Lube is an incredibly useful tool that most people have used at least once. Having that extra slip and slide during sex or even masturbation can really add to the whole pleasurable experience. You can use lube for all sorts of intimacy: with a partner, with a toy, with a vagina, penis, or anus. But there are so many different kinds of lube, how are you meant to know which to use? We’re here to help!

Here are the main kinds of lube that we will go over:

• Water-based
• Silicone-based
• Hybrid
• Oil-based
• Anal
• Warming/Cooling/Tingling
• Flavored

Water-based lube

This is probably the lube that you’re most familiar with. Water-based lube is versatile and can be used in practically any sexual activity, whether it be vaginal, anal, oral or masturbation. If you’re looking for a one-size-fits-most lube, water-based is your best bet.

Pros:

• Safe to use with all toys
• Safe to use with all condoms
• Washes away easily
• Won’t stain sheets
• Smooth texture – feels most similar to the body’s natural lubricant
• Often has fewer ingredients, making it gentle on skin (even sensitive skin)
• Good if you’re prone to yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, or UTIs (as long as it’s fragrance free)
• Less genital irritation

Cons:

• Dries out pretty quickly, especially during activities with prolonged friction
• Requires more frequent reapplication

When to use it: basically, any sexual activity. Just be sure to reapply frequently for high-friction activities like anal.

Overall, water-based lube is super versatile and is the most common choice for people who want the safest choice. If you don’t mind re-applying lube often, water-based lube will treat you right.

Our best seller: Swiss Navy – Water Based 2oz

Silicone-based lube

Silicone-based lube is water-based lube’s deeply misunderstood brother. Most people avoid silicone lube because of its reputation with silicone toys. While it’s true that using silicone lube with silicone toys can cause problems, using it in literally any other sexual encounter is an amazing choice.

Pros:

• Much thicker and slipperier than water-based lube
• Lasts longer and needs less frequent reapplication
• Good for shower sex
• Safe to use with all condoms
• Non-irritating
• Hypoallergenic
• Really good for sensitive skin
• Safe to use with glass and metal toys

Cons:

• Not safe to use with silicone toys – deteriorates silicone coating, causing abrasions where bacteria can grow
  • Tip! If you’re desperate to use silicone lube with your silicone toy, place the toy in a condom and then use the lube outside of the condom.
• Slightly tougher to clean – soap and water may be required
• May occasionally stain bed sheets – this is easily avoided with a sex blanket

When to use: any activity that doesn’t involve silicone toys. This is the best choice for those who experience vaginal dryness or menopause. Silicone-based lube is also a great choice for anal sex.

Overall, silicone-based lube is nowhere near is scary to use as some make it out to be. If you don’t like synthetic ingredients or solely use silicone toys, silicone-based lube might not be right for you. But if you suffer from vaginal dryness or you want a lube that needs less reapplication, silicone lube will give you a slippery and safe sex session.

Our best-seller: Shunga – Toko Silicone 5.5oz

Hybrid lube

As you may be able to guess, hybrid lube is a mix between silicone and water-based lubes. It takes the good things from both lubes and brings them together! Just to a slightly lesser extent. Hybrid lube falls somewhere between water and silicone lubes.

Pros:

• Slippery smooth texture
• Long-lasting moisture
• Water is the first active ingredient which means you can use it with silicone toys
• Balanced formula

Cons:

• Potential for stains
• Possibility for allergic reactions (always check ingredients list)

When to use: Hybrid lubes are the better option for anal sex and bath/shower sex since it doesn’t need to be reapplied as often. It can also be used for other instances, but it works best in those instances.

Overall, hybrid lubes are a great choice if you want the benefits of both water and silicone lubes. However, it is worth noting that the benefits of this lube won’t be as intense as the original counterparts.

Our best seller: Fuck Sauce – Cum Hybrid – 8oz.

Oil-based lubes

These kinds of lubes were one of the original lubes on the market. With products like baby oil taking the forefront, oil-based lubes were pretty much the only choice until water and silicone lubes came to the stores. Nowadays, we do not recommend oils for sex.

Pros:

• Pretty thick and long-lasting
• Can address some surface-level dryness

Cons:

• Weakens latex and can cause condoms to tear – this increases the odds of unwanted pregnancies and contracting STDs
• Can cause vaginal irritation
• Traps bacteria which can lead to vaginal infections

Overall, we do not recommend for oils to be used as lubricant, or even around the genital area at all. However, if you do want to bring oils into the bedroom, massage oils are a great choice. A sensual massage is an amazing addition to foreplay (as long as you don’t use them internally or around genitals).

