When it comes to lubes and lotions, there are hundreds of different items on the market - everything from the traditional KY Jelly to silicone-based lubes, some that are even waterproof. Before selecting a lube, you should think carefully about exactly what you will use it for. After deciding on that, you’ll want to find out the main types of lubes and check out some of the different lube options available to further enhance your experience. But even the perfect lube can be less than satisfying unless you know how to use your lube and - most importantly - how to clean up afterwards.

Main Types of Sex Lubes
When looking for a lube, the most important quality is the primary ingredient in the lube, in other words, what substance the lube is based on. Not only does this affect the properties of your lube, it can even limit which kinds of toys you can safely use with your lube. For instance, a petroleum-based lube will always be thick, difficult to clean, and incompatible with latex condoms or adult toys. But the petroleum-based lube will also last longer than almost any other kinds of lube. Lubes are made from four basic substances - water, oil, petroleum, and silicone - each with its own pros and cons.

Water-Based Sex Lubes
Water-based sex lubes are the most common lubes in the adult industry. Users love water-based lubes for their relatively low price and easy cleaning. Water-based lubes can be used safely with any type of adult toy or product and used for oral sex, vaginal or anal penetrations, masturbation or for massages.

Many water-based lubes are scented and flavored – making them especially appetizing for oral sex. Water-based lubes clean off easily with just warm water and a little bit of soap and don’t leave a sticky residue like some other kinds of lube. Water-based lubes also don’t leave stains on your clothes or bed sheets. The only real drawback is that water-based lubes tend to wear off faster than other types of lubes - meaning you might need to reapply the lube once or twice before you're finished.

 

Find a flavor of water-based lube to suit your taste buds.

Oil-based Sex Lubes
Oil-based sex lubes are manufactured primarily out of vegetable oil or other natural ingredients. These lubes are excellent for masturbation or for vaginal or anal penetration but should never be used with condoms and some kinds of sex toys. Oil-based lubes chemically react with latex products, weakening and damaging latex condoms, toys, diaphragms and similar items. Oil-based lubes tend to be thicker than either water-based or silicone-based lube, which can make them harder to clean off afterwards. Oil-based lubes also sometimes leave a sticky film behind. Because oil-based lubes last far longer than water-based lubes, they are an excellent choice for masturbation.

Petroleum-Based Sex Lubes
Petroleum-based lubes are made primarily from mineral oil or petroleum jelly and include Vaseline-type products. Petroleum-based lubes tend to have the thickest consistency of the lubes on the market, which helps explain why petroleum-based lubes also tend to outlast other brands of lube. Petroleum-based lubes have an even stronger reaction to latex than their oil-based counterparts, almost melting it on contact. Because of their durability, petroleum lubes can be extremely difficult to clean off afterwards and can easily stain sheets or clothes. But that very durability makes petroleum-based lubes a popular choice for anal sex especially.

Silicone-Based Sex Lubes
Silicone-based lubes are essentially a futuristic version of water-based lubes. Silicone lubes contain the exact same ingredients but replace water with silicone instead – making these lubes waterproof! Silicone-based lubes are much more long-lasting than water-based lubes – making these lubes perfect for almost any kind of sexual activity. Because they're new to the market, silicone lubes can be harder to find and often come with fewer options than other types of lube. Like water-based lubes, silicones don’t leave stains and are easy to clean up afterwards with just a towel. The only real drawback to silicone-based lubes is that you shouldn’t use them with silicone toys – other than that silicone lubes are compatible with all other types of adult toys, condoms and other products. Silicone lubes are especially useful for trysts in a shower or pool or any kind of vaginal or anal penetration.

 

Explore the many benefits of silicone lubes.

Sex Lotions
Sex lotions are really more of a foreplay tool. While some lotions can double as lubes, most lotions are meant to be used externally rather than for sexual activity. Lotions serve a wide variety of purposes – including shaving your pubic hair and stimulating a woman’s nipples or clitoris. But lotions are most often used for massage. By cutting down on friction, lotions help provide a more comfortable and relaxing massage. Many lotions also have some sort of pleasant, fruity scent to them like strawberries or cherries and heat up on contact.