Although it has a slippery, syrup-like consistency that can seem ideal as a personal lubricant, vegetable glycerin is NOT considered safe. When this is not enough, artificial lubricants or, Some people prefer a more natural approach to relieving vaginal dryness. 1 cup distilled water. A personal lubricant can be used to increase pleasure and reduce pain during sexual intercourse or other activities and may be used for lubricating the penis, vagina, anus, stroker or dildo or other sex toys before or during activity. In a small saucepan, boil 1 cup water. Similar to silicone lubes, oil-based lubricants are also waterproof and very long-lasting. And while we can't recommend investing in a good lubricant that's designed for intercourse, medical use, and/or sex toys enough, it can be tough to make it to the store and pick some up before you need it. But what about all of the sexperts, the bloggers, the educators who insist that glycerin is poison? Stir well, put in a bottle and shake. The normal pH of the vagina is 3.84.5, which is acidic. Vitamin E oil has also been recommended in the treatment of vaginal atrophy. 2004-2023 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK, a Red Ventures Company. Vitamin E oil is often used as a moisturizer or as a carrier oil to dilute essential oils. (It seems crazy that something that is supposed to make you wet, actually might be stealing your juice, right?) The name sounds delicious and if you really want to you can eat this. The ultra-thick lubricant contains agar, which consists of complex carbohydrates. Using a lubricant with a different pH than the vagina or rectum can cause a change in pH in these areas. All rights reserved. Way too hard sometimes to find factual information like this that backs itself up when it comes to these topics. Combine the glycerin and distilled water in a mist bottle and then shake gently to mix. There are quite a few differences between water-based and silicone-based lubes. This Coconu oil based lube formula works to push your body to produce natural lubrication. Advisory note. Doctors recommend that people avoid using petroleum jelly as a lubricant because its oils can damage condoms. Coconut oil's antibacterial and anti-fungal properties may disrupt the vaginal pH balance in some sensitive folks. Read on to discover the best lubricant alternatives and which ones to avoid. The first thing to do is rinse the area with cool water immediately to remove it from your skin as quickly as possible. 2 to 4 drops of plant oil. Selecting a natural lube alternative can be challenging. If you have an aloe plant, you can obtain the gel from the leaves by removing them from the yellow latex rind. When youre looking for a simple water-based lube recipe, this one can be made quickly and safely using ingredients you likely have at home right now. "If other options are available, such as silicone or water-based lubricant, it's best to avoid shortening all together," Caitlin V. adds. The only thing more mood-killing than a frantic fumble through the nightstand drawer is expanding your fruitless search into the bathroom and the kitchen. One reason for its popularity may be because it smells and tastes good, which can be an added benefit for oral sex. The short answer is yes. Everywhere you look on the internet there is a blog onlubricantstelling you that Glycerin is a poison, a chemical, a sugar or just basically something you definitely should not have in your lube. (Please, before you get super angry with me- hear me out. No joke, oil-based natural primers will do the trick. Storage: This lube should be stored at room temperature and can be shaken before use. "Because of its restorative qualities and soothing, gel-like texture, aloe is a great choice for lubricant," Caitlin V. says. Cosmetics, foods, and pharmaceutical products contain parabens. Course: Bath and Body Soap. Just remember all the caveats that come with using anything oil-based as your lubricant. Grab the coconut oil and go live your life without inflamed, angry genitals. A few drops of essential oil (optional) A spray bottle or mist bottle. We avoid using tertiary references. For condoms: "It's compatible with condoms, unless there is a food substance in their mouth, which could potentially alter compatibility," Dr. Dweck says (the imagination runs wild). * Copyright 2023 Insider Inc. All rights reserved. Take a look at the best and safest natural and organic lubricants that are available right now. So it's the closest we can get to a woman's natural vaginal lubricant. There are ways to prepare aloe gel directly from the plant that do not require a blender. It is popular as a way to soothe sunburned skin. Lubricants that are considered hyperosmolar can also cause epithelial tissue damage. Uberlube. Lets take a look at five common (and safe!) Cap and label jar, and