If lube has ever left you itchy, sore, or with an infection two days later, the lube was probably the cause and the culprit is probably glycerin. This is one of the few problems in this category with a genuinely simple answer, and almost nobody explains it at the point of sale.
The three ingredients that cause most problems
Glycerin. A sugar alcohol used to add slip and sweetness. It is also a food source for yeast, which is why people prone to yeast infections often get one after using a glycerin based lube. The single most common cause of lube related problems.
Propylene glycol. A humectant and preservative, and a well documented skin irritant for a meaningful minority of people. Causes burning and redness rather than infection.
Parabens. Preservatives most boutique brands abandoned years ago. Irritating for some, easy to avoid entirely.
There is also osmolality, which is how concentrated a lube is relative to your cells. Very high osmolality formulas draw moisture out of tissue, which can leave things drier and more fragile afterwards. Brands formulating carefully keep this in a sensible range and generally say so.
What to buy instead
All Spicerack Selects, our in house shop, free discreet shipping.
Gentle Formulas: Free Discreet Shipping
SpicerackSelects
Pjur Woman Nude
No glycerin, no parabens, no perfume, no preservatives. Genuinely minimal, and the first thing to try if you react to most things. See our Pjur guide.
Wicked Aqua Sensitive
Wicked’s formulation for reactive skin, at sixteen dollars. The affordable entry.
Sliquid Naturals H2O
Glycerin free, paraben free, vegan, pH conscious. The most recommended bottle in the store and the one gynaecologists tend to mention. Our Sliquid review covers the range.
Sliquid Organics Natural
The same base with organic aloe, slightly more cushioned.
Pjur Med Natural Glide
The medical line, formulated for sensitive skin and for dryness associated with menopause or medication.
How to work out what is causing it
- Switch to a glycerin free, paraben free formula first. That resolves the majority of cases outright.
- If symptoms persist, check the condom. Latex allergy presents similarly. Our non-latex guide covers the alternatives.
- Check for spermicide. Nonoxynol-9 is a common irritant and appears in some condoms and lubes without being obvious.
- Consider toy material. Porous materials can harbour bacteria. See our materials guide.
- Persistent symptoms are a doctor question, not a shopping one. Recurrent infections or pain deserve actual investigation.
FAQ
Is coconut oil a good alternative? It destroys latex condoms and is hard to clean out. Not recommended as a general solution.
Does natural mean gentle? No. Plenty of botanical ingredients irritate. Short ingredient lists matter more than the word natural.
What about flavoured lube? Usually the worst offender for sugar content. Keep it to oral, as covered in our flavoured guide.
Can lube cause a UTI? Indirectly, by disrupting the local environment. Gentle formulas reduce that risk.
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