Lube can do wonders for your sex life. Whether you’re engaging in a little solo fun, enjoying it with a partner or playing with sex toys (or all of the above!), lubricant can trigger spine-tingling sensations and enhance pleasure in all the right places.
But with so many different varieties available, where do you start? Shopping for lube can be overwhelming – especially if you’ve never used it before. Below, you’ll find a breakdown of water-based vs silicone lube, the pros and cons of both, plus a few general tips on safe and hygienic lube play.
Water-based lubricants
As you would probably suspect, water-based lubricant is the ideal choice for those of us with sensitive skin, or anyone who is prone to vaginal irritation. It’s also the safer option for anal sex, as water-based anal lubricants are less likely to have a “slippage” effect on the condom.
And last but not least, water-based lubricants are much easier to clean off fabrics (like bedsheets and clothing) and won’t leave any accusatory stains!
However, water-based lube is not without its drawbacks. If you like to engage in a little bath or shower play, water-based varieties are a bad idea for the same reason that they are so easily cleaned off sheets – it washes away.
It also tends to lose its moisture quite quickly, at which point it becomes sticky and needs to be reapplied. Depending on your sexual stamina, this might be a deal-breaker!
Silicone-based lubricants
Not only do silicone-based varieties keep things lubricated for far longer, but a little goes a long way. It’s also much more shower-friendly, but the flip-side to this is that silicone-based lubricants are harder to wash off, and some brands might stain your sheets.
Also, while it might seem logical to use silicone-based lube with silicone sex toys, it’s actually been known to gradually break down a sex toy’s rubber components.
Water-based vs silicone lube
In the great debate between water-based and silicone-based lubricants, it really comes down to personal preference.
Oil-based lubes (including massage oils) make a good substitute for silicone-based lubes, as they share many of the same qualities. However, (and this is a BIG however), they cannot be used with latex condoms. Why? Because in some cases, the oil can dissolve the latex and cause the condom to break… Whoops! The same goes for latex diaphragms and sex toys.
Some good rules of thumb when bringing lube into your bedroom antics
When shopping for lubricants, avoid products that contain lots of artificial colours, sugars, oils or additional additives – there’s no need to expose your body to potentially harmful bacteria.
And finally, lube is intended to be a pleasure enhancer. If you are finding sexual intercourse to be so painful that you require copious amounts of lubricant in order to enjoy it, it’s worth consulting a health professional.
As a proudly female owned and operated Australian business, Femplay is passionate about providing you with the means to shop for adult toys in a way that is comfortable and enjoyable for you.
Browse our extensive range of lubricants online, and please don’t hesitate to drop us a line if you need further assistance.