Lubricant is a liquid, gel or oil-based substance that is often applied to the genitals to reduce friction, overcome vaginal dryness and enhance sexual pleasure. Lubricant can be flavoured (perfect for oral sex), feel tingly (in a satisfying way) and be light enough you don’t even notice it, so whether you prefer to masturbate, play with sex toys, or have vaginal, anal or oral sex, there is a lube available for every occasion.

With this in mind, let’s take a look at what natural lubricant is, misconceptions,  different types of lubricants, what lubricants we have available, how to communicate with your partner about adding lube to your sex-life and how to use it.  

What is natural lubricant? 

When feeling aroused, a vagina naturally lubricates by releasing fluid from the cervix and the Bartholin glands (two small glands near the entrance of the vagina). However, hormonal changes, stress, menopause, pregnancy and a whole host of other issues can sometimes cause difficulty with producing enough natural lubricant, which can then make sex feel uncomfortable. In these cases, using additional lubricant on the genitals can make the area more slippery, thus increasing the enjoyment of sex. While most people use lubricant to enhance pleasure, it’s still the perfect way of increasing natural lubricant if you find yourself a little drier than usual.

Misconceptions of using lubricant

There are many misconceptions when using lubricant, so we thought we’d go through a couple of them and find out why they are untrue.

Myth: Lube is only for people with vaginal dryness, such as menopause.

Truth: Lubricant is for everyone, and not just those who suffer from vaginal dryness. Lubricant can be added to enhance your sex-life by making things that little bit slippier, as well as making anal sex more comfortable and oral sex more pleasurable. 

Myth: Needing lubricant means you are not sexually attracted to your partner.

Truth: Just because you want (or need) to use lubricant doesn’t mean you are not sexually attracted to your partner. Using a water-based lubricant means you can extend sexual activity, as you can stay wet for longer, increasing the intimacy between you and your partner while enhancing sexual pleasure.  

Myth: It’s only for people who indulge in sex acts that have a risk of tearing, like anal sex.

Truth: Lubrication can be used for anal sex, however it’s also used for regular vaginal / penis intercourse as well as oral sex, masturbation and sex toys. We all have different sexual appetites and lubricant is a perfect addition to most types of sexual activity. 

Types of lubricant

Water-based lubricants

Water-based lubricants are the most common types of lubricants people use during sex. They are fairly inexpensive, have a natural feel, wash off easily and come in many different flavours and sensations.

Silicone-based lubricants

Silicone-based lubricants typically last longer than water-based lubricants and can also be used with condoms, however, they do not rinse off as easily and can cause irritation if not washed off after sex. 

Oil-based lubricants 

Oil-based lubricants include baby oil and petroleum jelly and cannot be used with latex condoms, as they weaken the latex making the condom more likely to break, leading to an increase of unplanned pregnancy or transmission of a sexually transmitted infection. 

What lubricants are available?

We’re always looking for ways to increase our sexual pleasure and satisfaction, and we think we’ve struck gold with our water-based lubricants. Our light-lube is the perfect addition to vaginal dryness or anal sex, while our strawberry makes oral sex sweetly-satisfying, and our mint lubricant, with a satisfying cooling and tingly sensation is a lubricant that is perfect for every occasion. 

How to introduce lube to a partner

When communicating with your partner, sensitively discuss your desire to use lube and be mindful that it may not be something they would like to do. Let them know that lubricant can help to maximise pleasure and that it can be a joint exploration that will help increase intimacy. Choose one together that you would like to try and when it arrives, take it slow and experiment together.

How to use lubricant? 

1. Squeeze a small amount of water-based lubricant into your hand and warm it by rubbing it with your fingers. 
2. Gently caress your genitals (or your partners) with your lubricated fingers. 
3. For those that love anal sex, remember the anus doesn’t produce natural lubricant so to make anal sex more comfortable and enjoyable, you’ll need to add lubricant to the anus. 
4. There’s no right or wrong amount to use - just as much as you feel comfortable with.