Written By: Jenne

With so many lubricants on the market today, it can get more than a little confusing when it comes to picking one but it doesn't have to be that way! By asking yourself a few basic questions you can dramatically increase you chances of choosing the right tool for the right job.

Question 1: Purpose? Exactly when, where and what do I intend to use this lube or for?
This might sound like a simple question but by figuring out what you what a lube to do for you, you narrow your choices dramatically. So let's take a look at some of the answers to the above:

Vagina Penetration: If you intend to use a lube internally then stay clear of oil based lubricants as these can dramatically increase your chances of contracting yeast infections. Water based or silicone lubes are you best bet for internal use.

Anal Sex: If there is only on place in this whole series you will hear me give a definite statement it's here: Anal sex requires lube! Use it and lots of it. Again water based is a good choice although I personally like silicone lube here as it retains it's slickness much longer when it comes to anal sex. There are a few lubes on the market that contain a type of an ingredient that desensitizes the anus such as lidocaine or benzocaine. Personally I wouldn't recommend these products as it really is better if you are going to practice anal sex, to learn to relax than to anesthetize you backside. If you use these products you run a greater risk of hurting yourself as pain is designed to stop us from doing just that.

Condoms: If you intend to use condoms as part of your sexual experience make sure the lube you choose is latex or condom compatible. Oil lubes including Vaseline should NEVER be used with condoms as they will in a very short space of time break down the latex from which they are made. A much better choice is a water or silicone based lube.

Oral Sex: There are many flavored lubes on the market and to be honest they range from Oh my God that tastes good, to Oh My God How can anyone call that edible in the taste range. All favored lubes are water based because silicone is on the how can anyone call that edible scale of the taste range. You should also avoid lubes that contain Nonoxynol-9 as it has a soapy taste to it. Many or the water based lubes will tell you that they have no taste but my experience is that many do have either a faint taste or leave a bitter after taste and like many things it's a case of trial and error till you find a lube that suits your taste buds. Flavored lubes should generally be applied to the outside of the genitals rather than inside a vagina as many contain glycerin which some women have reported helped promote yeast infections, although the jury is still out on this one.

Question 2: I want to use a lube with my sex toys, are there that I should avoid?

If that sex toy is made of silicone then don;t buy a silicone lube. Although it may sound like a contradiction, the two don't sit well, and over a period of time a silicone lube will break down the surface of the toy, turning it into something of a gummy mixture. A water based lube is your best bet if you use a lot of sex toys.

Question 3: I have sensitive skin what do you recommend?

If you have sensitive skin then it maybe best to avoid lubes that contain methyl, propyl paraben or Nonoxymol-9 as these ingredients can irritate sensitive skins. You may want o try some of the organic lubes that are now available but remember that there is of course no guarantee that these will not irritate either. It's generally a case of trial and error to find what works for you.

A good tip is to apply a lube to the inside of your wrist and wait a day, to see if you have any adverse reaction, before trying the lube on your even more sensitive parts.

Question 4: I'm prone to yeast infections is there any lubes I should avoid?

If you suffer from yeast infections then you may want to avoid lubes that contain glycerin. While there is very little evidence to suggest that this ingredient promotes/causes yeast infections, many women swear that it contributes to them. You should also avoid oil based lubes at all cost as they are difficult to flush from the system and in turn promote infections.

Question 5: I want to use a toy in the bath/hot tub and shower what do you recommend?

By far the best choice here are the silicone lubes. They are designed not to break down in water as easily as water based lubes but at the same time are not absorbed into the body, instead being naturally flushed after a certain amount of time.

Question 6: I want to try using different lubes but don't want to buy 20oz bottles only to find it's not right for me. Any ideas?

Many stores have sampler packs of lubes nowadays that contain a variety of lube samplers. These are normally 2oz pillows or sachets of a particular lube and can be a great way to discover which lube is best for you. Some manufacturers are also happy to supply small samples free of charge or at a reduced cost, all you have to do is ask!

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