Most of us read the label on our food more carefully than the label on our lube. But lubricant goes on some of the most absorbent, delicate tissue in the body. If you’re looking for the best organic lube or a truly body-safe lube, here’s what the research says to avoid, and what to look for instead.
What are endocrine disruptors?
Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that can interfere with the body’s hormone system, the same system that drives desire, arousal and fertility. Two families come up again and again in personal care products:
- Parabens (methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben and others) are preservatives. Lab studies show they have weak estrogen-like activity, which is why many people and brands now choose paraben-free lube.
- Phthalates are chemicals used to soften plastics and carry synthetic fragrance. They can hide in products under the single word “fragrance” and are common in cheap “jelly” sex toys.
Could these really affect your sex drive? One study in Hormones and Behavior measured phthalate levels in 360 women. Those with the highest levels of a common phthalate (DEHP) were about two and a half times as likely to report frequently lacking interest in sex. It’s one study and it shows a link rather than proof, but it’s a good reason to cut unnecessary exposure where you easily can, starting with what you put on your most intimate skin.
The ingredients to skip in lube
- Parabens (anything ending in “-paraben”)
- Fragrance, perfume or “flavor”, which can hide phthalates and irritants
- Glycerin and propylene glycol in high amounts. They make lube super-concentrated (more on that below), and glycerin is a sugar alcohol that some people find triggers yeast irritation.
- Nonoxynol-9, a spermicide that irritates delicate tissue
- Warming, tingling or numbing agents such as menthol, capsaicin or benzocaine
- Chlorhexidine, a harsh antiseptic preservative that can disrupt healthy vaginal bacteria
Osmolality: the hidden factor most people never hear about
Osmolality measures how concentrated a lube is compared with your own cells. When a lube is far more concentrated than your body’s fluids, it can pull water out of the tissue it touches, leaving it dry, irritated and more vulnerable. The World Health Organization advises that personal lubricants ideally stay under about 380 mOsm/kg and no higher than 1,200. Yet many popular drugstore brands measure 2,000 to 6,000 or more, mostly because of glycerin and propylene glycol.
That’s also why lube choice matters if you’re trying to conceive: concentrated, glycerin-heavy formulas aren’t friendly to sperm. Look for products labeled fertility-friendly if you’re trying for a baby.
pH matters too
A healthy vagina is naturally acidic, around pH 3.8 to 4.5. A lube close to that range helps protect the good bacteria that keep things balanced. For anal play, a neutral pH (5.5 to 7) is more comfortable.
The best body-safe lubes (and why we carry them)
Good Clean Love Almost Naked
Good Clean Love Almost Naked Organic Lubricant is one of the few mainstream lubes that independent lab testing has shown to be close to the body’s own concentration (about 269 mOsm/kg in a 2012 study). It’s organic, water-based and made without parabens or glycerin. A great everyday pick.
Sliquid Organics Natural
Sliquid Organics Natural is an aloe-based lube made with plant ingredients and no glycerin or parabens. It’s water-based, so it’s safe with condoms and silicone toys.
maude Shine
maude Shine Organic Lubricant keeps things simple, with a short list of organic, aloe-based ingredients and no fragrance. A beautiful bottle for your nightstand, too.
Coconu Oil-Based
If you love a richer, longer-lasting glide, Coconu Oil-Based Lubricant is made with organic coconut oil. One important note: oil-based lubes break down latex, so don’t use it with latex condoms.
Quick guide: choosing a lube
- Everyday and with condoms: a water-based, glycerin-free, paraben-free formula
- With silicone toys: water-based (silicone lube can damage silicone toys)
- Long-lasting massage and solo play without latex: an organic oil-based option
- Trying to conceive: a fertility-friendly, iso-osmolar lube
This article is for general information and isn’t medical advice. If you have ongoing irritation, pain or infections, please see your healthcare provider.
Sources
- Barrett et al., Environmental exposure to DEHP is associated with low interest in sexual activity in premenopausal women, Hormones and Behavior (2014)
- Golden et al., A review of the endocrine activity of parabens and implications for potential risks to human health (2005)
- British Columbia Medical Journal: Sexual lubricants, practice tips
- Women’s Voices for the Earth: Osmolality and pH of commercial lubricants (includes WHO 2012 and Dezzutti 2012 data)