Sex Lubricant Buyers Guide

Title: Sex Lubricant Buyers Guide
Author: Sediva Staff

As sexual lubricants and sex toys become more diverse and more complex in their chemical makeup, the decision of whether or not to use a certain type for sexual lubricant with a particular type of sex toy material becomes more important. The rule of thumb is, "test before you play".

For instance, many silicone based lubricants will destroy a sex toy made from Cyberskin or Technoskin in a matter of seconds. A silicone based lubricant may also adversely affect toys made of silicone. Water based lubricants are usually a safe bet when it comes to toys. Before applying a lubricant to your favorite toy, test a little drop on the base of the toy. Once you determine that there is no chemical reaction, you can confidently use that lubricant as much as your sexual desires require.

Water? Silicone? Cream? Gel? Organic?

Those are some of the questions you'll be asking yourself as you look for a good personal lubricant. If you have never bought a personal lubricant before, then of course those questions will be difficult to answer. This buyers guide will try to answer some of those questions for you. The water base category can have variations within it such as Cream and Gel, but they are still water based.

Types of lubricants:

There are three basic types of lubricant, Water base, Silicone base and Organic (which may or may not contain water).

Pros & Cons:

Water Base: Water base lubes are great for anyone who like very slippery sex. The main ingredient in most water base lubes is Glycerin, which is very very slick. Glycerin is also the downside of water base lubes. Since Glycerin is a sugar based material, it has been shown to prompte yeast infection in some women (about 10%). Water base lubes are the most popular lubes on the market and not coincidentally, the most inexpensive. Another drawback of water base lubes is that they dry out during use and must be re-applied. This is not a big deal usually, but sometimes, reaching over to grab the bottle while on the verge of orgasm tends to dampen the mood. On the plus side, water based lubes are condom compatible and they clean up easily. One of the most popular lubes on the market is Astro Glide. Another popular water (cream) based lube, which does not contain glycerin is Bodywise Liquid Silk.
Silicone Base: Silicone lubes are unique in that you can use them under water. This is because silicone is not water soluble. This is also the drawback to silicone lubes. Some people report sensitivity to silicone (mild rash and itching) and some women believe they get yeast infections after using a silicone lube. It is unknown what the percentages are. However, silicone lube is great for anal sex and does not seem to have any drawback. Since it it not water soluble, cleanup can be an interesting experience. Spill a little of this stuff on the bathroom floor and you will be slipping and sliding for weeks, if not months. A good selection of silcone lubes can be found here
Organic: Organic lubes are not as common as water and silicone lubes. In fact, up until recently it was difficult to find a quality organic lubricant. The benefits of organic lubricants are many - natural ingredients, no glycerin and no silicone. On the downside, water based organic lubes tend to dry out like their non-organic counterparts, so they must be reapplied during intercourse, but it's nice to know that what you are putting in your body is natural. Click here to see our line of Organic lubricants.

Touch & Feel:

Water Base: Usually very slick and "light". If you put a dab in your palm and tilt your hand, it will run.
Silicone Base: Much more viscous than water base lubes. Looks and feels much like oil. Put a dab of this in your palm and turn your hand and it will slowly run off your palm.
Organic: Organic lubricants with water will have about the same consistency of other water base lubes but without the glycerin.

Taste & Smell:

Water Base: You can get water base lubes in flavored and unflavored. They work the same, it's simply a matter of choice whether you like flavors with your snack or not. Since these lube are water based, there is no harm in ingesting them.
Silicone Base: Unlike water base lubes, Silicone lubes do not come in flavors. Liquid silicone is not meant for ingestion.
Organic: Organic lubes can be flavored or unflavored and of course there is no harm in ingestion.