collaborative post // So, the time is right, the mood, the lighting, everything is right to get intimate. There’s only one thing left to do, apply your personal lubricant and get things started. Only… you’re out of your brand.
Whether you are using personal lubricant with a partner, with a sex toy or with a vaginal dilator, running low on your personal lubricant can happen to anyone. In this case, what are your options? You can run to the store, but that might take too long. You could order some online, but that would take even longer. Out of desperation, you might find yourself in your kitchen looking at various oils and gels and think “maybe this will work?” And… you might be right.
Many household items can be safely used as a personal lubricant. However, and this is key, not all natural oils and or mineral lubricants are created equally. We’ll discuss below which common items can be used as a lubricant and which cannot.
Coconut Oil: SOMETIMES
Coconut Oil is well regarded as a safe and natural moisturizer. Plus, it’s naturally slippery and smells good. You’d think this would make coconut oil an ideal substitute for a water-based lubricant.
However, this all depends on how you’d be using the oil. Coconut and mineral oils can degrade the integrity of latex condoms, making the condoms less effective. Coconut oil should be used when the partners consent to sex with no condom. Coconut Oil is also safe for use with sex toys and vaginal dilators.
Olive Oil: NO
Olive Oil is not recommended for use as a lubricant. Like coconut oil, it can degrade the latex of condoms. And unlike coconut oil, it can stain your sheets. Olive oil can also clog the pores of skin which can lead to irritation near the vagina or anus.
Baby Oil: NO
It might be tempting but you should avoid baby oil as a lubricant. It can degrade the latex in condoms and the plastics in sex toys. It too can stain your sheets. Baby Oil is made from mineral oil. It creates a waterproof barrier on the skin, rather than being absorbed, so it doesn’t get absorbed by vaginal tissue. Definitely best to avoid.
Petroleum Jelly : NO
Like Baby Oil, petroleum jelly contains mineral oil so the same issues apply.
Aloe Vera : YES
Aloe Vera is safe to use with condoms and like coconut oil is a great moisturizer. However, it is important to make sure you are using pure Aloe Vera. Many Aloe Vera gels designed for sun burns contain alcohols and other chemicals that could damage latex.
Overall, it’s best to keep a spare container of personal lubricant on hand. A high quality, water-based lubricant will be the most versatile as silicone lubricants can damage the materials of certain sex toys and vaginal dilators. But if you’re in a pinch, high quality coconut oil or aloe vera can be used.
Author bio: Jane Silverstein is the owner of Soul Source Therapeutic Devices located in Los Angeles. She is committed to women’s health issues and to helping women worldwide regain and/ or maintain their sexual health. She is passionate about helping others and has always been involved in a multitude of charitable causes.
