Lube makes every kind of intercourse higher, and as a rule, individuals ought to be utilizing far more of it. Past its skill to ramp up pleasure, lube may make intercourse safer (and take potential anxiousness about being “moist sufficient” off of these with vaginas—however even should you’re rivaling Niagara Falls down there, it’s best to nonetheless put at the least one type of lube proudly in your bedside desk). When you’re a newcomer, or questioning easy methods to make issues even wetter and higher: Let me let you know all about easy methods to use it and why it’s wonderful…and also you would possibly simply learn how to wash silicone lube off your hardwood ground within the course of.
What forms of lube are there?
There’s a lube for each event. Signey Olson, DNP, NP, CNM, an assistant professor at Georgetown College’s College of Nursing and nurse practitioner specializing in reproductive well being and fertility, tells SELF, “I all the time joke you can say your medical supplier informed you it’s best to use lube each time.” However, given the ocean of lube on the market, how are you aware which varieties you would possibly select? Let’s break it down.
Water-based
The sort of lube is, nicely, watery. Based on Dr. Olson, water-based lube is the “least prone to irritate genital tissue,” as a result of they normally have fewer components than different forms of lube. That additionally means they’re positively the best choice should you or your accomplice have delicate pores and skin or are vulnerable to yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, or UTIs—however you possibly can test the label to ensure what you’re working with is fragrance-free and doesn’t include the rest you recognize you’re delicate to.
Dr. Olson additionally factors out that water-based lube is the “best to wash”—each off of your self and out of your sheets—which is helpful, as a result of it’s absorbed by your pores and skin extra rapidly, so that you would possibly have to reapply a whole lot of it all through no matter attractive factor it’s you’re doing.
One in every of water-based lube’s largest perks: It’s protected with all forms of intercourse toys and barrier strategies like condoms (latex or in any other case). Okay, versatility!
Silicone-based
Slippery slopes forward! Silicone-based lube is longer-lasting than water-based varieties, so it’s good for intercourse that lasts a very long time, because you’re much less prone to have to reapply as typically. Dr. Olson particularly recommends silicone lube for “intercourse within the bathe, because it does not wash away as simply.” (Simply be actually cautious to not slip.)
There are some potential cons, although: Silicone-based lubes would possibly stain your sheets, so lay out a intercourse towel. You shouldn’t use silicone lube with silicone intercourse toys, as it might trigger them to degrade, but it surely’s protected to make use of with steel or glass. And, like I mentioned, it’s slippery AF, so if it will get on the ground, attempt to clear it up instantly utilizing a washcloth and a paste-like combination of baking soda and water. (Ask me how I do know.)
Oil-based
She’s thick—the consistency of oil-based lube, that’s. Much like silicone-based lube, oil-based lube will maintain issues slick for an extended time than water-based sorts, however in contrast to silicone choices, oil-based lube is incompatible with latex limitations, like condoms or dental dams: It might weaken the fabric and make the barrier extra prone to tear, rising the danger of STIs or being pregnant should you’re having P-in-V intercourse.
Bonus: What’s NOT lube?
I’d be remiss to level out that some issues that kinda, sorta appear like lube are literally very a lot not issues it’s best to use anyplace round your genitals. Juliana Hauser, PhD, LMFT, LPC tells SELF that meals, like honey or whipped cream, is a agency no as a result of sugar will be irritating to genitals and improve the danger of yeast an infection. You also needs to keep away from “child oil, lotion, cleaning soap, or petroleum jelly,” Dr. Hauser provides, since these can all include irritants that will make an infection extra possible too. Principally: Solely use lubes that say they’re lubes.
Tips on how to use lube for no matter intercourse act you’re doing
Masturbation
When you’re getting down all by your self, you shouldn’t be really alone…since you’ve received your trusty lube there with you. Okay, that was so corny, however in all seriousness: Lube is tremendous underrated for masturbation, which sucks as a result of (a) it feels simply as wonderful whenever you use it by your self, whether or not you’ve got a penis or vagina, and (b) it’s the right time to experiment with totally different varieties to determine your preferences. Dr. Hauser says that lube “helps with including new sensations, reduces friction from palms and intercourse toys, can assist with dryness, and provides a distinct really feel to rhythm and contact.”