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Your Sex Lubes and Lotions Guide
Whether you’re spending the night with
your partner or flying solo, the right
lube or lotion can mean the difference
between good sex and GREAT SEX. This
Lube Guide examines the different types
of lubes and lotions designed for adult
use and highlight their strengths and
weaknesses so you find the lube or
lotion best suited for your needs.
Using Lube with your Adult Sex Toys
While there are some sex toys that can safely be used without lube,
picking the right lube can help protect most sex toys from overall
damage and increases the sex toy’s lifespan. Using lube with your sex
toy also greatly enhances the sex toy’s effectiveness and the sex toy
user’s overall experience - especially with proper cleaning.
Picking the Right Sex Lube for your Sex Toy
You should always be careful which kind of lube you use with your sex
toy. Using the wrong lube could damage your sex toy or greatly decrease
its lifespan. Water-based lubes can be used safely with any sex toy. Oil
or petroleum-based lubes can damage certain sex toys – particularly sex
toys made from latex. Silicone-based lubes can be used with any sex toy
that is not made from silicone.
Using Sex Lube with your Sex Toy
Once you’ve selected a safe lube to use with your sex toy, you should
carefully apply a small bit of lube to the toy as well as the body part
you intend to use the toy on. If you have a dildo you want to use for
anal penetration, you should apply the lube to your anus. There should
be enough lube to solidly coat both surfaces. Note that depending on
which type of lube you use, you might need to stop briefly to add more
if the lube should dry out.
Cleaning Sex Lube from your Sex Toy
To clean off the lube, you should wipe off the toy and yourself with
warm, soapy water and then dry off with a towel. Water-based lubes are
the easiest to clean off. Other lubes might prove more difficult to
remove or can leave behind a sticky feeling that some people find
unpleasant. There are also sex toy cleaners that are formulated to
remove lubes from toys.
Find Your Ideal Sex Lubes & Lotions
When it comes to sex lubes and lotions, there are hundreds of different
items on the market - everything from the traditional KY Jelly to
silicone-based lubes, some that are even waterproof. Before selecting a
lube, you should think carefully about exactly what you will use it for.
After deciding on that, you’ll want to find out the main types of lubes
and check out some of the different lube options available to further
enhance your experience. But even the perfect lube can be less than
satisfying unless you know how to use your lube and - most importantly -
how to clean up afterwards.
Main Types of Sex Lubes
When looking for a sex lube, the most important quality is the primary
ingredient in the lube, in other words, what substance the lube is based
on. Not only does this affect the properties of your lube, it can even
limit which kinds of toys you can safely use with your lube. For
instance, a petroleum-based lube will always be thick, difficult to
clean, and incompatible with latex condoms or adult sex toys. But the
petroleum-based lube will also last longer than almost any other kinds
of lube. Lubes are made from four basic substances - water, oil,
petroleum, and silicone - each with its own pros and cons.
Water-Based Sex Lubes
Water-based sex lubes are the most common lubes in the adult industry.
Users love water-based lubes for their relatively low price and easy
cleaning. Water-based lubes can be used safely with any type of adult
toy or product and used for oral sex, vaginal or anal penetrations,
masturbation or for massages.
Many water-based sex lubes can be scented and flavored – making them
especially appetizing for oral sex. Water-based lubes clean off easily
with just warm water and a little bit of soap and don’t leave a sticky
residue like some kinds of sex lubes can. Water-based lubes also don’t
leave stains on your clothes or bed sheets. The only real drawback is
that water-based sex lubes tend to wear off faster than other types of
lubes - meaning you might need to reapply the lube once or twice before
you're finished.
Oil-based Sex Lubes
Oil-based sex lubes are manufactured primarily out of vegetable oil or
other natural ingredients. These lubes are excellent for masturbation or
for vaginal or anal penetration but should never be used with condoms
and some kinds of adult sex toys. Oil-based lubes chemically react with
latex products, weakening and damaging latex condoms, toys, diaphragms
and similar sex related items. Oil-based lubes tend to be thicker than
either water-based or silicone-based lube, which can make them harder to
clean off afterwards. Oil-based lubes also sometimes leave a sticky film
behind. Because oil-based lubes last far longer than water-based lubes,
they are an excellent choice for masturbation.
Petroleum-Based Sex Lubes
Petroleum-based sex lubes are made primarily from mineral oil or
petroleum jelly and include Vaseline-type products. Petroleum-based
lubes tend to have the thickest consistency of the lubes on the market,
which helps explain why petroleum-based lubes also tend to outlast other
brands of lube. Petroleum-based lubes have an even stronger reaction to
latex than their oil-based counterparts, almost melting it on contact.
Because of their durability, petroleum sex lubes can be extremely
difficult to clean off afterwards and can easily stain sheets or
clothes. But that very durability makes petroleum-based lubes a popular
choice for anal sex especially.
Silicone-Based Sex Lubes
Silicone-based sex lubes are essentially a futuristic version of
water-based lubes. Silicone lubes contain the exact same ingredients but
replace water with silicone instead – making these lubes waterproof!
Silicone-based lubes are much more long-lasting than water-based sex
lubes – making them perfect for almost any kind of sexual activity.
