At IntyEssentials, we focus primarily on sexual comfort and are committed to providing healthy and safe lubricants.

In this guide you will discover the different types of lubricants that we recommend, how to choose them well thanks to a list of components to avoid and comparative graphs between several products available on the market according to their composition, their pH and their osmolarity. At the end of this guide you will be able to determine which lubricant suits you best whether for your comfort pleasure, to compensate for a lack of hydration of the vagina or when you suffer from genital pain.

Be careful, do not confuse water based lubricant And natural or organic lubricant . Most aqueous lubricants on the market are neither natural nor healthy for the vagina. They are often formulated with petrochemical components known for their stability and compliance with standards in medical devices, but rarely thought of to maintain or preserve the balance of the vaginal microbiota in the long term.

As a general rule, we find glycerin (which can be synthetic or vegetable), glycols (widely used in cosmetic formulas, in anti-freezes 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 sanitized, it is a successful bet! No living microorganism can flourish there, result: the vaginal microbiota - mainly made up of bacteria - may be affected.

What you really need to know is that the industry's response intimate lubricants - so-called classics - is short-sighted in terms of formulation. Certainly these lubricants are stable, certainly some 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 chemical ones cause.

But are they really safe for the balance of flora , over the long term? Are they likely to preserve the fragile epithelium of vulvovaginal mucous membranes ? Are they concerned about preserving the sperm motility ?

In order to avoid all these drawbacks, as 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 330 mOsm/kg
• Free from problematic ingredients: glycerin, glycols, parabens and microbicides.

Water-based lubricants are ideal because they moisturize the mucous membranes In addition to providing a natural gliding sensation, they help regulate vaginal pH and are fully compatible with silicone condoms and sex toys. With a healthy composition free of toxic products, perfect osmolarity and an adapted pH: they preserve the health of mucous tissues and the integrity of cells, while providing sliding comfort and preventing friction.

However, aqueous bases dry faster because they evaporate and are quickly absorbed by the skin and mucous tissues. It is therefore useful to remember that a single application of intimate lubricant is rarely sufficient and it is best to be generous in the use of these. There is rarely too much lubricant and It's time to get rid of this patriarchal injunction, according to which excessive lubrication would harm the sensations of people with penises. Quite the opposite! Used wisely, a lubricant is always a good idea, whether it is for non-penetrative sex or for any type of penetration.

Silicone based lubricants are clearly criticized because most of them are composed of cyclic silicones which are problematic for the environment and whose safety has not yet been formally demonstrated. However, there are formulas free from the famous dubious molecules, called cyclic: cyclopentasiloxane and cyclomethicone in the lead.

In fact, at IntyEssentials, we offer one of the few lubricants without cyclic silicones which is made up only of Dimethicone and Dimethiconol, very stable molecules, hypoallergenic and whose safety has been scientifically demonstrated.

In terms of glide sensation, silicone-based lubricants are the best lubricants. because they participate in letting go by satisfactorily replacing intimate secretions, preventing the slightest friction - which in cases of dyspareunia can be prohibitive for the comfort of the person being penetrated.

Being non-aqueous, they do not affect vaginal pH and therefore have no impact on the intimate flora . They are compatible with condoms and are without a doubt the best lubricants to combine with condoms, as they coat latex and polyisoprene wonderfully.

However, they do not hydrate the vulvovaginal mucous membranes and are therefore not suitable when it comes to relieving the daily discomfort associated with intimate dryness. They are not suitable for anal penetration. because the anorectal mucosa needs to be hydrated beforehand, not benefiting from the secretions of the exocrine glands present in the vagina. They are also not compatible with silicone sex toys and other silicone devices such as cups, which they can damage and whose structure they can weaken.

Often, oil-based lubricants are made from a blend of coconut oil and other natural oils like Coco Shea by Exsens . The advantage of oil-based lubricants is that by using them, you benefit from the soothing, healing, moisturizing, fungicidal benefits etc. provided by the oils that compose them.

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

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

Coconut oil , used pure, can affect the balance of the flora in the long term . Indeed, renowned 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 proportion 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. due to the non-miscibility of oils in water . It is therefore preferable to apply the oil-based lubricant on the vulva and the water-based one on the penis or sex toy.

Hybrid lubricants are made of water and a touch of silicone, making them compatible with silicone sex toys. If you don't want to bother with two different bottles, they are convenient but still don't provide the double glide that the water-silicone and/or water-oil mix provides.

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

According to the tests, a lubricant containing a pH lower than 3 is to 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.

To guide you, we have integrated a chart which lists the different lubricants and their positions in relation to the Vaginal pH . As well as a graph showing the different vaginal moisturizers and their pH levels.

For a water-based 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 lubricant is too high compared to that of the cells of the vaginal mucosa, the latter can implode and conversely, if the osmolarity of the lubricant is too low compared to that of the cells of the vaginal mucosa, they can end up dried out . 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 (360 mOsm/kg) is favorable. We offer you a chart comparison of the osmolarity of different lubricants.

List (non-exhaustive) 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 WHO.

Mineral oils Like liquid paraffin, it is an occlusive petrochemical derivative that clogs skin pores 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.

For centuries, men and women have been very inventive in terms of sexual comfort and the first natural lubricants were essentially fatty substances diverted for their slippery properties. Cleopatra would have already used olive oil for her intimate care and other civilizations of Asia, would have already used oils such as sesame or flax as a lubricant product.

Homemade lubricant production is quite possible in the form of oil synergies . It is possible because these are often very stable, apart from possible rancidity linked to their oxidation, their use in massage and for pleasure are however different.

It is simply important to remember that using an oil-based lubricant is not compatible with condoms because it makes latex and polyisoprene (Manix latex-free ones, for example) porous.

We have also seen the emergence of many homemade lubricant recipes, notably with organic aloe vera gel and flax seeds.

Although these recipes are attractive because of their slow cosmetic inspiration, it must nevertheless be remembered that all aqueous bases are very unstable. and therefore designed for almost immediate consumption in order to avoid any bacterial proliferation which could cause infections or any other condition.

Not to mention that most vegetable gums do not bind easily together and the pH of the composition must be acidic. Unless you have the required skills in naturopathy or a chemist's degree, We advise you to abstain as the risk-benefit of a few tablespoons of flaxseed or aloe vera gel could quickly have disastrous consequences.

In our humble opinion, it is better to trust manufacturers who have been able to test their formula and develop it safely. because a lubricant remains a medical device above all .