set the jar in a dark location at room temperature. For condoms: Not suggested for latex. Sure you don't have any corn starch lying around? Dweck points out that this makes it a popular ingredient in over-the-counter lube, such as Aloe Cadabra. If Vaseline is all you've got, use a non-latex condom. You can purchase Aloe Cadabra online here. (2012). Certain essential oils can be safe, but only in trace amounts as part of a lube recipe. Needing to run to the bathroom is probably the last thing you want to worry about when partaking in anal sex. In short, we do not recommend using vegetable glycerin as a personal lubricant for any type of sex. Vitamin E oil is often used as a moisturizer and also as a carrier oil to dilute various essential oils. Its formulation is. I let mine sit for about 3 hours, and we still had good results! 6 yoga-inspired sex positions that offer pleasure and a good stretch, 6 cozy cuddling positions to warm you up this winter and the benefits of getting snuggly, 10 goals you can set to strengthen your relationship in 2022, according to couples therapists, 10 ways to ramp up your bedroom skills and please your partner, according to sex therapists. If youre not sure where to start or what you need read through our in-depth personal lube guide or take our lube quiz! With only five simple ingredients, this Natural Lubricating Gel is organic, vegan, and hypoallergenic. 2 Tablespoons of glycerin. Some people report using yogurt in the vagina as a lubricant or a treatment for yeast infections. Stir until all the ingredients are combined. Always ensure you use 100% pure essential oil and not something with added ingredients. DIY water-based lube: Mix 1 cup of water with 4 teaspoons of cornstarch. Stir until all the ingredients are combined. However, its ingredients include: Citric acid balances the pH of the product to mimic the acidity of the vagina. Madeline Kennedy is a health writer for Insider covering a wide range of topics including reproductive and sexual health, mental health, nutrition, and infectious disease. Although vegetable glycerin is safe for ingestion it has a slightly sweet taste and is often used as a sugar substitute or preservative in food it can potentially lead to dryness of the mouth if used as a lube during oral sex. Vegetable glycerin is a fatty liquid usually made from the oils of soybeans, palms, or coconuts. Lets take a quick look at the four primary lube categories below. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. www.womensvoices.org/osmolality-ph-properties-commercial-lubricants/, Sexy Stocking Stuffer Ideas to Heat Up the Holidays. You can safely use water-based lube with all condoms, diaphragms, dental dams, and sex toys, but you may find that they require extra reapplication during extended sex sessions. Some individuals may have sensitivities or adverse reactions to ingredients such as glycerin, propylene glycol, and perfumes. Important: mix the guar gum and glycerin really well, then add the water and stir. The other secret to giant bubbles is to make a bubble blowing frame out of . It's safe for both anal and vaginal sex. DO NOT use it. Since these recipes contain food-like ingredients, its best to store your lube in the refrigerator but only for a few days. You can do an alcohol extraction with Everclear, which is a quick and easy process. Keep it hot under the tree this holiday season. Silicone personal lubricants are usually thicker in consistency and feel silky and smooth to the touch. Measure out around 1 cup (300 g) of salt and slowly add it into your soap mixture, stirring constantly until it is combined. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we: We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness. Chapter 4: Agar. Answer (1 of 3): Glycerine is a by-product of soap manufacture. It lasts longer, has excellent texture, no crusty residue and provides the most natural feeling that you can get next to a womans natural lubrication. DIY lubricant recipes often don't last as long as their commercial counterparts. Depending on the product, natural and organic lubricants may be oil or water-based. How to Make Vegetable Glycerin Download Article parts Ingredients 1 Mixing the Oils and Lye 2 Thickening the Mixture 3 Finishing Off the Glycerin Other Sections Questions & Answers Related Articles References Article Summary Co-authored by wikiHow Staff Last Updated: October 15, 2022 Be in the know about news, special offers and articles shared to our blog Your Body, Your Pleasure. Four Original Valentines Gifts to Make V-Day All about the V. 2 teaspoons of Vegetable Glycerin. Food-grade glycerin could still contain some fatty acids which might indeed cause a bout of Candida, and call me crazy but I personally would not like to use a lubricant made from animal-fat glycerol. For sex: "In some women, petroleum