Lube 101: The Pleasure Chest Primer on Personal Lubricant

If you’ve ever gone shopping for lubricant, you might have asked yourself, “Why are there so many of them?!” At the Pleasure Chest alone, there are nearly 100 lubes to choose from! That leaves room for a lot of confusion, and often our customers are overwhelmed by the selection. It’s understandable; when you’re confronted with floor to ceiling shelves lined only with lubricant, you might have a lot of questions. What’s the difference between all of these? Does it even really matter which one I choose? Don’t they all do the same thing?

Lube selection at our Chicago Wicker Park location.

You’d be right to ask these questions, and because we get them so often, we decided to put together a little lube primer! So, welcome to Lube 101, or Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Lube but Were Too Afraid to Ask, by a Pleasure Chest Sex Educator who’s been talking to folks about lube for the better half of a decade.

Lube 101: General knowledge to Lubricate Your Sex Life

There are a few important things I want you to know before we get into the dirty details on lube.

• Lube is great for any and everyone and there’s nothing wrong with using it. There’s a stigma surrounding using lube for sexual activity, like folks who use it can’t get “wet enough” on their own, or folks who “don’t need it” are somehow superior. All of that is BS. Lube is great; it helps reduce friction, it lessens pressure, it allows things to feel better faster, and some lubes taste good or tingle or have relaxing qualities… I can go on and on. Lube is good. Embrace it!
• We encourage folks to be generous with their lube. Especially when it comes to anal play because you’re playing with body parts that don’t create their own moisture. That’s one of the things lube is for! You may feel like you’ve used enough or maybe even too much, but your skin is absorbing more than you think. Use more lube during your sex acts!
• Lube takes anywhere from 3-5 years to expire. If there’s a lube you really like and buy often, buy the biggest size available. It’ll save you money and you won’t feel as bad about being generous with your lube when you have more at your disposal.
• Always look over the ingredients before purchasing! Every body is different and some folks experience irritation from common ingredients. Unfortunately it comes with some trial and error to find lubes that work for you, but listed in this guide are lubricants that work for the majority of our customer base.

Okay. Let’s get started!

Lube 101: Types of Personal Lubricants

The first thing you should know is that personal lubricants are basically broken down into four main categories: water-based, silicone-based, oil-based and hybrids. There are also flavored lubes, warming lubes, cooling lubes, tingly lubes, arousal lubes, CBD lubes (in stores only) and lubes that are some combination of all those things. They each fall somewhere under the four main umbrella categories.

Determining what kind of play you’re engaging in will help you determine what kind of lube formula will best fit your needs. For example: are you wanting to kiss and lick your partner all over while they play with a silicone toy? A flavored lubricant could heighten that experience! But you want to make sure it’s water-based so it’s compatible with the toy being used. So, you’d want to look for a water-based flavored lube, like one of the Swirls from Sliquid.

Lube 101: Lube compatibility

Before we get into the details of each type of lube formula, here’s a brief breakdown on their compatibility:

• Water-based lube is the most universally compatible lube. It’s usually our go-to recommendation because it’s so versatile and safe for all kinds of play.
• Silicone-based lube is not compatible with silicone toys, usually. (More on silicone vs. silicone below). You also may have heard that silicone-based lubes aren't compatible with condoms, but that’s just a myth.
• Oil-based lube is the one that’s not compatible with latex condoms. Oil-based lubricants are compatible with non-porous toys but may leave a white film if not cleaned properly.
• Hybrid lube can be tricky and its compatibility depends on the type of hybrid. For example, Sliquid Silk is a water-silicone hybrid that is mostly water, so it’s safe to use with silicone toys. Fuck Water is another water-silicone hybrid but it’s closer to 50/50, so we recommend spot-testing before using it with a toy to be on the safe side.

Lube 101: Water-based lubes

As already mentioned, water-based lubricant is our top recommended formula due to its versatility and compatibility across the board. Most of our lube selection is water-based; the variety on the market is impressive and there’s truly something for everyone! Chances are if one water-based formula doesn’t work for you, another one will. This is especially true if you’re hyper-sensitive to common ingredients. There are plenty of natural and body-safe options when it comes to water-based lube.

