Not only should lube be for when you feel "you need it", but you should also WANT to be using lube for every sexual encounter!
Pssst...want this information in a watchable, video-format instead!? Check out our YouTube video down below!
Not convinced? Try this: Rub your fingers gently across your dry lips. Notice how it feels. Now lick your lips, and rub your fingers across them; this time you should feel so much more sensation in your lips. That's exactly what lube does - it heightens sensation so that every lick, thrust, and vibrating buzz it felt more intensely. So, which lube is right for you?
Well, unfortunately there is no universal lube that can work for everyone as bodies are all unique and things like individual pH levels can affect how a lube feels and functions on us. For many folks, it’s often about personal preference which may take some trial and error before finding the lube that works best for you and your body!
That being said, there are universal properties to different lubricants that can help you narrow down the options as well as others that are designed for specific parts of the body or activities.
Shop ALL of Stag Shop's Lubricants here!
Water-Based
Stag Shop Aqua Water-Based Lubricant
A water-based lubricant is a go-to formula for most people as it is compatible for use with any toy or condom. The biggest thing to keep in mind when looking at water-based lubricants is the ingredients; checking for anything that you may be allergic or sensitive to. For example, glycerin is a popular ingredient in lubes that many folks are sensitive to.
Another thing to keep in mind when buying water-based lube is consistency. Some are thin and watery (great for people who like slipperiness or only want a little bit of extra lubrication), and some are very thick (great for anal play, larger toys, or for those who micro-tear).
One complaint about water-based lubricant is that it can become sticky or tacky. This is caused when the water in it evaporates and/or absorbs into the skin. This usually happens during rigorous or longer friction, if the lube has been sitting unsealed on a shelf for a while, or if it's near its expiry date; simply add more! When you are finished, a water-based lube will absorb into the skin, usually leaving it feeling soft and hydrated afterwards.
Shop all water-based lubes here!
Silicone-Based
Uberlube Premium Silicone Lubricant
A silicone-based lubricant is ideal for people with skin sensitivities and/or for those who like lube that lasts a very long time on the skin. It has a silky, slippery, and sometimes “buttery” feel to it, depending on the types of silicone used.
They come in a wide variety of consistencies, ranging from thin and runny to very thick and gel-like, and are typically made from two or more types of silicone, with dimethicone being the most popular.
Silicone lubes are waterproof and last a very long time, even in the shower or bath, however they will need to be washed off of the skin after play, as they don’t absorb into the skin.
Shop all silicone-based lubes here!
Hybrid
Wicked Sensual Care Simply Hybrid Lube
Hybrid lubricants are a combination of water-based and silicone-based formulas, giving you the best of both worlds! Generally speaking, a hybrid lubricant starts off as a water-based lubricant and has just a touch of silicone added to it; which changes the texture and consistency of the lube.
Hybrids have some of the lasting power of a silicone lubricant, as well as the fluidity and skin-conditioning properties of a water-based lubricant, but without the stickiness. They are also much easier to clean up than a silicone-based lubricant. They should be safe to use with all toys but you can do a spot-test on an unimportant area of your toy to check for compatibility.
Oil-Based
Doc Johnson Woo More Play Coconut Love Oil Lubricant
Lubricants that have an oil-base can feel super slippery and “greasy” which many folks enjoy. These types of lubes are NOT compatible with latex and can even deteriorate the material, however, they should be safe to use with most toy materials.
Many oil-based lubes feature moisturizing properties for the skin, making them great for massages as well. They do need to be washed off of the body afterwards, however, it can be hard to do so (same for if they get on any fabric), potentially requiring a little extra clean-up time.
Shop all oil-based lubes here!
Flavoured
Intimate Earth Oral Pleasure Glide 3ml
A flavoured lubricant is always going to be water-based and is most often used for oral sex. You can drizzle it anywhere on the body and lick it off since they are completely safe to ingest.
Pay extra attention to the labels if you have any food allergies though as many brands use natural flavours within their lubricants. It’s also best to avoid using a flavoured lubricant for any types of internal play, especially when glycerin is used. The generally high concentration of glycerin used in these lubes can also make someone feel a “sting” or a mild burning sensation if they have sensitive skin.
Fun fact...Wicked Aqua Flavoured Lubricant is uniquely sweetened with Stevia, making it safe for diabetics as well as vegan!
Shop all flavoured lubes here!
Anal
Fleshlight Fleshlube Slide Thick Anal Lubricant
Lubes marketed towards “anal” are usually made of a water-based formula, but not always. What makes anal lubes for anal play is that they are often thicker in consistency, almost of a gel-like viscosity.
This consistency creates a barrier between skin-to-skin contact thicker than that of a typical water-based formula, which is ideal for anal play as the anus does not produce any lubrication naturally. Since it is thicker, it will also stay on the body/toy for a longer period of time, not being absorbed into the skin as quickly.
Despite being marketed specifically for anal play, anal lubricants are great for anyone who simply wants a thicker barrier of lube!
Specialty
Zero Tolerance Warming Masturbator Lubricant
Some lubricants have special features to them that can make the experience even more stimulating and/or pleasurable. Lubricants that warm up and/or cool down are perfect for adding some extra sensation during play.
Some also contain certain ingredients that can help to protect and heal. For example, Wicked Sensual Care’s water-based lubricant, Aqua features olive leaf extract which is a biostatic, meaning it encapsulates (blocks) bacteria until the body can flush it out, preventing it from spreading.
Another example is Intimate Earth’s Soothe Anal Silicone Lube which contains Guava Bark Extract, an ingredient known for its natural astringent/cleaning agent.
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