In its marvelous blog »What We Don’t Talk About« The Strategist just published a survey about the question: What Is the Best Lube?
Maxine Builder of The Strategist went out to solve one of the questions we all ask ourselves but we don’t talk about with our friends. And rarely is there a publication out to solve these kind of mysteries. She knows that most people just buy generic stuff from the drugstore but there are many more options. And some of them are way better than the generic ones. Among others she talked to Carol Queen, sexologist at the influential sex shop chain Good Vibrations. She highlights the differences and makes it clear: »As with food sensitivities, some lubricant ingredients just don’t agree with everyone’s body chemistry.«
In order to create a list with the very best lubes Builder talked to employees of sex stores, sexologists, sex workers and sex educators. In the end she got the following list:
$28 at Amazon
»If it had to be just one, I would recommend Uberlube. Uberlube is THE BEST. Not joking — it is one the highest-quality silicone lubes out there. While you can’t use silicone lubes with silicone toys, you can use it for everything else. This lube is very thin and super slick — silicone does not absorb into your body, so no need to reapply — it lasts a really long time and just washes off with soap and water. Plus, it comes in the classiest bottle you’ve ever seen. Aside from being a staff favorite, it is also a customer favorite! Shag loves Uberlube!« —Samantha Bard, co-owner, Shag, Williamsburg
$20, Amazon
»My favorite lube, the one that lives full-time in my automatic lube warmer and dispenser, is Sliquid Silver. It’s a silicone lube that I came across when I attended my first conference for sexuality professionals in 2013. Silicone lube is incredibly slippery, and [this one] lasts significantly longer than water-based lube (and most other silicone lubes I’ve tried), making it ideal for sex acts like hand jobs, vulva massage, and anal play. I love Sliquid’s lubes because they’re all vegan, gluten-free, not tested on animals, and free of irritating chemicals. It’s also great for shower play because silicone lube isn’t water-soluble — it must be washed off with soap.« —Ashley Manta, sex educator; founder, CannaSexual
$8, Amazon
“I really like the Good Clean Love product line. They use organic ingredients and practice ethical business practices. Their products are paraben-free, and they respect and nurture the ‘vaginal ecosystem,’ and the founder, Wendy Strgar, is a passionate sex educator, author, and advocate. Great products from a company that practices and is an exemplar of corporate citizenry.” —Ian Kerner, Ph.D., sex and relationship specialist; author, She Comes First
»Good Vibrations had been selling lubricant for around 30 years, answering customer questions, and vetting specific concerns when we decided to develop a brand that would do what we liked a lube to do (and did not do the things we did NOT appreciate: irritate, gum up, etc.). We made a range of lubes, but Please Gel stands out for many of our customers. It’s a light gel, so not too thick. Enough to add some cush and silky [or] slippery sensation with touch and insertion. Once it’s on the body, it will resolve into a slippery and long-lasting lubricant. It’s water-based, so can be used with latex and silicone toys, and it’s nonirritating and mild to taste. (Some otherwise great lubes taste just awful.)« —Carol Queen, Ph.D., staff sexologist, Good Vibrations, Berkeley, California
$9, Amazon
»All I can say is, to me better than lube is actual spit; lube tends to dry out really, really fast, whereas spit tends to not dry out and keeps the moisture and wetness. I also find to combine lube and spit — it works great. When it comes to lube that I use, I primarily only use Astroglide, which is well-known in the porn industry and among my peers in the BDSM community. I personally use their water-based lube — I would only use their silicone-based lube if it was for latex. I’ve tried a bunch of different ones, and this one, even though it can be a bit more pricey, is definitely the best! But I would prefer spit over anything else!« —Cassidy, full-time sex worker and advocate