Time to get handsy!
by Emily Cieslak Sep 7, 2020
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When you can’t play with others, you can always play with yourself. Whether you are single or social distancing, now is the perfect time to invest in some self-exploration. To get the most out of your solo sesh, consider adding lube. Studies show that the slick stuff reduces friction and maximizes pleasure for both vagina- and penis-havers.
If you’re new to the world of lube, finding the right one can be surprisingly tricky. You definitely want to check ingredients before making a purchase, Carolanne Marcantonio, LMSW, SIFI, a Brooklyn-based certified sex therapist, tells Intrigue. Common additives like parabens and glycols have been linked to allergic reactions and infections.
To potentially avoid irritation, Candice Smith, sex educator and co-founder of sex-based subscription service Tango, recommends formulas with ingredients that are few, familiar, and easy to pronounce. “The more hard-to-pronounce words there are in a particular product, the higher the likelihood that it is highly processed,” she says, although she adds that this isn’t always the case. To be sure of each ingredient and how it can react with your body, she recommends researching it.
But we also get that you may not have the time to search through hundreds of ingredients for the possible lube of your life. To give you more time to play, we simplified your search by asking the sexperts themselves.
Here, we offer seven body-loving lubes that’ll change your masturbation game for good.
1. Sliquid Sassy, $8
Water-based lube is your most versatile option if you’re looking for something that’s safe to pair with silicone toys and *all* condom materials. While most water-based options require reapplication to keep things gliding, Marcantonio swears that’s not the case with Sliquid Sassy. Additional plant cellulose creates an ultra-thick consistency, which makes it long-lasting and perfect for anal play, she says.
2. Sliquid Silver, $14
If you’re looking to get steamy in the shower, silicone lube is your best friend. Just a few drops of Sliquid Silver’s waterproof formula, and you’ve got yourself an undisrupted shower or bath sesh. Just don’t pair silicone lubes with silicone toys, warns Marcantonio, as the combo can gradually lead to toy degradation.
3. Gun Oil, $13.95
Don’t let its name and bullet-shaped packaging intimidate you. Gun Oil offers a gentle formula that uses a combo of aloe vera and vitamin E to reduce friction and restore micro-tears in your skin. Whether playing alone or with a partner, Marcantonio labels this “a fantastic lube for all genders.”
As its name suggests, Good Clean Love Almost Naked Organic Personal Lubricant is a product you can feel good using. For every bottle purchased, the brand donates to a project that “reduces greenhouse gases by an amount equivalent to that bottle’s carbon footprint,” making it the first carbon-neutral lube. Not to mention, its chemical-free and non-sticky formula is one of the brand’s best sellers for obvious reasons.
5. Uberlube, $15
Made from silicone and vitamin E, this no-fuss lube is ideal for shower play or solo sessions between the sheets. The brand claims you can even use its product on hair to smooth and detangle and on skin to reduce chafing and enhance glow. Plus, its sleek Good-to-Go Traveler and elegant glass bottle make this lube a dope addition to either suitcase or nightstand.
6. AH! YES, $21.99
Amy Levine, sex coach and founder of Ignite Your Pleasure, swears by AH! YES’ paraben-, glycerin-, and hormone-free formula, a truly ideal lube for those who dig clean beauty. This water-based lube packs organic ingredients, like aloe and flaxseed, that help reduce inflammation and mimic your body’s natural lubrication. You already know what you’ll be screaming when you use it!
7. Unbound Jelly, $4
If you want a product that doesn’t scream “LUBE” from its packaging, Unbound’s glycerin-, glycol-, and paraben-free formula has got you covered. Not only is its name unrevealing, but its case of 10 single-use packets can be discreetly tucked away if post-quarantine has found you living with your parents again. Smith especially recommends single-use packets ($4 for one) if you’re shopping for a new lube but not looking to commit to a full-size bottle before sampling the goods.
