With the growing popularity of natural products in the sphere of health and food, it is only self-evident that natural lube options are more favored than the other synthetic options available out there.
What do you mean by a Natural Lube?
If you wouldn’t eat something which has hard toxins in it, then why would you insert or apply something that is made of unnatural or harsh chemicals. Going for natural lube means using safe substances for the most sensitive parts of your body – which includes the vagina and/or your anal lining.
So, if you are planning a big night and don’t want it to be a turn-off, then it is safe to carry some sort of a natural lube with you. To expand on this, say what if you don’t get turned on? Or to put it rather more precisely, what if you find out that you’ll be requiring more than just foreplay before sex? For times like these, here is a list of the best natural lube alternatives to give your sex life the boost that it’s been falling short on.
Homemade & Natural Lube Alternatives
The best natural lube alternatives include coconut oil, aloe vera, saliva, ghee, avocado oil, egg whites, almond oil, olive oil and more. [1]
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil helps in preventing dryness and also lasts longer than other lubricants. Due to its antifungal properties, it also lowers the risk of yeast infections. Although certain caution is advised while using coconut oil as it can cause the latex in your condom to break and thereby open the door to STIs, STDs, and unwanted pregnancies.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is gentle and so it does not cause any irritation when applied to the sensitive parts of your body. It will be good to only use aloe vera gel that is 100% pure in order to avoid side effects. You can also use aloe vera directly extracted from a house plant. It is also safe to use with condoms as it does not weaken the latex.
Plain or Greek Yogurt
As strange as this may sound, Greek yogurt makes for a really good substitute for lube. Thanks to its protein content and high pH value, yogurt also helps in treating yeast infections. You can also use plain yogurt for the same.
Saliva
An age-old classic, saliva works amazingly as a lube. Just spit a little on your fingers, apply down there, and see how it does the wonders! [2]
Ghee
A form of clarified butter, most often used in Asian cooking – ghee has many healing properties and is especially popular for its moisturizing and soothing effects on the skin. This is what makes ghee a good option for lube as it can be applied to the sensitive areas of your body without much of a worry. Those who have already used it also say that it is good for oral sex as it tastes nice. Does it?
Do you use any of these? Photo Credit: Shutterstock
The only risk you need to cover with ghee is that it might cause your condom to break – so, maybe not a good choice for a long-lasting effect. Make sure you wash it off unless you want it to smell later.
Egg Whites
It is believed that egg whites can be used as a lubricant while having sex, in fact, some people also believe that they help in conception. It is advised to only use pasteurized eggs as a lube to avoid salmonella infections.
Nagaimo or Chinese Yam
This is a type of yam, mostly used in China, Japan, and Vietnam. Because of its sticky and slimy texture – features important for its use as a good and effective lube – nagaimo makes it to this list. It reduces friction and irritation, however, it is suggested to use it with something else like coconut oil so that it lasts longer. Also, in that case, it is suggested to not use it with a condom.
Natural Oils
Natural oils like olive oil, almond oil, avocado oil, and margarine can all be used as a natural lube alternative. Certain caution is advised while using them as they may interfere with condoms just the same as coconut oil. [3]
To Avoid
While you’re at it, there are also certain lubes popular for their effectiveness, but should be avoided for one reason or another. Let’s take a look at them below.
Petroleum Jelly
A popular would be Vaseline or any other petroleum jelly as a moisturizing lube, but little do we know that what feels soft on your skin, is actually very greasy and bad for your sheets, as well as your health. There are studies that reveal how it can lead to bacterial vaginosis. So maybe, you would want to avoid this one. [6]
Baby oil
Another no-no is the use of baby oil as lube, as most of them have petroleum or some other mineral oil as a base ingredient. If you use it in your vagina, it may increase your chances of bacterial vaginosis. Not just that, but it is also hard to wash off.
Vegetable Refined Oils
Do not grab just about any oil from your kitchen for lubrication, because refined or hydrogenated cooking oils like canola or any other vegetable oil are highly processed. They are usually heated, bleached, and have gone through various chemical treatments. They can also stain your sheets and leave their residue in your body, increasing the risk of infection.
So, this brings us to the end of this list. Hoping this works for you and you have a great time. Please note that even the best of natural products can have side effects, and if nothing else, then maybe just an allergic reaction. Make sure you see a doctor if you see any negative reactions on your skin and as a rule of thumb, immediately wash it off with warm water and soap. You can also try applying it to your arm first before you apply it anywhere else on your body to see if you are allergic to the thing you are using as a lube; as the saying goes, better safe than sorry.
