Intimate lubricant: how to choose it?

There are different types of intimate lubricants in the world and they are not all equal. We offer you a guide to choose them well: thanks to a list of components to avoid and explanations on what to look for in an intimate lubricant by understanding their composition, pH and osmolarity.

At the end of this guide you will be able to determine which intimate lubricant suits you best, whether for your daily intimate comfort, your occasional pleasure or to compensate for a lack of hydration in the vagina or when you suffer from genital pain.

What are the different types of intimate lubricants?

Be careful, you should not systematically equate all water-based lubricants with natural or organic lubricants. Most water-based lubricants on the market are neither natural nor healthy for the vagina.

In fact, intimate lubricants are often formulated with petrochemical components known for their stability and compliance with medical device standards, but rarely designed to maintain or preserve the balance of the vaginal microbiota over the long term.

Typically, we find humectants commonly used in cosmetic products such as glycerin (which can be synthetic or vegetable), glycols or propanediol (widely used in cosmetic formulas, in anti-freeze but also in electronic cigarettes) and strong preservatives such as parabens, microbicides (nonoxyl-9, polyquaternium, etc.) etc.

If these formulas have been designed to be stable, namely to limit bacterial proliferation, it is a successful bet! The living microorganisms constituting the vaginal microbiota can hardly flourish there, result: the vaginal microbiota - essentially made up of bacteria - can be affected.

What you really need to know is that the response of the industry of intimate lubricants - so-called classic - is short-sighted in terms of formulation. Certainly these lubricants are stable, and they slide "correctly", although often most of these formulas are very sticky and leave an unpleasant residue, not to mention the burning sensation that the most irritating of them are likely to cause.

But are they really safe for the balance of the flora, in the long term? Are they likely to preserve the fragile epithelium of the vulvovaginal mucosa? Are they concerned with preserving sperm motility?

In order to avoid all these drawbacks, you will have understood, the lubricant should ideally be as natural as possible and meet the following requirements:

• Acidic pH between 4 and 4.5 ideally;
• Osmolarity close to that of vaginal mucus;
• Free from ingredients potentially irritating to mucosal epithelial cells: glycerin, glycols, propanediol, parabens and microbicides.

What are the criteria that an effective and non-irritating intimate lubricant must meet?

In the minds of most users, a water-based intimate lubricant rhymes with something healthy and pure. Indeed, most health professionals and EVRAS educators insist on water-based lubricant in case of concerns, in the context of using condoms, etc. But, if they are right about the criterion of choosing lubricant in association with condoms - because oil-based lubricants or petroleum jelly can make them porous - they are a million miles from knowing that most water-based formulas are problematic in many ways.

The most conventional way to manufacture them is based on the use of humectants (agents that capture water and then diffuse it into the tissues), which are often synthetic and derived from petrochemicals. These common humectants are very frequently either glycerin, glycols, propanediol or hydroexhetylcellulose (HEC) or other polymers… However, these products, although they have the merit of being stable (do not promote bacterial proliferation in the water-based gel), are not completely without consequences for epithelial health (type of cells constituting the mucous membranes). Indeed, most are cytotoxic because they weaken the membranes of epithelial cells and the majority affect the osmolarity of the water-based gel, moving away from physiological norms to one extreme or the other.

Our natural water-based lubricant is 99.5% natural and is formulated without traditional synthetic humectants and thanks to its physiological pH and adapted osmolarity, it moisturizes the mucous membranes in addition to offering a natural sliding sensation. Its physiological pH, or acid, helps regulate vaginal pH and contributes to better vulvovaginal health in the long term by preserving the environment favorable to a healthy vaginal microbiota.

The combination of organic aloe vera, carrageenan (algae known for its emollient and antioxidant properties) and xanthan gum (natural gum produced by bacteria) creates a natural polymerization and strengthens the viscosity of the gel, which glides for a long time and blends perfectly with natural secretions. The healthy composition, free of toxic products, naturally ensures excellent physiological tolerance. Our water-based lubricant has been dermatologically tested by the independent DERMATEST laboratory and has received the “Excellent” rating.

