Lubricants

Greece is a forerunner for most things that it’s not surprising to know that they have one of the earliest written origins of lube. They used oil back then. In Asia, the Chinese culture used vegetable oil to lube up their condoms made from animal intestines (pretty gross!). Japan, on the other hand, made use of slick lube made from yams. Our ancestors were pretty creative, no doubt.

People in ancient times have also used spit during sex. There are even specific references from Chinese jokes in the 18th century regarding it, one of which is about monks discussing whether to have sex “vegetarian-style” or without any spit; not sure with the punchline, but that has been part of Chinese joke collections in the 1700s so that could be funny AF during that time.

It was only during the 1800s when silicone-based lubes and synthetic rubber became a thing. Come the 2000s, and a plethora of lubricants, ranging from different flavors to cooling lubes, became available.

The notion that lube is just an additional fluff in the bedroom is completely false. Using a sexual lubricant actually makes vaginal sex easier for both parties.

You see, even though the vagina self-lubricates, the volume of lubrication changes every session. And if the vagina happens to be dryer than usual, both parties may experience soreness on their genitals due to friction. That’s why keeping a bottle of lube is essential during the deed, so if you or your partner experience vaginal dryness, you can still opt for a smoother groove. Some variants also have stimulating effects on it, adding new sensations to your own and your partner’s body.

Lubricants are also great for foreplay and oral sex. Blowjob? Using a flavored water-based lube will surely make things sweeter. Sensual massage? Using an oil-based lubricant is definitely going to spice things up. You can also use lube for non-sexual purposes. Multi-purpose lubricants, such as the Lubie Multi-Purpose Lubricant, can be used as an anti-blister for your feet, shaving gel for your face and body, anti-frizz solution for hair and menstrual cup assistant.

There are three main types of lubes that you can use for your sexcapades– water-based, silicone-based, and oil-based.

Water-based lube is the most versatile of them all. You can use it during penetrative sex and sex-toy play. It’s safe to use with condoms. It also doesn’t stain your sheets and can be easily washed off with water. The only downside is that you need to reapply this more often. It’s also not the ideal type for anal sex; you would need a lube type with a thicker consistency.

As for silicone-based lube, they’re thicker than water-based lubes, making them last longer than water-based ones. Most silicone lubricants are hypoallergenic, too. However, you can’t use your silicone toys with it and it is more pricey than the other types.

Then there’s the oil-based lube, which is as long-lasting as a silicone lube. However, this type of lube isn’t suitable for penetration because it can damage a latex condom and increases the risk of getting infections down there. For your safety, just use this one for non-penetrative activities, such as sensual massages.