Silicone-based and water-based personal lubricants are not only used for medical purposes.

In addition to women who use personal lubricants to alleviate vaginal dryness, lubricants are also used during sexual intercourse. After all, it is intended to minimise friction and thus not only helps to prevent pain during sexual intercourse, but also is of great use with all types of sex toys.

While many individuals already use personal lubricants, there are still some who believe that personal lubricants only need to be used when the natural lubrication of the vaginal mucous membrane is not adequate.

Why use personal lubricants?

Firstly, personal lubricants reduce the friction generated during intercourse. For instance, If a woman is not sufficiently lubricated during intercourse, this can be painful for both the man and the woman. This can give rise to micro tears and injuries that cause pain. But this need not be the case, using a personal lubricant can provide the needed moisture and ensure long-lasting lubrication. A personal lubricant can therefore reinvigorate your sex life and make it more exciting. Using a lubricant during sex makes sense in many situations such as:

  • Allows for longer sexual engagements without painful friction.
  • Makes anal intercourse a painless experience. As the anus has no natural lubrication the use of a personal lubricant is an absolute necessity.
  • Both men and women can benefit from the use of a personal lubricant during masturbation. Personal lubricants make it easier for a woman to introduce a vibrator or a dildo, and it makes a man’s hand slide more gently along the penis.
  • For an erotic or relaxing massage.

How you use a personal lubricant is up to each individual and/or couple. Firstly, you must decide which kind of personal lubricant is right for you and your partner. Essentially, there are four main categorises of personal lubricants namely:

Couple in bed

The different types of lubricants?

Silicone-based personal lubricants

Since silicone molecules are larger than the pores of the skin, unlike water-based personal lubricants, they do not penetrate the skin, but remain on the surface. A breathable protective film forms on the skin, which guarantees extremely long-lasting lubrication and produces a silky-soft skin feeling. Which is why Silicone-based personal lubricants are preferred for anal intercourse.

SimplyPleasure offers a wide range of silicone-based lubricants. SimplyPleasure silicone-based lubricants contain high-quality silicones: which has a long-lasting lubricating effect, minimises skin irritation while provides restorative properties.

Water-based personal lubricants

Water-based personal lubricants are, as the name suggests, made mainly of water. This is absorbed into the upper layers of the skin and so provides the vaginal lining with moisture. Since the personal lubricant is absorbed into the skin, it does not guarantee long-lasting lubrication, so it may have to be reapplied. The reapplication can be integrated into your lovemaking. Water-based personal lubricants can be enriched with natural additives that both moisturise and care for the vaginal lining. Optimally, this type of personal lubricant should leave the skin feeling soft and pleasant, and not sticky.

SimplyPleasure also has an extensive range of water-based lubricants, they are all dermatologically tested and safe for use with latex condoms and toys.

AQUA Sensitive: This water-based lubricant provides excellent lubrication and skin-care characteristics. The luxurious Glycerin and Paraben Free formula is specifically designed for sensitive skin to heighten sensation & arouse satisfaction. Enhanced with skin nurturing Aloe and Olive extracts, as well as Vitamin E, Aqua Sensitive will caress to new levels of pleasure.

Hybrid personal lubricants

Hybrid personal lubricants are a combination of both silicone-based and water-based lubricants: This means they are water-based, but also contain a small amount of silicone. They also provide long-lasting lubrication and, because of the low silicone content, can be used with all sex toys – no matter what materials the toys are made of. Therefore, hybrid lubricant is ideally suited for use with sex toys.

Conventional lubricants frequently drip when applied to a sex toy. SimplyPleasures’ hybrid lubricants creamy consistency – resulting from the water and the low silicone content – means that it is easy to dispense and that it stays where it is applied.

Oil-based personal lubricants

Oil-based personal lubricants are, as the name suggests, made on a base of oil. This means that they are not water soluble. While they do provide long-lasting lubrication, the lubricant remains on the skin afterwards and must be washed off with soap.

Therefore, lube manufacturer such as pjur do not recommend oil-based lubricants for the following reasons:

  • They are not suitable for use with latex condoms as the ingredients corrode latex.
  • They are not recommended for use with sex toys again for reasons of corrosion.
  • They increase the risk of vaginal infection.

There are numerous types of personal lubricants and just as many different uses for them. Besides the lubricants mentioned here, there are also personal lubricants with a warming or cooling effect, or with different ingredients. Give it a go. Find the right personal lubricant for your needs and have fun!