No, those aren't the contents of a witch's cauldron! They're body ointments that excel at making your lovemaking and erotic evenings sexy, sensual and romantic. Of course, if you don't know how to use them, they can also make your sheets sticky, your hands oily and your head achy and overwhelmed by heavy scents. We've learned this lesson the hard way; we've tried out numerous massage oils, arousal balms and edible oils - and every other possible chemical and natural formula that can be rubbed on a person's body. Our testing will hopefully benefit you as we share the lessons we've learned over the years.
Are All Lubricants The Same?
Sexual lubricants come in four basic forms:
Water-based
Available in both flavoured and unflavoured mixtures, water-based lubes do not stain, are safe for use with latex and all barrier birth control methods, and rarely cause limitation. Because of their versatility and effectiveness, water-based lubricants are the form of lube recommended most often by experienced couples.
Flavoured
These are water-based lubricants with a twist. Wonderful for oral sex they can make foreplay great fun, and tasty too! Make sure the lubricant you choose does not contain sugar as this can cause yeast infections in women, and are not recommended for diabetics.
Silicon-based
The Rolls-Royce of lubricants, silicone based lubes do not contain water so they retain their lubricating properties far longer than water-based lubricants. So if you are looking for a long lasting lubricant, then silicone is probably for you. It’s highly concentrated, so a little goes a long way making it great for all your sex play including anal sex. Another benefit is that they are completely waterproof, making them ideal for underwater use. Condom safe: Silicone will not harm latex condoms and is perfectly safe for internal use as silicone molecules are too big to enter the body through the skin or body linings. NOTE: Silicone based lubricants should not be used with Silicone based toys.
Oil-based Lubricants
Oil-based lubes tend to stain fabrics and can be difficult to wash off but they are very long lasting and never become sticky. They do however destroy latex so should never be used with condoms, diaphragms or cervical caps. Oil-based lubricants are great for anal sex. They are not recommended for vaginal use.
Lubricants Maintain Healthy, Happy Sex-Life
There are times in a woman’s life, just after childbirth, different points within the menstrual cycle or after menopause when lubrication can be given a helping hand and yes lubricants are a fun, simple and highly effective way to continue enjoying a healthy sex-life. Stress, tiredness, use of over the counter drugs and the pill can also contribute to dryer than normal sex, but because a vagina doesn’t get lubricated it doesn’t necessarily provide a barrier to intercourse.