Sex Lubricant -- How Do I Use It with Sex Toys?

by Trisha Hurlburt

Have you ever grabbed your favorite toy, settled in for an erotic good time and thought, "Is it okay to use my lube with this?" Or maybe you're purchasing your first adult toy and aren't sure why or how to lubricate it. At MyPleasure, we think about this stuff all the time -- because part of our job is to continually provide as much information as possible.

Always Use Lube
The first thing to keep in mind is that every sex toy and sensual aid could use a little lubrication. Whether you're rubbing against it, putting it into you, or putting you into it, you should be using a lubricant.

Lubricants make sex toys not only feel better, but also more safe to use. Think about what happens when you're having sex: the body creates natural lubrication so you and your partner don't hurt each other with too much friction. The same logic applies to using toys, either with a partner or during solo play. Really, there's no such thing as too much lubrication. Even if you lubricate naturally, a dab of extra lubricant on your toy is a highly recommended addition. It's better to be safe and slippery than sorry and sore!

Pick the Right Lube
Lubricants come in three basic formulations: water-based lube, which is the most common and most versatile, silicone-based lube, which is similar to water-based lube but waterproof, and petroleum-based lube, which is great for anal play. If you want to know more about each type of lubricant, please see MyPleasure's article on types of lubricant.

Water-Based Lubricants
Water-based lubes, such as our own exclusive Sensual Essence, may be used on virtually any vibrator, masturbation sleeve, erection ring or dildo.

The greatest advantage of water-based lube is the easy cleanup: You simply rinse off the toy with warm water, and voila! The lube is gone! However, this "no muss, no fuss" quotient also has a down side -- if you like to use waterproof toys (during a bath, in a hot tub, what have you), a water-based lubricant will rinse right off -- which really defeats the whole purpose of using lube!

You definitely want to use a water-based lube with anything made of silicone. A silicone lube used on a silicone toy will destroy the toy. Silicone is essentially made up of tiny glass beads; when these beads rub together, they will merely scratch one another other, wreaking havoc on the silicone toy. So stick with a water-based lube for your premium silicone toys, and use silicone lube for the purpose for which it was intended!

Silicone-Based Lubricants
Silicone lubes are the perfect choice for sensual fun in the water. If you love your waterproof toys (or just love having sex in the water), you and a silicone lubricant, such as Sensual Essence Silicone, will be lifetime companions! Of course, a silicone-based lube is not as readily available at your corner drugstore as a water-based lube, but fortunately, you can get plenty here at MyPleasure.

Another "pro" for silicone lubricant is that it lasts longer and can be easily revived after a lengthy encounter with your favorite vibrating friend, just by adding a little water or saliva to it. Silicone lubes never really get absorbed or evaporate the way a water-based lube may. On the other hand, this also means that getting your toys (and yourself) clean will take a little more effort, but it certainly doesn't need to be sandblasted off. A good soapy wash should do the trick.

Petroleum-Based Lubricants
Petroleum-based lube should really only be used with non-latex anal toys or for male masturbation. These lubes are great for anal play because they're generally thicker than other types of lubricant, making entry easier.

Do not use a petroleum-based lube with anything made of latex -– toys, condoms, or other products -– as the petroleum will destroy the latex on contact. Petroleum also tends to irritate a woman's vagina, so we don't recommended this type of lubricant for intercourse or for use with any sort of vibrator or dildo intended for vaginal penetration.

Using Lube
Now that you've taken a closer look at lube, you're probably wondering about the best way to apply it. Again, this is really personal preference, but here are our tips for the easiest and least-messy way.

• Simply pour a small amount -- about the size of a dime -- onto your fingers and then spread it on your toy and yourself.
• Rub your fingers over the head and down the shaft if it's a vibrator or dildo. Be sure to lube any other clitoral or anal stimulators on your toy, as well.
• Rub the lubricant onto your sex toy so that it's slick, but not dripping. Be careful -- you don't want to rub so much that the lubricant is absorbed in your hand, leaving the toy high and dry!
• If you are male and using a masturbation sleeve, you'll want to apply lube to your fingers and then slide them around the entrance and down the inside of the sleeve. Since most sleeves have a small hole in the other end, you probably don't want to just pour the lube into it -- you can always add more if you need to.
• If you or your toy become dry during use, simply add more lube.

How Much is Enough?
You also don't want to "over apply" or "over rub" the lubricant, particularly on a toy. The amount of lube you use is a personal preference. The general rule of thumb is that if it doesn't slide in comfortably, you probably need more lubricant! Some people like their toys as lubricated as possible, while others enjoy only enough lubrication to reduce friction to a point of comfort. We recommend that if you're experimenting with a toy or lubricant for the first time, try starting with an amount about the size of a dime and keep adding lube until you're happy. You'll figure out how much you like soon enough!

On the Body
Much like massage oils, if you're lubing yourself or a lover's body part, do not pour the lube directly from the bottle onto bare skin! Pour the lubricant into the palm of your hand and warm it to body temperature before applying it to warm skin. This rule also applies using lubricant on your toys. After all, you wouldn't want to get a chill because you applied a cold lubricant to your favorite dildo!

Sharing Toys
If you're sharing a toy with your partner, such as a vibrating erection ring, just lube everything! Well, actually, be sure to lubricate the penis it will be on, any stimulating pieces on the ring (bullet, animal-shaped head, what have you) and the person receiving the action. Of course, you don't need to lubricate the entire person, just the receiving sexual organ!

Now Go Out There and Lube Up!
Lubes are manufactured in many, many different consistencies, colors, even flavors -- it's best to experiment and find the right one for you. Think about what you want most in a lubricant, if you have any sensitivities (flavored lube can sometimes cause yeast infections), and what you'll mainly be using it for -- solo sex, toy fun, a combination of sex toys and your partner, water shenanigans? If you're intrigued by something, try a sample (if possible) or buy the smallest bottle that's offered, so you can discover your favorite without spending a ton of money.

Now grab your erotic assistant of choice and be secure in the knowledge that you're using the perfect lubricant for you and your toy!