How to choose your lube? The ultimate guide to never getting it wrong again

It's a simple question but one worth dwelling on for a moment. First and foremost, I want to make it clear that lube is life! 

It can upgrade any sexual practice: masturbation, caressing, massage, penetration… Lube adds slip and helps avoid friction that can be uncomfortable.

There are 3 main families of lubes: water-based, silicone-based, and oil-based. Depending on your practice, and whether or not you use a condom or a sex toy, there are a few simple rules to follow.

Let's take a world tour of lubes and their particularities!

Why lube is (truly) your pleasure's best friend

First of all, let's break the taboo: lube is not just for vaginal dryness! It's a sensation booster for everyone — whether you're flying solo, with a partner, or with multiple partners!

Water-based, oil-based or silicone-based lube: the showdown

Which lube to choose based on your practice?

To spice up foreplay: warming or flavoured lubes

Intimate lube is far from being a boring product, as one might think — on the contrary, it can be playful and fun!

There are, for example, lubes with different flavours and aromas that are also edible — perfect for oral pleasure! Others come with warming or cooling effects… To be used according to your mood and desires. 

For use with sex toys: water first and foremost

Yes, not all lubes are compatible with sex toys — far from it! You could even damage them irreversibly if you use a silicone-based lube... Why? Because friction between silicone materials will create micro-tears on the surface of your sex toy, which could eventually damage it and encourage the growth of bacteria.

If you mainly use lube with your sex toys, we strongly recommend using water-based lubes!

For sensitive skin: go natural or organic

Vaginal and anal mucous membranes are very sensitive areas. For people prone to irritation and/or yeast infections, it is advisable to avoid parabens, glycerin and fragrances. 

We recommend opting for water-based or oil-based lubes with the most natural composition possible. And if it's organic, even better.

Take care of your flora and it will reward you with even more pleasurable sensations!

For anal pleasure: go for long-lasting glide

Anal lubes can be water-based (and therefore compatible with sex toys) with a thick texture, or silicone-based. 

The anal area is very sensitive and does not self-lubricate naturally, so it needs a little help to be perfectly prepared for intercourse. That's why anal lubes are thicker than others and often contain plant extracts to soothe and relax the area.

Condoms and lubes: mistakes to absolutely avoid

As we mentioned in our comparison table above (hope you're keeping up!), care must be taken when using lube with a condom. 

This is a genuine matter of safety and health: the risk of transmitting Sexually Transmitted Infections and Sexually Transmitted Diseases, as well as the risk of unwanted pregnancy, is increased if the lube used is not suitable for latex.

Indeed, fatty substances — and therefore oil-based lubes, massage oils, coconut oil and even butter — are porous and make latex condoms ineffective. They can cause them to tear. This is a risk to be aware of before getting started!

In summary: how to make your choice?

To sum up, you should choose your lube based on how you intend to use it. You can of course have several lubes to use according to your needs and desires!

• If you choose a water-based lube, it will be compatible with your sex toys and suitable for all uses. Its only drawback is that it dries out faster than the others.
• If you opt for a silicone-based lube, it will offer you long-lasting sensations and can be used in water. Be careful not to use it with a silicone sex toy, as you risk damaging it!
• If you prefer an oil-based lube, you'll enjoy a soft, enveloping texture that's ideal for massages. Be careful never to use it with a latex condom, as it may cause it to tear!

I hope this little guide will be useful as you explore new sensations with lube — our best ally for a great time between the sheets!

See you soon,