A Lube Newbie

Contributor: MarriedWithSexToys MarriedWithSexToys
We don't use a lot of lube but we usually have some handy just in case. Our typical go to lube is the ky brand lubricant we'll pick up at the grocery store. Browsing around we have found there are so many different lubes to choose from and are wondering if we are using poor quality lubricant and if we should try something different. I guess what we're asking is if there is a difference in the types of lubes or is one lube pretty much as good another?
09/19/2009
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Contributor: ToyGeek ToyGeek
Quote:
Originally posted by MarriedWithSexToys
We don't use a lot of lube but we usually have some handy just in case. Our typical go to lube is the ky brand lubricant we'll pick up at the grocery store. Browsing around we have found there are so many different lubes to choose from and ... more
Yep, you're using poor quality lubricant. I learned this lesson recently myself, when a toy that had been awesome on its maiden voyage was downright unpleasant the second time around. The difference was the lube -- on the maiden voyage, I used the sample of Toy Fluid that came with it. The lube from the grocery store made my previously awesome Fun Factory Curve uncomfortable and downright unusable, but it was awesome again with J0 H2O.

Read the reviews -- it looks like Sliquid and several other things are significantly better than what you're using now.
09/19/2009
Contributor: Alan & Michele Alan & Michele
KY was the first one we tried too and we found it to have a nasty clumping habit that was unpleasant. Right now our current favorite is Swede Aqua Comfort (sold here on Eden), which was suggested to us by some of the other reviewers. It made a big difference for us.
A lot of it is personal preference, so you might want to bop around some of the manufacturer's sites and see who's currently offering free samples, or buy a few smaller bottles of different types here every now and then. You'll notice differences right away.
09/19/2009
Contributor: ScottA ScottA
If you look around you can often find companies that will give out free samples.

There are several things to keep in mind. What ingredients the lube uses is one of them. Some ingredients can be a problem for certain people - parabens and glycerin are the most common problems, but there are some lubes that contain other ingredients that can be a problem (I have seen one with aspartame). If you aren't sensitive, then don't worry.

Normal K-Y lubricant also tends to get gummy pretty fast. Better water-based lubes don't, and silicone lubes never do (as do oil-based lubes, but those are more specialized).

Thickness is another thing to consider - for vaginal use many people prefer thinner lubes, but for external or anal use a thicker lube might be better.
09/19/2009
Contributor: MarriedWithSexToys MarriedWithSexToys
Great info. Never thought about checking around for free samples.
09/19/2009
Contributor: J's Alley J's Alley
Quote:
Originally posted by ScottA
If you look around you can often find companies that will give out free samples.

There are several things to keep in mind. What ingredients the lube uses is one of them. Some ingredients can be a problem for certain people - parabens and ... more
Seriously aspartame...wow. That would be a HUGE no go in my house. Nasty stuff. I actually use JO H2O like ToyGeek and I just love it, but I am dying to try Sliquid now because of the hype.

Glycerin free is a biggie for girls because it causes irritation. If you must buy it at the grocery your best bet may be (I am going by what our store carries) ID Glide. They are middle line, but a decent lube all around. I say if you don't use it a lot to spring for the good stuff so it doesn't jack up your mood.
09/19/2009
Contributor: Angel deSanguine Angel deSanguine
I also use the JO H2O when I need water based (which is more and more as my love for silicone toys grows) and Pjur when reaching for a silicone based lube.
09/19/2009
Contributor: Rayne Millaray Rayne Millaray
Quote:
Originally posted by ToyGeek
Yep, you're using poor quality lubricant. I learned this lesson recently myself, when a toy that had been awesome on its maiden voyage was downright unpleasant the second time around. The difference was the lube -- on the maiden voyage, I used ... more
I had only used KY and Astroglide before I tried Sliquid H2O. I'll definitely use my Sliquid before either of those from now on. But I'm still shopping around. Simply because I'm of the mind that you can't swear by a product until you've tried others and still like that one best.
09/20/2009
Contributor: Ciao. Ciao.
We use Liquid Silk...works pretty well for us!
09/20/2009
Contributor: Adriana Ravenlust Adriana Ravenlust
Quote:
Originally posted by MarriedWithSexToys
Great info. Never thought about checking around for free samples.
Durex, Astroglide, Wet and KY all have them I believe.
09/20/2009
Contributor: Liz Liz
BF and I like the Sliquid line... H20 for vaginal sex, Silk for toy play, Sassy for anal. Maximus is another favorite.
09/20/2009
Contributor: Jimbo Jones Jimbo Jones
Maximus is the favorite at our house and found to be much better than any KY product and Astroglide as well. Maximus does have parabens and although that hasn't caused us any difficulty it might be a problem for some.
I agree with a lot of the others on here, try out some samples or select several lubes and see which one you and your partner like best.
09/21/2009
Contributor: Ravenqueen Ravenqueen
Quote:
Originally posted by Alan & Michele
KY was the first one we tried too and we found it to have a nasty clumping habit that was unpleasant. Right now our current favorite is Swede Aqua Comfort (sold here on Eden), which was suggested to us by some of the other reviewers. It made a big ... more
wow, we have had ours clump to (ky warming sensations). ok now i think i am becoming a lube snob!
07/18/2011
Contributor: Darklyvan Darklyvan
What is the best tasting oil/lube
11/12/2011
Contributor: Cherrylane Cherrylane
I've tried Ky (multiple types of KY, at that. All pretty much horrible), astroglide, one sliquid, JO H20, and Kama Sutra Love Liquid Classic (which I reviewed here. Sliquid was an improvement but I preferred JO h20. My favorite of them would be the Kama Sutra though.

All of those are fairly accessible and can be bought on this website as well as found in many sex shops, both chains and smaller/local type places. They're very popular brands.

The lube I'm loving now though is a bit more difficult to get and I'm debating whether it's worth the trouble. It's definitely my favorite lube I've ever tried though. It's the water-based by YES lubricants found here.

It's organic, hypoallergenic, no sugars or parabens or other funky ingredients, long lasting. Best of all, when the website says it's "realistic lubrication" and a "perfect substitute for the body's natural lubricant," I've found that's entirely true! Especially compared to other lubes I've tried.

I'm one of those people that's easily distracted and even completely turned off by things that don't feel natural. It can be too thick or too clumpy, too slick or thin. Anything that heats cools or tingles is a no go. Smells effect me the same. Even latex. If I get a waft of condom smell during sex, I'm immediately turned off. YES smells faintly of aloe, which doesn't bother me at all though I suppose others may dislike it. It's a very faint scent, anyways. And of course having a good or at least inoffensive taste is strongly preferred. YES tastes about as it smells, very mild and faint but distinctly of aloe. I don't mind this. There hasn't been a single lube I've tried that didn't have a slight taste one way or another and the hint of aloe is probably the most natural and inoffensive of them all. For me, YES wins in every category.

The primary downside is that YES isn't currently sold in the US, and so I've had to order it directly from their website, which brings me to...

EDENFANTASY STAFFERS, if you read this, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE look into carrying YES lubricants. I think they'd be a terrific asset to have on this site.
11/12/2011