#LubeLove: Why Choosing Your Lube Wisely Matters

Posted by ONE Condoms on May 27, 2021

When it comes to personal lubricants (lubes!), do you look at the ingredients? Whether you're looking for a lube to use during sex or to alleviate vaginal dryness—ingredients matter.

There used to be—and still are—lube products on the market that aren’t as body friendly as others. So choosing your lube wisely is really important.

Personal lubricants are classified as medical devices by the FDA, just like condoms. But for years many lube products were sold without the proper testing and clearance, and the FDA is took notice. What does this mean to you? It means that today you can have confidence that FDA-cleared lubricants are held to high quality and safety standards.

Note: Be cautious of lubricants marketed as personal massage oils. These are often not cleared by the FDA, and frequently made with oil-based ingredients. Oils cannot be used with latex condoms, as oil causes latex molecules to break.

At ONE, we have always been committed to creating lubes that have quality ingredients, are body friendly, and formulated to provide specific results. From the launch of our first lubricant product, we’ve made sure that our formulas are cleared for sale by the FDA.

We're in love with ONE Oasis Silk, a premium hybrid lubricant and vaginal moisturizer that was developed with doctors and sexual health experts.

So, what does it mean to be a “hybrid lubricant”?

Hybrid means that it has qualities of both water-based and silicone-based lubes. The silicone allows the lubricant to last longer. Water helps good ingredients absorb into your skin, and water-based lubes are easier to clean. As one reviewer wrote, Oasis Silk “dries like the body’s own natural lubricant. No need for clean up either.” Another person wrote that “it’s slippery, lasts a long time and doesn’t leave a sticky feeling behind.”

What about the other ingredients?

The ingredients for ONE Oasis Silk were carefully chosen in partnership with doctors and sexual health experts. It contains no gluten, DEA, PEG, hormones, parabens, glycerin, oil, artificial dyes or fragrances. The result is a product that not only feels great—but is body friendly, too. If you have any questions about the specific ingredients, contact us. We’d love to talk more!

Can I use ONE Oasis Silk with condoms?

Yes! ONE Oasis Silk has been tested and proven safe to use with natural rubber latex and polyisoprene condoms. At this time, ONE Oasis Silk is not yet recommended for use with polyurethane condoms.

Can I use ONE Oasis Silk with sex toys?

You may have heard about the dangers of using lubricants containing silicone with silicone-based toys. What you may not know is that silicone is available in different grades and that can make a difference. Cheaper, industrial versions of silicone have the potential to degrade other forms of silicone. On the other hand, higher-quality, medical-grade silicone is safe to use with all types of sex toys. ONE products use the highest grade silicone to ensure maximum performance and safety. Our partners at A Woman's Touch Sexuality Resource Center tested ONE Oasis Silk on several silicone sex toys, including soft silicone cock rings, firm silicone dildos, and VixSkin dual density silicone toys. In that testing, there were no negative effects.

pH-balanced…what does that mean?

Healthy pH levels keep a vagina balanced, which leaves them at less risk for susceptibility to infections like bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections.

Also, a lubricant that is significantly lower than the normal vaginal pH may cause a burning sensation upon application to the skin, particularly if there are any tears in the skin.

A pH balanced lubricant will not cause a vagina's balance to shift and thus will promote the health of the vaginal environment more effectively than a lubricant that falls outside of the normal vaginal pH.

Osmo…what? What is osmolality and why does it matter?

Osmolality is a parameter that describes the concentration of molecular ingredients in a product. A recent study examined correlations between the osmolality of personal lubricants and the potential for irritation and tissue damage among users. Though the FDA requires osmolality testing, it does not have specific guidelines regarding acceptable levels. Nevertheless, lower osmolality levels may minimize the risk of irritation and tissue damage, which could have ramifications for STI transmission. Read more. ONE Oasis Silk has an osmolality that is much lower than many other products on the market.

What causes vaginal dryness?

In the vagina, there is a thin layer along the walls that provides moisture, which creates an environment for sperm to travel. Vaginal secretions also reduce friction during intercourse. Vaginal dryness is a common challenge, and can be caused by factors like breastfeeding, smoking, depression/anxiety, stress, immune system disorders, and certain medications.

How to improve vaginal dryness during intercourse?

Lubricant that work for your body, and that is made with high-quality ingredients, is a wonderful way to add comfort and pleasure to sex. ONE Oasis Silk leaves a sexy, silky, smooth feeling—without being sticky. Oasis Silk can be used during sex, or anytime to alleviate vaginal dryness. Think of Oasis Silk as a friend to your natural lubrication. The gentle lubricating formula is the long-lasting vaginal moisturizer you've dreamed of! It's particularly been a favorite for our customers going through menopause. Some of our staff even use Oasis Silk as a daily hand moisturizer! We hear people use it as hair gel, but we can’t promise results on that.

Is it safe to use coconut oil as lube?

Since we're talking about personal lubricants, we're bringing up coconut oil. Many people do use coconut oil as lubricant for a more natural feel. But it's important to note that coconut oil cannot be used with latex condoms, as oil causes latex to break. Try Oasis Silk lubricant instead! Our formula is condom compatible, gentle, and super body friendly.

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