Silicone lubes get a bad rap for being the harbinger of death for all sex toys.
Uh, okay. See ya!
WAIT! That’s not technically true. And I’ll get to the bottom of that later. You see, I think that high quality silicone lubes like überlube are not getting the credit that they deserve.
Not too many people would disagree that sex is always better when it’s wetter. But vaginal lubrication isn't a tap you can turn on at will and you don’t always get sufficiently wet down there just because you want to get wet.
There are times when you need more prepping before sex. Or your vag just doesn’t want to cooperate because of stress, menopause, medication use, and health conditions.
And sometimes, you just want to enjoy longer sex, steamy shower play, or go for some adventurous backdoor action. *Spoiler alert: your anal passage DOES NOT self-lubricate.*
Read: 7 Anal Sex Mistakes You DO NOT Want to Make
Whatever floats your boat, silicone lubes have got your back. Available online or at your local drugstore or sex shop they’re one of the reasons why many folks have leveled up their MEH sex game to AHHH-mazing!
Silicone lubes are thick in consistency and silky, slippery, and smooth in texture. They’re great because of their staying power.
Silicone is a man-made polymer derived from naturally occurring silicon and other organic substances. Scientists can manipulate this polymer so that consumers can benefit from its valuable properties. These include being inert, hydrophilic, hypoallergenic, and non-toxic.
In short, silicone is tolerated well by humans and the environment. That’s why it’s commonly used in the medical field (think implants and catheters) and various personal care items—sex toys and lubes included.
1. More hours of slippin’ and slidin’ fun.
Unlike silicone lube’s sister from another mister (water-based lube), it doesn’t evaporate or absorb into the skin. That means it lasts as long as you want, wherever you want.
2: Say NO to nasty ingredients.
Premium silicone lubes like überlube don’t have the nasty preservatives and chemicals found in some water- and oil-based lubes.
Some of these ingredients can disrupt the natural vagina and anus pH levels, making them more susceptible to infection.
For instance, coconut oil which some people love as an (oil-based) lube, has a higher pH level (5.5-7.3) than the vagina. According to Healthline, this can mess with your normal vaginal flora, making you susceptible to yeast and other infections, especially if you are already prone to them.
3: Buh-bye mood killer, hello O!
Silicone lube is thick and long-lasting. Nothing screams instant mood killer than constant lube reapplication or the oh-so-sexy fart sounds of a near empty bottle.
With water-based lubes, you'll likely have to reapply—not with silicone-based lubes. I mean, you don’t want to get interrupted when you’re on the verge of orgasm, right?
4: A little goes a long way.
Yeah, silicone lubes are often initially more expensive than water-based and oil-based lubes. But they can lock in the slipperiness the longest.
That means a simple drop or squeeze of your fave silicone lube will get the job done (vs. pouring a water-based lube like gravy from time to time).
5: Penetration shouldn't be painful.
You could get noticeably dry down there for a lot of reasons. Menopause, stress, douching, medication use, and certain health conditions are some of them.
And that means trying to get a penis or a sex toy inside can hurt like hell. Because your skin doesn’t absorb silicone lube, a well-lubricated insertion can be pleasurable, not painful.
6: Don’t forget the A-hole.
Unlike the vagina, your bum doesn't produce its own lubricant. Silicone lube is ideal for anal play because it doesn’t dry out as quickly as water-based lube.
Now you can add a waterslide to your backdoor adventure.
7: Let’s get wet and wild!
Silicone is inherently hydrophobic, meaning it will not mix with water. EVER.
Shower sex? Bathtub romp? SURE! Why not?
This lube guarantees you’re diving smoothly in water territory. Just make sure to clean up any excess lube on your tub or shower if you don’t want to slip and end up taking an embarrassing trip to the ER.
8: It’s not as messy as it seems.
A common complaint about silicone lube is that it can get messy. But thick silicone lube stays where you apply it. That means it’s less likely to spill from your body onto your sheets.
And because one application goes a long way, you don’t need to stop the action to add more lube. There’s less chance of a spill if there are fewer times you're reaching for a bottle of lube on your nightstand.
9: Doubles as a skin moisturizer.
Premium silicone lubes like überlube contain other ingredients like tocopheryl acetate (don’t worry, that’s good ol’ vitamin E) that leave your skin feeling moisturized and smooth after use.
Gone are the days of running straight to the bathroom to wash off a icky, sticky mess after sex. You'll be happily moisturized and raring to go for round two!
10: You sneaky, multipurpose lube.
Aside from leaving your skin plump and smooth, you can use silicone lubes on various parts of your body.
You can use it to tame your hair or apply it to your skin before engaging in any sports to avoid chafing or simply stop the chub rub.
