partner’s got that WAP, there’s no such thing as being too wet. That’s why you should always have a bottle of lube handy for vaginal sex, anal sex, and even masturbation (especially if you're circumcised). Lube makes sex more pleasurable for everyone involved—unless, that is, you have sensitive skin, and you find yourself having an unpleasant reaction to your personal lubricant. When connecting with your partner or yourself sexually during pregnancy, lube can help ease any friction-related discomfort and make for a more pleasurable experience. The water base behind the Good Clean Love Almost Naked Organic Personal Lubricant will leave you feeling, well, almost naked. It’s highly recommended by gynecologists and is free from parabens and glycerin. Plus, it’s made with organic aloe leaf juice which helps moisturize and extend the water-based lube’s effectiveness. A 2012 study even concluded that this lube is one of the safest out there, which is especially important during pregnancy.