We will tell anyone who is looking to go to any other sex shop that one way to figure out if the person behind the counter knows their shit is to ask about Lubricant. There are other ways, but lube is a good place to start.
Lube is important, it helps things happen and is essential to have a good time. If your body produces enough of it, then power to ya, but some people need a little help. There are many outside forces that can screw up the chemistry in your body to make it not lubricate itself (I’m talking to the ladies right now). Birth control messes with wetness it usually drys you up, antidepressants and anti anxiety medicines usually drop sexual desire/libido, other meds for your heart could do it too.
Male or female, the butt doesn’t lubricate itself.
But its ok, sex doesn’t have to be painful – in fact, if it is, you need to fix that, because it should never be painful (…you pervs know what I mean) and we have just the info for ya.
There are three main types of lubricant and there are some key words you need to look/ask for if you’re standing in front of a wall of it in a store. So many choices, which one to pick? We feel that picking a lubricant is sort of like one of those ‘choose your own adventure’ books – the decision you make WILL affect your sex life!
Oil Based Lubricants Guys, these are great to masturbate with. It’ll make you think you brought your cock to a spa. Try Elbow Grease. They have several formulas this is the original formula. Gay men sometimes use it for anal, but an oily greasy butt and beyond isn’t great to deal with after the act. Trust us on that. Also, NEVER use these lubricants around condoms because the condom will wear out, it will weaken, it will probably break. Oil chemically breaks down latex.
Water Based Lubricants are the every day lubricant. You can use it for everything. Oral, vaginal, anal, hand jobs, men toys… everything. They are even safe with ALL sex toy materials. We prefer Sliquid, System Jo and Pjur. Water based lubes can come flavored, warming, cooling and in tingling formulas… read the bottles carefully for any allergins! If you aren’t allergic to latex, but are still having a reaction to condoms- your body is reacting to the glycerin or parabens found in some water based lubricants.
Silicone Based Lubricants are special, high end, and more expensive. There are basically two types of silicone lubricants. One is a Body Glide, it is thinner and silky. The other silicone lube is thicker and is more ‘lubey’, it has almost the same viscosity of a regular lube. Silicone stays wetter longer, but you have to use soap and water to wash it off. We recommend baby wipes. You can use it for anything involving sex, you can put it on your skin for massage, masturbate with it. DO NOT USE SILICONE LUBRICANT WITH SILICONE TOYS. Some manufacturers (like Tantus- because they use the highest grade silicone for their toys) will say that you can, but it is usually a bad idea. Just like Oil breaks down latex, silicone is a cannibal and chemically breaks down itself.
High end silicone lubricants include Pjur, Pink, and Gun oil (they are hypoallergenic!). Lower end silicone lubricants include Wet Platinum and ID Millennium. Most lube companies like ID, WET and Sliquid make water, silicone, stimulant and flavored lubricant formulas YOU MUST READ THE BOTTLES!
But at quick glance, if the bottle is green, silver, or black it is usually silicone based. If it is blue it is usually a regular formula. Purple or pink usually means it tingles (by using either L’Arginine or Menthol), or is their organic/glycerin free formula. Whacky colors usually denote flavors and red/orange usually means it warms.
Beware of Anal Lubricants. I know most of you want to numb your asses so you don’t feel it. But pain is your body’s natural response to something bad. It is telling you to slow the fuck down, relax and have some patience. Beware of anything with lydocaine or benzocaine in it. IF ANAL SEX HURTS, YOU’RE DOING IT WRONG. Use a regular anal sex lubricant, they are usually just a little thicker. Your ass doesn’t lubricate itself like a vagina does, so they make the lubes thicker.
This one happens to be System Jo’s water based anal lubricant. The whole System Jo line is great and they do not have an after taste if you’re switching between sex and oral.
We hope this helped you a little bit, we could go on and on… and on about the importance or the quirks of lubricants. In other words, we are standing by waiting for questions from you!
<3 Jane