eliminating the cliché of lube use

Sexual lubricant (aka lube!) fills up shelves of pharmacies and drug stores around the country. Believe us, these locations don’t just stock it for decoration, millions of people use lube in their day to day sexual activity. In fact, a national consumer survey found that more than 49 million Americans used personal lubricants per year.

There are many different types of lubricants, and in the same sense, many different ways that people use personal lubrication. Here are some of the ways that lube can enhance your sex life!

Key Takeaways (TL;DR) Lube for Pleasure

• Lube can be used for many reasons and in many ways, and despite media depictions, it is not only for older folk or people with vaginal dryness. 
• Using lubricant with your partner or by yourself can increase comfort and pleasure, leading to a better sexual experience. 
• However, not all lube is made equally. Depending on the products you're using and the type of sex you are having there are lubricant options that are better suited for your needs.
• Below we outline the different lube types, their uses, and what products they are and are not compatible with. 

Enhancing Your Sexual Experiences

There is sometimes the stereotype that lube can only be used for certain sexual activities, or by certain types of people. Not true! Lube is for anyone and everyone, and there are lots of ways you can incorporate it into your life. Here are some of the most common pleasure-focused and therapeutic ways that you can add a splash of lube to your life.

Lube Use With Partner(s)

Water and silicone based lube are great for sex with partner(s), and even better for use with latex condoms and sex toys. Because lube can reduce friction, it can help avoid damage to condoms (i.e., breakage), as well as reduce physical discomfort with penetration or other play. Fun fact, adding a drop of lube inside the tip of a condom can help increase the sensation for the penis inside.

But don’t worry, this is not limited to penovaginal sexual intercourse. Applying a healthy amount of lube to your favorite sex toys can help you and your partner(s) ease into a great experience. Lube is a great addition to anal sex, too! Because the anus and anal cavity do not naturally produce fluid with the same consistency as vaginal fluid, lube can help bridge that gap and make anal sex and any type of anal insertion more comfortable and smooth.

Plus, not every vagina self lubricates at the same level for everyone, all the time. It’s perfectly normal to experience vaginal dryness depending on factors like stress, medications, age, etc. As estrogen levels change over time, the walls of the vagina may thin and less moisture may be produced.

By using lube, you can help alleviate any discomfort and dryness, as well as help reset your body’s natural pH-balance and decrease the likelihood of infections like UTIs (urinary tract infections).

Lube Use By Yourself

Nobody knows how to make your body feel better than you do. And you’re not alone! A recent estimate suggested that as many as 78% of people worldwide regularly masturbate. So the next time you’re self pleasuring, lube might be a nice way to kick it up a notch.

We’re not talking about the type of thing you might see in movies, where characters grab lotion and a tissue and then cut to black. No, lube can be a premium and powerful experience! Water based lube especially can be a great and easy-to-clean option.

For people with a penis, lube can help reduce friction and chafing (whether or not you have foreskin), creating smooth motion. For people with vaginas, lube can jumpstart the production of vaginal fluid and supplements natural lubrication. But don’t take our word for it, test it out for yourself!

Lube, like most things in your sex life, is not one size fits all. If you find that you aren’t thrilled with the lube you’re currently using, try something new. Read more about finding a lube you love here! Browse the ONE® collection of premium lubes on our site, from our long lasting ONE® Move® silicone lube to our ONE® Oasis® gentle and light water based lube.

No matter which product you like, all are made with the finest quality ingredients, compatible with latex, polyisoprene and polyurethane condoms, and paraben free (among a host of other harmful chemicals), so they’re safe to use for people with sensitive skin.

Safe and Smooth

Let’s talk about how you can use lube safely in the many ways that you find sexual satisfaction. There are many types of lubricants to check out! However, there are different uses for each. Unfortunately, there are some lubricants that cannot be used with condoms or silicone sex toys, so it is incredibly important to ensure that the lube you use is compatible with the type of sex you are having.

What are the Different Types of Lube and Their Uses? 

Water-Based Lubricant

Water-based lubricants are pretty versatile, compatible with both condoms and silicone sex toys. Many people enjoy using water-based lubes because they are easy to clean, gentle, and hydrating on the skin. These lubes absorb into skin making them great for quick clean up, however this also requires some reapplication if the lubricant starts to dry out. So, if you are looking for a mess-free, lightweight, gentle lube, check out a water-based lubricant, like ONE® Oasis®.