DO use silicone lube during anal sex. It’s thick and long-lasting for less reapplication and more comfort. Plus, it reduces skin tears and friction, thereby lowering infection risks.
DON’T be afraid to use silicone lube with condoms. It’s compatible with latex and polyisoprene condoms for better, safer sex.
DO use silicone lube with sex toys made from hard materials like glass, stainless steel, ABS plastic, wood, and stone.
DON’T use silicone lubes for your silicone toys. Silicone lubes and silicone toys are a classic example of the “like dissolves like” rule.
Of course, they won’t melt your precious toys immediately. But they could change its structure. Your toys may swell up a bit, and their surface will deteriorate. Over time, it will penetrate your toy, making it less sanitary and a potential breeding ground for bacteria.
Read: Keeping It Clean: Top Tips for Sex Toy Sanitation
DO be careful when using silicone lube with porous sex toys like those made from PVC, TPE, and TPR. You can’t use soap to wash some of these materials, and silicone lube may leach out.
DON’T panic when you swallow a small amount of silicone lube during oral sex because your body will not absorb it. But be warned that most silicone lubes don’t taste pleasant at all. Some quality items like überlube, though, are tasteless.
DO use silicone lube during shower sex. It’s not water-soluble, so you don’t have to worry about losing some slippery action when you’re getting all wet, hot, and steamy.
Not all silicone lubes are created equally. Sadly, some can be kind of a pain to wash off and clean up because they’re thicker, and your skin doesn’t absorb silicone.
Of course, a few luxury silicone lubes will dissipate when not manipulated and leave your skin feeling smooth and slick-free.
For other silicone lubes, wipe off as much as you can, then wash ‘em off with soap and warm water. If you are somewhere other than on your bed, make sure to clean them really well off the tub or floor. Banana peels have nothing on silicone lube when it comes to slipping!
If silicone lube stains your sheets, use dish washing liquid to spot clean and a quality grease-fighting detergent to launder. Put your sheets in the wash by themselves as the lube can transfer before it is washed away.
Avoid leaving your sheets to dry under the sun, as stains tend to set more with intense drying.
Each person’s skin reacts differently to various substances. Silicone lubes are considered to be hypoallergenic. They’re less likely to cause an allergic reaction for most people than other kinds of lubes can.
That means peeps who have had experienced skin irritation with other lubes could benefit from switching to silicone lubes.
However, like any other personal care product, there’s some risk of silicone side effects like allergic reactions and skin irritation. These only affect a small percentage of folks, though.
Again, it all boils down to the lube ingredients and which part of the body you use the lube for.
Some lubes contain parabens, glycerin, or harmful ingredients that may put you at risk for infections when used internally. Check the ingredient list or the manufacturer website to make sure your silicone lubes don’t have any of them if you are concerned.
But still, you have to be more careful if you have sensitive skin. Again, If you’re aware of ingredients you are allergic to, do a quick ingredient check before buying the silicone lube.
For everyone else, do a patch test on various parts of the body. You can start with your inner elbow or wrist and then proceed with your genital’s outer skin (like around the vulva or the anus).
Read: Slip Slippin' Away: Glycerin in Lube
Your choice of silicone lube depends on your situation, budget, preferences, and where and how you’ll use your silicone lube.
A good silicone-based lube will cost you around $10-$30 a bottle. You also need to consider the thickness of the lube. Silicone lubes are thicker than other types of lube. It should be thick enough for long-lasting action with less frequent re-application.
You also need to look into the viscosity of the silicone lube. A good lube should have a high viscosity, so it doesn’t create any friction and heat against condoms.
Picking the best type of silicone lube also depends on where and how you plan to use it. If you have sensitive skin, you'll like want to stay away from lubes with ingredients like propylene glycol, glycerine, paraben, and petroleum.
If you’re going to use it for anal, some brands specifically indicate they’re for anal sex. The best lube for anal sex should be higher in viscosity and thicker for extra slippery properties. Keep in mind that the anus doesn’t lubricate on its own like the vagina.
Also, consider the sex toys in your arsenal. If you have lots of precious silicone sex toys you spend most of your time with, you might want to avoid buying silicone lubes and go with water-based lubes instead.
At the end of the day, you may need to try different silicone lubes until you find one that feels the best. Once you find it, lube up and enjoy the wet and wild ride of your life.
PRESENTED BY
Dainis Graveris is a certified sex educator, relationship expert, and managing editor at SexualAlpha.com. With over 13 years of writing experience, he's passionate about creating sex-positive guides to break the stigma surrounding sexuality. You'll often find him studying and testing sex toys and writing unbiased reviews to help couples keep the spark alive.
