Toxins in Your Personal Lubricants?

With so many personal lubricant options on the market, choosing one that is non toxic and safe for your most vulnerable areas is a great idea. Some are very safe and others have ingredients that would make me run the other way. Even some of the natural options should be left out of the bedroom, so let’s take a look into the most common options.

When it comes to lubricants there are basically 3 different categories.

The first is silicon based lubricants.

People love silicon based lubes because they last longer!

They’re also waterproof which makes it an ideal choice for places with water…

Most people who have allergies or sensitivities to water based lubes don’t have issues with a silicone based lube. So people with sensitive skin may do well with this option.

These are also safe to use with latex condoms.

The next common type of lubricant is a water based lube.

The downfall with water based lubes is that they evaporate quickly, so frequent application may be necessary. They’re also not waterproof so it may not be an appropriate option depending on the type of interaction.

Most are safe to use with condoms and diaphragms.

They’re also a better option for people who have vaginal irritation or are prone to skin reactions. However, make sure you’re choosing a water-based lube that doesn’t contain harmful ingredients, as water-based lubes are more likely to have them than silicone based.

Here’s what can be in a lube that you want to avoid:

Petrolatum

Nonoxynol-9

Chlorhexidine Gluconate

Propylene Glycol

Glycerin

Parabens

Sodium Hydroxide

The third type of personal lubricant is oil and pure aloe vera.

This tends to be the safest, cleanest and most readily available, since you can often just walk to the kitchen and get your lube.

Safe to eat, safe to apply. The best types of oils to use include: avocado oil, olive oil, almond (if there isn’t a nut allergy) or jojoba. When it comes to aloe vera, look for a product that is only aloe and a safe preservative. My choice would be Lily of the Desert, as it’s 99% pure aloe. You could also get it straight from the source if you have an aloe plant in your home.

Oils, however, shouldn’t be used with a latex condom.

Why I don’t suggest coconut oil:

I love coconut oil for so many things! But when it comes to lubrication, it simply isn’t my favourite choice, although this opinion may differ from other health care practitioners. I believe there are better options, but I also like to play good-better-best scenario so if it’s a choice between coconut oil and a drugstore, flavoured, coloured, scented lube, I’d go for the coconut oil. Coconut oil can alter vaginal pH as well as the antimicrobial effects acting on the happy bacteria and have a negative impact on the vaginal microbiome. If you can minimize any potential risk to microflora, all the better!

A few other commonly-used ‘around-the-home’ lubes that should probably be avoided as well include: lotion; vegetable oils like canola oil, baby oil, any mineral oil; and vaseline or anything that is petroleum based. You’ll also want to be cautious with, or minimize the use of too many essential oils in your lubricant if you’re making your own. This can be a great non-toxic option, just be sure to use a small amount, use high quality oils and use only a little to start as some may irritate delicate tissue or disrupt the vaginal flora.

If you’re in the market for a non-toxic personal lubricant, be sure to download my guide here, with some recommendations and happy lovin’

Xo

Leigh