Lube! Such a slippery topic, but we believe not only can lubricant make sex better but it’s probably the easiest “Sex Toy” to introduce into a sexual relationship and for that reason its our number one go to for couples looking for something to spice up their sex lives.

There are many different types of lubricant, from edible flavoured lubes, arousal creams and gels that warm or cool, to the good old silicone lubricant. Here at Adult Bliss we often have people ask, “can’t I just use coconut oil?” the short answer is no, we’ll get into why a little later, but there are definitely some more natural alternatives & hybrid lubes out there. The lubrication industry has come a long way since the good old KY jelly days, so today we are going to focus on some of our most commonly asked questions, starting with:

“What’s the point of lube at all?” This is a fair question so let’s do a quick break down on the top few reasons you should introduce a good quality lubricant into your bedroom.

Sometimes you just need a bit of assistance getting the sexy juices flowing, for those of us with forward facing downstairs orifices a sudden dryness can occur for many reasons; stress, low libido, menopause, medications, lower then usual estrogen levels, and sometimes just a lack of arousal, we’ll delve more into the topic of vaginal dryness in a later blog. In the meantime, partners, don’t take it personally! Sometimes it’s hard to switch on that faucet even when you are aroused, and that’s ok, and do you know why it’s ok? Because lube, that’s why!

If you or your partner don’t have an issue with getting those natural juices flowing that doesn’t mean you have to deny yourself the sexy, silky, slippery feel that is a good quality lubricant. The right lubricant can really up the ante on a night of passion. But how do you know what sort of lube is right for you?

“What’s the different between Water Based and Silicone lubricants?!?!”

Silicone:

The properties of Silicone lube allow it to sit on the skin without absorbing in too quickly, providing longer lasting slipperiness than most water-based lubes. The consistency of a silicone lube is usually a bit thicker, making it perfect for anal sex. Unfortunately, it doesn’t wash off very easily as it isn’t soluble in water, this might make it good for shower sex but not so good if you’re hoping for quick clean up afterwards. Silicones slick and slippery hypoallergenic formula is often considered soothing to sensitive areas and can create an almost friction free sexual experience making it an obvious go to lubricant for couples and for male masturbation. For women silicone lube has a very different feel to the natural lubricant provided by the body, so if you’re after a natural feel silicone might not be the lube for you.

But with such a magical sexual liquid available you might ask why you would use anything else. User beware, silicone will stain your clothes and sheets so it’s important to wash it off asap, and unfortunately a post coital clean up can be a bit of a mood killer. However, part of what makes silicone a great lube is also its biggest problem. Silicone’s ability to bond to itself doesn’t bode well for your silicone coated toys, you’ll find combining the two will melt away and warp that expensive velvety silicone coating. While some medical grade silicone toys are compatible with some silicone lubes, it’s better to be safe than sorry, so pay attention to any tips from the manufacturer when you purchase a silicone lube or toy. It’s absolutely safe to use on plastic or glass toys though, so go for gold.

Water-based:

Water-based (WB) lubricants are usually thinner than silicone, giving it a more natural sensation. While water alone tends to remove the skins natural protective layer over time, the properties of Water Based lube do quite the opposite, being reported to have a hydrating and moisturising effect as it absorbs slowly into the skin. This does mean that it wont last as long on the skin as a silicone lube and may need to be applied a few times throughout your sexy time. Despite this, water-based lubricant is our go-to for use with toys as it won’t damage that delicate silicone coating we talked about before or leave sticky residues on your toys or skin. This makes water-based lube very easy to clean off of toys and skin but means it’s not the right lube for shower sex or any other aquatic sexual activities.

Flavoured and edible lubes are also mostly water based, these days there are so many fruity and dessert flavoured options available you can turn your nether regions into a sweet delicacy your partner is sure to enjoy. If oral sex or flavoured lube isn’t your thing, but you still want to make the lube experience a little more interesting you can try an arousal lube. These lubes have a variety of effects like cooling, warming or tingling, start off with a small amount and give them time to take effect, too much too quickly might not have the desired effect. Always read the ingredients list and rinse off immediately if you don’t react well to it.

Anal sex enthusiasts probably already incorporate specially designed lubricant into their sexual routine as the anus isn’t self-lubricating like a vagina. For anal penetration a thicker lubricant is recommended, if you’re not into silicone you can get thicker water-based lubes like the System JO H2O anal lubricant which doesn’t contain any desensitisers or numbing agents which we recommend for first time anal explorers as you don’t want to accidentally do damage you can’t feel.

Both silicone and water based lubes are generally safe to use with condoms and other forms of contraceptives, but it is important to read the ingredient list to make sure there are no nasties in there, if you’re using water based we recommend ones that are glycerine free, and in general avoid using alternatives like moisturising creams and oils (remember we mentioned coconut oil?) as they damage the latex in condoms, and compromise the skins natural pH balance which can result in unpleasant infections or skin damage.

The benefits of lubrication are numerous, so if you’ve ever thought about introducing something new to the bedroom to spice up your sex life and you’re not ready for toys then lube is a great place to start!

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