Lubricant: top five facts
Sex is better wetter. Lubricants increase sensation and sensitivity and can make the difference between pleasure and pain. Let Love Matters help you choose the right one.
Wetter is better, and safer
Even if you don’t necessarily ‘need’ it, the right lubricant can make sex better. A recent study showed that women enjoy sex more with a lubricant. That’s not all, using a lubricant makes sex possible for women with vaginal dryness. And if you’re thinking about anal sex without lubricant, it can be slightly painful and cause skin tears, which can cause serious health risks. Lubricants help to keep STDs away by reducing friction and skin tears, lowering the risk of infection.
Basic types of lubricant
Lubes come in four basic types – water-based, oil-based, silicone-based and all-natural. Each has its merits and disadvantages. Most lubricants on the market are water-based. Water-based lubes are good if you have sensitive skin. They are easy to clean up, cheap and safe to use with protection. However, water-based lubes may have glycerine, which can cause yeast infections in some women. Water-based lubes are also quickly absorbed by the body, meaning you’ll need to reapply.
Oil-based lubes provide good lubrication, but can tear latex condoms and damage latex toys.
Silicone-based lubes are extremely slick, contain no water and stay wet for a long time (good for extended lovemaking), but can damage silicone sex toys.All-natural lubes have fewer additives and generally use organic ingredients – ideal for people with allergies and sensitive skin. Some all-natural lubricants are aloe vera gel, vitamin E oil, cocoa butter, coconut oil, shea butter, olive or almond oil.
Some extra features
Some lubricants offer a little extra. Warming lubricants, for example, can increase sensation during sex with a warming sensation. It can be a bit much if you have sensitive skin, however.
Flavoured lubricants are great for oral intercourse – imagine getting your partner to go down on you while trying out a Kiwi Strawberry lubrication gel! Just be sure not to use flavoured lube for vaginal or anal sex unless it specifically reads ‘vagina-friendly.’ ‘His and ‘Hers’ lubricants are another variation, but these labels are only for marketing purposes and are no different from other standard lubricants.When to use what where
Water- and silicone-based lubricants are best if you’re using a condom, because oil-based lubes break down latex. If you’re having sex in the shower, or any other wet environment, silicone is the way to go. Oil-based lubes are good for men masturbating, but some health experts ask you to avoid oil lubrication during vaginal or anal sex, because they can cause certain infections.
Thicker, longer-lasting silicone-based lubricants are ideal for anal sex, although the same silicone lube applied to silicone sex toys can damage them. For silicone sex toys, water-based or all-natural lubricants are best, while for non-silicone sex toys, silicone is your best bet.What to watch out for
Lubricants are absorbed into the body during vaginal and anal intercourse, so you should read the label carefully and watch out for harmful ingredients before using it. Some of the notorious ones are Propylene glycol, Glycerin, and glucose, Phenoxyethanol, Parabens, Petroleum or petroleum-derived ingredients and Chlorhexidine.
Have you got any questions regarding lubricants? Leave a comment below or send us a direct message via Facebook.
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Recent Comments (22)
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i need help of that is beard hands and legs hairs how can they be removed
Why do you want to remove
Why do you want to remove them?
There are many options- shaving for the beard, waxing or shaving on arms and legs.
I Love U Love Matter
I Love U Love Matter
So glad to hear that!
So glad to hear that!
I Love U Love Matter
I Love U Love Matter
Thank you!
Thank you!
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thanks love matter
You are welcome.
You are welcome.
like the discussion but can I
like the discussion but can I use drinking water as the lubricant?
Water is not the best
Water is not the best lubricant since it dries up quickly, but water based lubricants are very good.
Which one is the best…
Which one is the best lubricant for unprotected sex
Hey Agnes, it depends with…
Hey Agnes, it depends with whether you are having vaginal, anal or even anal sex. For instance water based lubricants are not good for vaginal intercourse since they can cause yeast infections. Flavoured lubricants maybe used for oral sex. It is important to review the label of the lub before to determine if it safe for the sex you want to have. Check out the following article for more information;- https://lovemattersafrica.com/making-love/lubricant-top-five-facts
Is oral sex save with my…
Is oral sex save with my partner, wife to be
Hi Ola, oral sex without a…
Hi Ola, oral sex without a condom for a man or a dental dam (also called a vaginal dam – a square of latex to cover the vagina) for a woman is not safe. It is important to use protection if you do not know the status of your partner. Have a look at the following article for more information;- https://lovemattersafrica.com/safe-sex/sti-prevention/staying-safe
what r the examples of water…
what r the examples of water based lubricants is k y jelly one of them.which is good for me since I’m the sensitive type esp to infections
Hi there, KY Jelly is one of…
Hi there, KY Jelly is one of the water based lubricants, which you can consider for use. However, if you are susceptible to allergies and infections you may want to consider all-natural lubes which have fewer additives and generally use organic ingredients. These are ideal for people with allergies and sensitive skin. Some all-natural lubricants include aloe vera gel, vitamin E oil, cocoa butter, coconut oil, shea butter, olive or almond oil. Talk to your local pharmacy to see what is available in your location.
I am a female over 70 years…
I am a female over 70 years old, and I highly recommend oil lubricants if you are not needing a condom. I make my own out of oils that are very compatible with the skin such as jojoba, sweet almond oil, organic coconut oil, etc. I’ve used these oils for over 20 years with no harmful effects. It makes intercourse more comfortable and pleasant for both partners.
Thank you for sharing what…
Thank you for sharing what works for you.
I love the talk,I always use…
I love the talk,I always use clean water but realized it drys fast.
We are glad Princess Cathy!…
We are glad Princess Cathy! Please feel free to go through more of our content and let us know what you think and if you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out! Have a wonderful week ahead and stay safe!
Where can I buy a water…
Where can I buy a water based lubricant… In mombasa
Check your nearest chemist…
Check your nearest chemist or pharmacy.