ID Glide is a water-based lubricant. Water-based lubricants are truly the jack of all trades, because they are acceptable to use with condoms (latex or polyurethane) as well as jelly, glass, silicone and plastic toys. Avoid getting lube, just like water, all over non-waterproof toys or electrical components, as viscous fluids are excellent conductors (did you know, ultrasound jelly is lube!). Water-based lubes are very easy to clean-up, dissolving quickly and without residue when soapy water is used generously. ID Glide is clear and non-staining, which is a plus. Unfortunately, you can't use this or any other water-based lubricant in the tub or shower (of course)!

Activity-wise, you can use it for masturbation (male or female), with or without a toy; anal play, ranging from teasing to full penetration; and of course, vaginally, as a supplement to natural lubrication.

I would recommend this lubrication to everyone, except that it does such a terrible job in texture, lasting power, taste and smell. Water-based lubes are a must for everyone, just not this one.

You should know that this lube contains methylparaben. Parabens mimic hormones in the human body so you can imagine what this does when applied directly to the sexual organs, on mucous membranes that quickly absorb it. Parabens are also implicated in allergic reactions and cancer. I regret not perusing the ingredients label thoroughly when bought this.

For kicks (anything for science), I tested its pH with acid/base strips--it's just about 6.0, which is good news for vaginas (did you know, the pH of the vagina is acidic, ranging from 3.8 - 4.5). The texture of ID is acceptable right out of the bottle--not too runny (if you let it flow down a surface, it spreads evenly). The bottle is a great dispenser, requiring a little squeeze to get good-sized drops out of it. At first, it accurately mimics vaginal lubrication fluids (which is plasma!), but as soon as it begins to dry, it's tacky plastic that wants to dry out further. I would say ID requires re-application for moderate activity every 5 - 8 minutes. And it gets worse from there--eventually, it's so tuggy, dragging and unnatural feeling, it causes pain on sensitive parts. After the experience, unless you wish to sit in stinging, sticky underwear, you have to shower. Also, it's worth mentioning, both my boyfriend and I experience excessive redness and a stinging sensation after use. I'm not sure if it's a full-on allergic reaction, but neither of us are prone to allergic reactions to anything.

ID Glide: Natural Feel is touted as fragrance-free, however, I fully disagree. ID Glide smells like something you'd find in a garage, and tastes disgusting. If you melted plastic, it would both smell and taste like this, with a helping of soap. Luckily, the smell is not too strong, but the taste is both excessive and lasting. Oral sex is not an option with this lube. Additionally, since it requires re-application as your session goes on, the smell grows and lingers. For people with roommates or parents, the smell lingers in the air--it's not house-mate safe!

I would say ID Glide lasts about 10 minutes during light use but decreases greatly with friction. Light or thin layers increase the rate of evaporation or absorption. Moderate and heavy activity result in a need to reapply every 5 - 8 minutes. Residue is a serious problem for this lube, and as a female, internal residue is the worst. For external parts including pensises, clean up is somewhat easy. This, unfortunately, was my first lube so I thought it was normal to have to shower after every sexual encounter because the uncomfortable heaviness of the lube residue was intolerable. I have learned since!

As a good point, I enjoy using this as a supplement to vaginal lubrication during masturbation sessions with toys. As a result, the stinging session is kept at bay and vaginal secretions quickly take over. I hate, however, how incompatible this lube is with oral and anal sex. I hate tasting this lube on myself, and blowjobs are unfortunate. I'm not an anal connoisseur, but I blame this lube for a series of less-than-stellar encounters. Most of all, this lubricant is definitely incompatible with hand-jobs. I can only imagine how poor this lubricant holds up during male masturbation sessions.