Pros

• Versatility. You can use it however you want without worrying if it’s compatible with what you’re using it for.
• Variety. Thick, thin, infused with aloe or aphrodisiacs, warming, flavored… most lubes with added extras are water-based, so there are a ton to choose from.
• Easy cleanup. It doesn’t stain sheets and washes away or absorbs into the skin quickly.

Cons

• Dries out quickly. Some water-based lubes last way longer than others, but generally all water-based formulas dry out faster than silicone, oil or hybrid formulas.
• Stickiness. Some formulas can feel sticky or tacky, especially once air hits them.
• Ingredients. There’s more variety in the ingredients of water-based lube which heightens the risk of irritation depending on how sensitive you are. 

Water-based Lube Recommendations

Sutil Rich

Our newest best-selling lube brand, Sutil, has quickly become a customer and staff favorite. Their formulas are made with plant-sourced eco-certified botanical ingredients like hyaluronic acid and lotus root to provide moisturization and a long-lasting experience. Sutil Rich, the most popular formula from their line, has a thick gel-like consistency that’s great for anal sex but can be used however you’d like. Sutil Rich performs like silicone lube but it's a water-based formula, so it can safely be used with silicone toys. It’s also infused with horny goat weed, a natural aphrodisiac that increases blood flow and stamina.

Sliquid H2O and Sassy

Sliquid has been one of our top recommended brands for nearly 10 years! Their formula is excellent for sensitive folks and is everything a lube should be: glycerin free, paraben free, vegan, hypoallergenic, non-staining and plain as lube can be. Sliquid H2O is their base formula and has the fewest ingredients of their whole line (only 5) and they’re all plant-based. Sliquid H2O and its thicker version, Sliquid Sassy (highly recommended for anal intercourse) are our two top selling Sliquid formulas. If you’re just starting to try different lubes to see what you like, using Sliquid as a jump-off point is a great choice.

Lube 101: Silicone-based lube

There’s a common rule we often refer to when recommending lube for toys in general: silicone lubricant and silicone sex toys are not compatible. You’ve probably heard this before, especially if you’ve purchased lube in an adult store and asked for advice.

The truth is, there are caveats to this rule.

Some silicone lubes are compatible with some silicone toys, and some are not. It’s complicated for even the seasoned sex toy pro with an expansive collection to know exactly what silicone-based formulas will work for which varieties of silicone materials. It would be helpful if manufacturers offered this information on their packaging, but there are no regulations requiring brands to do so.

Manufacturers also usually don’t include detailed information on what their silicone is. Premium silicone, ultra-premium silicone, real-feel silicone, medical-grade silicone, 100% silicone, and high-quality silicone are just a few examples of descriptors that sort of all sound the same, and how are customers supposed to know which ones can hold up to silicone-based lube and which ones can’t?

So, to make it easier for everyone (and to avoid the nightmare of damaging your toys), we abide by the rule of thumb to avoid mixing silicone with silicone.

Pros

• Longevity. Silicone-based lubricant lasts much longer than water-based lube. For this reason, it’s the best lube for anal play, and applying to areas where moisture isn’t naturally occurring.
• Body-safe. Typically, silicone lubes only contain a few different types of silicone. Unless you have a silicone allergy (which is extremely rare) you can rest easy knowing your lube is totally safe.
• Moisturizing. After silicone lubricant finally absorbs, it leaves skin feeling soft and moisturized.
• Resourceful. Silicone lube can be used for more than sexual adventures! You can use it as an anti-chafing serum, you can put it in your hair to reduce frizz… one time I used silicone lube to fix a broken zipper on a coat I thrifted. Silicone lube is truly an underappreciated miracle product!

Cons

• Compatibility. Your silicone lube may not be compatible with your toy. Make sure to do thorough research before using silicone lubes with any silicone items to be on the safe side. Or ask your local Pleasure Chest Educator!
• Staining. Some silicone formulas can stain clothing or sheets.

Silicone-Based Lube Recommendations

Uberlube

This doctor-recommended silicone formula is one of the longest lasting lubes in our selection. Its ingredient list is simple—just a few types of silicone and Vitamin E. The Vitamin E gives Uberlube a moisturizing quality that leaves skin feeling smooth and supple. Dimethiconal, one of the silicones in the formula, gives Uberlube a lightweight slip that allows the lube to thin out while remaining intact. Its luxurious glass bottle has a pump cap which prevents air from infiltrating the formula and helps it last longer. Uberlube has been our bestselling silicone lube for a long time and it’s a crowd favorite for a reason!

