Good sex is good for many reasons. The mixture of sensations building up to that final climax of pleasure can be a truly memorable experience. One of the easiest ways to improve your sex life is to bring lube into the mix. While you might feel like using lube is only for the older generations, you couldn’t be more wrong.

The truth is, lube is a natural part of sex. Not only does it help ensure comfort for both parties, it can also increase pleasure hugely, depending on the variety of lube used. It’s not embarrassing to use lube and it doesn’t make sex any less sexy. In fact, 9 out of 10 women say that lube makes it even better. It’s very rare that the body is optimally lubricated completely of its own accord, so help it along the way with a specially formulated lubricant.

However, there are some things you should definitely never use as lube for sex!

Coconut oil as lube

Coconut oil is a popular product. With seemingly unending uses, it’s become a staple in the cupboards of many across the country. Coconut oil lube, however, is not ideal.

Why? Well, coconut oil contains antiviral and antibacterial properties that could disrupt the vaginal PH balance leading to infections (like yeast infections). Although coconut oil is an excellent moisturiser for your skin and hair, this is not necessarily the case for your ‘downstairs’.

Crucially, coconut oil is not compatible with latex condoms, which is the case with all oil-based products and can cause the latex to break down. This limits the types of condom you can use it with. It can also stain your clothing and sheets.

Petroleum jelly as lube

When asking the question, “what can I use as lube?”, we’re guessing that a lot of people will think of petroleum jelly. You may be surprised to learn, however, that using this as lube is going to cause more harm than good.

Like coconut oil, petroleum jelly creates a barrier on the skin that locks in moisture. Because it isn’t absorbed into the body, it remains on the skin, creating a messy experience that is hard to clean off. It’s also linked to bacterial vaginosis in women.

Again, being an oil-based product, petroleum jelly is unsuitable for use with latex condoms. Using an oil-based lube and latex condoms will cause the condom to degrade, leaving it more vulnerable to tears and rips. Therefore, this puts you at an increased risk of contracting sexual transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancy.

Spit as lube

Sounds horrible doesn’t it? But more people than you might think use saliva as a homemade lube. Some people might think that spit can enhance sex, but the truth is that saliva actually provides very little lubrication. Sex with saliva as lube could be eventually become painful, as there will be inadequate lubrication or it will dry up faster than compared to your body’s own lubrication or using a professionally manufactured lube.

Food or liquid as lube

Food can be great to bring into the bedroom. However, inserting any type of food into the lower areas of your body runs the risk of causing an infection and it’s likely that food substances won’t be absorbed by the body, meaning they’ll need to be washed off. If you insert food into the vagina, you need to douche afterwards, however douching has also been linked to bacterial vaginosis.

So, even though it can be fun to experiment with food, stick to eating strawberries off each other’s bodies rather than reaching for the tub of butter and wondering “what if?”.

What can i use as lube?

For the best lube, always stick to a specially designed sex lubricant like those from the Durex range. Not just because of the amazing varieties of lube on offer, but because you know that the creation of the product meets our high standards.

Whether it’s tingling lubes you’re after or a water-based lubricant, with Durex, you can be confident of a lube that’ll help make your sexual experiences even better.

If you’re thinking natural is the way forward, then try out the Durex Naturals Intimate Gel instead. With 100% natural ingredients and designed to make your sexual moments smooth and thrilling, it’s perfect for those who are concerned about what they’re putting on and in their body.

Why should i use lube?

There are many reasons why we think everyone should use lube:

  • It can help make foreplay more exciting and intense.
  • It can make the transition from foreplay to sexual intercourse more seamless.
  • Lubricant can make sex more comfortable, especially for those who suffer from vaginal dryness. Women can sometime feel more dry at different points in their cycle – it’s nothing to be worried about, it’s completely natural.
  • Lube can also be used with sex toys to make masturbation or foreplay more pleasurable.

Just because you might be feeling a little bit dry down there, doesn’t mean you’re not turned on. All people are different and Durex is bound to have a product that suits your needs - check the front of the box and choose how wet you like it! We think sex feels better with lube, but remember, do your research, explore your options and use a lube that is right for you.