Read article in it’s entirety at WomensHealthMag.com…
By Korin Miller | April 11, 2019
You know you’re supposed to buy organic when you can, and opt for all-natural products with ingredients you can pronounce. But what about when it comes to more, ahem, personal products…like lubes?
Knowing the best natural lube to use—that’s also safe for your vagina—can be tricky. Some options, like petroleum jelly or mineral oil, sound good in theory but can actually increase your risk of developing bacterial vaginosis or other vaginal infections, says Alyssa Dweck, MD, a gynecologist in New York.
The moral of the story: If you’re not sure whether you should use a certain product on your lady bits, don’t—until you talk to your doc.
If you do want to try a natural lube (that’s totally safe down there), Dweck and a few other medical experts recommend these top picks.
H2OH! WATER-BASED PERSONAL LUBRICANT
This natural lube contains pure chia extract, which is known for its super-hydrating properties, and since it’s water-soluble, it won’t cause any issues with condoms, says Dweck. It’s also free of parabens, glycerin, petroleum and fragrance, so it’s good for sensitive skin. Want to make the experience even more pleasurable? H2Oh! can be used with or without a Pulse Warming Dispenser, which Dweck recommends for enhancing pleasure.
LUXURY LUBRICANT
Dweck swears by Überlube for a super-silky sensation. Its silicone and vitamin E formula make it long-lasting and compatible with natural rubber latex and polysoprene condoms. It’s fragrance-free, and the sleek bottle looks like a chic perfume.
NUTIVA COCONUT OIL
“Coconut oil is a favorite of lots of women,” says Dweck. Many women like it because it has a good taste for oral and smells nice, she says. It’s also pretty easy to use, given that it’s solid at room temperature and liquid once it’s warmed up by your vagina. Just keep this in mind, per women’s health expert Jennifer Wider, M.D.: Coconut oil can break down the integrity of a latex condom, making it more likely to break.
NAISSANCE VITAMIN E OIL
Vitamin E doubles as a moisturizer and a lot of times people will use it as a lube, Dweck says. But just like coconut oil, it can break down a condom, making it more vulnerable to tearing, Wider says.
SLIQUID ORGANICS NATURAL LUBRICATING GEL
Sliquid makes an organic line that uses aloe vera and botanical extracts. It also gets very good reviews from women, Wider points out. Plus, the fact that it’s water-based means that it won’t interfere with condoms.
ALOE CADABRA NATURAL PERSONAL LUBE, ORGANIC BEST SEX LUBRICANT ORAL GEL FOR HER, HIM & COUPLES, UNSCENTED, 2.5 OZ
Aloe vera is a “good choice” as a natural lubricant, as long as it’s actually 100 percent pure aloe vera, Wider says. (Some aloe veras contain artificial ingredients that can irritate your vagina, she explains.) This is also safe to use with latex condoms and is usually very gentle on the skin.That said, some people are sensitive to aloe, so it doesn’t hurt to test a little bit on a small patch of your skin to see if you have a reaction first, Dweck says. If you can’t find pure aloe vera near you, or just want to try a product that relies heavily on it, Dweck recommends checking out Aloe Cadabra, a natural lube that’s made with 95 percent organic aloe vera.