Lube Guide

Pros

• Water based lubes are simple to use because they are compatible with condoms, diaphragms and sponges, not to mention all types of toys which makes them a worry free lube.
• Plus, because they are water based they wash off with just a little warm water which makes cleanup simple and easy!
• Most water based lube also has the benefit of being free from scent, taste and colour and does not stain sheets as it can be easily washed out in the laundry.
• Water based lubes are generally inexpensive compared to many other manufactured more high tech lubricant formulas.

Cons

• The main problem we find with water based lubes is that they can be short-lived and often dry up too quickly especially for lengthy play sessions and sessions that involve big toys. This is because they absorb into the skin where silicone and oil based lubricants don't absorb so easily. For this reason, most of us at Eagle Leather generally prefer Silicone based lubricants.
• We also find the consistency of water based lube to become sticky as it begins to dry out. When it begins to dry out, it is best to either re-apply your lubricant or sprinkle the area with water to reactivate the lube. To counteract this, some manufacturers have recently added natural skin moisturisers to make their water based lube less sticky.
• The other issue with water based lubricant is that many contain Glycerin, which can cause infection especially in women so clean up after sessions or sex is always a good idea.
• Finally, water based lubes are no good for water based sessions because - you guessed it - they're water based so they'll just dissipate if used in the shower / pool / spa / bath or for any other type of wet sessions! :)

Pros

• These are hands down our favourite lube type on the market - they last a really long time and they never get sticky!
• Silicone lube is really smooth and slippery, and it is great for long sessions because it just keep going and going. A little goes a long way so although it's more expensive than water based lube, it will save you money in the long term.
• Silicone lubes are also compatible with latex based condoms, dams and gloves.
• Silicone is hypoallergenic, so it's perfect for lube users who suffer from sensitive skin or allergies.
• Silicone lube is also the perfect choice for wet sessions because it is waterproof. Go for your life in the shower, bath, pool or spa! Especially in gel form, Silicone lube keeps the friction at bay for slippery, wet fun.
• Due to its thicker consistency and long-lasting qualities, Silicone lube can be a great choice for anal play. Some lubes such as Pjur Backdoor Glide are built for anal play with jojoba extracts added to nourish the skin and relax the anus to enhance play.

Cons

• Silicone comes from sand, so it's important to bear in mind that some cheaper low quality silicone lubes you might buy from other adult shops can be grainy and irritative - but we don't stock any brands like this so you needn't worry as long as you're shopping with us.
• These lubes are not recommended for use with silicone toys (e.g. Oxballs, Sport Fucker, Bulder, SquarePeg or Keep Burning in our range) but are safe with all other types of toys. Silicone lubricants can cause silicone toys to dissolve and become porous, breaking them down over time and allowing growth of bacteria. Please note, if you do decide to use silicone lube with silicone toys, some types of silicone lubes will react worse with your silicone toys. You just can't pick it. To minimise risk, test the lube on an unused portion of the base of the dildo and leave it for a few days to see how it reacts.
• Some women can find silicone lube irritating, so as with all lubes, it is best to test on a small area first.
• Silicone Lube is more expensive than water based lube but that is due to the higher quality of this type of lubricant. You will find that this lubricant goes a lot further and lasts a lot longer than water based lube.
• The only other problem we know of with silicone lube is that it can be harder to wash off bedding and clothing and may cause a wet-like stained appearance on your sheets - so be careful! Clean up is easy enough with soap and water. It's important to clean up spills as quickly as possible as silicone lube can become a slip hazard.

Hybrid Lubricants offer the best of both worlds, with the benefits of water based lubricants combining with the longevity of silicone lube which helps protect body tissue during those long and rough sessions.

Many people tend to prefer oil based lubes especially for anal play, because they offer a long lasting slippery experience by retaining a base layer of lubricant on the skin that is not absorbed by the body, enhancing the quality of the sex. Oil based lubes are perfect for anal because they offer a thicker consistency which makes them a popular choice for fans of fisting. Examples of oil based lubes include coconut oil, almond oil, olive oil, cooking oil, baby oil and petroleum jelly. While Oil Based Lubes are not suitable for use with latex condoms, they can be used with latex free alternatives such as polyurethane condoms and nitrile gloves as required.

Pros

• Long lasting and not sticky
• Can be moisturising and soothing to the skin
• Oil based lubes are often inexpensive compared to silicone based lubricants
• Oil based lubes feel natural on the skin, especially when used in conjunction with water based lubricants
• Natural oils usually don't contain preservatives or additives which make them less likely to irritate the skin
• Oil based lube is great for wet sessions because it is waterproof.

Cons

• Oil-based lubricants are not safe for use with latex condoms or diaphragms. The oil in this type of lube can react with the latex to make it porous, or even cause it to rip or tear, which increases the risk of pregnancy or contracting STIs.
• Oils can be hard to clean up off toys.
• This type of lube is not considered safe to be used with rubber toys, as the oil can break down the rubber over time.
• Oil based lubes are hard to remove from the skin, which can cause clogged pores and infection, especially inside the vagina. The soap required to clean oil based lubricants off the skin can also be irritating to vaginal tissue.
• Oil based lubes tend to stain clothing and linen
• Oil based lubes can increase the risk of a yeast infection