Buyer's Guide to Lubes
By Mimsy Black

There are a number of different factors you should consider when choosing a lube: Do I have any allergies/sensitivities? What toys/safer sex accessories am I going to be using this stuff with? Is the lube going to get in my mouth? If so, does this lube have an acceptable flavor? How much clean-up do I want to do afterwards? Do I want something that is gooey and will stay put, or something nice and juicy? Everyone has different preferences and concerns when it comes to this stuff. Here's the basic info you'll need to make an informed decision:

Water Based Lubes - Just about any multipurpose water-based lube is a pretty safe place to start if you are a novice, though it seems that those more experienced with lubricants usually have a tried-and-true favorite that they swear by. Water-based lubes are, as you might have guessed, mostly water. Purified water accounts for about 90% of the lube itself. The other 10% is comprised of the polymers that provide the slipperiness, and a preservative like methyl paraben.

Opinions differ wildly on what the ultimate water-based formula is. Astroglide is a perpetual favorite. Its legions of loyal fans swear by its slick, juicy feel. Some people find its consistency a bit watery, and there are plenty of options out there for them: Wet's water based lubes are a slightly more gel-like consistency. Wet Original is stickier and about twice as thick as Wet Light. Probe's Thick Rich formula is well known for staying right where you put it and is often recommended for anal exploration.

Taste and smell are two other issues people have when it comes to lube selection. Since this is a highly subjective area, this is where the trial and error comes in. Fortunately, there are a wide variety of lubes available for the sampling and there is sure to be one that will suit your tastes.

Flavored Lube - Flavored lubes are truly a wonderful thing. They technically fall under the water-based category, but we think they deserve their own category for a number of reasons. Hate the smell of fresh-out-of-the-box sex toys? You know, that harsh, rubbery smell? Some people do. For them, Flavored lubes are a godsend. Nothing masks the offensive smell of your new jelly dong like a squirt of Sweet Cherry! Condom or Dam taste a little bitter? Flavored lube to the rescue! And the flavored lubes of today are nothing like the nasty "edible" products of yesteryear. These actually taste good. I mean, we wouldn't drink them, although the scents are almost enough to make you want to try! But they are totally safe to ingest, so you won't get a tummy ache if you get some in your mouth, and there is an amazing array of delicious flavors to choose from. They've got everything from tangy Tropical Fruit to decadent Vanilla Creme! Flavored lubes do contain a good bit of glycerin. Glycerin, a sweet syrup that is a byproduct of fats, is commonly used as a plasticizer. It's in all kinds of stuff, like soap and dental floss. It may be a contributing factor in yeast infections, so if you are prone to that sort of thing then you may want to steer clear of getting tons of this stuff all up in your vagina.

Silicone Based Lubes - Silicone based lubes like Wet Platinum feel and last like oil but, unlike oil based lubes, are safe for use with latex. You can go ahead and slather it on most toys and use it with condoms, dams, and gloves and still be safe as houses. Another great thing about it is that it stays put under water, making it the lube of choice for hot tub romps and pool parties. Another thing to remember about this type of lube: a little goes a long way. You'll probably end up using less per "serving" of this than you would a water based formula.

Silicone lubes work like a dream with jelly rubber, glass, and plastic toys, but we recommend that you do not use silicone based lube with silicone toys, as it can contribute to their deterioration. Nothing is worse than having the life of a favorite plaything cut short by inappropriate lube use.

Massage Lotions - Finally, a bit of information on massage oils, lotions and creams. Massage oil is a wonderful edition to any adult toy box, and there are some great ones that are jam-packed with essential oils (like Kama Sutra's Healing Blend) and others that warm to the touch . The thing to remember is that massage oils are specially formulated for just that--massage. They should by no means be used as a substitute for lube. Substantial irritation can occur. Keep the massage oil on the outside of your body and you'll be safe. If you're looking for an inside-the-vagina massage, stick to a nice regular lubricant and save the aromatherapy oil for your back.

So what are you waiting for? Get out there and explore! Armed with your newfound knowledge of all things lube, we are confident that you will be able to find the slippery stuff that is right for you.

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