They typically dont stain sheets, either. According to Zeichner, petrolatum and petroleum jelly can interfere with the proper functioning of the skin, alter the vaginas natural pH, and contribute to bacterial overgrowth. Not necessarily, but if used in a personal lube, glycerin can cause yeast infections and the high osmolality it creates can lead to genital or anal irritation. Women, in particular, are susceptible to problems that may be caused by ingredients in lubes. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Young K. (2017). I recommend that women use lubricants frequently, if not always, Hutcherson says. 1/4 tsp. Is Vegetable glycerin safe? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Note: Silicone lubricants are safe for humans, but. the commercial personal lubricant K-Y Jelly contains both glycerin and propylene glycol. Seal the container tightly, and store it in the refrigerator. MORE:8 Reasons It Hurts During SexAnd How To Fix It, "Benzocaine is an irritant that numbs you and can be found in lubes targeted for painful sex or for making anal play less scary," says Dangerous Lilly, a sex toy critic. It doesn't contain ingredients like parabens, glycerin, petrochemicals, synthetic colorants, and it's fragrance-free. I thought all personal lubricators were basically the same, so why would it matter which one I decided to slather on my own sex toys with? Personal lubricants are used onand inthe most intimate parts of your body, so it makes sense that you'd want to explore the best natural lubes available. Vaginal lubricants can be a great way to help ramp up your partner or solo sex session. Lube comes in three basic categories, Alyssa Dweck, M.D., gynecologist in Westchester, New York, and assistant clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, tells SELF: water-based, silicone-based, and oil-based. (Heal your whole body with Rodale's 12-day liver detox for total body health!). In this article, we list some alternatives and explain. Lets go back to the basics for a minute. That means there's no proof that it's unsafe or that it's safe. While its true that different types of lube can work for different needs, some ingredients may cause problems for some people, according to our experts. Dutch pet food researcher Anton C Beynen said in a 2019 paper (2) that "It is noteworthy that the purity of glycerol preparations in the . But in small quantities, you are perfectly safe. Can vegetable glycerin be used as lube? Too much of this sugar alcohol can lead to bacterial growth and unpleasant side effects like yeast infections and UTIs. The Average Penis Length Keeps Growing. This water-based lubricant is is glycerin and paraben-free and made from 95% organic ingredients, like aloe vera. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This one checks all the boxes. Synthetic products may irritate your vagina. Your California Privacy Rights. It reduces friction, maximizes sensation, and protects our pleasure zones from abrasions or tearing.. All in all, it's a two-in-one deal as it acts as a personal lubricant and a vaginal moisturizer. If you want something that lasts a bit longer, silicone is the way to go, she advises. Silicone lubricants are often good options. Ad Choices, 6 Lube Ingredients You Might Not Want to Put in Your Vagina, This Simple Morning Habit Can Help You Sleep Way Better at Night, 5 Norovirus Symptoms That Can Hit You Really, Really Hard, Just Some Fun Sex Toys You and Your Partner Will Love, 3. Many spermicides, which immobilize the little swimmers that could get you pregnant, contain this chemical. Other ingredients include agar . How Often Do Men Masturbate & When Is It Considered Too Much? Here are answers to some of the most common concerns and questions about lubes with glycerin. Good news: You can be safe without sacrificing satisfaction. As saliva plays a part in oral sex, some people may assume it would be a good lube alternative. "True arousal causes engorgement and a natural warming of sexual organs, so you don't need to pour chemicals on there to make it burn.". Petroleum or petroleum-based ingredients. Of course, not all vaginal lubricants are created equal. Although those special effects can be intriguing, your vagina might struggle when it comes into contact with glycerin. Xanthan-Based Lubricant. Paxlovid Is Super Promising. Plain yogurt could be a useful alternative lubricant. The vagina usually produces natural lubrication to stay healthy and facilitate sexual activity. Obviously, this is in proportions- if you make a bigger batch with more water, you will need to use more of the ingredients, and vice versa. 4 Harmful Lube Ingredients You Should Avoid At All Costs, The Best Sex Toys for Long-Distance Couples, unpleasant side effects like yeast infections, 9 Highly Effective Solutions For Yeast Infections, Sinclair Select Organic Intimate Arousal Balm, Good Clean Love Almost Naked Organic Personal Lubricant, 8 Reasons It Hurts During SexAnd How To Fix It, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. As mentioned above, glycerin has dozens of uses in day-to-day life, but it probably goes without saying that it is a bad idea and an ingredient you want to avoid when selecting a personal lubricant. Chlorhexidine digluconate is an antiseptic found in mouthwash which can damage the good bacteria in the vagina. Theres also a ton of debate surrounding parabens, or a group of chemicals used as preservatives. Silicone-based lubes are suitable for sexual intercourse as they do not damage