Finally, note that our natural water-based lubricant is perfectly compatible with condoms, menstrual cups and medical devices or silicone sex toys.

Furthermore, our natural lubricating gel is a medical device and complies with the standards set by the new European regulation on medical devices (Medical Device Regulation). There are still too many products sold on the European market with misleading names that can cause some cosmetic products to actually be sold as lubricants. Indeed, the formulation and manufacture of class 1 devices - intimate lubricants - is subject to expensive stability controls and tests, which many manufacturers bypass by marketing their intimate gels as cosmetic products - therefore supposedly for external use only. How do you recognize a medical device from a simple cosmetic product when it comes to lubricants? Just look for a small matrix code and a serial number - called UDI - which determines its traceability on the packaging, like most of your medicines, or consult the EUDAMED database.

What are natural and effective alternatives to silicone-based lubricants?

Silicone-based lubricants are widely criticized because most are composed of cyclic silicones which are problematic for the environment and whose safety for the body has not yet been formally demonstrated.

In fact, at IntyEssentials , we do not offer silicone-based lubricants, but we have considered replacing them with a neutral jojoba-based oil , whose emollient effect - namely slippery - is fantastic in synergy with our water-based lubricant.

In terms of glide sensation, water-based lubricants combined with a jojoba oil-based fluid provide the best of both worlds: hydration and glide with the water-based lubricant and glide with the neutral jojoba oil which protects areas subject to tightness or friction such as the vulvar fourchette, the clitoral hood or the urinary meatus. Result: more comfort with doubled glide, for total letting go and more serenity in the long term with effective prevention of the appearance of micro-lesions responsible for most vulvovaginal infections and inflammations. This combination is the best option in cases of dyspareunia, by eliminating any feeling of friction which can be prohibitive for the comfort of the person being penetrated.

In addition, neutral oil does not affect the vaginal pH and therefore has no negative impact on the intimate flora. Be careful, however, that it is not condoms, whether they are latex, polyisoprene or polyurethane, perfectly.

Are oil-based lubricants effective?

Often, oil-based lubricants are composed of a blend of natural oils. The advantage of oil-based lubricants is that when using them, you benefit from the soothing, healing, moisturizing, fungicidal, etc. benefits provided by the fatty acids that compose them.

In addition, they are very interesting for external caresses and the fatty acids that constitute them are beneficial in many ways, particularly for restoring the acid mantle of the vulva and serving as a protective balm for weakened vulvovaginal tissues.

However, they are not compatible with condoms and dental dams, as they make them porous and less effective, whether they are made of latex or polyisoprene.

Of all the oils , jojoba is undoubtedly the best for intimate use. Indeed, this unique protective massage fluid takes advantage of the exceptional properties of jojoba oil, perfectly suited to take care of this delicate area.

Its composition, similar to the skin's natural sebum, creates a precious affinity with the vulva and its specific needs. As a skin care product, jojoba oil is celebrated for its ability to preserve hydration and revive tired vulvar skin.

Its light, non-greasy texture, combined with its unique composition, makes it an ideal choice for strengthening the natural skin barrier, in particular by balancing sebum production in skin prone to discomfort.

In addition, jojoba oil offers an exceptional sliding power, perfect for massages and intimate caresses. Its soft and silky effect creates a unique sensory experience, allowing fluid movements and moments of intimate connection.

It also plays a crucial role in reducing friction, acting as an "anti-chafing" product. It prevents irritation and unpleasant sensations, thus providing optimal comfort in intimate moments.

Oil synergies can also be interesting for their moisturizing and lubricating properties, but for external use only.

That's why we thought of assembling four rich and moisturizing vegetable oils or butters in carefully studied proportions. Thus, our organic nourishing balm is made up of the 4 star oils to take care of your intimate area, without weakening it or compromising its delicate balance. The combination of coconut and shea butters with jojoba and sweet almond oils, all organic, is a real feast for the delicate skin of the genital area.

Can you use pure coconut oil as a lubricant?

Coconut oil, in pure use, can affect the balance of the flora in the long term. Indeed, known for its active microbicidal principles thanks to its high concentration of lauric acid, it could in pure concentration also impact lactobacilli; namely the good bacteria that defend the vagina.

