Lube is very healthy to use during sex as it reduces friction and can often enhance pleasure, but do we really know what is inside most lubes? We all know that varginas are amazing and with that amazingness comes extra sensitivity. Even the wrong soaps can set the pH balance off and cause a variety of problems. Research on vaginal health continues to develop, but we still put so many things inside of us that we don’t question. From tampons to lubes, we are trusting that these products are safe for us. But are they really?
Source: insidehook.com
Luckily, advances in vaginal health and research have also improved lubricants used for sexual health. Since more and more people are becoming educated on unhealthy chemicals and products in nearly everything we use, there have also been calls to look at what exactly goes into things that we put into our vaginas. Finally! Most people have no idea what is in over-the-counter lube, so let’s quickly look at the most common ingredients inside of most lubricants that you can buy at the store.
What ingredients are commonly in lube?
Water, oil, and silicone are the most common bases for lubes. Every single lube will be based around one of those core ingredients. None of those ingredients on their own are bad for you and all organic lubes will have one of those ingredients in them. The “bad stuff” comes from the additives and preservatives. Read those labels to see what you are putting on your most sensitive bits!
What ingredients should you avoid?
Chemical ingredients found in lube can sometimes be toxic to the vagina and disrupt the microbiome which is the natural balance of microorganisms that naturally thrive inside of the vagina. Exposure to toxins can have a range of side effects from mild irritation to straight up infection. Here are some harsh ingredients to avoid:
Parabens – parabens are preservatives which can irritate vaginal membranes and cause rashes. There have also been studies that show parabens lead to fertility issues.
Petroleum Jelly – Petroleum Jelly has been found to disrupt the vagina’s pH balance and cause bacterial overgrowth.
Cyclomethicone – This ingredient is known to cause uterine cancer in animal studies. It is put in silicone-based lubes and unfortunately long term research has not yet been conducted that shows the impact of cyclomethicone in women. That seems like reason alone to avoid them for now!
Fragrances/Flavors – Be wary of generic “flavors” or “fragrances” listed in the ingredients because those often include chemicals that have carcinogens. They can also easily cause yeast infections. If anything is listed as a “___ flavoring”, it is probably not all-natural nor is it something that will make you feel good downstairs in the long run.
Are there natural lubes?
We have talked about what you should avoid in lubricants, so now let’s talk about some lubricant green lights. Like we said, there are some all-natural bases in most lubricants. There are also some homeopathic lube options for you:
- Aloe vera – Aloe is natural, but if you buy it over-the-counter make sure that it doesn’t have added ingredients like alcohol because that will cause irritation to your sensitive parts.
- Olive oil – It might sound ironic to use extra-virgin olive oil when you are practicing not being a virgin, but olive oil is a very pure oil to use as a lube. This is an all-natural lubricant, but the skin does not absorb olive oil easily. Make sure to wash quickly or else you may clog your pores. It is also not advised to use oils with condoms because natural oils can break down latex. Make sure to be safe when you are having sex with a partner!
- Plain yogurt – Yogurt in your vagina?! But isn’t this a breakfast food? I know it sounds crazy (and delicious), but research has found that plain yogurt is good for vaginal thrush and it remains moist for a long time which is ideal for those long bedroom sessions. Remember to avoid flavored yogurts, even if it is an organic yogurt. Stick to plain yogurt to keep your vagina free of possible additives.
- Primrose oil – Primrose oil is a common skin moisturizer that people use in all-natural skin routines, but research has shown that it also benefits vaginal dryness.
- Coconut oil – Coconut oil is a good choice for oral sex because of theyummy flavor. This is an organic way to have a flavored lube! Much like olive and primrose oil, you should be careful when using oil lubricants with latex.
Would you rather buy a lubricant specifically made for sex that has natural ingredients in it? That might be your safest route. For a list of several different lubes to buy, check out this list from Women’s Health Magazine.
