When you think about sexual wellbeing, the environment probably doesn’t come into your thought process. However, environmental wellness covers all aspects of life, including your sexual health. This is especially the case when it comes to choosing the right lubricant. Sometimes, Mother Nature is all you need to ensure this small but oh-so important element of getting it on, but so many elements get in the way of lubrication, so what do you do then? How do you choose a lubricant that’s safe, eco-friendly and sexually satisfying?
1. The Worst: According to wellness writer Eric Leech, of Planet Green, ‘Oil-based lubes get a bad wrap, and justly so. They are sticky, greasy, and can corrode latex condoms and diaphragms. Such lubricants are commonly used because they are generally handily available around the house—Vaseline, baby oil, mineral oil, even cooking oils. These are sometimes petroleum-based (non-cooking oils) which are bad for the environment, but they can also be generally bad for the woman’s uterus by trapping bacteria and yeast underneath its slimy coating, causing infection.’
2. The Not-So Bad: Leech explains, ‘While silicone is derived in a laboratory from the liquids Dimethicone, dimethiconal, and cyclomenthicone, it is basically a non-toxic substance which cannot be absorbed into the skin and mucus membranes. Silicone-based lubes last longer than water-based lubricants and do not need to be reapplied as often. While silicone may produce the best overall most slippery results, while remaining the safest for the body, I only score it as good for its relative inorganic chemical formulations.’
3. The Best: ‘Your best choice of all if you are looking for an all-natural product that is also safe for your body, is water-based lubes,’ Leech asserts. ‘Water-based lubes offer a smooth, frictionless motion, without the gooey residue of oil-based formulations and they can easily be mixed from all-natural, organic ingredients. Since these products use water as their main ingredient, they are quickly absorbed into the body tissue and need to be reapplied frequently. This brings up an interesting point as far as absorption. The fact that these types of lubricants are quickly absorbed through the skin and mucus membranes makes it very important to be certain that these are not allowing harmful chemicals into the body. This is why I highly recommend only using only 100% natural water-based formulas.’
Now we’ve got that covered, let’s take a look at the top water-based personal lubricants that Leech recommends:
- Firefly: Leech points out, ‘Firefly personal lubricant uses 100% all-natural ingredients, plus adds in the soothing, healing extract of aloe vera. It is safe with all types of condoms (silicone, rubber, latex), and is actually fairly long-lasting as natural formulations go.’
- Yes: ‘Yes lubricant is a fairly tried and true formulation for couples,’ says Leech. ‘It is 100% natural and also includes organic ingredients. Yes also offers an oil-based (from plants) formula, though I still recommend using the water-based for most circumstances.’
- Sylk: Like Yes and Firefly, Sylk lubricant is 100% natural and contains no chemicals or fragrances. This water-based option is made from Kiwifruit vine extract, and promises not to cause irritation. Leech details that Sylk ‘is said to be as close to the real thing as you can find in a bottle (just remember to recycle that bottle when you’re finished with it).’
- Good Clean Love: Not only is this lubricant stimulating and natural, it contains some amazing smelling ingredients! ‘Even dirty girls will like Good Clean Love,’ Leech notes. ‘The line includes two formulations that add extra stimulation without any harsh chemicals by adding peppermint and cinnamon.’