Anal lube

Properly preparing for anal sex is incredibly important, and using lube is a big part of it. Anal sex is not supposed to hurt or cause pain, so applying a generous amount of lube designed for anal sex is one of the best ways to ease into it. It’s also important to start small and gradually work your way to bigger things when it comes to anal sex.

Pros:

• Much thicker than ‘standard’ lubes
• Can be either water or silicone-based

Cons:

• Not all anal lube is meant to be used for vaginal sex. Some anal lubes include ingredients like cloves which can affect the vagina’s pH. Always be sure to check a lube’s ingredients.
• Silicone anal lubes cannot be used with silicone toys

When to use: surprise, surprise… anal lube is best for anal sex.

Overall, you can use ‘standard’ lubes for anal sex, however using anal lube is your best bet. Regular water-based lubes can get the job done, but frequent reapplication would be needed. Choosing a thick silicone-based anal lube will give you that slippery thickness that will make anal play easier.

Our best seller: Cal Exotics – Anal Lube 6oz

Warming/cooling/tingling lube

Now here is where we heat things up… get it? These warming and cooling and tingling lubes work by stimulating the body’s neuroreceptors to enhance arousal. Depending on what sensation you want, the ingredients in the lube will change. For example, cooling lubes and gels use menthol or other mint-based ingredients to create that chilling sensation that makes you more aware of touch in that area. However, warming lubes use glycerin or propylene glycol to gently warm the applied area to amplify intimacy.

When using these lubes, be sure to start with a small amount. Always allow more time for the lubes to work before going in with more product. The effects don’t always take place immediately.

Pros:

• Intensify orgasms
• Enhance foreplay
• Increase blood flow for stronger sensations
• Can be invigorating and refreshing

Cons:

• Certain ingredients in these lubes can cause yeast infections or vaginal irritation (e.g. glycerin and propylene glycol)
• Sensations can be uncomfortable for some people
• Not for internal use

When to use: these lubes are best for activities that don’t involve penetration. Enhancing oral sex and foreplay is easy when you use these lubes, adding new sensations for the user. A fun tip is to use warming lubes when using a masturbator or stroker to create a more realistic feel.

Overall, warming, tingling, and cooling lubes are a fantastic way to spice up foreplay and enhancing touch with your erogenous zones. While you can’t use it during penetrative sex, the versatility of use outside of that makes buying a little bottle of tingling lube worth it.

Our best seller: Swiss Navy – Warming 2oz

Flavored lube

Flavored lubes can be a tasty addition to your sexual activities. With a plethora of flavors to choose from, you’re sure to find just the thing to sweeten the experience. While flavored lubes are fun to use, it is important to note that they are not suitable for penetrative sex. They often contain glycerin or sugars that can affect the vagina’s pH level and cause UTIs or even yeast infections. Bacteria can multiply when you use flavored lube because they have more sugar to consume and therefore multiply easier. Even for anal sex we would not recommend using these lubes as they have a low pH and high osmolality, which means they aren’t super long-lasting.

Therefore we suggest using flavored lubes exclusively for oral sex. However, flavored lube used during oral sex can leave a residue, which means it could linger if you then move on to penetrative sex, so we advise being careful.

Pros:

• Enhances foreplay and oral sex
• Safe to swallow
• Wide variety of flavors to choose from
• Generally water-based

Cons:

• Not suitable for penetrative sex
• Shouldn’t be consumed in large amounts
• Can cause UTIs and yeast infections

When to use: exclusively for oral sex, do not use this for penetrative sex. Flavored lubes can take oral sex to a whole new level. They can also mask any other flavors or odors, making oral more enjoyable for the giver.

Overall, flavored lube is an amazing addition to oral sex. Who could say no to a touch of strawberry or cherry, or even pina colada? However, it is important to avoid using it for penetrative sex in order to keep your vagina happy and healthy.

Our best seller: Little Genie – Sweetn’d Blow Pillow Pack – Strawberry

Overall, each type of lube has different qualities, making them have different benefits and uses. Lube can be an amazing – and even necessary – addition to sexual activities. Whether you want something to enhance sex with a partner, or a masturbation session alone, there is something that can benefit you.

If you have any more questions or queries, feel free to email our customer service team wecare@pleasuresntreasures.com or drop in to one of our stores! Our team is happy to help answer any questions you may have.

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