Lubricant, aka: lube, is one of the most cost-effective and arousing sexual wellness products to use during your solo or partnered play time.
You see, lube is not just for those who seek an extra bit of slide and glide. It’s also for those who want to enhance their sexual wellness journey, heighten their sensitivity, and ultimately, have even better climaxes.
Is lube really that powerful? Yes, it is!
So, today, we’ll be talking about what to consider when choosing a silicone or water based lube.
Silicone or water based lube?
Silicone based lube and water based lube—both are different and both are excellent when used for the right occasion.
Choosing the right lube for the right occasion is important because using the wrong lube could cause issues and inconveniences.
We’ll touch more on that below, but first…
What is silicone based lube?
Silicone based lubricant is slippery, long-lasting, and could be a great option when you’re having longer sessions. It lasts longer because it doesn’t get absorbed by the skin, resulting in less reapplication than most other lubes.
What is water based lube?
Water-based lube is the most commonly used type of lubricant. This is because it is ideal for people with sensitive skin, making it great for solo or partnered encounters. This lubricant is water-soluble (it dissolves in water), so you can use it for short bouts of play and long (often with reapplication).
What occasion calls for silicone or water based lube?
As we discussed, there are times that call for either a silicone or water based lube.
With silicone lube, for example: if you’re engaging in your sexual wellness routine in water, such as in the shower or bathtub, a silicone lube would be perfect as it does not wash away easily in water.
And with water based lube, for example: it’s great to use for a variety of occasions, especially the kind that doesn’t involve water. It’s also gentle on the skin and almost always pairs well with all condoms and sex toys.
Silicone lube vs water based lubricant: the pros and cons
The pros of silicone based lube
- It is long-lasting
- It feels smooth and soft
- It’s pH-neutral because it doesn’t contain any water
- Bacteria cannot grow in silicone based lube because of the lack of water
- They’re typically free of additives because they don’t need an extra boost when it comes to its slipperiness
- It can be used in water
- It’s safe to use with latex or polyurethane condoms
The cons of silicone based lube
- It shouldn’t be used with a silicone sex toy as it can degrade the material
- It’s difficult to wash off the body
- It may stain sheets and clothing
The pros of water based lube
- It’s not sticky or messy, and can be cleaned off the body easily
- It doesn’t stain sheets or clothing
- It can be used with almost all types of sex toys
- They are compatible with latex, polyurethane, polyisoprene, and internal condoms
- It’s soft on the skin and is ideal for those who have skin irritations
The cons of water based lube
- It’s not great to use during water play, as it will dissolve quickly in water
- For longer play, it’ll almost always require re-application
- It may contain additives to make it more slippery
- It may contain additives if it’s marked as ‘warming’ ‘cooling’ or ‘flavored’
The good news is that, despite these pros and cons, there are pH balanced lubes that tick all of the right boxes. In fact, they’re formulated with your sexual wellness and health in mind.
These lubricants often do not contain additives such as glycerine, nor fragrancing or coloring, and they’re often pH-balanced, making them a healthy choice for your physical and sexual health.
Your sexual wellness matters: consider osmolality & neutral water based pH balanced lube
If you’re looking for water based lube for safer play, you may want to look at the pH and osmolality of your chosen lubricant.
Firstly, why is it important to consider a pH balanced lube? Well, as an example, let’s look at a healthy vagina…
A healthy vagina has a pH ranging from 3.2 to 4.2, which is acidic. So, if a vagina owner uses a lube with a high pH level, it could cause an imbalance, possibly leading to discomfort. It could also increase the risk of infection.
And secondly, osmolality! When looking at water based lubricants, it’s recommended to go for one that has a low osmolality, e.g. it has a lower concentration of molecules. This will help maintain the body’s natural homeostasis.
To sum up, the safest way to play with a water based lube would be to choose:
- a neutral, pH balanced lube
- one that does not contain additives such as parabens and glycerine
- one that is fragrant and colorant-free
- one that has an osmolality below 380 mOsm/kg
And so, it’s evident that there are a number of pros and cons when it comes to silicone and water based lubricants.
But with this knowledge, you have the power to choose the one that’s healthiest for you, and the one that is perfect for a specific occasion.
The big take away today however, is to consider the osmolality and pH balance of your chosen lubricant.
This can make a big difference when it comes to comfort and listening to your body’s needs during intimacy and beyond.
