Toys: 101 Choosing The Right Lube

What’s the right lubricant to use?

There are hundreds of personal lubricants. Lubricants reduce friction and add slippery, feel-good fun to all kinds of play. Lubricants can be classed into the types stated below:

Water-based lubricant

They do not clog pores and there is no risk of a leftover film that could potentially harbor infection-causing bacteria or yeast.  They tend to dry out during use but can be washed off easily with water. They are not recommended for use in the shower or pools. They can be used on all kinds of toys. They can be flavored, warming, or cooling types.

Silicone Lubricant

They retain lubrication better than water-based lubricants. They work well with latex condoms. They can be used on people with sensitive skin. Only a little bit of it is needed. Because they’re so slippery, there is a large risk of losing friction and, therefore, sexual sensation. They are ideal for water play. Generally, they aren’t flavored as silicone is indigestible. They can be easily removed with soap and water. Often, they’re more expensive. Do not use them on silicone toys, TPE and TPR toys, toys that have skin-like material, jelly rubber sex toys and later rubber sex toys.

Oil-based Lubricant/Massage Oils

They are largely made of all natural ingredients and most of these lubricants are hypoallergenic. They are not recommended for vaginal or anal sex. They leave a coating which allows bacteria and yeast to breed. They do not dry out easily, so a small amount is usually required. They can typically double as massage oil. They are not recommended for use on latex rubber toys, jelly rubber toys, TPE and TPR toys and latex condoms. They are difficult to clean up and soap is often needed. The only thing they’re good for when it comes to sex is male masturbation.

Hybrid lubricant

They are a mixture of water and silicon lubes. Hence, do not use them on silicone toys, TPE and TPR toys, toys that have skin-like material, jelly rubber sex toys and later rubber sex toys.

Flavored lubricant

They’re water-based and they can help dispel the latex taste of condoms and dental dams. Flavored lubricants add a new vivacity to your sex life. They’re not recommended for use in water play for they wash off very easily with just water.

Anal lubricant

They’re thicker, stickier than other lubricants and they last longer than the other lubricants. They can be water-based, silicone, hybrid, oil-based or vegetable-based.

Vegetable-based lubricant

They’re used for anal sex. They’re difficult to clean up.