Pjur

Pjur is one of the oldest silicone lube brands out there, created in Germany in 1995. Pjur Original is a premium formula that doubles as a lubricant and a massage oil. Made with just three types of silicone, this formula remains on the skin’s surface and is not absorbed, delivering long-lasting lubrication. The squeeze bottle is easy to dispense lube from and Pjur offers a wide range of sizes depending on your specific needs.

Lube 101: Oil-based lubes

While it’s not our best-selling type of lube, there are certainly oil-based loyalists out there who love the longevity and range that oil-based lube provides. For instance, oil-based lubricants are a great option for solo stroking endeavors and for all-over body massages. If you’re so inclined, you can even use some common household oils as lube to see if you enjoy it without purchasing anything (specifically natural oil options like coconut oil, peanut oil and olive oil). But use them with caution! They can increase your risk of yeast infections, throw off your pH balance and cause latex condoms to break down.

Pros

• Long lasting. Oil-based lube takes longer to absorb into the skin, so it will stay intact during friction.
• Practicality. You can easily transition oil-based formulas from lube to massage oil for an all-over body massage.

Cons

• Cleanup. Oil-based lubes can stain clothing and sheets and be difficult to wash off toys.
• Risky. Oil-based lubes can eat through latex condoms. It can also throw off your pH balance. This doesn’t apply to everyone, but every body is different! Use discretion.

Oil-Based Lube Recommendations

Coconu

The Coconu Oil-Based Lubricant is an organic mixture of various oils including sunflower seed oil, coconut oil and almond oil as well as beeswax and shea butter to create a slick and moisturizing natural lubricant. The oil-based lube formula helps stimulate the body’s natural lubrication and is also 100% edible. If you’re looking for an all-over lube for massages that’s safe internally and to lick, Coconu is an excellent choice!

Southern Butter

Formulated with calendula and lauric acid for anti-microbial, anti-fungal, anti-yeast and immune boosting benefits, the Southern Butter Intimate Butters are great as lubricant and general body butters. These are edible, perfect for all-over massages and made with sunflower and olive oil for additional healing properties! These oil-based options come in three styles: Rose & Lavender, Sandalwood & Cinnamon and Unscented.

Lube 101: Hybrid lubes

The best of both worlds! Hybrid lubricants are often a combination of water and silicone, sometimes split 50/50 and sometimes more silicone or more water. The more water in the lubricant, the safer it is to use with silicone toys. In my opinion, the perfect hybrid lube is longer lasting like silicone lube but is still completely toy safe like pure water-based lube is. Due to the mixture of water and silicone, hybrids have a white color that (conveniently, for some!) imitates semen. Some people love this and some people don’t—it’s totally personal preference.

Pros

• Win-win. You get the long-lasting effects of silicone with the compatibility of water.
• Tailored experience. You can do some fun trial and error to find just the right balance of water and silicone in your ideal formula.

Cons

• White in color instead of clear.
• Longer lasting than water-based but not as long lasting as pure silicone or oil-based formulations.

Hybrid Lube Recommendations

Sliquid Silk

Sliquid Silk is a water-silicone hybrid that’s only 12% silicone so it’s completely safe with silicone toys. The formula is light and slightly thinner than a gel consistency. Sliquid Silk is similar to the majority of our other hybrids in terms of feel, but its high-quality and body-safe ingredients set it apart. If you want to try a hybrid without worrying about what’s in it, Sliquid Silk is a safe bet and it’s super versatile so you can use it for any kind of play!

POP Hybrid Lube

One of our newest hybrid lubricants is a specialized formula that pairs with the POP Squirting Dildos but can be used with any silicone toy. The POP Hybrid Lube is glycerin free, paraben free and is made to look and feel like real semen, but with a plain taste and scent. Use it with any squirting dildo to create a life-like experience!

Lube 101: Final thoughts

Now you’ve got extensive knowledge on lube; maybe you know more about lube than you ever thought you would. You’re officially a lube expert! And now you can make informed decisions about what lube is right for you and the kind of play you want to engage in. And if you ever have any questions, you can always stop by your local Pleasure Chest to ask your neighborhood Sex Educator.