Welcome to YOUR complete Lubricant Shopping Guide!

It can sometimes be daunting to choose a lubricant. There are different types—each with a unique formula. And how/what/where isn’t always quite clear with some lubricants.

For instance, did you know that water-based lubricants are the best to use with pleasure products?

This is because silicone lube can, over time, cause silicone sex toys to degrade if not properly cleaned and cared for.

So, it’s understandable that a bit of guidance and information can come in handy when looking for your next lube.

START HERE

First, I recommend considering HOW you’ll be using your lubricant.

For instance, there are several activities that can be enjoyed with lube. A good place to start your lubricant choice journey is to determine how you would like to use your lube.

Activity Options:

• Partnered sex
• Oral play
• Sensation play
• Personal play
• Sex toy activities
• Anal play
• Electrostimulation
• As a vaginal moisturizer

Stick with me—we’ll get to the best lubes for each activity shortly.

NEXT STEP

I suggest keeping in mind any ingredient sensitivities that you may have.

If you know you’re prone to certain sensitivities, consider natural, organic, or lubricants containing limited ingredients that will perform better if you have sensitive skin.

Also, it’s good to know that the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) considers lubricants medical devicesand only formulas that have been FDA-approved or FDA-regulated can use the title “lubricant”. This is one way to know that the formula you’re using has been laboratory tested.

WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU?

Another thing to keep in mind when choosing the right lubricant for you is to consider lubes that are made with what’s important to you in mind.

For instance, for many people, purchasing brands that are made in the U.S.A. is important to them because it keeps fellow Americans employed and helps guarantee that products are made within certain regulations.

Other considerations can reflect your values or are designed for the current period in your life. Some lubricants are made with vaginal pH levels taken into consideration. Others are designed specifically for masturbation. Some are formulated for vegans. And there are even lubricants crafted for older, menopausal women who may need additional moisture.

Take time to determine if there is something extra that may be helpful for you personally, such as the Desire by Swiss Navy collection, which was created by women to be used by women.

PERFECT PAIRINGS

Remember the first step on your lubricant choice journey? This is where you get to see what lubricants may work best for your activity options.

Partnered Sex

There are a lot of options when it comes to sex between partners. While you may have sensitive skin, your partner may not.

Here I recommend considering both your needs and perhaps having a conversation about choices and preferences.

An all-around favorite is water-based lubricant, which is compatible with most skin types and sex toy materials. Within this category, you can choose between a liquid-style lubricant or a thicker jelly formula, such as Swiss Navy’s Slip ‘N Slide Premium Jelly Lubricant.

Swiss Navy’s Water-based Lubricant is unique in that it does dispense a bit thicker than a regular liquid-style lube and then, like magic, liquefies with gentle friction.

Oral Play

There are instances when a flavored lubricant is the perfect pairing for oral play activities. Quite simply, a flavored lube is created by adding ingredients to a lubricant formula in order to produce the sensation of taste.

The most common reasons for using a flavored lubricant are:

Research by Debby Herbenick, PhD, author of ‘Because It Feels Good: A Woman’s Guide to Sexual Pleasure and Satisfaction’, found flavored lubricants help people get past shyness about oral sex.

Of course, consider your partner’s preferences when choosing your flavors. You can check out a wide variety of tasty options by Swiss Navy here.

Sensation Play

Erotic sensation play is a class of activities meant to impart physical sensations upon a partner.

Research published in the U.S. National Library of Medicine found sexual sensory activities motivate people to initiate sex more often and psychiatry studies show sensory play can give relationships a deeper, interconnected experience.

To make engaging in sensory play simple, some lubricants have ingredients that provide a tingle, a warmth, or a refreshing cool sensation. These specialized lubes can be a great way to explore sexual activities that incorporate sensations.

The effect of warming lube can increase blood flow to intimate areas and can wake up nerve endings and help make areas more responsive to touch. Warming lubricants can add extra tingles and sensations to even the most subtle types of sex play.

The effect of cooling lube can provide unique sensations. Some say the cooling that they provide is more intense than their warming counterparts. As with warming lubes, intimate sensitivity is enhanced by cooling lubricants, which is intended to make sex play feel sensational, pun intended.

