LET’S GET LUBED UP

Let’s talk about lubrication.  Not the kind for your car, but for your body.  More importantly, let’s talk about lube for the most fun you can have with that body, sex.

Think your sex life doesn’t need a little lubrication?  Maybe you want to keep having sex “the old fashioned way”?  Well, think again.  Your great great grandparents were probably using some when they were getting down way back then, and you should too.  The right lube can be turn good sex into great sex, and can also be a lot of fun!

Sexual lubricant has been around for thousands of years, the earliest recorded example being olive oil used by the Greeks way back in 350 B.C., (coincidentally the same time dildos first became popular).  Besides olive oil, our ancestors made use of seaweed, mashed yams, clove oil, and of course, the tried-and-true saliva for their lubrication needs.  Luckily for you, throughout the years, lube has come a long way.  KY Jelly was the first to market their product specifically as a personal lubricant back in 1917, but it was available only by prescription until 1980.  Today, there are so many products and brands available that it can be hard to choose, so here’s a brief description of what’s out there, with some useful and fun recommendations to help you make your choice.

What are they made of?

Lubes can be broken down into three main categories, oil based, water based, and silicone based.  Oil based lubricants are generally not recommended since they cannot be used with condoms, and most are not suitable for internal use.  There’s plenty of people out there that have dipped into the pantry for some vegetable oil when nothing better is available, but it’s recommended you use the right product for the right job.  Oils can be great for massages and masturbation, but it’s best to stay away from the oil based stuff in most cases.

Water Based Lubes

Water based lubes are the best option for an all-purpose sexual lubricant.  They can safely be used with condoms and sex toys, they are easier to clean up, and they a generally a little less expensive.  The downside to water based lubes is they can dry up faster, so you might need to keep the bottle handy and reapply as necessary.

Silicone Lubes

If you want to take your lube game to the next level, silicone lubes can be a great choice.  They last much longer, can be used internally, and are waterproof (think shower sex).  They are safe to use with condoms, but can cause damage to sex toys made with silicone or elastomer, so make sure you check before using them with your favorite toy.  They can be harder to clean up, and a little more expensive, but are definitely worth it when you want to keep things nice and slippery.

Specialty Lubes

Besides these basic categories mentioned above, there are many specialty lubes available for certain purposes, which can be water, silicone and even oil based.   They work great for their intended purposes, but may not be compatible with all types of bedroom fun.

Anal Lube

A quality lube is a must for safe and enjoyable anal sex.  Lubes made for anal sex are thicker and longer lasting than other lubes, so they will stay where they are needed and won’t dry out (nobody wants that).  Because of these properties they can be harder to clean up though.

Flavored Lube

Why make lube with flavor?  For oral sex of course!  Flavored lubes can be a fun addition to oral sex, but can get sticky and should be used externally only, as some ingredients may cause reactions if used internally.