Because they're new to the market, silicone lubes can be harder to find
and often come with fewer options than other types of lube. Like
water-based lubes, silicones don’t leave stains and are easy to clean up
afterwards with just a towel. The only real drawback to silicone-based
lubes is that you shouldn’t use them with silicone sex toys – other than
that silicone lubes are compatible with all other types of adult toys,
condoms and other products. Silicone lubes are especially useful for
having sex or masturbating in a shower or pool, or any kind of vaginal or anal penetration.
Sex Lotions
Sex lotions are really more of a foreplay tool. While some lotions can
double as lubes, most lotions are meant to be used externally rather
than for sexual activity. Lotions serve a wide variety of purposes –
including shaving your pubic hair and stimulating a woman’s nipples or
clitoris. But lotions are most often used for massage. By cutting down
on friction, lotions help provide a more comfortable and relaxing
massage. Many lotions also have some sort of pleasant, fruity scent to
them like strawberries or cherries and heat up on contact.
Erotic Massage Oils
What are Erotic Massage Oils?
Erotic massage oils put the power of sensual pleasure in your hands!
While a typical massage is intended to relax, an erotic massage is also
intended to stimulate and arouse.
Most massage oils are just what they
sound like. They are a thin oil with a consistency slightly thicker
than water that has a smooth, silky and sensual feel when applied to
your lover's naked flesh.
There are dozens of sensual options
when buying massage oils, including massage candles that are actually
massage oils that liquefies from the heat when lit, to waterproof erotic
bath oils that let you take your massage to the hot tub, shower or
bathtub. There is also a wide variety of scented massage oils
available that will delicately fill the room with a pleasant and
soothing aroma as they are applied. You can also spice things up by
choosing a spice scented massage oil, a product fortified with
pheromones, and massage oils that heat up as they are applied.
While most erotic massage oils are oil,
they are designed to soak in to the skin rather than sit on the
surface. So while the skin may feel silky after the oil is applied,
massage oils aren't typically used as a lubricant. If you want to use
the massage oil as a lubricant, you will need to make sure you choose
one of the multi-purpose products that doubles as an effective sex
lubricant.
Fun Sex Lube Options
With all the different brands of lube on the market, manufacturers have
started adding special features to lubes and lotions to help make their
products stand out from the crowd. Some lubes boost all-nature
ingredients or special "skin-friendly" formulas. Flavored lubes, scented
lubes, and warming lubes are some of the more useful options and can
enhance your experience greatly.
Flavored Sex Lubes and Sex Lotions
Flavored sex lubes and lotions are perfectly safe for digestion, but
it’s not a good idea to start using these as ice-cream toppings. Edible
lubes and lotions usually have a fruity taste such as apple, cherry or
strawberry. Take note that the quality of flavored lubes can vary
greatly - from ones that taste just like the real thing to others that
taste like a particularly nasty medicine. Edible lubes and lotions are
most often used during oral sex. You might find your partner even more
eager to perform oral sex by finding a lube they consider tasty.
Flavored lubes are also useful to encourage people who are slightly
reluctant to give oral sex.
Scented Sex Lubes and Sex Lotions
Scented sex lubes and sex lotions give off a pleasant odor, with fruits
like cherries or strawberries being the most popular choice. But there's
a rapidly growing market for more exotic scents like coconut or
chocolate. Scented lubes enhance the experience by involving all of your
partner's and your senses.
Warming Sex Lubes and Sex Lotions
Warming sex lubes and sex lotions are ideal for colder climates. These
lubes and lotions contain a special chemical that heats up when you're
using the lube or lotion to give your partner a sensuous massage. The
lube or lotion will rapidly warm up, relaxing muscles while arousing
your partner at the same time. While this warming agent is effective on
all parts of the body, it has a pronounced effect when used on erogenous
zones – just try it on your partner’s nipples and watch their face light
up!
Using Your New Lube or Lotion
Start off by applying a small amount of
the lube or lotion to both areas in question. If you’re using lube for
anal sex, for example, you should apply lube to the outer and inner
surface of the anus as well as the head and shaft of the penis to allow
for easy penetration. Start off by squeezing a small bit of lube to the
area. Use your hand to spread the lube around the area, adding more
until the area is completely covered with lubes and feels slick.
If you feel the lube starting to dry out or becoming less effective,
then you need to add more. Many lubes and lotions come in squeeze
bottles so you can squirt out a little bit with one hand. With a little
practice in fact, you can add lube without interrupting your rhythm.
Lotions are basically the same. While giving your partner a back
massage, for example, you should apply lotion to the middle of their
back and then use your hands to gently rub it over the rest of their
back.
Cleaning
Up Sex Lube
To clean off most water, oil or petroleum-based lubes or lotions, you
should wipe off the area that came in contact with the lube or lotion
with warm, soapy water and then dry the areas off with a towel.
Water-based lubes and lotions are especially easy to clean. If you're
cleaning off a petroleum- or oil-based lube, you might need to wash and
rinse more than once to completely remove the lube or lotion.
If you used a silicone-based lube or lotion, all you need to do is wipe
the area with a damp towel to remove the lube or lotion.
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