In the world of personal lubricants, there are so many different flavors, textures, and feels that it can be hard to know which one is right for your body. Fortunately, there are some household products that can be great natural alternatives to lube. In addition to not being able to tell half of the ingredients listed on the bottle, some products can even disrupt vaginal pH balance and should be reformulated, studies show.
However, the process of finding alternatives can be a little daunting. When I started researching the best natural alternatives to lube, I was frustrated by a lot of stuff that didn't seem to measure up . Obviously, oil can be tricky - especially during vaginal sex and sex with condoms. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, oil can severely corrode the latex of condoms, causing them to become less effective or even tear during sex. I also found that "waxes" like shea butter, beeswax, and jojoba oil can damage vaginal skin cells and impair their ability to replace vaginal skin, according to Women's Health . Of course, anything sugar-based is also a definite no-no as it can easily cause yeast infections .
When it comes to other ingredients, though, Dr. Mary Jane Minkin, a clinical professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at Yale University School of Medicine, says it all depends on your sensitivity. She recommends buying a small bottle first and then paying attention to your reaction - especially if the lube contains additives like dyes. "Because basically, vaginal and vulvar tissue is the most sensitive tissue in the body," she adds.
In addition to dyes, some people avoid certain preservatives, such as parabens. A 2015 study showed that parabens in particular promote the growth of breast cancer cells in laboratory settings. Still, as Amy Levine, MA, CSE, sex coach and founder of Ignite Your Pleasure, tells Bustle, the long-term health risks aren't entirely clear.
So, for those of you who are paranoid about chemicals like me - and those who have skin and vaginas as sensitive as mine - here are the best and safest at-home alternatives to personal lubricants. But before trying anything new, make sure:
- You are not allergic to the product that goes into your body, and neither is your partner.
- You are not using products that contain any sugar or glycerin. This is because sugar-based lubricants can increase the production of yeast in the vagina, sometimes leading to yeast infections.
- Do not under any circumstances use oil-based products with condoms.
Here's what I found.
1.Aloe Vera
Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera 100% Gel, $9.64, Amazon
You know that bottle of aloe vera gel you always keep by your bed to treat sunburns? It has many other uses besides caring for burnt skin. According to Dr. Mike Roussell of Shape Magazine , this amazing skin protectant can heal other skin-related wounds and even relieve the symptoms of burns, psoriasis, and other skin diseases thanks to its antibacterial properties.
But what you didn't know is that aloe vera is also a great lubricant, according to pharmacologist Joe Graydon of People's Pharmacy. Aloe vera is known to be very gentle and neutral on all skin types, making it safe to use around the vagina. Make sure your aloe vera gel is 100% pure aloe vera and contains no sugar or artificial ingredients.
Graydon recommends rubbing the stuff on the inside of your elbow first to make sure you're not allergic to the latex in it (unless you already know you're allergic to latex, in which case you might want to avoid aloe vera entirely). Plus, the slippery stuff is completely safe to use on condoms because it contains no oils or substances that can break down latex.
2. Protein
At first, the idea of putting egg whites into my vagina scared me. First of all, I am a vegetarian, so putting any kind of animal product into my body is not ideal. Then the hypochondriac side of me chimed in, singing a story of salmonella and subsequent death. If the former bothers you, I can't really comfort you. It's your body and if this sounds disgusting and immoral to you, then don't do it. However, for the latter, you likely won't get salmonella if you buy a pasteurized egg white mix , according to foodsafety.gov. Still, the medical community is very hesitant to recommend it. "Salmonella, need I say more?" Levine said. However, maternity nurse Maureen Stephens says applying egg white to the vagina (especially for fertility purposes) "is safe and has no side effects".
Additionally, many women in the homeopathic community swear by this stuff and use it not only for lubrication but also for pregnancy because apparently it helps ensure that sperm gets where it needs to go. It can be messy to use (like lube at best), so choosing some kind of dropper or simply accepting the mess will be your best bet. Egg whites are best served at room temperature in a bowl or container of your choice.
3.Natural oil
Dr. Bronner Fresh Virgin Coconut Oil, $13, Amazon
Sex therapist Brier Jirka says some vegetable and mineral oils, such as avocado, coconut and olive oil , can be used as personal lubricants. They're great for clitoral stimulation and vulva massage, or some quality alone time, but keep them away from condoms (which may cause them to break). Natural oil is great, not only because it feels so good to have oil on your body, but also because it lasts longer than water-based lubricants. "If it's organic, that's fine," Levine said, "so latex isn't a factor."
Coconut oil especially appeals to me. It is known to be an amazing product that can be used for many purposes including dietary and cosmetic purposes. According to Levine, it "has also been used for a long time, especially for perineal stretching and massage in preparation for childbirth." But coconut oil is also a great lubricant. Make sure it's raw, unrefined, and has no added sugar. It may take a while to melt at first (because what comes out is pretty thick), but as it warms up it will become quite slippery (temperature-wise and sex-wise). Benefits: Coconut oil has antifungal properties.
When I asked Levine her personal opinion on natural lubes, she recommended organic lubes such as Yes water-based lube. Basically, anything organic or natural is preferred. "If you have a lot of solo or partnered sex, something purer/healthier is a better choice," she adds. When all else fails, good quality saliva can do the trick as long as "you and your partner are not at risk for STDs like hepatitis that are spread through saliva."
To all the chemophobes and experimenters out there: Get ready to reset your lube routine.
Research references:
Cunha, A., Machado, R., Palmeira-De-Oliveira, A., Martinez-De-Oliveira, J., Neves, J.D., & Palmeira-De-Oliveira, R. (2014). Properties of commercially available vaginal lubricants: Safety perspective. Pharmaceutics , 6 (3), 530–542. DOI: 10.3390/pharmacy 6030530
Pan, S., Yuan, C., Tagmount, A., Rudel, RA, Ackerman, JM, Yaswen, P., … Leitman, DC (2016). Parabens and human epidermal growth factor receptor ligands interact in breast cancer cells. Environmental Health Perspectives , 124 (5), 563–569. doi:10.1289/ehp.1409200
Steiner, M., Piedrahita, C., Glover, L., Joanis, C., Spruyt, A., & Foldesy, R. (1994). Effects of lubricants on latex condoms during vaginal intercourse. International Journal of STD and AIDS , 5 (1), 29–36. Number: 10.1177/095646249400500108
expert:
Mary Jane Minkin, Ph.D., M.D., clinical professor, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale University School of Medicine
Amy Levine, MA, CSE, sex coach and founder of Ignite Your Pleasure
