FACT: YOU CAN never have too much lube during sex. But for some reason, there’s long been a stigma around using lube—the major misconception being that it somehow means you failed to turn your partner on. There’s no shame in the lube game—in fact, experts say everyone should have some at the ready in their bedside drawer. Still skeptical? One 2022 review found that women reported less pain and greater sexual well-being when they used lube. It’s recommended, once you dig out that bottle, that you take a test of it and put a little bit of aloe vera on the inside of your elbow first. This way, you can ensure that you’re not allergic to the latex that naturally occurs in aloe vera (and if you already know you have a latex allergy, you should steer clear of aloe in the first place). And, since aloe vera doesn’t contain any oils or any other properties that may break down latex, this slippery stuff is completely safe to use with condoms. In fact, it’s typically an ingredient in lubricants that you’ll buy at the drugstore. Just make sure you use pure aloe vera–not the bright green kind you’ll find at Target during the summer. If gel formulas aren’t for you then Smilemakers has also designed three other consistencies which have lighter feels than the generous gel. The reasonable price on all of them means you can invest in a selection to try. There are different types of lubes to choose from to suit all occasions, budgets and needs. These included oil-based, water-based and silicone-based formulas. Not sure which one is right for you? Have a read below. Water-based lubricant

Chances are that you have a bottle of aloe vera that’s been sitting for months by your bedside, or you’re keeping it in the closet for the summertime, so you can soothe your bad sunburns. Most everybody has some aloe vera somewhere around, and did you know that it has a lot of other uses besides alleviating redness and providing a cooling sensation? Honey, which may seem like a no-brainer at first because it’s delicious and slippery. However, the sugar content can lead to bacteria growth and, ultimately, yeast infections. Therefore, you should keep honey away from your genitals. Be mindful of how you bring up the topic of lube with your partner. Pitching the idea may not feel like the most comfortable convo in the world, but Moore says you can ease some of the awkwardness by letting them know why you think it’ll make sex better for both of you. Lube doesn’t have to be a last resort for when things have gone a bit dry – you can use it at any time during sex to spice things up. It also comes in different flavours, and can create different sensations like a warming or cooling effect wherever it’s applied.Prevents injuries: Less friction during penetrative sex means lower chances of vaginal and anal soreness, tearing, and abrasions.

S8’s vegan lube contains a good amount of aloe vera which makes it a great choice for anyone looking for a soothing product. Aloe vera is thought to be moisturising and calming when used on the skin. This is something we never realised was a thing for “down there” but here we are. The extra moisturisation from the aloe vera leaves is thought to aid sensation and glide. She also recommends avoiding lubes with nonoxynol-9—a spermicide that can not only be irritating but may increase the risk of HIV transmission. The reality is that women don’t always get soaking wet when they’re turned on,” explains Dr. Jess O’Reilly, resident sex expert for ASTROGLIDE. “A range of factors can affect vaginal lubrication including diet, hydration, medication, the menstrual cycle, menopause, overall health, and stress. Sometimes a woman randomly gets wet while they’re doing the dishes and sometimes they don’t get wet when they’re highly aroused.” Silicone-based lubes boast a luxuriously silky and slippery feel—and they’re hypoallergenic, O’Reilly says. Since they’re long-lasting, you won’t have to worry about reapplying during marathon romps. There are a couple of things that many people assume is a good idea to add to their homemade lube, however, they turn out to be a bad idea , because of the irritation these ingredients cause or the risks associated with them. These items include:

The Best pH-Balanced Lube: Nécessaire Sex Gel

Also, before you use any type of lube for the first time (even if you decide in the end to rely on commercial, store-bought lube), you should rub some on your skin and conduct a test to see if it causes any kind of reaction. If it does, or if you’re still nervous, you can consult with your doctor to ask if it’s okay to use a specific product or recipe for homemade lube. In the end, however, there are lots of options, and you’re sure to find something that works great for both you and your partner. Important PSA: Definitely don’t try to substitute with a product not marketed as a sex or arousal gel, like Bengay or Icy-Hot, Cross notes. You might think it's the same thing since that stuff is also "cooling," but it's a really, r eally bad idea. "Those products aren't meant to go on such sensitive skin or inside the body," Cross says, so unless you like weird infections and reactions, keep 'em away from your vagina, mmkay? You do not use products that contain any kind of glycerin or sugar, as this can increase your likelihood of having a yeast infection Tamika K. Cross, MD, FACOG, is a board-certified ob-gyn at Serenity Women's Health & Med Spa in Pearland, TX.

This is definitely one of Arnie's better comedies for me as it has a nice slightly dark side for adults as well as the soft marshmallowy side for kids. Adults have Sinbad vs Arnie, Sinbad threatening to blow up things because he's a disgruntled postal worker, seedy Santa's, a brilliantly slimy Hartman and the whole angry parents trying to kill each other at the shops thing. The kids of course have the actual toys in the film, silly pratfalls, Xmas and a nice mushy happy ending where Arnie proves himself to be a great dad after all. In the end, if you are going to use any type of ingredient that you’ll find in your close or your cupboard for a little last-minute lube, anything that’s natural and organic is definitely preferable. Chinese Yam Ensures safer sex: By reducing friction, lube helps to prevent a condom from breaking—thereby reducing your risk of unintentional pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections.

Before you use homemade lube, you should have a conversation with your partner about your health–your sexual health, and your health in general. For example, you should discuss your STI statuses, what type of methods you use for birth control, and if you’re allergic to anything that could potentially be in your lube. Using homemade lubricant is something you both should be willing to experiment with. Always discuss things beforehand to know about the risks and possibilities. There are many reasons you might be interested in making your own lube (beyond being in a desperate situation where you’re with your partner and you run out, and you had no idea you were low on lube). Commercial lubricants often contain ingredients that are difficult to pronounce, and if you’re trying to avoid products that don’t have natural, healthy ingredients, it can be tough to find a lubricant that fits this. A film all about buying your child's love? hmmm. Well its not all as bad as it sounds, the film does manage to turn that on its head by the end, just about, close call though. However, Gonzalez advises reading the label on a hybrid lube carefully—some may be suitable for silicone toys and some may not, depending on the amount of silicone present in the product. Are there safety considerations? Apply a couple of drops of lube to the tip of a condom before putting it on to heighten sensation during sex