based products might increase risk of vaginal infection including bacterial vaginosis (BV)," says Alyssa Dweck, MD, who was named a top gynecologist by New York magazine. As the daughter of a chemist and microbiologist, I literally grew up in a lab, so I get more than a bit annoyed whenever I see this kind of fake science at work. All thoughts of getting intimate vanish within minutes of squinting at your pantry, wondering un-sexy things like, "is it safe to use coconut oil as a lube substitute?". Allows for upwards of a few hours of working time before it needs to be reapplied. What Is Lube, What Does It Do And Why Do People Use It For Sex? Maybe youre considering a homemade lubricant, but youre not sure how to make it, or are thinking of using some ingredients youve got laying around the house. One uses cornstarch and one uses boiled flaxseed oil, but our favorite is their Chocolate Mint Love Butter (via Paleo Mama ). What Is Normal When It Comes to Menopause? Pour water into a high speed mixer. And while yeast loves sugar,absolutely no real scientific study has ever shown that glycerin causes yeast to grow- but that is not to say all glycerin is completely blameless when it comes to fungal infections like candida. Get our passionately crafted, medically reviewed, expert articles & insights delivered right to your inbox: For many reasons, you should not use vegetable glycerin as a personal lubricant for oral, vaginal, or anal sex. No, these two substances are not the same. Purple vegetables and tubers may have superior anti-diabetic properties. (Check your brands osmolality here:www.womensvoices.org/osmolality-ph-properties-commercial-lubricants/). Important: "Keep in mind that if condoms are being used for STI or pregnancy prevention, oils are not compatible and another water-based or silicone-based lube is preferred," Dweck says. You can also make your own lube at home with water and cornstarch. Care must be taken, however, because when used in its pure form such as from a capsule and applied directly to the skin, vitamin E can cause allergic reactions, especially on thinner and more sensitive skin. "Like olive oil, vegetable oil isn't ideal for vaginal penetration, but can be used by most people as an external vaginal or anal lubricant," Caitlin V. says. Cheap, substandard glycerin does not necessarily feed yeast, but it can create an unhealthy environment in the vagina because it raises osmolality. Vegetable glycerin can increase your risk of such infections, particularly if youre already prone to them. STI & Pregnancy Barrier Safety: This DIY lube is NOT compatible with latex or polyisoprene condoms, diaphragms, or dental dams and is too thick to be used for oral sex safely, as it may present a choking hazard. Silicone personal lubricant should not be used with sex toys made from silicone because it can degrade and damage the material. Instead of vegetable glycerin, we highly suggest using a store-bought personal lubricant that is body-safe. Baby oil breaks down latex and polyisoprene condoms and diaphragms and should never be used for oral sex, as it is a hydrocarbon that can irritate your lungs and lead to infection. Not to be confused with butter (milk products on warm surfaces - i.e. flax-seed oil, essential oils, vitamin E oil, almond oil, distilled water. What we need is to give women the information they need to make informed decisions about their own bodies without resorting to scare tactics. Other ingredients to avoid in a personal lubricant include: Glycerin is an ingredient in some commercial lubricants. 1 tablespoon of vegetable glycerin 6 drops of organic preservative (based on benzyl alcohol and water) Disinfect a bowl before adding all the ingredients. The only problem with grapeseed oil as a sexual lubricant (by itself) is that it isnt very thick, so it has to be applied often. For sex toys: Did you hear what we said about the bad kind of sticky? Be sure to look through our in-depth lube guide or take our helpful lube quiz if youre on the hunt for one. It may not display this or other websites correctly. They come in two varieties: with glycerin, which has a slightly sweet taste, or without glycerin. Coconu Water Based Lube. Then, add the water and the preservative and mix again for 3-4 minutes. Glycerin also helps create the slippery feel of lube and acts as . Can degrade and damage the material caveats that come with using anything oil-based as lubricant. Vaginal atrophy gel directly from the plant that do not require a.. Ltd, Brighton, UK, a Red Ventures Company mix the guar gum and glycerin really,! To produce natural lubrication do is rinse the area with cool water immediately to remove it your! Moisturizer and also as diy vegetable glycerin lube moisturizer and also as a lubricant or a for! 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