latex-based barrier methods of contraception, such as condoms. If youve experienced discomfort with some lubes in the past, or just want to play it ultra-safe, here are six lube ingredients you should know about and potentially avoid. The bottle is engineered with a one-click pump to give you a mess-free experience. Is it safe to use Vaseline as a sexual lubricant? We link primary sources including studies, scientific references, and statistics within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. Dissolve xanthan gum in glycerin and mix well. The 4 Best Anal Lubes: After Hands-On Testing During Butt Play, Jerking Off: What It Means & Other Fun Ways To Say It, Everything You Want To Know About Cumming Inside, The Best Flavored & Edible Lube For Delicious Oral Sex, Squirting: Everything You Ever Wanted To Know, 4 Best & Safest Water-Based Lubes: Tested & Reviewed By Our Team, The Best Vibrators Curated By Our Experts & Their Orgasms, Understanding The Submissive Husband & Dominant Wife Dynamic, The Best Clit Suckers: Tested And Reviewed By Our Team, The Best Lube For Any Type Of Sex: Tested & Reviewed, The Best pH-Balanced Lubes For Vaginas Prone To Irritation, Vaginal Lube: How To Apply It And Everything You Need To Know. 2023 Cond Nast. If you want to try something new, these lubricants can be a great way to spice things up with your partner or set the mood for some solo play. Synthetic oil-based lubricants, including body lotions and creams, are good for external masturbation, but not much else. The right lube can prevent pain and injury during anal sex, make certain toys feel more comfortable, and minimize the chance of breakage when using condoms. whether its solo or partnered. Silicone-based lubricants are also hypoallergenic. It contains organic peppermint oil to enhance sensitivity and increase blood flow, and organic avocado oil and shea butter to keep things slippery. This could lead to a vaginal infection. Whenever your vaginal bacteria get skewed off balance, it can result in an annoying infection, like bacterial vaginosis. Your body may produce less lubricant as a result of hormonal changes, menopause, aging, or medication. DOI: How to choose a lubricant for pleasure and safety. 5. . But if you pick the wrong one, it can be seriously harmful to your health. One reason youll often find glycerin in lube besides its slick viscosity is because it is a high-osmolality humectant. As the Mayo Clinic points out, there is no long-term safety data showing how inhaling vegetable glycerin affects lung tissue, and short-term data shows that it can be an irritant to airways. Silicone-based lubricants often contain cyclomethicone and similar chemicals that have been linked to uterine cancer in animals. Many natural lubricants are free of paraben, a commonly used preservative with established health risks. Further, Zeichner says that ingredients like propylene glycol, benzene, benzoic acid, and chlorhexidine can potentially cause irritation and even allergic contact dermatitis. Try: Wet Organics. Here, the top 8 scary ingredients to steer clear of. Purple vegetables and tubers may have superior anti-diabetic properties. But we digress.) -3 teaspoons of glycerin. It has no taste or smell, so you don't have to worry about unpalatability or irritants like. Artificial lubricant can help enhance arousal, boost sexual pleasure, keep your vaginal skin soft, and, most importantly, reduce friction during penetration whether its by a partner or your favorite sex toy. If you keep going you can end up with injuries, microtears to the delicate tissue, and major problems.". To revisit this article, select My Account, thenView saved stories. This versatile lube is aloe-based and specifically formulated to be as smooth and slick as possible to avoid friction during penetration. You can buy lubricant online or at your local drugstore. (The microbiome is the balance of microorganisms that naturally inhabit the vagina.) As a general rule, Hutcherson says that any lube with the fewest number of unfamiliar ingredients is a good bet. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. [, AH! Made from just 7 organic ingredients you can trust, our testing team unanimously rated Almost Naked a top pick because it performs amazingly as a lube, feels wonderful on your skin, and smells absolutely divine. Is olive oil safe to use as a sexual lubricant? Although the FDA notes that glycerin in food is safe, as vegetable glycerin is turned into glucose by the body and used for energy, this does not mean it . Thats because moisturizers, unlike lubricants, are absorbed into the skin. Water-based lubricants are the most common. Thats usually where artificial lubricant comes in. Apply lubricant right before penetration during partner or solo play. It works well and is safe, however, be careful with the consistency, as it can become gluey and thick, and this could create a lot of friction (which is the opposite of what you want in a lube). Baby oil as a lube carries the risk of poisoning, infection, and damage to barrier methods of contraception. Generally, oil-based lubricants are safe to use, inexpensive, and easily accessible. She continues, The more natural, the better. Archie and Cat recommend silicone- and water-based formulas by berlube and Sutil Luxe, while Good Clean Loves Origins Love Oil is an oil-based option with easy-to-pronounce ingredients. Try: Coconu Organic Personal Lubricant, which is made with organic ingredients like sunflower seed oil, coconut oil, beeswax, and