No matter what your age, lube can make masturbation that much better. But with so many options, how do you know what lube is a good lube? Since adding a little lube to the equation makes self-love much more fun, we’ll share a few tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your me-time.
Why Does Lube Matter?
Yes, lube makes everything super fun and slippery. But there is an even more important reason to use it — reducing friction during sex. No matter what parts you have, friction can be downright uncomfortable. It can take the sexiness right out of any sexual encounter (even the ones you have with yourself).
So much of sex is mental. The right lube can help you keep your head in the game. After all, if your focus ends up shifting to dryness or friction, you may not be able to get off. End of story.
Don’t let anyone tell you that using lube makes you less of a “woman,” either. Lube can be used by anyone, in any capacity, no matter your gender or preferred sexual partner. There’s nothing wrong with using lube to make the party more fun. Lube doesn’t take anything away from your sexuality or overall sexiness. Period.
Plus, anyone who would judge you for using lube isn’t someone you want to invite into your bedroom (or your pants) — serious red flag territory.
What Are the Types of Lube?
If you’re looking for the best lube for a little self-love, you’ll have to weigh a few factors. Gone are the days of using whatever lotion is sitting on your bedstand. The actual decision is between three types of lube — water-based, silicone-based, and oil-based.
Let’s check out their pros and cons so that you can better figure out the best masturbation lube for you.
Water-Based Lubricants
Water-based lubricants are the closest in texture to the natural lube produced by the vagina. It goes on smooth and is relatively thin in consistency, but it may turn very sticky as it starts to be absorbed by the skin.
Pros:
- Rinses off easily
- Safe to use with latex sex toys
- Less likely to irritate the skin or trigger skin allergies
- Non-staining
- Excellent for people experiencing vaginal dryness
Cons:
- May need reapplication due to fast absorption
- The texture can be incredibly sticky
- Not great for self-love in the bathtub or shower
Silicone-Based Lubricants
Silicone lube often has a little longer of an ingredient list than water-based lubes, but their added ingredients keep your pleasure going for longer without frequent reapplication.
Pros:
- Long-lasting, although you may need to reapply during marathon self-love sessions
- Waterproof (so if you want to masturbate in the shower or bathtub, silicone-based lubes gotyou - but be careful of slips and falls!)
- Excellent for anal sex and backdoor play (think: butt plugs)
Cons:
- Includes artificial ingredients less similar to naturally-produced human fluids
- Harder to clean up
- Thicker texture, so it’s not the best masturbation lube for fingers and hands-on fun
- Can degrade silicone sex toys (if your vibrators or other toys have a “jelly-like” consistency, it’s best to avoid silicone lubricant)
Oil-Based Lubes
Oil-based lubricants feel nice and oily. These are the slipperiest, longest-lasting personal lubricants, but there are some drawbacks.
Pros:
- Excellent for giving hand jobs (to yourself or others)
- It will likely outlast your self-love sesh without needing to be reapplied
Cons:
- Can stain fabric
- Can increase the risk of latex condoms ripping or tearing
What Are the Best Ingredients Used in Lube?
Finding the best sex lube involves knowing what ingredients will fit your needs. Natural lubricants are generally safest and have the shortest list of cons.
Choose fragrance-free options to avoid synthetic additions. Try to stay away from anything with parabens, glycerin, or petroleum (look for labels that specifically say “paraben-free” or “glycerin-free”) to avoid potential skin irritation.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera (yes, the very same ingredient you use after getting a sunburn) is one of the best, most natural lube ingredients out there.
However, don’t just go out and grab a bottle of sunburn relief from the shelf — the cooling ingredients and other additives in sunscreen can throw off the vagina’s delicate pH balance. That imbalance could increase the risk of bacterial and yeast infections.
However, aloe vera is one of the best lubricants for people with vaginal dryness, as it is naturally moisturizing. It’s also mostly water, so it embodies many positive qualities of water-based lubes. Plus, they’re safe to use with latex condoms if you’re having partnered sex or just trying to keep your toys clean.
CBD
CBD, or cannabidiol, comes from the hemp plant. It’s thought to help support stress regulation, maintain good sleep, and soothe discomfort, among other benefits.
CBD works by triggering the body’s natural cannabinoid receptors (yup, we have them!). Several receptors in our sexual tissue and reproductive organs make it easier for CBD-based lubes to increase natural lubrication.
Plus, there’s some science that CBD can even lead to better orgasms, a fact you’ll just have to try for yourself.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is a wonder ingredient — you can cook with it, use it to keep your hair soft and shiny, and even use it to masturbate. Coconut oil contains vitamin E and is far more natural than many other products found in commercial lube.
It also doesn’t contain preservatives, which can be a significant trigger for allergies for some people. Plus, coconut oil is super cost-friendly, typically works for sensitive skin, and is edible (a nice bonus for oral sex fans everywhere).
However, coconut oil comes from a “tree nut” and should be used cautiously in people with known nut allergies.
Make Foria a Part of Your Intimacy
Enough talk; let’s get down to business. We want to be part of your intimacy, and we make products that can help you enjoy all your sexual activities as much as possible.
Case in point — our Intimacy Sex Oil. Our lube is for people of all genders for masturbation or fun with a partner (or partners).
Intimacy Sex Oil uses just two clean ingredients: broad-spectrum CBD and organic coconut oil. Together, they help reduce friction, enhance arousal for smokin’ hot foreplay, and make penetration anywhere tantalizingly smoother.
All you need to do to use Intimacy Sex Oil is to apply it topically on your fingers or toys. Don’t be afraid to use it generously. We think it’s one of the best lubes for masturbation.
If you’re looking for even more sensation, try our Awaken Arousal Oil. While it's designed strictly for people with female bodies, it enhances pleasure and sensation when applied directly to the clitoris, inner labia, and vagina. Essentially, Awaken Arousal Oil takes your pleasure and turns it up to 11.
Takeaway
When thinking about your sex life, don’t forget about sex with yourself. Your sexual health isn’t just for partnered play. After all, you gotta learn how to please yourself before you can teach anyone else how to please you.
Keep your masturbation sessions slippery, pleasurable, and way more fun by bringing Foria with you into the bedroom.
Sources:
Lube Dos and Donts | University of Texas
Cannabidiol (CBD)-what we know and what we don't | Harvard Health
Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders | PMC
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