Smooth Delight: Where to Apply Lube and What Type Should You Get?

Lube. The undisputed champion of enhancing your slippin’ and slidin’ moments.

A Simple Bottle That Deserves Applause

Imagine this. Mowing your lawn. Happily. But those squeaky, metallic noises came out. Then, your equipment broke down. You also caught a whiff of a burnt smell. Know what that means? Your lawnmower lacked lubrication. 

Please excuse the mechanical comparison. But you get the picture. Of course your body’s endlessly amazing! More amazing than any machine. Friction is useful and it has its place. 

But when it comes to your sexual encounters, you can't just ignore too much friction. Hence, your need for lubrication. The mighty lubricant. Despite its superhero status in sex, myths still surround it sometimes. 

Some folks think it’s just for older couples who want to get down and dirty. Others assume that needing lube means something’s wrong. And the others? They just don’t feel sure what to do with it once they buy the bottle. 

Lubricating doesn’t mean you’re fixing your body. It acts as your body’s supporter in your intimate life. You need moisturizer on your skin. Or conditioner for your hair. 

If you view it practically, you won’t feel so awkward about it. Like reliable backup. So, let’s take a look at one of your sexual health’s underrated essentials.

What Is a Lubricant?

A lubricant, simply known as lube is a product designed to help you make sex feel smoother. Literally and figuratively. How? By reducing the friction between your private parts, condoms and toys.

Its job? Simple. But important nonetheless. Help everything glide more comfortably. Vagina can produce natural lubrication. But moisture level can also vary from one person to another. Some of the factors that affect lubrication are:

• Hydration
• Stress
• Medications
• Hormones
• Sleep
• Breastfeeding
• Menopause
• Emotional and environmental factors

Needing a generous amount of lube. That doesn’t mean your body’s failing you. It’s just you’re giving it some VIP care while it evolves. In anal sex, you’re gonna need lube too. Because your anal area has only enough lubricating power to move bowels. But needs assistance in penetration.

Why Is Lubrication Important?

Look at your lube this way. It’s the difference between washing your body with a smooth, fragrant soap and rubbing sandpaper on your skin. Yeah. there are gonna be dry spells (lack of lubrication) in your sex life.

Due to reasons mentioned in the previous section. So to reduce friction and to maximize your pleasure, your lube comes to the rescue. Your intimate moments, they become more intimate and comfortable.

You can avoid irritation. Hard to enjoy anything when there’s discomfort, right? Your bedroom adventure is not an exception here. Your relaxed, comfy state. That’ll make you focus more on your connection. 

Natural lubrication is awesome. But adding a good amount of lube’s gonna enhance those sexy moments. Additional smoothness. It makes the grinding, the thrusting, the insertion super dope. Your lube is not just a crutch. It’s an upgrade.

What’s Inside a Bottle of Lubricant?

Not all lubricants you see on the shelf of a sex shop are made the same. Each type has its own personality.

Water-Based Lubricants

If there’s a lube that gets along with everyone, it’s this one. Your safest best, the water-based lube. Why? Because of its compatibility with different skin types. With other intimate products too. Like condoms and sex toys.

Easy to wash off. Suitable for many skin types. The only small down side is, you might need to re-apply it when you’re in longer erotic sessions. A water-based one dries out easier. Compared to other lube types.

Silicone-Based Lubricants

If you want longevity, silicone-based lubes… Reporting for duty. Especially helpful when you’re having sex in the pool or in the tub. Unlike water-based ones that wash off easily. 

Thing is, it can affect the surface of your toys in longer uses. So check your toy manufacturer’s instructions. Before you get wet and wild with your toys using silicone-based lubes.

Oil-Based Lubricants

Oil-based lubes. They give you this rich, silky feel. However, this won’t be compatible with your pack of latex condoms. Because oils weaken latex material. Increasing chances of breakage. Also harder to wash from fabrics and your skin.

Hybrid Lubricants

Can’t decide? You can experience the best of different water and silicone worlds. With hybrid types. They combine ingredients to give you the balance of easy cleanup and longer lasting glide.

Where Should Your Lube Be Applied?

Where? That’s your main question right now. But here’s your wonderfully uncomplicated answer. Wherever you need the amount of extra comfort and friction decrease. May include in and around your genitals, nipples, butt. 

The outside of your condom and surfaces of your sex toys too. Your goal is not to be so frugal in applying lube. To be comfortable is. Use generous amounts when applying. Keeping your movements comfortable. 

If things start to feel dry and rough… Perfectly fine to add a lil’ more. If there's some handjob or fingering action going on, yup you can put lube on your hands too. So the strokes you're giving and receiving can get silkier. 

Making handjobs and fingering feel more playful as well.

Can You Use Lube With Your Toys?

You absolutely can! And in many cases it’s encouraged. Adding lubricant makes your cutesy sex toys easier to use. Helping you feel more comfortable. Reducing that unwanted friction during your hot and steamy moments.

The important part is matching your lube with your toy’s material. Silicone, ABS, stainless and glass toys. They’re compatible and working so well with water-based lubricants. Silicone-based lubes. They don’t jive with your silicone toys.