Swiss Navy has a variety of warming and cooling lubricants to choose from. If you’re new to sensation lubes and are looking for something that may appeal to you and your partner, I suggest Infuse Arousal Gels for Couples.

Personal Play

Yes, there are formulations designed for masturbation. When using hands, skin may be rough and can be abrasive on sensitive intimate areas. Masturbation formulas for this reason tend to be thicker and are designed to last longer.

Swiss Navy’s Premium Masturbation Cream is oil-based and can provide a lush, smooth feel for personal play sessions.

Please keep in mind, it’s not recommended to use a sex toy with this formula since the oil may not play well with certain types of materials. Oil can also break down condoms, so refrain from using oil-based lubricants when using condoms.

Sex Toy Activities

Pleasure products are now made with several different material options. From silicone to plastic to rubber to metal to glass—there seems to be a sex toy for every preference.

I recommend adhering to the sex toy manufacturers recommendations for lube.

When in doubt, water-based lubricants are usually a safe bet. But keep in mind, sex toys should be cleaned before and after each use. For this, consider Swiss Navy’s Toy & Body Cleaner products.

Anal Play

Because the rectal canal is not self-lubricating, it’s essential to use lube—and plenty of it!

Generally, silicone lubricants are recommended because they have a thicker formula designed to offer extra padding and are longer-lasting. Swiss Navy’s Premium Anal Lubricant is always a good choice.

Keep in mind, that if you’re using a sex toy made of silicone material, it may be best to go with a thicker water-based jelly lube such as Swiss Navy’s Slip ‘N Slide Premium Jelly Lubricant.

Electrostimulation

When choosing a lubricant for electrostimulation, or e-stim, a water-based formula works exceptionally well since it acts as a conductive element.

There are a lot of elements and information that comes with electrostimulation, so I suggest you do your research before giving this activity a try.

Vaginal Moisturizer

In the same way you may use normal body lotion to keep your skin smooth and moist all day, vaginal moisturizers can help keep the inside of the vagina moist all day.

Silicone lubricant is an excellent choice as a vaginal moisturizer because it doesn’t absorb into the skin or bloodstream. Silicone is hypoallergenic and does not change the pH level in the urinary tract. Your body naturally clears out silicone-based lubricant inside the vagina by itself.

University Health Network is a health care and medical research organization that recommends using a vaginal moisturizer 2 to 3 times a week, even if you are not having sex to help keep your vagina healthy and comfortable.

Intimate dryness can be caused by a variety of reasons—medication, age, lower amounts of estrogen. So, it’s important to discuss this with your own physician.

LUBE IS A PERSONAL CHOICE

Please remember, the decision on which lubricant to use is a personal preference but taking your time to learn about the different options that are available will help you find the one that works the best for you.

Your Lube Shopping Guide Checklist:

_____ How will you be using your lubricant?

_____ Do you have any allergies or skin sensitivities?

_____ Are you considering a specialty lubricant to meet your specific needs?

_____ Is your lubricant choice compatible with sex toys?

_____ If you’ve chosen a lube for partner-play, does it take into account your partners’ preferences?

_____ What are your favorite flavors?

_____ Should you order a few different lubricants so you can experiment?

_____ Would sensation-play lubricants add another dimension to your sexual activities?

Also keep in mind that personal lubricants do have a recommended shelf life. A good rule is to replace personal lubricants every six to nine months.

Store your lubricants in a cool, dry location at room temperature and make sure to always keep the cap firmly closed during storage.

Remember, Swiss Navy is Always Here to Help

Ready to learn more about personal lubricants and other ways to create more excitement in your love life? Check out our Pleasure Blog!

To let lube inspire your next date night, visit Lube: Your Date Night Inspiration.

And, Lube Really Does Improve Your Love Life may be helpful for your relationship.

To learn some new ways to enjoy lube, check out Your Lube Bucket List: 5 New Things For YOU to Try!

Please remember to check back often as new blogs are posted with lots of helpful information and wellness tips addressing your own intimate concerns.