Silicone-Based Lubricant

Silicone-based lubricants are super long-lasting and condom compatible. However, they cannot be used with silicone toys. The silicone in the lube can break down the silicone in toys causing them to degrade. If there are no silicone sex toys involved, silicone-based lube is a great choice. Since there is no water, silicone lube is pH-neutral meaning it won't affect your natural pH. If you are looking for a smooth, silky glide, where a little goes a long way, check out a silicone-based lubricant, like ONE® Move®.

Hybrid Lubricants

Hybrid lubricants are the best of both lubes! They contain both water and silicone, offering the benefits of both and are condom compatible. The formula of hybrid lube is water-based making it easy to clean up, and has a little bit of silicone to make it longer lasting. This is a great choice for those looking to alleviate any dryness or discomfort in and out of the bedroom. If you are looking for a lube that leaves skin hydrated, smooth and is longer lasting, try out a hybrid lubricant, like ONE® Oasis Silk®.  

Natural Lubricants

Natural lubricants often tout their health benefits, because of the ingredients that are used to make them. However, it’s important to remember, not all natural lubricants are compatible or safe to use with latex condoms and sex toys.

Certain products, like ghee clarified butter, avocado or coconut oil, may be natural and fresh, but the ingredients within these products can increase the risk of damage to the condom or sex toy. For these reasons, they are not encouraged for use in this way.

We know this can sound like a bummer, but don't worry! We have the solution. There are water-based natural lubricants with ingredients like aloe that contain no oils, making these natural lubes safe for use with condoms and sex toys. Natural lubricants like this are amazing for those looking for a natural option but still want to practice safer sex with condoms. ONE® True® is 99% naturally derived, gentle, pH-friendly, and longer lasting than the leading natural lubricant, check it out!  

Oil Based Lubricants

No, you’re not seeing double! There are other, specifically oil based products that some use for personal lubrication, that are not recommended for condoms or sex toys. These products include common household items like baby oil, petroleum jelly, or mineral oil.

Oil breaks down latex molecules, making the condom likely to break. Besides not being safe for condoms or sex toys, these products can also increase the risk of developing an infection like bacterial vaginosis. Yikes!

What about essential oils, to add a bit of flare to your next encounter? Essential oils are unfortunately not standardized enough to be safe for internal use, and should be diluted if you and your partner(s) plan to use them. They are also not safe to use with condoms or sex toys. Learn more about these oils here.

Clean Up

After the fun is over, it is important to clean up to practice good sexual health! This includes both your body and your partner(s)’s body and any sex toys you have used. Simple warm water and mild sop (or an unscented wipe) should do the trick.

For sex toys, silicone toys can be put into the dishwasher, and other toys can be washed with an antibacterial soap and warm water. Towel dry, and you’re good to go! Learn more information on lube and hygiene on our blog.

If you are ever experiencing rash, hives or more serious symptoms with your lube, there are a few steps to take to make sure you are getting the best, healthiest experience for you and your partner(s).

For more mild symptoms, there are ways to conduct small tests by applying a drop of the product to your inner elbow and tracking the way your body responds to it over the course of 24 hours. If you have more serious side effects, like difficulty breathing or swelling of the tongue, throat or face, you should seek immediate medical attention. 

Looking for more information on lube and its many uses? Read up on it on Planned Parenthood and Healthline.

Conclusion 

In short, lube is for everyone! Using lube isn't just something for older folk or people with vaginal dryness (no matter how much that stereotype persists), it is a great addition to all sex lives to enhance pleasure, comfort, and reduce the likelihood of condom breakage. If you are looking to incorporate lube in the bedroom, make sure that you choose a formula that matches your needs and is compatible with the other sexual products you use.

FAQs 

Can Vaseline be used as personal lubricant?

No. You should not use petroleum jelly (more commonly known as Vaseline) as lube. Not only is it oil-based, meaning it is not compatible with condoms, it is written on the label that it is for "external use only" so it is not intended for use inside the body. 

What is the best personal lubricant? 

The best personal lubricant is one that is compatible with the sexual health products you are using. If you are using latex condoms the best lube is water-based or silicone-based. Steer clear of any personal lubricant products with oils as they can degrade latex and decrease the effectiveness of condoms.