Our Lube Guide


Lube, lubrication, lotion, potion, cream... whatever you want to call it, it can be your best friend! There is a lube on the market for anything you are looking to massage, stimulate, rub, warm up, cool down, or just get slippery wet. When purchasing a personal lube, one should always check the ingredient list for any allergens or warnings. Also, read descriptions for oral or condom restrictions. Here we will help break down your choices and provide some useful features of each to get you started so you can get off!



Anal Lube:

Typically (but not always) anal lubricants are thicker in viscosity (consistency) and designed especially for the enjoyment of anal play. Some anal lubricants contain Benzocaine, a topical anesthetic which helps ease some of the discomfort associated with anal play. Read descriptions and ingredient lists to find out how much benzocaine is in a particular lube, it can vary from brand to brand. The more benzocaine (or higher up on the ingredient list) the more numbing effect will take place. Please note that Anal Lubes may be water based or silicone based, once again to be certain, please read the ingredient lists. They can also found in combination with cooling and warming lube to add more sensation to that particular area.

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Cooling Lube:

Designed to provide a cooling and tingling sensation on any part of the body, the sensation is typically heightened when touched or blown on. Cooling Lubricants can be used with warming lubricants to intensify an intimate experience. Please note that Cooling Lubes may be water based or silicone based, always read ingredient lists if not sure.

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Desensitizing Lube:

We separate out the Desensitizing Lubes in this guide from the Anal Lubes that contain Benzocaine, due to a dramatic increase recently in the amount of sprays and lubes that have come onto the market for areas other than anal play. Desensitizing Lubes are now often in spray form for oral desensitization (alleviating the gag reflex for oral sex) and for prolonging erections. They are often referred to as lubes that prolong ejaculation, delay ejaculation, or help an erection stay harder longer. The majority of desensitizing lubes contain benzocaine and is safe for oral, vaginal and anal sex.

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Flavored Lube:

Basically, Flavored Lubes consist of any lube on the market that contains any kind of flavoring (for taste or for scent purposes) in them. Not all of them are necessarily for oral consumption; however they all will be safe if digested. Flavored lubes span the categories from anal lube to oral sex spray, and are an easy way to add a little something extra to a sexual encounter or a massage. Always be aware of your partner's sensitivities to certain smells or allergies when planning to use.

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Hybrid Lube:

Fairly new on the market, "Hybrid" Lubes are a mix of silicone and water-based lube. They provide the benefit of the long-lasting moisture of silicone with the easy clean-up of a water-based lube. As always, please be aware some may not be compatible with certain toy materials or condoms, please read descriptions thoroughly. However, Hybrid Lubes are a wonderful new product for longer lasting intimate encounters.

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Massage Oil:

Honestly, most lubes can be used in a "massage" setting; however the ones labeled as Massage Oils are specifically designed for the sensual act of massage. Their number one ingredient will be an oil of some sort. Typically an oil-based lube will last longer (therefore requiring less re-applying) than a water-based lube (this would cover most silicone lubes as well). However, please know that some oil-based or silicone lubes may not be compatible with some sex toys. Massage Oil can come in a liquid, cream, or even a candle form. Massage Candles (the melted "wax" is the oil) can double as a massage oil and add an element of heat or danger (if directions are followed, no danger should occur) to an erotic encounter.

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Masturbation Lube:

The long-lasting masturbation lubes are manufactured primarily out of vegetable oil or other natural ingredients. These lubes are excellent for masturbation but should never be used with condoms and some kinds of adult sex toys. Oil-based lubes chemically react with latex products, weakening and damaging latex condoms, toys, diaphragms and similar sex related items. Masturbation lubes tend to be thicker than either water-based or silicone-based lube, which can make them harder to clean off afterwards. Masturbation lube is activated with motion, it melts with the warmth of the user's body.

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Natural Lube:

Natural or in some cases even Organic Lubes are the fasting growing lubes on the market today. These lubes will NOT contain any harmful ingredients to a woman's or man's body. These missing ingredients are most notably any glycerin, parabens, or phthalates, and will never contain any artificial colors. Instead, these lubes will offer a more natural, body-safe ingredient list, often pH balanced specifically for a woman. Natural ingredients could include Aloe, vitamins, natural oils, and natural flavors (if any fragrance or flavoring is indicated). Natural Lubes cross all categories from water-based lubes to massage oils.

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Silicone Based Lube:

To be considered a Silicone-Based Lube; most often the lube will list Dimethicone somewhere in the ingredient list. It may be the first ingredient or not (sometimes even water will be included), or the lube will contain some kind of oil for the base instead of water. The benefits of using a Silicone Lube are that they stay slick for longer periods of time (requiring less re-application when compared to water-based lubes). Silicone Lube does not break down in water, making it the lube of choice when sexual encounters involve water (think showers, hot tubs, swimming pools). This also makes it less easy to clean up. Please read descriptions of Silicone Lubes carefully, they are often not compatible with some toy materials (specifically toys made from Silicone, UR3, and realistic materials), and sometimes cannot be used with Latex condoms.

**Benefits of Silicone Lube**

1. Long Lasting
2. Requires less re-application, therefore using less product
3. Does Not Break Down in Water

**Cons of Silicone Lube**

1. Often more expensive than a water-based lube
2. Often harder to clean off of body and bedding
3. Cannot be used in conjunction with some sex toys and latex condoms

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Stimulating Lube:

Tingling, Arousing, Exciting, Intensifying... all of these are buzz words for Stimulating Lube. Any lube (water, silicone, warming, cooling) that has any of those adjectives in their description is placed in the Stimulating Lube category. The stimulation often comes from a menthol (mint), ginkgo, peppermint or cinnamon extract. Please refer to the ingredient list if concerned with any allergies.

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Warming Lube:

Designed to provide a warming sensation on any part of the body, the sensation is typically heightened when touched or blown on. Warming Lubricants can be used with cooling lubricants to intensify an intimate experience. Please note that Warming Lubes may be water based or silicone based, always read ingredient lists if not sure.

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Water Based Lube:

The most abundant in choices on the market, Water Based Lubes are water-soluble and easily absorbed into the skin. They come in various flavors, viscosity, and scents, but will always have water (aqua) as their main ingredient. Water Based Lubes are safe for all sex toys and may require re-application when used for an extended sexual encounter. Water Based Lubes are also the safest to use in conjunction with most latex condoms and are easiest to clean from skin and bedding.

**Benefits of Water Lube**

1. Safe to use on all body parts with less chance of irritability
2. Safe to use on all sex toys
3. Easiest to find and come in the largest varieties

**Cons of Water Lube**

1. May require more frequent application as it is easily absorbed into the skin
2. Breaks down in water, therefore not the best choice for sexual activities in the bath, shower, hot tub, or pool

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Women's Lube:

Lubrication has always been a friend to women for many years (probably even before it was used for men's masturbation!). However, more recently is has become very popular for companies to create lubricants that are specifically designed for a woman's use. These lubes are often pH balanced and do not contain any harmful ingredients that may irritate the woman's vaginal area. Women have used lube for centuries to help eliminate vaginal dryness, now these lubes can do so much more. Women's Lube ranges across all categories from lube for anal play to lube specifically used to stimulate the clitoris. They've come a long way baby!

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