Water Based, pros and cons

Contributor: Lif3sambiguity Lif3sambiguity
I have always, from the beginning, purchased and used water based lubes. What is the main difference between silicone lube and water based? and are there any other types of lubes i should know about? I have HSV 1 & 2 and do not want to have an outbreak or reaction to a lube, that would just be horrible.
Answers (public voting - your screen name will appear in the results):
ToyGeek , Waterfall , Liz2 , DeliciousSurprise , Envy , Sera , XXXXXXXXXXXXX , Dame Demi , kitti , RosesThorns , Miss Cinnamon , Destri , Fierce Like Tiger , Twist , Miss Morphine , Lady Venus , Kimbertrees , Stujen , Selective Sensualist , Porfiriato , Anne Ardeur , sasweetheart89 , sbon , MR Chickhabit , Kindred , potstickers , dv8 , fufucat , richsam , snuggly , Curiouscat , freda , Swish , Howells , Brandonn , Lena Eden
36
LicentiouslyYours , Naughty Student
2
DeliciousSurprise , Lena Eden
2
Tori Rebel , Entropy
2
Total votes: 42 (40 voters)
Poll is open
11/11/2010
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Contributor: ~LaUr3n~ ~LaUr3n~
If you have herpes and you have been doing fine,. I would stick with water based It may not not be worth the risk since I don't know of anything in silicone based that would cause a reaction, but there may be...you never know. Silicone is wonderful for non-silicone toys, but if you don't ever try one it won't be the end of the world. There are really good water based lubes that feel like silicone, so in that case...I would keep your options open
11/11/2010
Contributor: kinky girlfriend kinky girlfriend
Quote:
Originally posted by Lif3sambiguity
I have always, from the beginning, purchased and used water based lubes. What is the main difference between silicone lube and water based? and are there any other types of lubes i should know about? I have HSV 1 & 2 and do not want to have an ... more
I could never imagine having an STD myself...no offense but was wondering did your parter have herpes too or did u end up giving it to your partner? didn't u make a post something about a 3some I can't remember
11/11/2010
Contributor: ToyGeek ToyGeek
Personally, I stick with water based just in case I suddenly change my mind about what toy to use. Besides, glass and metal need less lube than the silicone toys anyway, so bothering with silicone lube seems a little pointless for my uses.
11/11/2010
Contributor: Jenn (aka kissmykitty) Jenn (aka kissmykitty)
Quote:
Originally posted by kinky girlfriend
I could never imagine having an STD myself...no offense but was wondering did your parter have herpes too or did u end up giving it to your partner? didn't u make a post something about a 3some I can't remember
The poster having an STD and how she acquired it isn't really relevant to this discussion. Perhaps we should stick to the topic at hand.
11/12/2010
Contributor: Jenn (aka kissmykitty) Jenn (aka kissmykitty)
Quote:
Originally posted by Lif3sambiguity
I have always, from the beginning, purchased and used water based lubes. What is the main difference between silicone lube and water based? and are there any other types of lubes i should know about? I have HSV 1 & 2 and do not want to have an ... more
While I cannot comment about outbreaks or reactions to lubricants, as I have never experienced that, I will say that between water-based and silicone-based I prefer water-based. Silicone is kind of iffy, for me anyway, on how long and well it lasts. I would say to stick with what works. Or, if you really want to try silicone-based, find something simple and fragrance-free.
11/12/2010
Contributor: Tori Rebel Tori Rebel
Silicone lubricant is actually my personal favorite, as most people have a preference one way or another. Water based is easier to have bedside though as it is compatible with everything and you can switch toys mid-play without having to worry about material compatibility issues.

The one thing you will want to look out for in any lubricant to avoid an HSV outbreak would be l-arginine. It's an amino acid found in a lot of tingling, warming, and arousal lubes that has been linked to triggering HSV outbreaks.
11/12/2010
Contributor: Liz2 Liz2
Quote:
Originally posted by ToyGeek
Personally, I stick with water based just in case I suddenly change my mind about what toy to use. Besides, glass and metal need less lube than the silicone toys anyway, so bothering with silicone lube seems a little pointless for my uses.
I agree 100% for the same reasons. I have used silicone lube but since most of my toys are now silicone and expensive, I don't want to risk damage. And with glass and stainless steel, I also don't need much lube beyond my natural lubrication.
For me silicone lube needed too much work to remove from my bod. SO...100% water based for me.
11/12/2010
Contributor: DeliciousSurprise DeliciousSurprise
I would stick with water, if it's working for you, but certainly keep your options open to other types of lubricant that might work better for you.
11/12/2010
Contributor: LicentiouslyYours LicentiouslyYours
One of my favorite lubes is Liquid Silk, which is water-based, but has a bit of silicone in it. It makes a difference, to me, which is why I say go ahead and try it.

