Help us figure out what type of massage lube is being used.
April 24, 2010 2:44 PM   Subscribe

Lubrication filter: Trying to replicate something seen in a video with my girlfriend, but having difficulties figuring out what is being used. Link to extremely NSFW video inside.

Bouncing around on the internet for some time have been these Japanese massage videos where the masseuse has the customer lay on an air mattress and then covers the client, the mattress and herself in this water based lubricant that is super slippery. We've tried a few different ones, and besides the fact that they're usually $10 for a small bottle ( a lot is needed) they tend to be either sticky or non-edible.

So does anybody know what they use? Can a homemade version be made? Any thoughts, tips?

Link to video on YouPorn. If the link does not work, just go to YouPorn and search for Nuru Massage. There are dozens of examples.

Thanks to any that have any help with this.
posted by wile e to Human Relations (16 answers total) 8 users marked this as a favorite

 
I was under the impression that "nurunuru" is Japanese for snail but apparently it means slimey.

Searches for "nuru gel" on ebay do reveal a number of vendors. They are not cheap, but I highly doubt you need a lot.

If you do want a lot, and will sacrifice edibility, consider this favorite of bovine gynecologists:

http://www.jefferslivestock.com/ssc/product.asp?CID=2&pf_id=16067

that will make _gallons_ of viscous, slimey, clear lube.
posted by rr at 2:59 PM on April 24, 2010 [1 favorite]


(no idea about safety issues, btw. )
posted by rr at 2:59 PM on April 24, 2010 [1 favorite]


The video caption mentions a seaweed based lubricant, and googling for that gives gives lots of results that are probably worth pursuing, including a page on diy personal lubricants.

Not that hard to find results that seem to be exactly what you are after.
posted by Brockles at 3:01 PM on April 24, 2010 [2 favorites]


google says it might be this
posted by nadawi at 3:04 PM on April 24, 2010


try a silicone based lube, very slippery, totally not sticky, doesn't dry out...and a little goes a long way...remember though, you can't use a silicone based lube with silicone sex toys, it will dissolve them (it's totally compatible/safe with latex, though)
posted by sexyrobot at 3:09 PM on April 24, 2010 [1 favorite]


Intriguing. These people (nsfw) seem to think that the "nuru gel" idea is likely more hype than any one specific thing. The first recipe in Brockles' diy link seems to be the best starting place. Another discussion thread points this stuff out. $50/gal is not too bad but not cleared as edible. This is the stuff people tend to point to but both those flavors seem ick to me personally.
posted by jessamyn at 3:11 PM on April 24, 2010


I'm seconding using silicone lube. It wasn't used in the video though, it's not something you ever want to eat, and isn't slimy, but it's fantastic. Astroglide makes a fantastic lube that doesn't get gummy (I have no affiliation, just a user).
posted by TheBones at 3:29 PM on April 24, 2010


If you're not worried about latex safety, I'd probably just use olive oil or another food-based oil (the internet suggests coconut). I've used olive oil for non-erotic massage, and it's pretty damn effective.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 4:05 PM on April 24, 2010


Grapeseed oil is cheap and quite slippery and shiny, but it definitely doesnt have that glycerin-y, goopy look that the video shows.

Therefore, thirding Brockles' link, scroll to the first recipe that recommends soldium alginate as a lubricant ingredient. If you do decide to make it, I'd certainly be interested in a report on how it works out..
posted by rachaelfaith at 4:13 PM on April 24, 2010


I've heard it's just methyl cellulose mixed with water. That wikipedia article says it's "non-toxic, non-allergenic, and edible".
posted by lucidium at 4:19 PM on April 24, 2010


Propylene Glycol, Sodium Carboxy Methyl Cellulose, Methyl & Propyl Paraben

Are any of these things bad for a human? You could buy lubricant made for animals. https://allpetsmacomb.vetsfirstchoice.com/(S(l34tt13d4id4kd55y5shptz5))/Detail.aspx?z=%20&s=0&p=1&view=23441798
posted by thylacine at 4:41 PM on April 24, 2010


A little bit of silicone lubricant goes a long way, by the way. So a big bottle of it will last a stretch a lot farther than a similarly sized bottle of water-based lubricant.
posted by brina at 4:42 PM on April 24, 2010




You want BusyBusyBusy's veterinary lubricant. It will work just great, and you can make as much as you like for very cheap. You can mix it up a little more watery than the recipe and it won't transition to sticky so quickly.

What you don't want is silicone lubricant. While it's very slippery, and doesn't get sticky, it's also a real chore to wash off. And if you're covered in it, including the soles of your feet, it's going to be seriously hazardous to walk to the shower. Everything you touch will wind up with a slippery, slippery coating that will never dry up or get less slippery without washing. Even getting it off small areas of the body is a bit of a pain in the ass, with lots of soap and scrubbing needed. Seriously, silicone lube should be used in moderation.
posted by Netzapper at 4:54 PM on April 24, 2010 [1 favorite]


From what I've seen, *real* nuru gel has some body to it.

If I was to try to replicate it without using actual nuru seaweed, I'd boil up a solution of water with tapioca starch (you'll need to cook it). Maybe 1tsp per cup or two? To give it the additional body, maybe make a solution of 0.5% agarose (you can buy food grade in Asian stores - its derived from red algae/seaweed), and before it cools down completely, add that (1:1, 1:2 agar:tapioca) to the tapioca starch solution?

Straight agar might be too solid, even at 0.2%, hence the need to mix it with tapioca starch solution. If you play around with the amount of tapioca/water, you might get pretty close without having to add agar.
posted by porpoise at 6:40 PM on April 24, 2010 [2 favorites]


Try using xanthan gum. It's usually on the order of $25/lb, but a tiny bit goes a long way. I can make 4 cups of super-slippery-slime using just a tablespoon or two. It cleans up easily, and my understanding is that it is vagina friendly.
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 8:31 AM on April 25, 2010 [1 favorite]


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