When it comes to intimacy, pleasure and body care, personal lubricant is an underrated essential. Whether you're enjoying solo time, exploring with a partner or when using internal products, lubricant can make all the difference to your comfort and experience.
In this blog, we explore the benefits of using personal lubricant, when it can be used and why it's an effective way to take care of your body.
What Is Personal Lubricant?
Personal lubricant (often just called "lube") is a product designed to reduce friction and enhance comfort during a range of intimate and health-related activities. It comes in various forms including water-based, silicone-based, oil-based, hybrid and flavoured varieties.
The Benefits of Using Lubricant
1. Enhances Comfort and Reduces Friction
Dryness can happen to anyone for a variety of reasons - as a result of hormonal shifts, as a side-effect of medication, because of stress or from not being aroused enough. Lube adds moisture and glide to ease discomfort and assists in preventing chafing and microtears.
2. Increases Pleasure
Lubricant doesn’t just prevent discomfort; it can also heighten sensitivity and make sex or self-pleasure more pleasurable. For many, lube is the key to feeling more relaxed, responsive and connected.
3. Supports the Use of Internal Period Care and Pelvic Products
Inserting tampons, menstrual cups, menstrual discs, kegel trainers or dilators can sometimes feel awkward or uncomfortable - especially for people who are new to them or experiencing vaginal dryness. A small amount of water-based lubricant can ease insertion and help prevent irritation.
4. Improves Experience with Sex Toys
Whether using internal or external toys, lubricant can improve glide and reduce chafing. It also enhances sensation and helps protect delicate skin from microtears.
5. Encourages Body Awareness and Consent
Reaching for lube helps you tune into your body’s needs - it’s a reminder that pleasure and comfort are both important. Using lube normalises talking about comfort, consent and what feels good.
When Should You Use Lubricant?
You can use personal lubricant whenever you want to reduce friction or improve comfort including:
- During sexual intercourse – to ease penetration
- During masturbation - to improve sensation
- With condoms – to reduce the risk of breakage (make sure your lube is condom-compatible)
- With internal period care products - to ease the insertion of tampons, menstrual cups, menstrual discs or menstrual sponges
- When using pelvic floor devices – when inserting pelvic floor/kegel trainers, dilators or prolapse sponges especially if you experience dryness or tightness
- With sex toys – for a smoother glide
- For anal play – lubricant is essential as the anus does not self-lubricate
- During menopause or while breastfeeding – when hormone levels may cause vaginal dryness
- Post-surgery or post-childbirth – when tissues may be more sensitive or healing
Choosing the Right Lubricant
Not all lubricants are the same. Your choice may depend on your body and the activity - some people prefer organic or natural formulas, while others want long-lasting options. If you are wondering where to start, read our comprehensive guide to choosing the right personal lubricant.
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