Say it with me: Vaginas are sensitive. And just like you might regularly pore over the ingredients in new serums before adding them to your skincare routine, you should pay extra-close attention to what’s in your lube—especially if you’re prone to vaginal dryness, pain, or irritation during or after sex.
If you’re someone who’s on the hunt for lube for sensitive skin, don’t feel overwhelmed. Sure, there are 100’s of types available, but our board of sex experts knows the bestlubes(opens in new tab) out there.
From water-based lube(opens in new tab), to flavoured lube, CBD lube… the list goes on. But know this: not all lubes are made equal. While a study(opens in new tab) of more than 2,000 women found that sex was more pleasurable and satisfying for those who used lube, another paper found one of the biggest problems with lube is that it can be “burning [or] itchy”.
Looking for the best water-based lube? Great idea – because, yep, water-based lubes are a great way to have better, wetter, and safer sex.
A quick breakdown of the best lubes available: there are water-based, oil-based and silicone-based, and sometimes hybrids of two or more. Water-based lubricants can be used for vaginal and anal play (read our roundup of the best lube for anal here), but they aren’t just great for sex, either.
Throw on your bathing suits, folks, because we’re going down the slip-n-slide to find the best anal lube for you. Going into anal sex without a lubricant is like going through your day without coffee: painful and almost always unsuccessful. On a more serious note, “using lube for anal play is crucial,” Jenn Mason, founder, and owner of WinkWink, a Washington-based, women-owned sex shop, tells SELF. We spoke with experts to understand what to look for when shopping for anal lubes and why it’s beneficial for anal sex.
The anus has thin walls, doesn’t self-lubricate, and is surrounded by sphincter muscles that naturally tighten closed when touched. So for anal sex, experts suggest that you apply lots (and lots) of lube, get relaxed before penetration, start gradually with gentle stimulation (and work your way up), and communicate with your partner.
Choosing the best lube can be overwhelming. There are so many different types, ingredients, and flavors, the options are seemingly endless. While it may make us blush in the pharmacy, it can banish serious chafing and make sex fun again.
Lubes are great to use with your partner or with sex toys (speaking of which, read our guide to the best vibrators) for a pleasurable experience. “Lube is a great bedroom addition for anyone sexually active—they increase pleasure and boost intimate sensation,” says Stephanie Taylor, managing director of Kegel8. “Introducing extra lubrication to your sex life can make the process far slicker and seamless and can actually make sex safer, too. Condom friction is minimized, meaning they’re less likely to split and result in unwanted STIs and pregnancies.”
Adding lube into the mix can not only make good sex even better but is also great for female masturbation and makes solo play even more pleasurable. It’s also helpful if you’re experiencing common vagina problems post-menopause.
I don’t like the lube The Dancer has. It’s a water based lube and it dries up way too fast leaving us both sticky, slightly raw, and feeling like we just had sex using way too little lube. So now I’m looking up lubes online and I found a great product called Sliquid. I love the name. I love the…
Sliquid Lubes was announced as a nominee for “Best Sex Accessory” for the 2011 AVN awards show. The AVN awards show, held annually in Las Vegas, and known around the world as the “porn” awards, began incorporating the adult novelty market in the awards show in 2009. Sliquid Organics won “Best Lube, Lotion or Potion” in 2009 at the AVN Awards show, and we are expecting a solid lead on the competition this year, with the complete rebranding of the Sliquid Naturals line.
If you are unable to make it to Las Vegas this January for the tradeshow and festivities, you can always catch up after the fact on Showtime, who has broadcast the Awards show for many years, though the adult novelty awards probably won’t make it out of the cutting room. If you are in the review industry, put in a good word for Sliquid!
To see the complete list of nominees, check out http://avnawards.avn.com/2011_nominations.pdf