You wonder, same material but not compatible? Yes. Because when you put them together, your lube seeps into your toy. Then, a breakdown happens. Your silicone toy’s surface gets damaged. Turning into this sticky or gummy item.

Still in doubt? You can pick up and check the care guide. It’s usually packaged with your toy. When it comes to quality toys, you don’t have to do a tedious search to find ‘em. Look here! A couple of bestsellers for you. Naughty Clock and Fatima. 

Choosing a Lubricant That’s Right for You

Picking your lubricant. That’s like you’re choosing what shoes to wear. The right one depends on where you’re going. You want something versatile or newbie-friendly? Compatible with most of your toys and condoms?

Water-based type would be your best and safest bet. Great place to start. If you want longevity in gliding, pick up that bottle of silicone-based lube. Awesome pick for lengthy intimate sessions. The oil-based ones…

Save them for sessions where you won’t be using condoms. Check the labels if you’re concerned about your skin. There are fragrance-free, dye-free options. Formulated for intimate use. Without the risk of irritation.

It won’t hurt to look at the list of ingredients. The same way you look at a food product. You find out that there’s dairy and you’re lactose intolerant. You drop it instantly right? So If you have skin concerns, steer clear of lubes that contain these: 

Fragrances. Parabens. Glycerin.

Related: A No-Nonsense Guide to Lube: What's Safe for Sex, Solo Play, and Your Favorite Toys

A Few Lubricant Safety Tips

Your sexual wellness routine. It doesn’t have to be this complicated, puzzling one that makes you scratch your head. But, a few thoughtful habits will go a long way. Here we go.

• Choose lubricants that are specifically made for intimate use. Please don’t play around with random oils or strange concoctions

• Expiration dates. Check them before use.

• Apply a small amount to test it. See how your body would respond.

• Find a cool and dry place to store your lube bottles. Close the lids. Tightly.

• Clean your sex toys. Before use. After use. Look at care instructions as well.

• Don’t share your toys with random folks. Use protection. Bring your condom-compatible lube.

• Stop using that certain lube when there’s itching or burning sensations. Consult your doc. If your concerns/symptoms persist.

See these habits as your routine maintenance. A little care today. Helps you keep tomorrow comfortable too. Need more advice on your lubricant use? Here’s a Dr. Susie video for you. Take it away doc!

Essentials for Safe Lube Use: Elevate Your Sexy Time!

Common Lubricant Myths

Only people with dryness need them

Not true. Many use lubricants simply because they enjoy added comfort. The smoother feel. Dry or not, your lube’s gonna enhance your spicy moments. Speaking of spicy, please don’t rub hot sauce on your skin alright? Wink.

Using lubricant means something’s wrong

It’s actually the opposite. Choosing your comfort is a healthy decision. You’re in tune with your body. You know when you can’t produce enough natural lube. Or maybe even if you're not dry, you simply enjoy the smooth, gliding feeling.

All lubricants are the same

Nah. We all have different skin types, conditions, and needs. So products need to adapt to our bodies. Not the other way around. Ingredients, textures, compatibility. They all matter when selecting a lube.

Using an excessive amount is better

There’s a difference between these two. Generous amount and excessive. You’re not trying to hold back when applying lube. But you don’t want to be the one overdoing it either. You’d know when you’re applying too little. Or too much.

Lubricant FAQs

Can you use lubricant every time?

Yes. Many folks make lubricant use a regular part of their sexual wellness routine.

Do lubricants expire?

Yes they do expire. So you must check the packaging for an expiration date. Replace your old lube bottles. When you’re noticing changes in color, texture or smell.

Can a lubricant stain your sheets?

It depends on the lube type. Oil-based ones? They usually leave marks. If you’re worrying about those unwanted stains, pick water-based. Easier to wash from fabrics.

Is lubricant safe with condoms?

Many of them are. But compatibility depends on two things. The content of your lubricant and the material of your condom. Check your lube’s label. Oil-based lubes. They can damage your latex condoms. Water-based gets the score for this.

Can lubricant be used with sex toys?

Yes. In most cases. Depends on your toy’s material. But don’t use oil and silicone lubes on your silicone toys. For your glass and stainless toys, they’re generally safe (as long as they’re non-porous). Water-based type is your safest/most compatible pick for most sex toys.

Should your lubricant burn or sting?

No. You can experience mild warming or cooling sensation. If your product includes them. Explicitly. But burning or itching? Those aren’t features. Those are signs of irritation. If that happens, wash the lube off immediately. And stop using it.

The Smooth and Silky Bottom Line

Your lubricant is not some secret you should be embarrassed about. Not a sign that something’s wrong with you. Look at it as a tool. A tool supports your comfort and your confidence in your sex life.

Like an enthusiastic cheerleader maybe. The more you understand your body, it gets easier for you to focus on what matters. You choose products that work with it. Not against it. No white-knuckling here right?

So the extra glide you get from your go-to lubricant. It can go a long way. And your body will thank you for listening to it. So have a happy slippin’ and slidin’ day!

Special Thanks:

International Society for Sexual Medicine

Zawn Villines and Valinda Riggins Nwadike, MD - Medical News Today

Susie Gronski, PT

Having a blast with your fresh bottle o’ lube? Here’s your in-depth guide as well: What Can You Use As Lube? A No Nonsense Guide

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