There are many lotions and skin moisturizers on the market today that contain silicone so I don't think you'll have any problems with a lube containing silicone, even with HSV.

You might want to check with a doctor, to be sure—but honestly, there are many other things that appear in water-based lubes that would worry me before silicone would.
11/12/2010
Contributor: Envy Envy
Stick with what ya know, but look at the ingredients. If you see a product that has similar ingredients, why not try it? Maybe it'll be a better choice for you.

I don't know how silicone will react with STDs, though. The only downside to silicone is you can't use it with silicone toys, sadly.
11/12/2010
Contributor: Sera Sera
Quote:
Originally posted by Jenn (aka kissmykitty)
The poster having an STD and how she acquired it isn't really relevant to this discussion. Perhaps we should stick to the topic at hand.
Maybe the question by Kinky Girlfriend could be addressed through a personal message to the poster?
11/12/2010
Contributor: ScottA ScottA
The big silicone advantage is that it doesn't dry out and lubricates for a long time. The disadvantage is price and clean-up (and some toys can't take it). Many silicone lubes don't have preservatives, because the silicone doesn't support beasties.

If you're OK with water then stick with that until you find someone who can authoritatively answer your question about the HSV.
11/13/2010
Contributor: Dame Demi Dame Demi
Even without any health concerns except the occasional UTI, there are soooo many quality water-based lubes around today I genarally actually prefer them to silicone; I also really appreciate the significantly lower price of the water-based lubes. Silicone, to me, feels...slick?...as opposed to slippery, so it generally doesn't feel as good to me. Plus, since I've graduated to more premium toys made of silicone, water works just fine for most of my needs. Silicone may last a little longer, but since it just has a too-smooth, too-thin feel to me, I don't prefer how it feels. It does, of course, perform much better if you're playing in water, but that's really the main reason I ever use silicone lubes anymore. Some water-based lubes are very natural feeling, and work well if you need a boost while actually having sex with a partner. However, if you prefer something that reduces some of the friction for toy play, Fun Factory's Toy Fluid and Climax H2O provide as smooth a ride as any silicone lube I've ever tried with less expense, no staining, and easier cleanup.
11/13/2010
Contributor: Destri Destri
I just prefer water based in general. It is safe for all toys, and never gets sticky... which I just hate. I just think it would be safer all around.
11/14/2010
Contributor: Twist Twist
I have read some pretty bad things about silicone so I avoid it like the plague. I prefer water based as all toys seem to be safe with using it.
11/18/2010
Contributor: Naughty Student Naughty Student
"The virus can be reactivated by illnesses such as colds and influenza, eczema, emotional and physical stress, exposure to bright sunlight, gastric upset, fatigue or injury, and by menstruation" From Wikipedia...so I wouldn't worry about any reactions to products. It seems like it can be reactive to internal changes rather than to topical changes (applying things to the skin).

I would go with silicone lube. I enjoy water based lube for anal mostly, silicone lube is just so silky and creates a more natural feeling for me, less goopy.
11/19/2010
Contributor: Porfiriato Porfiriato
Quote:
Originally posted by Lif3sambiguity
I have always, from the beginning, purchased and used water based lubes. What is the main difference between silicone lube and water based? and are there any other types of lubes i should know about? I have HSV 1 & 2 and do not want to have an ... more
As someone who has worked in reproductive healthcare, we would always advise our patients with HSV2 to use water based lubes. They are less likely to irritate you. In general, they tend to be mild. Also, stay away from scented stuff, as well. Hope this helps!
11/28/2010
Contributor: sbon sbon
I would stick with water based simply because of versatility. I don't want to spend money on something that I can only use some of the time. Then again, I'm pretty poor, so others might not mind so much. For any type of lube, the only thing I've heard about STDs is that l-arginine can increase the chances of a breakout, so make sure to avoid that.
12/13/2010
Contributor: richsam richsam
Quote:
Originally posted by Lif3sambiguity
I have always, from the beginning, purchased and used water based lubes. What is the main difference between silicone lube and water based? and are there any other types of lubes i should know about? I have HSV 1 & 2 and do not want to have an ... more
Stick with water
02/27/2012
Contributor: Swish Swish
water based lubes are more natural less chemical and can be absorbed by your body just fine.
02/29/2012
Contributor: Brandonn Brandonn
Stick w a good water based
03/05/2012
Contributor: Entropy Entropy
You aren't at any greater or lesser risk of an outbreak with either lubricant. As far as the "water is more natural" theory, nah. Read the ingredients on water based lubes and decide for yourself what sounds natural. You should of course still follow the basics of lube: silicone on glass and metal, water on silicone, etc. Lubes with glycerin (an ingredient in many water lubes) can cause yeast infections in some women, and this can lead to an outbreak. In the end it's your decision, but I would pay close attention to labels and when in doubt, ask your healthcare provider for their opinion.
03/05/2012