When it comes to ~natural~ products, you may be a lil skeptical . I mean, do natural deodorants really keep your pits dry? Can natural retinol serums really iron out those forehead wrinkles? No matter how I may feel about other natural alternatives, there is one ~au naturale~ product I can stand behind, and that’s natural lube. Made without perfumes, parabens, petrochemicals, or any other non-plant-based ingredients, natural lubricants are good for both you and the planet, and they can work just as well as those with artificial enhancements (think: synthetic flavoring, sketchy grades of glycerin, silicones, etc.).
In a pelvic exam, your health care provider inserts two gloved fingers inside your vagina. Pressing down on your abdomen at the same time, your provider can examine your uterus, ovaries and other organs.
To treat genitourinary syndrome of menopause, your doctor may first recommend over-the-counter treatment options.
You’ve explored a bajillion guides to sex toys and shopped the best online boutiques (so much more discreet than heading into your neighborhood adult boutique). You’ve even brushed up on all the definitions of the latest pleasure gizmos. But while you may have an opinion on the best rabbit vibrator or c-ring, have you taken the time to explore the side salad in this veritable sexual feast? Consider, if you will, the humble bottle of lube. Recent years have seen new formulations flood the market, full of active ingredients, unique textures and other surprises. We spoke with OB/GYN Maria Sophocles for some help sorting through the plethora of options. Here’s our look at the best lube for women.
Whether you’re enjoying a sex toy, or a partner (or both), having a good lube on hand is essential. We’re breaking down the best water-based lube options for you, from the best picks for sensitive skin to aesthetically pleasing ones that look great on your bedside table.
But first, why do you need lube? For some people, it helps manage vaginal dryness. For others, it just makes for a smoother, more pleasurable experience during sex or masturbation. It’s also essential for any type of anal play since the body doesn’t produce any natural lubrication from the anus.
This probably isn’t news to you at this point, but bothyour body and your vulva change throughout every stage of your reproductive health, including menopause. With that, there may be some additional changes in your sex life. If you’ve already reached menopause (meaning you haven’t had your period in over a year), then you probably already understand where we’re going with this. While yes, it sucks to know that physically, you may experience uncomfortable symptoms such as vaginal dryness during sex, also know that it doesn’t mean the end of intimacy, at all.
Let’s be real: There is no better form of self-care than self-pleasure. Yes, I’m talking about masturbation. After all, in addition to releasing those feel-good endorphins during orgasm, masturbation has been shown to lower stress, provide relaxation, and aid with sleep. Win-win!
Whether you’re using the original sex toy (ahem, your hands) or your favorite vibrator, remember that incorporating a good lube into your “me time” sesh can reduce friction and make the whole experience more enjoyable.
Lube is to anal sex what communication is to a healthy relationship: vital. Without lubrication, anal sex isn’t just less pleasurable, but often painful — and anal shouldn’t painful, says Jordan Soper, PsyD, an AASECT-certified sex therapist. But with lube and a little patience, anal play can be downright orgasmic.
When choosing the best anal lube, the slicker, the better. ‘Silicone-based lubricants are considered top-tier for anal play because they stay on for longer periods of time compared to water-based lubricants, which are more easily absorbed into the body,’ Soper explains. That said, if you’re adding silicone toys into the mix, avoid silicone-based lube—it can cause deterioration, which can both ruin your toys and create a perfect environment for bacteria to grow.
The Balance Collection is Sliquid’s multi-award-winning line of at-home spa products. These items include Splash Gentle Intimate Wash, Soak Luxurious Bubble Bath, Soothe Hydrating Body Lotion, and their natural nut and seed-based Massage Oils.
Splash, Sliquid’s wildly popular shower gel, is getting its first packaging update in almost a decade. A staple of their bath and body range, this gentle, pH-balanced, all-over-body wash is a completely glycerin and paraben-free formula. Being that the formula is not changing, Splash will remain the same great product, just with a sexy new look. The once cobalt blue bottle has been changed to smoky brown. Complimenting the apothecary-style brown bottle is a travel-friendly locking pump, that features a sleek brushed gold and black finish, for dispensing the perfect amount of liquid every time. Topping off the overall appearance of this revamped packaging, is the elegant new label design. The labels now include a dual gold band accent, while also keeping their white background and vibrant color variations to distinguish the multiple scent options, which include Naturally Unscented, Honeydew Cucumber, Grapefruit Thyme, and Mango Passion.
“Our customer’s input has always held immense value,” said Erik Vasquez, Sliquid’s VP of Marketing. “When our team sat down to reimagine the appearance of Splash, we had an overabundance of ideas. We created over a dozen label options, whittled them down to our top six, then invited our customers’ input by having January’s ANME attendees cast a vote for their favorite option. The winning label design, by a landslide, is the one we are proudly introducing to the marketplace.”
Also being revamped is Soothe, Sliquid’s ultra-hydrating body lotion. Soothe is a silky-smooth formula that boasts notes of mandarin, bergamot, and coconut, to envelop one’s senses while quenching the skin’s thirst for moisture. The packaging components and ingredients will remain the same; however, the label has been updated to present a sleeker, sexier appeal.
Referring to the product redesigns, Dean Elliott, Founder and CEO of Sliquid, said, “These new labels and component changes are the first step in modernizing the aesthetic of our entire Balance Collection. The dark bottles, gold pumps, and metallic labels add a level of sophistication and style that we believe our customer’s and retail partners will find highly appealing. Over time, we plan to continue this redesign to create continuity throughout the collection’s product offerings.”
To purchase Sliquid Splash and Sliquid Soothe in their new packaging, please contact your preferred distributor.
This probably isn’t news to you at this point, but both your body and your vulva change throughout every stage of your reproductive health, including menopause. With that, there may be some additional changes in your sex life after menopause.
If you’ve already reached menopause (meaning you haven’t had your period in over a year), then you probably already understand where we’re going with this. While yes, it sucks to know that physically, you may experience uncomfortable symptoms such as vaginal dryness during sex after menopause, also know that it doesn’t mean the end of intimacy, at all.
My mother masturbates. She’ll smack me on the shoulder when she sees this, but I’ll say the same thing to her then as I say to you now: It’s the truth. My family is Mexican and Catholic, and growing up, we just didn’t talk about sex—but lately, that’s changed. But, even though I know my 58-year-old mom sometimes experiences vaginal dryness amid menopause, I was worried about what she’d say when I asked her to test and pick the best lube for vaginal dryness. To my surprise, she was 100 percent down.
