What is the difference in what your personal lubricant’s base is made from?
A very good question - and one that sent us quite a ways down the rabbit hole before we realized it was high time to start formulating our own lube.
Why, for example, doesn’t everyone just grab coconut oil off of the kitchen shelf and have a go of it? We got down to business studying up on the world of lube and are happy to report that now you don’t have to. Here’s the skinny:
Coconut oil- It has its benefits, it’s inexpensive, very widely available and even smells pretty good. But it has its negatives too. It stains sheets and clothes. Staining your favorite party dress or underwear isn’t a tradeoff that you should have to make. Second, is not condom compatible. The oil breaks down condoms that you might be using to avoid unwanted pregnancy or STI’s. And worst- it can be a tasty food for bacteria breeding and making a home in your vagina. The bacteria that live in your body will grow when given extra food and Bacterial Vaginosis is the result of a growing bacterial population.
Silicone based- although silicone based lubricants are compatible with condoms, they too share the sheet stain problem. They can also be difficult to wash off after use. But silicone’s biggest problem is the questionable ingredient list. Ingredients commonly found in silicone based lubricants are cyclomethicone, cyclopentasiloxane and cyclotetrasiloxane. These ingredients have been linked to real reproductive harm in animals, including uterine cancer, although no long term studies have been done on human women.
Petroleum Based- People have been known to try petroleum jelly and other synthetic style oils. These stay on your skin and don’t allow for the skin to breathe which can quickly become harmful by suffocating skin and potentially causing bacterial infection. Petroleum jellies are also not compatible with condoms.
Water based. Aaaah! The answer is yes. Water based personal lubricants provide comfort and ease for your body without the negatives mentioned above. Water based lubricants are compatible with protection and toys, they don’t stain, and they don’t feed bacteria. Best of all, water based lubricants are absorbed into your skin, so they are moisturizing as well as slippery.
When we had this aha moment at Lark Love, we realized that what was being absorbed into your very absorbent tissue was probably pretty important? And upon further inspection, we found that just because a lube is water based doesn’t mean that it is full of flowers and rubies. So we hurried up and fixed that. And now your lube is full of beautiful hydrating rejuvenating curative restorative plants. Jasmine. Calendula. Even maitake mushrooms. We thought, if you’re going to absorb with your vagina, you should probably absorb the best ingredients that the universe has to offer. Voila! Let us know how you’re liking it! We love mail. xo
hithere@larklove.com
