Silicone based lubes in the USA

What is a silicone based lube?

It is a lubricant made with silicone oils instead of water. Your skin does not absorb it and it does not evaporate, so it stays in place for much longer. The texture is silky and very slippery: a few drops are enough, and even in a long session you usually do not need to reapply. It does not wash away with water either, which is why it is the one people choose for the shower or the bath. The trade-off is that it is harder to remove, because water alone will not shift it and you need soap.

Types of silicone based lubes

They all share a silicone base, but they differ in the use they are designed for, what is added to them and the format.

• General use: simple formulas for vaginal penetration, solo or with a partner, such as Pjur Basic or Eros Classic.
• Anal: designed for anal sex, such as Pjur Backdoor, ID Back Slide or Eros Exit with jojoba and panthenol. If you want more options, there are also anal lubricants with other bases.
• With added ingredients: some contain aloe vera, vitamin E, jojoba or panthenol as well as the silicone.
• Water resistant: those the product page expressly states are for use underwater, in the shower or the bath, such as ID Millenium.
• Cream: thicker, for anyone who prefers a texture that does not run.
• Single-dose and small sizes: sachets of a few millilitres to carry with you or to try before buying the big bottle; you will find more in single-dose lubes.

When to choose silicone and when not to

Choose silicone for anal sex, where maximum duration matters, for sex in water (shower or bath), for long sessions and for glass, metal or ABS plastic toys. Do not choose it if you are going to use silicone toys, because it degrades them, or if you want something that cleans up easily: it needs soap and does not come off with water alone. For those cases there are water-based lubricants, and in lubricants you will find every base.

Among the brands often cited as a reference, we stock Pjur Original, which many consider the standard; Swiss Navy, System JO Premium and Überlube are not sold on this page. More than half of the lubricants are from Eros and Pjur. From Pjur you have, besides the Original, the Basic, the Light, the Woman, the Med Premium, the Infinity and the Back Door; from Eros, the Bodyglide, Silk, Power Line and Fetish Line ranges. The rest is mostly split between ID, HOT, Mixgliss, Intimateline and Stimul8, with the odd model from Shunga, Skyn, Control or Joydivision.

What the studies say

In a five-week diary study of 2,453 women, both water-based and silicone lubricants were associated with more pleasure and sexual satisfaction, and water-based ones were associated with fewer genital symptoms than silicone ones; this is an association, not proof of cause and effect (Herbenick et al., 2011, J Sex Med).

Using lubricant is common: in a representative sample of adults in the United States, 65.5% of women had used it at some point and 20% in the last 30 days (Herbenick et al., 2014, J Sex Med).

Care and cleaning

To remove it from your skin, wash with warm water and soap; with water alone a slippery film stays behind. Take care in the shower or the bath, because the floor also becomes slippery: rinse it with a little soap when you finish. For bedding, see below for how to remove stains. Keep the bottle tightly closed and respect the expiry date on the product page.

How to choose

• Toys: if the toy is silicone, this lubricant is not suitable; with glass, metal or ABS there is no problem. The toy's material is on its product page.
• Use: if it is for anal sex, look for one the product page lists as anal.
• Water: for the shower or the bath, check that the product page says it holds up underwater.
• Ingredients: the product page says whether it contains aloe vera, vitamin E, jojoba or panthenol; if you have sensitive skin, check the full list.
• Condoms: check on the product page whether it is compatible with latex condoms.
• Size: the product page gives the millilitres; to try one, a single-dose sachet or a small 30 or 50 ml bottle.

Frequently asked questions

Why not use silicone lube with silicone toys?

Because the liquid silicone in the lubricant reacts with the solid silicone of the toy and degrades its surface, which becomes sticky and porous. With silicone toys, always use a water-based one. With glass, metal, ABS or wooden toys, silicone is perfectly safe.

Does silicone lube stain sheets?

It can leave greasy marks on fabrics, which come out in the wash with a degreasing soap, such as dish soap. If it worries you, put a waterproof sheet or a towel underneath. The advantage is that you need much less than with a water-based one: 2-3 drops are enough, so there is less liquid to stain.

Which is better, silicone or water-based lube?

It depends on the use. Silicone lasts longer and holds up in water, so it suits anal sex, long sessions and the shower; water-based is the one you need with silicone toys and it cleans up more easily.

Is silicone lube suitable for anal sex?

Yes. As it does not dry out, you do not have to keep reapplying it, and in anal sex that is welcome. There are formulas designed just for this, such as Pjur Backdoor or ID Back Slide.

Can you use it in the shower or the bath?

Yes. It does not dilute in water like a water-based one, so it keeps lubricating. Take care when getting out, because it leaves the floor slippery.

How much silicone lube should you use?

Very little. Start with a few drops and add only if needed; it goes much further than a water-based one.

Can you use it for massage?

Yes, especially on small areas, because it glides a lot and is not absorbed. For a full-body massage, massage oils are usually more comfortable.

Can it cause irritation?

For some people, yes: in the study above, water-based ones were associated with fewer genital symptoms than silicone ones. If you notice itching or stinging, stop using it and try a water-based one.

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