6 Things You Should Never Use As Lube

We’ve rounded up 6 things that might seem like a good alternative, but actually are NOT.

While highly convenient, spit is not the best or safest choice to use as a lubricant. Many STIs are spread through saliva. Saliva can also disturb the natural vaginal pH, increasing the risk of developing a vaginal infection. And besides, it does not have the properties of a good lube. Spit is not slippery enough and it dries quickly.

Vaseline is slippery, a good moisturizer, and stays long on the skin. And unfortunately, many people think it can be used as a lubricant. However, it can cause more harm than good. Vaseline is made from petroleum jelly, an oil-based substance which weakens condoms, leaving you unprotected from STIs and unwanted pregnancies. It can also damage your sex toys. Plus, its sticky nature makes it hard to wash off and it can cause a vaginal or anal infection. A study published in the Obstetrics and Gynecology journal found that women who use petroleum jelly as a lubricant are more likely to develop bacterial vaginosis. So, keep using Vaseline for your chapped lips, but keep it away from your sex routine.

Whether it’s olive oil, mineral oil, baby oil, or any other oil-based substance, oils can break down latex condoms and lead to a build-up of bacteria in the vagina. A study conducted among women in the US in the US linked the intravaginal use of oils with the possibility of developing a yeast infection. Plus, any oil-based lubricant is difficult to wash from your sheets and can damage your toys. While slippery and great for massages and foreplay, oils do not make a good lubricant.

Although lotions are great for moisturizing the skin, this may not be the case for your genitals. Many lotions contain perfumes and chemicals that can irritate your skin. And they are created for external use only. Don’t risk putting them on your most sensitive parts.

Liquid soaps, bar soap, shampoos, or hair conditioners are all slippery but you should avoid using them as lube. The surfactants in shampoos strip the skin of its natural oil, making it a bad choice for a lube. Also, all these products may contain perfumes and preservatives, which irritate sensitive skin. And putting them inside the vagina would constitute as douching, which breaks the vaginal pH balance and removes some of the normal bacteria in the vagina that protects you from infections and STIs.

We have nothing against bringing food in the bedroom - it can definitely spice things up ;) But before buttering up your croissant... Don’t. Due to its oily nature, butter is one of those foods that might seem like a good idea to use as lube. However, it’s a dairy product that contains casein proteins from milk, which means it can go rancid. And as a general rule, you don’t want anything that might easily go rancid near your private parts.

Also, while other food products like whipped cream, honey, and melted chocolate are used to indulge in many bedroom fantasies, they are not safe to put inside your body. The sugary nature of these products will disturb the vaginal pH and make it a ground for bacteria to grow. You can stick to licking whipped cream off each other’s body, but do not put it IN your body.

But it’s always best to be prepared for whenever the mood strikes, so you’re not left checking through your house and internet for something safe to use as an alternative. That would be a turn off. Instead, stock up on the Frenchie oh la la aloe vera lube. This au naturel aloe vera lube will make you say au revoir to friction and oui oui to mind-blowing pleasure.