Don’t let anyone tell you “If you are really turned on you won’t need a lubricant”. We think there is no sexual act that can’t be improved with lube. Aside from the obvious uses, it reduces the chafing of five o’clock shadow or trimmed pubic hairs and reduces the frequency of broken condoms. Add lube to oral sex and instead of just a slippery tongue you now have a slippery chin, too. For vaginal penetration, lube means whatever you’re doing, you can do it longer without dryness as, interestingly enough, a woman’s natural lubrication may dry up as arousal increases. And the safest rule of thumb for any anal penetration is: use more lube than you think you need, add a little more and you’re on the right track! For anal use, pay particular attention to the lubes described as having a thick texture or density.

When do we need to use lube?

Women (and men) don’t NEED lubricants like we need food and water, but lubrication does make everything sexual more enjoyable! Lubricants are gender neutral and can be used with or without a partner.

Are lubricants just for vaginal dryness?

Vaginal dryness is a term that’s tossed around quite a bit and it tends to be used synonymously with “dysfunction”. We prefer to think of vaginal dryness as either a state of pre-arousal or a symptom caused by diet, dehydration, a health issue, hormonal changes or medication. If we are suffering medical conditions or undergoing chemotherapy or if we are on medications that may cause vaginal dryness, then lubrication is a godsend. In addition, sometimes a woman’s signs of arousal take longer to appear, and she may feel under pressure to hurry up and lubricate! Lube can help her to bridge the gap, and just relax (without chafing) until nature shows up!

Am I less of a woman if I use a lubricant?

Some women feel conflicted about using lubricant. The myth says that if you use a lubricant you aren’t aroused, or aren’t creating enough of your own lubrication. Pish Posh! Think about it this way: We produce our own saliva, but on a hot day or after some vigorous exercise, a stop at the water fountain is really enjoyable!

Why does my lube always dry out? Does this lube suck?

It’s possible that the formulation you’ve chosen is not for you. It may also be that you are dehydrated! When the body needs water, we’ll get it from whatever source we can! One other thought – all water-based lubricants eventually dry out because friction causes evaporation! Easy fix for that: Keep a glass of water nearby and add a touch of water when you start to feel sticky. Some people even get creative with spray bottles. We think that is a clever idea, but maybe not for a first date! If those solutions don’t work for you, you might want to try a different lubricant. A silicone lubricant has the longest staying power; it won’t go away until you wash it off with soap and water!

What's up with these warming/cooling lubricants?

Just like food products, there will always be someone adding “bells and whistles” in an attempt to gain market share of shelf space. While the idea sounds like it has potential, the lubes can actually cause aggravation. Vaginal sensitivity is a concern where mentholated products are in play. We have sourced a warming lube that uses cinnamon to stimulate a warming sensation. It’s not nearly as dramatic as a mentholated burn (as in, cinnamon good, menthol bad) but it is a nice warm sensation and if cinnamon is not an allergy issue it’s a good alternative!

Do you have a lube that will increase my chances of getting pregnant?

Let’s talk about why lubes and trying to get pregnant might be an issue. Lubes are a gelatinous substance. Sperm wants to travel. Sperm is designed to travel through the mucous that women’s bodies produce…and as of yet science has yet to perfectly reproduce that mucous or “sperm highway”. So, any lubricant will create an unusual (or not nature-built) environment for sperm to navigate. That said we could say that lubricants make sex more enjoyable and if you want to get pregnant you will want to enjoy the practice runs! We can also say that lubes that have the least ingredients will add the least “unusual elements” to the sperm’s navigational journey.

Lubes aside, if you are having a hard time getting pregnant it might be more beneficial to buy a vibrator! If you can create a nice slippery environment for the sperm to travel through and if you can create an orgasm while being penetrated you will support your body in creating the ideal scenario, that mucous “sperm highway” that the sperm is purpose built to travel along! Why an orgasm? Because during an orgasm your uterus will contract along with lots of other related muscle groups and during those contractions your cervix will be pushed into the base of your vaginal canal where all of the sperm collects thus making it easier for those little guys to swim up and into the egg-bearing territory.

