21 Oct Natural And Organic Lubricant Explained
The skin in the vagina and lining the anus is sensitive to chemicals and fragrances and using natural lubricant can protect your skin from potentially unsafe or harsh ingredients. Let’s take a closer look at what types of ingredients and products you should avoid if you are shopping for an organic lubricant.
What Is A Natural Lubricant?
We are what we eat, as the adage goes, and so many of us are conscious about what we put in our mouths, but what about the products you put on your pink bits? Our bodies and skin absorb what they come into contact with, and using a natural lubricant is a gentle and safe way to ensure greater intimacy.
Natural lubricants do not contain harsh chemicals and toxins. If you are already using organic food, skin and hair care products, you would probably want to avoid any ingredients you can’t pronounce and those containing numbers, codes and scientific formulae!
If you are looking for a natural lubricant, any products containing parabens, petroleum, sugar-based ingredients and glycerin should be avoided.
Products that contain pages and pages of ingredients should also be avoided. An ingredient list that is relatively short and familiar is generally a good sign. You should also know that in South Africa it is not mandatory for manufacturers to list every single ingredient on their product labels, so if you have any doubts, you’d probably want to err on the side of caution.
Natural Vs Organic Lubricant: What’s The Difference?
Ingredients that are organic are usually free of substances like hormones, chemicals and synthetic fertilisers. Just because an ingredient is natural does not mean it is organic. If you use coconut oil as an example, a coconut is natural but it is possible that the coconut was grown using pesticides and herbicides.
In order to establish if the ingredient is organic, you need to consider the source of the ingredients, how they were grown and how they were processed. Your coconut oil would need to be unrefined or virgin for it to be considered organic.
How To Test Natural And Organic Lubricant
Natural and organic lubes are generally safer to use but it doesn’t give you a guarantee that you won’t have a negative reaction. Check the ingredient list to ensure the product doesn’t contain anything that you or your partner are allergic to.
If you have sensitive skin or are using a new product for the first time, do a sensitivity test beforehand:
- Wash a small patch of skin on your inner arm with fragrance-free soap and dry it thoroughly.
- Place a small amount of the lubricant onto your skin and cover it with a bandage.
- Leave the bandage in place for 24-hours
If you notice any reaction like redness, sensitivity, swelling, itching, burning or blistering, don’t use the product. If you experience a reaction before the end of the 24-hour window, remove the product immediately.
If you have experienced sensitivity to commercially produced lubricants, a natural lubricant will be gentler on your body and less likely to cause a reaction.
Visit our Sensual Products page for a selection or organic and natural lubricants designed to enhance your sexual pleasure.