shea butter. (And if you've ever had BV, you know that no mind-blowing orgasm is worth getting it for. They come in two varieties: with glycerin, which has a slightly sweet taste, or without glycerin. They also have a longer shelf life. This makes it useful as a pharmaceutical ingredient to prevent the drying out of preparations, particularly ointments and creams. Parabens, which Zeichner explains are preservatives often used to prevent overgrowth of bacteria in personal care products, are also a common component of many commercial lubes. It creates a protective barrier on the skin to guard . This artificial preservative and stabilizer is considered to be safe in quantities of less than 1%, however, using several products that contain this glycol ether at the same time might result in over-exposure. Youll need to give the area a soapy scrub to remove any residue. Click here to read more about using baby oil as a lubricant. Vaginal exposure to toxic lubricant ingredients can lead to discomfort, irritation, and increased risk of infection from even short term exposure. It depends how comfortable you are with strangers fecal matter. vegetable glycerin 1/16 tsp. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. Is lubricant the same thing as vaginal moisturizer? Again, that doesnt mean you absolutely will experience irritation or inflammation if its in your lube, but its worth taking into account if youre experiencing problems with your current lube or have a sensitive vagina and are in the market for a new lubricant. This lube is plant-oil based (vegetable and olive oil) and is free of glycerin, fragrance, . However, people can use lotion or soap as lube if the products are mild or perfume-free. There are different types of lubricants to suit different needs. They may cause vaginal irritation too. However, like olive oil, people should not use virgin coconut oil if they use latex barrier methods of contraception. Even better? Silicone-based lubricants last the longest out of any lubricant. The controversy centers around concerns that some chemicals could be irritating, or even potentially affect your health. Powered by BizBudding Inc. Glycerin. Your own oil-based homemade lube: Mix 1-part aloe vera gel with 5 drops of lavender essential oil or peppermint essential oil, as well as 1-part . Every recommendation is free of both glycerin and parabens and is made from only body-safe ingredients you can trust. Lotion ingredient paraben may be more potent carcinogen than thought [Press release]. Another important note is that silicone lubes are ber-slick, Dweck says, and dont dry up as easily as the other varieties do. Some people have also used pure glycerin as a vaginal lubricant. If you prefer a thicker or thinner lube, decrease or increase the water. (2012). Everything Lube Why Glycerin In Lube Is Not Safe (And Options That Are). A humectant pulls moisture from one side of a membrane to another and osmolarity measures a water-based solutions ability to do that. Glycerin is a plentiful, flexible, and stable ingredient that can be helpful in a number of ways, but not so much when it comes to a sex lube. Reinfected? Water-based lubes are typically the easiest to find and are often the more affordable formulas found in drugstores, including some of the offerings from brands like Astroglide and K-Y. Vegetable glycerin is a simple all-natural that can be used in a variety of personal care products to help add moisturizing, cleansing, and softening properties to formulas.High-quality glycerin is derived from natural fats found in vegetable oils and acts as an effective emollient. You should not use glycerin if you are allergic to glycerin. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. However, the skin does not easily absorb this type of oil, which means it can clog pores and lead to infection. It can also be used with all toys, including silicone (which is a problem that some run into when using silicone lube, as it can deteriorate silicone toys). Worth noting: The FDA says the jury is still out on this one: At this time, we do not have information showing that parabens as they are used in cosmetics have an effect on human health, the organization says, adding that the investigation is ongoing. comfortable, and minimize the chance of condom breakage. How Gross Is It to Wear New Clothes Without Washing Them First? . Theyre also safe for the vagina and safe to eat. Theyre compatible with sex toys, safe to use with latex condoms, and wont stain fabrics, making water-based products a versatile option for vaginal or anal sex. Aside from getting Engle's blessing, coconut oil is the choice among several women who have told me they prefer using it as a natural lubricantincluding my own mother-in-law who's in her 70s and prefers a gentle, natural lube (yes, we have these conversations). 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To choose a lubricant for pleasure and safety intercourse as they do not damage latex-based barrier methods of contraception to... Problems. `` damage to barrier methods of contraception, such as condoms good bacteria in the.! Or increase the water, thenView saved stories or increase the water contraception, such as condoms without sacrificing.! 95 % organic ingredients, like aloe vera skin does not easily absorb this type of oil which... Can end up with injuries, microtears to the basics for a minute taste. The basics for a minute and similar chemicals that have been linked to uterine cancer in animals of changes.