As to the lubes out there that claim to be “medically proven” to support getting pregnant, we’re not willing to endorse them so long as they all remain untested by Health Canada.

About Silicone Lube

There are quite a few silicone lubricants on the market. The ingredients in silicone lubricants are usually a combination of Dimethicone, Dimethiconol, and Cyclopentasiloxane. These are silicone oils and synthetically manufactured silicones that are used in a variety of skin conditioners and cosmetics. These ingredients are hypoallergenic, vegan, and waterproof. The reason that silicone lubricant is considered hypoallergenic is that the molecules are too big to absorb into the skin, and unlike oils, will not clog your pores. For this reason, they also make excellent body massage products. The advantage of a silicone lubricant is that there is no water in the formulation that will evaporate with friction. All silicone lubricants are very concentrated, so a tiny drop will do you fine for a good long time.

Some disadvantages: Silicone will bind to silicone toys, and over a period of time will create a layer of silicone that is rather unattractive. Silicone lubes may also stain sheets or clothing, so be sparing in your application. Or, throw down a drop sheet and go for it!

About Water Based Lube

Water based lubes come in a wide range of consistencies ranging from silky liquid to thick and cushiony gel, and they can be used with all types of toys. All water based lubes are toy and condom compatible.

Sometimes people with allergies and sensitivities ask us about lube ingredients. The best advice we have is to know what you are allergic to: if you are allergic to Aloe Vera you will not respond well to a lube that is aloe based! Silicone lubricants are a great alternative for people with multiple sensitivities, as it is hypoallergenic.

If you don’t know where your sensitivities lie, do some experimenting. Come on into the store and do a little patch test on the inside of your elbow, just like at the allergists! Or purchase our Slip Kit, a selection of our best water based lubricants.

About Glycerin and Parabens

Water based lubricants are created with a myriad of ingredients, sometimes including glycerin and parabens.

Glycerin is a clear, slightly sweet tasting liquid used in soap making. Anecdotal evidence suggests that some people find glycerin irritating, claiming it causes yeast infections. There’s no conclusive medical support for this idea, but you know your body best! If it doesn’t agree with you, there are lots of alternatives. Common sources of glycerin are animal fats and vegetable oil. (When we stock a lube with glycerin, it’s a vegetable derivative!)

Parabens are used as preservatives in many cosmetic and personal care products. Some people are cautious about parabens, and if you choose not to use them, we carry plenty of quality lubricants without them! Most high-end lubricants are now paraben-free, but we continue to carry some of our old favourites. We do this with the knowledge that Health Canada does not consider use of parabens to be a health risk.

From the Health Canada Consumer Product Safety site:

Parabens have been found to weakly mimic estrogens in animal studies. While this raises a concern because of the link between the hormone estrogen and breast cancer, there are many questions and conflicting scientific studies about the effects of low level estrogen in humans. For example, a 2004 British study that reported finding parabens in breast tumours has proved invalid and the U.S. Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel concluded that parabens are “safe as used” in cosmetics. In 2012 the Panel re-examined its previously published safety assessment of parabens and reaffirmed the safety of parabens as preservatives in the present practices of use and concentration in cosmetics.
Currently, there is no evidence to suggest a causal link between parabens and breast cancer. Health Canada will continue to monitor and review any new scientific data on parabens.

Organic Lubes

About organic lube: is there any evidence these are “safer” or “healthier” than the other kinds? How can you be sure they are truly “organic”?

The organic industry is an interesting one since anything that is made out of organic matter can be called organic! That said, just as in the food industry, there are producers who choose to become certified. There are also degrees of “eco” and “organic”, in that some producers are using organic farming principles but have yet to meet certification guidelines. Lubricant manufacturers who choose to work with certified organic ingredients will include this information in their marketing material. There is no evidence that they are safer but then again there is not a lot of research money going into studying sexual health products! If you are a Tom’s soap user, or a Burt’s Bees fan, there are plenty of equivalent lubricants for you!