How to Choose a Lubrication For Sex
Whether used when you're alone or with your partner, the right lube can make all the difference in your pleasure. Many people know that it can be an aid during anal sex or that it can help combat vaginal dryness, yet too often people don't realize that it can also enhance any and every sexual experience. If you're considering trying lube for the first time, you'll want to consider a few things about how to choose a lube.
The first thing to consider when learning how to choose a lube is what you're going to be using it for. A thicker lube is usually better for both anal sex and for use with toys. The thicker the lube, the more likely it will be to coat your sex toys and stay on longer. You'll also find that a thicker lube will add extra comfort during anal penetration.
On the other hand, if you're looking into how to choose a lube for masturbation, you'll likely want a lighter lubrication. A lighter lube will actually stay slick longer, which will prevent you from having to reapply it. However, these types of lighter lube are typically not good choices for use with condoms or vaginal penetration, as they are easily wiped off and in those cases will need to be reapplied frequently.
The two main types of lube are silicone based and water based. Each option has it's own unique pros and cons and they can even be mixed if you're looking for the benefits of both. Following are a few facts on each, to help you understand how to choose a lube based on what it's made out of.
Silicone Based Lubes
Pros:
- Because they don't contain water, they won't dry up or evaporate off the skin.
- They are not absorbed into the skin.
- Less silicone lube is needed when compared to how much you'll need with a water based lube.
Cons:
- You do need soap and water to remove them from your body.
- They are more expensive than water based lubes.
Water Based Lubes
Pros:
- They are much easier to flush off of and out of the body.
- In most areas, they're much easier to find than silicone based lubes.
- There are many more varieties available, such as different flavors and warming variations.
Cons:
- They dry out much more quickly and will need to be regularly reapplied.
- They can be stickier or tackier feeling than a silicone based lube.
- Some studies suggest that they can increase the likelihood of a woman getting a yeast infection.
As you can see, there isn't a definitive answer on whether or not a silicone based lube is better than a water based lube, or vice versa. When figuring out how to choose a lube, you'll need to consider both the pros and cons of each of the available options to see which one makes the most sense for you. Often times people will use a water based lube for their day to day use and have a more expensive silicone based lube for use during special occasions or when they want to have a much longer session of love making.
While we've covered the basic options considering how to choose a lube in a sex shop or online, there are also several natural alternatives, such as using olive oil or peanut oil. While these can be a nice option for genital massage and masturbation, you should be aware that they can stain fabric and can also break down a latex condom. As such, they are not good options for vaginal or anal intercourse.
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