Best lube?

November 18, 2014 3:09 PM

Update on this guy: http://ask.metafilter.com/87425/best-lube 6 years later, as there may be new stuff on the market.

My partner is well endowed, I'm (female) smaller. In the beginning of our relationship I was always wet enough for sex, but 1.5 years in, it's not as constant, and sometimes I get irritated and raw. What is the best lube you've used - hopefully not sticky and sweet like KY liquid - that I should look into? What did you like about it? KY just doesn't feel like my natural fluids.

And yes, there's plenty of foreplay and I do love him.

Thanks!

posted by anonymous to Health & Fitness (17 answers total)

"Yes" lubricant, no irritants (like glycerin which can cause yeast infections) and organic (if that matters). There's no taste to it really, and no strong smell either. The water based, while condom compatible, isn't as long lasting as the oil based (or so I've heard, I only used the water- based one)

http://www.yesyesyes.org/index.htm
posted by twill at 3:17 PM on November 18, 2014

Liquid Silk is the only lube that exists, in my opinion.
posted by mykescipark at 3:20 PM on November 18, 2014 [9 favorites]

I don't think there's a general answer for this because "best" depends what factors are important for you. Some things to consider:

-do glycerine or any other chemicals cause problems for you (yeast infections, etc)
-do you want something really long-lasting vs. more natural-feeling
-are you using latex condoms which will be degraded by oil-based lubes
-are you using silicone toys which will be degraded by silicone-based lubes
-do you care about price
-do you care about flavour
-primarily vaginal vs. anal sex vs. using with toys can make a difference in what kinds of lube wil work best for you
-if you want something easily accessible in local stores vs. don't mind ordering online
-etc

As an example I like slippery stuff because it's glycerine-free and water-based so I can use it with toys and condoms and don't get yeast infections, but it does dry up really fast making it sticky so someone who didn't care about those factors would probably go for something longer-lasting.
posted by randomnity at 3:23 PM on November 18, 2014 [2 favorites]

Sylk, made from delicious kiwi fruit.
posted by turbid dahlia at 3:42 PM on November 18, 2014 [1 favorite]

Pjur - but I would not use this for anything where it would get in someone's mouth.
posted by treehorn+bunny at 3:43 PM on November 18, 2014 [1 favorite]

I really like thicker lubes, mostly marketed for anal use, but I find that they perform very well for P-V sex. They don't drip everywhere you don't want them and they are very long lasting.
If you want to go with silicone based lube, I'd try Pjur's Man Premium Extreme Glide, which has no numbing or "relaxation" ingredients which some of their other formulations have. Because of that, it's also without flavor.
If you want a water-based lube (my preference), I like Maximus as it's never been irritating and doesn't get super sticky and it's very long-lasting and feels natural. It's also glycerin free.

Also, a woman's ability to lubricate without assistance is impacted by a lot of factors that have nothing to due with foreplay or level of attraction to your partner, just in case you were concerned about that. Have fun!
posted by quince at 4:16 PM on November 18, 2014 [2 favorites]

Sliquid
posted by heyho at 4:45 PM on November 18, 2014 [2 favorites]

Coconut oil...it's amazing.
posted by OkTwigs at 5:40 PM on November 18, 2014 [1 favorite]

Please Cream Lubricant from Good Vibrations. Does not get sticky.

I was a huge fan of coconut oil, but the Please Cream has surpassed it for me.
posted by msladygrey at 5:51 PM on November 18, 2014

Liquid Silk is my favorite. Sliquid is also very good but different - not "creamy". They are expensive so I'd start with the smallest size and then if you like it, buy as bulk as you can to save some money.

Going into a feminist sex shop, if you have one near by, will give you a chance to actually feel these lubes (with your fingers) and assess what you like.
posted by latkes at 7:16 PM on November 18, 2014

We like Swiss Navy silicone lube. Flavorless, not sticky, and quite effective.
posted by Lexica at 8:42 PM on November 18, 2014 [1 favorite]

My partner and I are split on Sliquid and Liquid Silk/Maximus. I think the only reason he prefers the latter is the pump bottle. Sliquid Sassy is directly comparable to Maximus (thicker lubes); H2O is about the same as Liquid Silk (thinner), except that it doesn't taste awful. Adding to the confusion, there's also a Sliquid Silk, which is a silicone lube and in theory should be slippery for about forever.
posted by you could feel the sky at 8:50 PM on November 18, 2014 [1 favorite]

Big fan of Sliquid here. Never tried it for PIV sex, but the designed for anal version both works and lasts. It's also vegan and has no glycerin.
posted by Solomon at 2:00 AM on November 19, 2014

I used to love Liquid Silk until some spilled in a drawer that i didn't discover until a few weeks later when it had solidified into a rubbery mass not unlike a sex toy. i dont want something with that much plastic being absorbed into my parts or my partners.

Sliquid has zero plastic ingredients. I would rather have to reapply than to putting those kinds of chemicals into my body.
posted by softlord at 8:08 AM on November 19, 2014 [2 favorites]

I used to have this problem, too. My favorite lube for the last few years has been Pink. I prefer it to Liquid Silk and Sliquid, which are both irritating to me and frankly don't feel as good. It feels extremely close to natural fluids with a touch of softness. It doesn't dry out at all and is very long-lasting, I only need a tiny dime-size amount. I suppose downsides would be it doesn't taste great, and it can't be used with silicone toys unless you throw a condom on them. As far as I'm concerned, it's the perfect lube.
posted by equestrian at 11:14 AM on November 19, 2014

I'll second "Slippery Stuff."
posted by metasarah at 11:58 AM on November 19, 2014

Slippery Stuff is very good as already suggested. But I have found one I like better at the sex shop...beleve it or not it is called Fuck Water. Looks and feels like bodily fluids and has never gone sticky.
posted by txmon at 12:53 PM on November 19, 2014