THE ART OF LOVING

A Lube Overview

A Lube Overview

You may remember a post like this from about a year ago- the time has come for a re-education.

That’s right, we’re talking lube. It’s a deceptively confusing topic. Especially when you realize that “lubricant” does not refer exclusively to sex. Lubricant out in the real world is just any substance that can be applied to help reduce friction, think oil for machines, soap for slip’n’slides. However, when people say “lube” as a noun, it’s almost always in reference to the lube that we use for sex, also known as “personal lubricants”. I don’t know that I’ve ever heard anyone actually say “personal lubricant” though, and instead it is almost exclusively known as just Lube.

 

Lube, much like the Lubricants of the world, is also used to reduce friction, except this time it’s on you. Lube’s purpose is to slick-ify your genitals and also the genitals of whoever you’re having sex with so that everything moves together smoothly. You can use it with a partner or solo- it’s purpose is to make sex and masturbation irritation-free, easier, and more enjoyable.

 

However, and this is the confusing part, lubes have specific rules. Some lubes do not go with specific other things, such as condoms, vibrators, or dildos. So to avoid a catastrophe, any melted dildos or broken condoms, below is a breakdown of which lubes can be used with what.

 


Water-Based Lube

Water-based lube is your sort of default catch-all. Because they’re water-based, they’re easy to clean up (and to wash out of clothing or sheets). And, since pure water is about the most natural ingredient out there, these lubes can also be very gentle and soothing to your skin. We’ve got a large selection of types of water-based lube, a bunch of different flavours, thicknesses, and compounds. There’s water-based lube specifically geared towards helping with menopausal dryness, there’s water-based lube made with aloe, the list goes on! Make sure to look for one that says "Glycerin-free" and "Paraben-free" to minimize risk of irritations! And, water-based lubes are compatible with pretty much everything- condoms, dildos, vibrators, silicone toys.

 

So, you might be wondering, if this lube type is so versatile then why do we have other types? What’s the drawback to this one? Well, friends, the drawback is that since it’s primarily water, it dries up much faster than other lube, meaning you’ll likely have to apply it more often. It also may not be the best choice for anal, since the anus is not self-lubricating, and so whatever you use needs some real staying power.

 

Find Water-based Lube at the Art of Loving HERE

 

 

Silicone-Based Lube

Silicone is a material made from alternate chains of silicon (a natural element) and oxygen atoms. Silicone lubricants have a very unique, silky feel that is soothing to the skin and leaves it feeling soft and smooth. Silicone is also hypoallergenic, so it’s a great choice for lube users with sensitive skin or allergies. And since these lubes contain mostly silicone instead of water, they often last longer and need to be reapplied less often. Due to the fact they don't wash away in water, silicone lubes are a great choice to use during water or shower play! But that means that when using silicone lube, you have to specifically wash it off when you’re done, whereas with water based it can sometimes just evaporate. Silicone lube is the best choice for anal since it doesn’t evaporate, so there’ll be no irritation or excessive need for reapplying that you might get with water-based.

 

However, it is important to note that silicone lubes can NOT be used with silicone toys, as they will degrade the material. That’s right- despite what the name might denote, you CANNOT use this with most dildos and sex toys, as most (good, body-safe) dildos and sex toys are made of silicone. This is why a lot of anal toys are made of metal, so that you can still use silicone lube with them! If you put silicone lube on a silicone toy, it will melt and pill the material and ruin the toy, making it no longer body-safe and misshapen and deformed. Be aware if you have silicone lube inside you, and then you switch to a silicone toy! As in… don’t do that!

 

Find Silicone-based Lube at the Art of Loving HERE

 

 

Hybrid Lube

If you're looking for a lube to use with your silicone toys without drying out as quickly, look for those labelled "Hybrid lubricant". Most are primarily water-based, but there is also a little bit of silicone to keep things more slippery and wet longer. However, it's not enough to damage your silicone toys, so you can go wild! This is the preferred kind of lube for most people doing anal with silicone toys, but it’s also a great option in general! For anyone who experiences even small amounts of vaginal dryness or discomfort/difficulty with penetration, this is a really good lube type. It can also be rehydrated with water, so you don’t have to be constantly adding more, instead adding a little bit of water will bring it back to life. Be aware that sometimes, very rarely, this lube will still degrade a silicone toy, so if you’re concerned about that, do a little spot test on the bottom of a toy, or somewhere that won’t be used in play, to see how the lube reacts with it first.

 

Find Hybrid lube at the Art of Loving HERE

 

 

Oil-based Lube

Oil-based lubricants are usually made from natural plant oils and other sources, and offer longer-lasting lubrication compared to water-based alternatives. Organic coconut oil is very popular oil-based lubricant, and is also a great non-silicone choice for anal play due to its long-lasting slipperiness. Oil based lubes are less common than the other types, partially because you CANNOT use oil-based lubes with condoms, as they can degrade the latex and make condoms ineffective, and partially because they can be a higher risk for yeast infection/allergic reactions, whereas the other lubes are specifically formulated to prevent those things. But, if you’re looking for something a little more natural, this could be the move for you!

 

Find Oil-based lube at the Art of Loving HERE

 

 

That’s all I’ve got for now- I know it’s kind of a jungle out there to figure out, but I promise that if you come in unsure of which lube you’re looking for, we’ll make sure you leave with exactly what you need.

 

Happy lubricating!