The Best Lube Lowdown: Your Slippery Guide to Water, Oil, and Silicone Satisfaction
Lubricants can be a slippery slope if you don’t know what you are looking for or how to use lubes because, depending on what you’re doing, grabbing a random one is not the best option. In the pursuit of mind-blowing pleasure, having the right lube on hand is an absolute game-changer. But with so many options out there, it can be tricky to navigate those slick corridors. That’s why we’re stripping it down and giving you the lowdown on the three lube royalties: water-based, silicone, and oil-based.
Whether you’re looking for an all-natural glide, a lush sensual massage, or a waterproof thrill ride, we’ve got you covered from top to bottom.
Water-Based Lubricants
Water Works
Water-Based Lubricants
Let’s dip into water-based lubes, shall we? Water-based lube is best described as the everyday superhero of the lube world. These lubricants give you that natural “wet” feeling, making intimate moments feel delightfully smooth and enjoyable.
The best part? Water-based lubes work well with latex, silicone, and pretty much any toy you can think of. So go ahead, grab that vibrator or condom without fear—these lubes have got your back (and your front!). When the fun is over, cleaning up is a breeze. Just a quick rinse for your skin and regular laundry for your sheets, and you’re ready for the next adventure. Don’t forget to use some toy cleaner before storing your playthings away.
But here’s where it gets sticky: since these lubes are water-based, they absorb faster than their silicone or oil-based cousins. So, if you’re planning an all-nighter, you might want to keep a bottle nearby for some slick reapplications. Trust us, staying lubed up is the key to a wildly good time!
Oil-Based Lubricants
Massage Magic
Oil-Based Lubricants
Slip into a world of sensual bliss with oil-based lubes! These are your best bet for the lube family for long sessions – they just keep going and going. A few drops, and you’ll be gliding across the sheets like an Olympic luger.
But let’s get one thing straight about how to use oil lube: these don’t play well with latex, silicone, or polyurethane. So, if you’re rockin’ a standard condom or toy, it may be best to stick to water-based lube instead. Internal condoms, however? Game on! They’re typically made from nitrile, which gets along famously with those luscious oils. Similarly, with plastic, glass, or metal toys – just make sure you keep the silicone toys in the drawer.
Now, let’s talk about the real magic of oil lubes – their massaging powers. Looking to get things heated up with a little foreplay? Grab some of this slick stuff and let your hands do the tantalizing work. You’ll be sliding across every delicious curve with zero friction, leaving a trail of tingling pleasure in your wake. If you’re confused about how much lube to use, a little goes a long way; so go easy on the pour.
The stick with oil-based lubes: timely cleanup after using lube is the best practice. If not cleaned up properly after getting frisky, these types of lubricants can create the perfect environment for bacteria growth. But don’t panic! A little mindfulness goes a long way towards keeping things hygienic.
So when the fun is done- give yourself a good scrub-down with soap and water after using an oil-based lubricant. Don’t just do a quick rinse – that oily residue needs some elbow grease and lathering to remove not only the oily feeling itself but also any lingering microscopic stowaways.
Once you wash off, don’t crawl back into your oily sheets! Oil-based lube can leave stains on your best sheets, so using old sheets or laying down a blanket as a precaution is ideal. To avoid staining and bacteria multiplying like bunnies, it’s best to wash the lube off your sheets as soon as possible- within 24 hours- but the sooner, the better! As great as oil-based lubes are, cleanup is a crucial factor in keeping you and your space bacteria-free. But hey, it’s a small price to pay for hours of exciting, slippery satisfaction!
Silicone-Based Lubricants
Sleek, Slick, and Unstoppable
Silicone-Based Lubricants
Get ready to dive into the world of silicone lubes, the sleek and sultry sirens of the lube kingdom! These velvety smooth operators are the total package – long-lasting, hypoallergenic, and safe to mingle with those trusty condoms.
But that’s not even the best part. Silicone lubes are basically invincible to water, meaning you can take the party to the tub, or shower, – heck, even the Amazon rainforest can’t stop you if you’re feeling adventurous! They’ll keep things hot and slippery no matter how wet the surroundings get.
Now, a word of caution: despite how convenient these lubes are to use, they do not play nice with silicone toys. Surprisingly, the silicone lube will start disintegrating your silicone toys. So unless you want gritty, sandpaper-textured toys, it’s best to pair silicone lube with good ol’ plastic, glass, or metal playthings.
Once the steamy fun is done, you’ll need to break out the soap and water to really get squeaky clean. Silicone lubes aren’t going anywhere without a deep scrub-down. And fair warning, they can leave the kind of stubborn stains that would make a laundry detergent rep weep. Like the oil-based lubricants, you might want to sacrifice an old set of sheets or keep a waterproof blanket handy.
But let’s be real – a few stubborn stains are a small price to pay for that enticingly long-lasting glide, right? So grab a bottle of this slippery goodness and get ready to make some serious waves!
Bottom Line: Pros and Cons
The Bottom Line :
Pros & Cons
Here is a consolidated list of each kind of lube with its best features, compatibility with toys and condoms, the clean-up process for both you and your fabrics, and any other pros and cons not already on the list!
Water
Feeling
Natural “wetness,” thinner
Compatibility
Compatible with all condoms and toys
Cleanup (Body)
Water rinse
Cleanup (Sheets)
Regular laundry Cycle
Pros
Won’t promote bacteria growth
Cons
Gets absorbed by skin more quickly, so reapplication is often needed,
Can dry out or get sticky over time
Oil
Feeling
Oily
Compatibility
Not compatible with latex, silicone, or polyurethane (damages integrity)
Cleanup (Body)
Soap and water
Cleanup (Sheets)
Can cause staining, Must wash soon
Pros
Incredibly long-lasting,
Great for sensual massage during foreplay,
A little goes a very long way and spreads easily over larger areas
Cons
Prone to bacterial growth if not properly cleaned
Silicone
Feeling
Thick but silky
Compatibility
Cannot be used with silicone sex toys (will cause deterioration)
Cleanup (Body)
Soap and water
Cleanup (Sheets)
Will stain, can wash with pre-treatment and special load to attempt to save the fabrics
Pros
Waterproof, Hypoallergenic, does not promote bacteria/yeast growth
Cons
Tends to be more expensive than water-based options
Now that you have all the facts about the overall lube categories and know how to use them, feel free to explore and try them out! Maybe you’ll find the best type of lube for you, or you’ll end up using them all! Everyone has their own preferences, so find out what yours is.
Once you explore each category, a whole new world of decisions will open up with all kinds of lubes that are flavored, warming, cooling, moisturizing, and so much more! So, whether you’re flying solo or with a partner, get to exploring and find out which ones are your favorites!
Ready to slide into action?
