A lube that’s gentle on your skin and doesn’t contain potentially irritating ingredients can make intimacy more fun. But not all lubes are created equal.
Glycerin, for example, can disrupt your natural vaginal pH and can even cause irritation. So we looked for a better option. This lube is safe for your intimate area and contains no glycerin, parabens, or fragrances.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a plant that contains a gel-like substance inside its fleshy leaves. It’s rich in nutrients, active enzymes, and anti-inflammatory properties, which have many benefits for skin. It cools and hydrates the skin, soothes burns, and helps heal wounds.
It also has antiseptic and antibacterial properties, so it can help prevent infections from bacteria and fungus. Adding it to your skincare regimen can also reduce the severity of psoriasis flare-ups.
Romanowski recommends using a product with a high concentration of pure aloe vera, rather than a formulated lotion that may only contain trace amounts of it. You can also make your own treatment by slicing open a leaf, shaving off the spines, and applying the gel directly to the skin.
The name comes from the Arabic word alloeh, meaning shining bitter substance, and Latin for vera, which means true. It’s been used as a natural beauty, medicinal, and skin care ingredient for thousands of years. Cleopatra was rumored to have used it in her daily beauty routine. It’s also been used to treat diseases such as diabetes, arthritis, and lupus erythematosus.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a sugar-based molecule that can hold up to 1,000 times its own weight in water, making it the perfect ingredient for a lubricant. It’s also a humectant, meaning that it draws moisture from the air into your skin. This is a great thing for people with dry skin because it helps them to retain moisture longer.
HA is found naturally in our bodies, but the amount we produce decreases as we age. This is why it’s so important to add it back into your skincare routine as it will help your skin look and feel supple, smooth and healthy.
When choosing a product, it’s best to find one that has a mix of HA molecules at different sizes. The smaller molecules will penetrate the skin better as they have a lower molecular weight.
If you have oily or breakout prone skin, we recommend using a serum that contains hyaluronic acid because it can regulate how much moisture your skin needs and will prevent over-saturation. Our True Balance Lotion is a great example of this as it includes Hyaluronic acid along with other superstar ingredients that help to balance oil production and keep your skin calm.
Parabens
It can be tempting to smother lube on your sensitive bits, but not all formulas are created equal. In fact, some can disrupt your natural pH balance and cause bacterial vaginosis or yeast infections. To avoid these side effects, choose a lube that’s body-safe for your delicate skin and made with only natural ingredients.
The gynecologist and dermatologist-approved lube from Pjur Med is one of our favourites, as it has just three ingredients and contains no extras like preservatives or other irritants. The thicker silicone texture is long-lasting and won’t require reapplication in the heat of the moment, plus it’s hypoallergenic for those with sensitivities.
The plant cellulose in Sliquid Naturals H2O makes it the perfect choice for sensitive vaginal skin, as it’s also water-based and has a neutral pH. The osmolality is balanced for vulvar and rectal skin too, which can help prevent dryness and irritation. And it’s safe to use with silicone toys, too. However, you shouldn’t use this lube with latex condoms, dental dams, or polyisoprene condoms, as it can damage or degrade them.
Fragrances
The skin on our vaginas and anuses is delicate, which makes it more susceptible to irritation. But the right lube can help reduce inflammation and boost pleasure for you and your partner.
The best lubes for sensitive skin are free of fragrances and other ingredients that can be irritating, like phthalates, parabens, and propylene glycol. They also have short ingredient lists, and hydrating botanicals that keep your skin happy and healthy.
Choosing a lube can feel overwhelming because there are so many options. But it’s important to read the label and do a patch test before you slather on that product.
This lube from Good Clean Love has aloe, hyaluronic acid, and a list of non-irritating botanicals to soothe and replenish. It also has a smooth texture to boost slip, so you can move your anus and vagina without friction or discomfort. And it doesn’t leave behind sticky residue, making it easy to wipe off afterward. You can even use it with latex condoms and silicone toys.
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