This is why we always recommend oil-based lubricants in synergy, to dilute the effect of the lauric acid contained in high proportions in virgin coconut oil. These treatments are even more effective if they can be used in combination with water-based lubricants. They thus provide a fantastic double glide effect thanks to the non-miscibility of oils in water. It is therefore preferable to apply the oil-based lubricant to the vulva and the water-based lubricant to the penis or sex toy.

Our organic nourishing balm has been precisely formulated to balance the fatty acids present and promote an emollient action favorable to hydration but also to glide, a soothing action thanks to the properties of certain fatty acids and a restorative action thanks to the fatty acids which imitate as closely as possible those contained in human sebum.

What are the criteria for a good water-based lubricant?

The pH

Water-based lubricants affect the natural pH of the vagina and rectum, so be careful when purchasing a water-based lubricant.

According to tests, an intimate lubricant with a pH lower than 3 should be avoided. A pH higher than 4.5 can cause an imbalance in the bacteria that colonize the vulva and vagina and promote underlying conditions.

Osmolarity

For a water-based intimate lubricant to actively contribute to the hydration of the vulvovaginal mucosa, it must have an osmolarity in line with that of the vaginal tissues because the epithelium and the mucous membranes are constantly maintaining a balance between the water pressure inside and outside the cells; thus it circulates freely between the cell membranes of the non-keratinized epithelium and the mucus.

That is to say, if the osmolarity of the intimate lubricant is too high compared to that of the cells of the vaginal mucosa, the latter can dry out of their water and conversely, if the osmolarity of the lubricant is too low compared to that of the cells of the vaginal mucosa, they can implode. This data is not only fundamental for maintaining an intact cellular capital and therefore a healthy mucosa, but it is of capital importance in the prevention of STIs because in the presence of weakened cells the circulation of infectious agents in the blood is facilitated and the risk of infection is higher.

Also note that osmolarity also impacts sperm motility and so if you are trying to conceive, a lubricant with an osmolarity close to that of sperm is favorable.

Ingredients to avoid in a water-based lubricant.

Here is a non-exhaustive list of ingredients to avoid in a water-based lubricant:

• Parabens: endocrine disruptors to be avoided especially in cases of history of hormone-dependent cancers.
• Glycerin: irritating power on the epithelium at more than 20% concentration. Even at a concentration lower than 5% glycerin promotes the growth of Candida and allows a mycosis to appear. Sticky and tacky residue.
• Glycols (Propylene Glycol): Are cytotoxic and damage the cytoplasm. must not exceed 9.9% concentration according to the WHO.
• Propanediol: This is literally propylene glycol, but of plant rather than petrochemical origin, although less irritating than synthetic, it is just as cytotoxic at high concentrations and significantly influences the osmolarity of water-based lubricants.
• Mineral oils like liquid paraffin, it is an occlusive petrochemical derivative that clogs the pores of the skin and seriously harms the environment.
• Poly-quaternium 15: Generates formaldehyde, it is used as a powerful preservative even in cleaning and household products.
• Nonoxynol-9 demonstrated deleterious effect on rectal mucosa in humans, increased risk of exposure to STIs.
• Perfumes and their fixatives because they are often allergenic and in some cases possibly responsible for endocrine disruption.
• Some sugars or sweeteners for their harmful effects on the intimate flora. So-called kissable or edible lubricants are therefore only recommended for occasional use to enhance oral sex when applied externally.

Conclusion

To summarize, with a healthy composition free of toxic products, perfect osmolarity and an adapted pH: intimate lubricants preserve the health of mucous tissues and the integrity of cells, while providing comfort of glide and prevention of friction.

However, water-based products tend to dry out faster because they evaporate and are quickly absorbed by skin and mucous membranes that lack moisture. It is therefore useful to remember that a single application of intimate lubricant is rarely enough and that it is best to be generous in your use.

There is no such thing as too much lube, and it's time to get rid of the patriarchal injunction that excessive lubrication is detrimental to the sensations of people with penises. Quite the opposite! Used wisely, lube is always a good idea, whether for non-penetrative sex or for any type of penetration.