Know Your Sex Lube, and What It Can Do for You

There are dozens of brands and kinds of sex lube available for people to buy to enhance their sexual experiences. Although with dozens on the market choosing one can seem confusing, all of the brands can be separated into four main groups of sex lube: Oil based, petroleum based, silicone based, and water based. All four types of sex lube are best for different activities, so read on to help you straighten the confusing mess out to find what is best for you. An oil based sex lube is usually the preferred one for male and female masturbation. Usually made from natural oils, like nut oils and vegetable oils, an oil based sex lube provides the slipperiness that is needed for masturbation. They do, however, tend to stain bed sheets and can be hard to wash off of the body. Oil based sex lube destroys latex, compromising the strength of it within seconds, literally. They should not be used with diaphragms or condoms. Oil based sex lube also usually is not recommended for anal or vaginal intercourse, because the oil can coat the vaginal and rectal lining, which may result in infection. A petroleum based sex lube is made from petroleum jelly, mineral oil, or petrolatum. With the increasing rise in condom use, petroleum sex lube sales are decreasing, because they destroy latex, almost instantly. Like the oil based sex lubes, they should never be used with condoms, and they too tend to stain fabrics, blankets, and bed sheets. Petroleum based sex lube can be difficult to wash off after sex as well. A product with petroleum in it tends to irritate the vagina and sometimes the rectum, so like the oil based sex lube, the petroleum based lube is recommended for masturbation only. A silicone based sex lube is similar to the water based lubes in many ways. One of the best perks of a silicone lube that a water based lube doesnt offer is the fact that the silicone lube is waterproof. This makes it the perfect sex lube for sexual activities in the water. Silicone sex lubes keep their lubricating properties longer than water based lubes. Silicone based sex lube is also very concentrated, so even though it is more expensive than the water lube, you dont have to use as much. Silicone lubes are latex safe, but silicone toys may suffer damage from them. A water based sex lube contains de ionized water, glycerin, and other ingredients. A water based sex lube does not stain and is safe for use with latex and rubber. Even though these lubes dry out quicker than other types of sex lube, it is cheaper also. A water based sex lube is the most commonly recommended type of lube by sex therapists.