Looking to add a little slippery fun into your sex life?
The secret to hot, steamy, slippery, comfortable sex comes in a little tube.
Lube.
But with so many types of lube out there, how are you meant to know which is the best lube for you? Lubricants come in all different knee-trembling formulas…from water-based lube and silicone lube to flavoured lube and hybrid lube, it can be kinda a lube minefield out there.
But never fear my horny friend. Check out our ultimate beginners guide to lubricants and how to use use them and become a slip-and-slide master in no time.
What is Lube
Let’s be clear right off the bat. Lube isn’t just an afterthought for greasing your engine. It’s so much more than that.
With so many textures, formulas, sensations, and flavours to try, this slippery saviour does make penetration easier and oh-so-good, but it can also enhance sex, making you tingle in all the right places and turning a mediocre tumble in the sheets into a mind-blowing shag-fest.
Lubes are designed for comfort and enhanced sexual pleasure. They add moisture, making every sensation feel smoother by ramping up the lubrication factor.
Even if you have no problem getting wet, adding lube into the mix (whether into the vagina or anus…or both!) can help minimise discomfort and increase your pleasure.
Lubricant comes in liquid, gel and even powder form and can be used during penetrative sex, masturbation, or with your favourite dildo to reduce friction and make your toes curl with orgasmic glee. It can also make you more aroused and keep the delicate tissue in your vagina or anus soft, stimulated, and aching for more.
Do’s and Don’ts for How to Use Lube
We always recommend choosing the best lube for your needs (read on to discover the different types of lube) and reading the instructions fully.
Here are some tips to make sure you get the most from your slippery experience:
| DO: | DONT: |
|---|---|
| Always add more lube when you need it. If you’re going for an all-nighter, reapply whenever it’s needed. | Don’t use silicone-based lubes with silicone toys as it can cause them to degrade over time. |
| Place a towel underneath you so your sheets (or couch or carpet) are safe from any lube stains. | Don’t use oil-based lubes with latex condoms as they can degrade the material and cause holes. |
| Warm it up in your hands before applying. | Don’t use flavoured lubes for vaginal sex as they contain glucose and can cause yeast infections. Stick to good ol’ oral. |
| If you’re using lube for anal sex, more is more! Your anus doesn’t self-lubricate like most vaginas, so slather lube inside, around your anus and on your condom or sex toys to get the best experience. | |
| Who says lube is just for penetrative sex? Add lube into your foreplay fun to really get you going. Stroke it onto your nipples, apply it to your clit and feel the good sensations. | |
Different Types of Lube
Cool. Now you’re more familiar with lube and how (and how not) to use it, let’s dig into the good stuff. The different types of lube and which one is best for you and your horny needs.
Water-Based Lube
Water-based lubes like the orgasmic Liquid Silk lubricant, make sex, foreplay, and solo play even hotter. It’s a great all-rounder lube and has a light, natural feel making it ideal for a romp in the sheets or a bit of fun with sex toys.
Pros:
- It rinses off easily from skin and fabric.
- It feels smooth and slippery.
- Diverse – there are various flavoured, tingling, warming and much more lube available.
- Safe to use with internal and latex or polyurethane/polyisoprene condoms
- Doesn’t stain and is easy to clean.
- Ideal for vaginal, anal and oral sex.
Cons:
- Water-based lube is absorbed pretty quickly, so you might need to reapply it often.
- It can feel a bit tacky as it’s absorbed.
- Not waterproof.
Silicone Lube
This long-lasting lube is a dream to use in the shower thanks to its waterproof formula. It’s silky-smooth, applies like a dream and can be used for vaginal, anal, and solo sex.
Pros:
- Silicone-based lubes are long-lasting, so you don’t need to reapply very often.
- It feels smooth, soft, and oh-so-good.
- Safe to use with internal and latex or polyurethane/polyisoprene condoms.
- Silky texture, not sticky or tacky.
- Ideal for vaginal and anal sex.
- Doesn’t harbour any bacteria or upset ph balance in women.
Cons:
- It’s harder to clean off than water-based lubes, and it can stain fabric, so don’t forget your towel!
- Cannot use with silicone or cyberskin toys.
Oil-Based Lube
Enjoy a bit of a pamper sesh with oil-based lube. These smooth beauties include ingredients that make skin soft and supple, such as aloe vera, almond oil and vitamin E, making them better to use for external play.
Pros:
- It’s super long-lasting and very slippery.
- Perfect for fisting and anal play.
Cons:
- It can clog pores so make sure you wash it off, especially if using it near your face.
- Oil-based lube can stain fabric.
- It should only be used with internal condoms and not latex or polyurethane/polyisoprene condoms as it can increase the risk of breakages.
- Only compatible with toys made from metal or glass.
- Not recommended for vaginal use as it increases the risk of infections.
- Messy and hard to clean
Hybrid Lube
Hyrbids incorporate the best of both worlds. These lubricants are a cross between water and silicone and feature the best qualities of each type of lube.
Pros:
- These lubes drastically reduce friction and feel smooth and creamy.
- They last longer than most water-based lubes.
- Easy to wash off.
- More affordable than pure silicone-based lubes.
- You can use them with most silicone toys (but check the label first).
Cons:
- Some hybrid lubes aren’t compatible with silicone toys (check the label).
- They can take on a sticky quality when rubbing against silicone.
- If you’re getting down on a leather or vinyl couch, make sure you clean any spillages when you’re done as they can saturate the fabric.
- Not many variations are currently available.
Now, as well as these delightful lube wonders, there are some other varieties to get you off. These include:
Flavoured lube
Does what it says on the tube! A lube that comes in a delish variety of different flavours to make oral sex even tastier.
Anal lube
This lube is specifically for anal sex and anal play as it has enhanced thickness, giving it a more cushioned glide during anal play.
Warming lube and tingling lube
Love a little extra sensation? Then reach for these bad boys to heat things up or make things tingle thanks to their ingredients that awaken nerve endings and enhance your response to touch.
CBD lube
A lubricant featuring CBD, which acts as an anti-inflammatory, helps muscle relaxation and encourages blood flow, making you feel EVERYTHING.
What Lube for What Activity
So you’re still unsure about which lubricant is best for your chosen activity? As always, we’re here to help! So we’ve created a list of activities together with our recommended lube type to help you in select your fantastic lubrication.
Sex Toys – water-based lube is a safe bet for toys. Silicone-based is also an option but only if toys are not made from silicone or Cyberskin.
Vaginal Sex – water and silicone-based lubricants will provide optimum glide and maximum pleasure for your playtime.
Anal Sex – we recommend a silicone or water-based lubricant specifically designed for anal.
Masturbation – hybrid, water and silicone based are all great choices for your solo fun.
Oral Sex – water-based is the best option for oral pleasure.
Electro Sex – Consider using a specialised electro-sex gel. It contains more salt than ordinary lubricants, which increases conductivity.
Vaginal Fisting – a silicone-based or hybrid lubricant is a must.
Anal Fisting – an oil or silicone-based lubricant will enhance your fisting fun.
Urethral Sounding – a sterile water-based lubricant is essential for this kind of play.
The Best Lube for You
Congratulations! You are now a lube master.
To start your lube journey and take your sex life to the next level, check out our huge range of lubricants at Saints and Sinners. We have loads of lubes for every occasion and every sensation.
Just remember to play it safe. Always read the label and instructions before getting down and dirty.
