The System JO H2O cool anal lube is a nice addition to an anal play session, mainly because of its thickness and the cooling effect it provides.

First, the packaging: When I received the lube, it came with no added packaging. The thick clear bottle held up well during shipping despite this. The bottle itself is short and wide, making it fit easily in a shallow drawer or standing discreetly among other bottles or personal care products going unnoticed. Please note that the label is all but discreet--the word "anal" is printed in bold red lettering along the left side of the bottle! Despite this, the label is removable, so you could disguise the contents (and even reuse the flip-top bottle, if you wanted) very easily. This lube comes in two sizes: 2.5oz and 4.5oz. This makes it very travel-friendly and easy to handle and store.

The ingredient list isn't very impressive. It reads as follows:

(INCI) Methyl paraben, propyl paraben, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, propylene glycol, menthol, purified water.

So yes, the ingredients in greatest abundance are parabens, which can be a turn-off to many. Looking further at the ingredients, there's water at the very end, which may help explain why this lube lasts so long (while it is not silicone-based, its water content is rather low). It also contains menthol, which is what provides the cooling effect.

On to performance: Again, because of its relatively low water content, this lube performs well because it lasts a long time. While it is not as thick as a gel lubricant, it is very thick, which makes it easy to apply because it isn't as messy as other water-based lubes. This is why it works so well for anal sex, because it's thick enough to "stay put" and requires less reapplication. The cooling sensation also helps to decrease sensitivity , which makes this lube a good choice for beginners who are concerned about pain or discomfort. The lube does smell just like Vicks Vapor Rub (which also may ease the worries of beginners who are unsure of themselves or those who find themselves having an impromptu anal play session), but it's not nearly as strong. Actually, the smell is mild and pleasant. Finally, the System JO H2O Cool Anal Lubricant held up well during PIV intercourse as well, and even during digital sex/manual stimulation.

This lube has continued to work nicely. The tingling sensation adds a nice touch, and the smell has remained pleasant. I'd likely buy this again.