As mentioned in the introduction lubricant or "lube" not only helps protect the anus from damage during anal penetration but can also help reduce the risk of infections and relieve pain that may be encountered during sex or for trying penetration for the first time.

As stipulated there are many different varieties of lube available on the market which are classified into three main categories. Water based, Silicone Based and Oil based.

The main differences between these categories of lubes is their feel / consistency, how long they last for, what they are to be used for and the ingredients which they contain.  

Water Based Lube 

• Consistency varies from being very thin and runny to thick and "gel" like.
• Thicker "gel" like consistencies are usually recommended for anal use.
• Water based lubes are most recommended out of all lubes as they are safe to use with all condoms and toys.
• Unfortunately water based lubes do tend to dry out and get tacky. This is due to the fact they contain water and this is absorbed into the skin/body/air leaving the residual ingredients which cause the "tackiness" The extent to which water based lubes get tacky depend on the brand, ingredients and the individual person.
• To reinvigorate tacky lube you can simply add water or you can add more lube if a tap isn't handy. If you haven't got either of the above handy, some people just use saliva.
• Water Based lubes tend to be more inexpensive than the other types of lubes. . Each person has their own favourite type that they prefer. The best way to find the best lube for you is to try them!
• A good quality water based lube is ID Glide.

Silicone Based Lube 

• Unlike water based lube silicone lube doesn't contain water therefore it doesn't dry out and stays slick for a long time.
• It is quite suitable for anal penetration.
• Silicone is more expensive than water based lubes but you only need to apply a fraction of the amount of silicone that what you would water based.
• It is safe to use with condoms but only some toys. Toys made of silicone or "cyberskin" / "real feel" type material cannot be used with silicone lube.
• If silicone lube is used with a toy made of one of the above mentioned products a chemical reaction will occur and the toy will degrade or "melt" quite rapidly being left unusable.
• Because silicone doesn't breakdown in water it is suitable for use in the bath or shower and it is also an excellent if not better substitute for massage oil.
• The downside of silicone is it doesn't wash off sheets or upholstery very easily if at all, therefore, not very good for those expensive silk sheets or sofas.
• Dimethicone is the ingredient which determines silicones' quality or texture. The more smooth or velvety it is the more dimethicone it has, thus will most likely reflect in the higher cost.
• Good quality Silicone Lube includes Pjur and ID Millennium.

Oil Based Lube 

• Oil based lubes have a specific place in anal penetration and this place usual involves large, sometimes overly large objects ranging from butt plugs to certain parts of the human anatomy that isn't necessarily a penis!!!
• Oil based lubes are not compatible with all toys as with silicone lube. It also destroys latex condoms.
• As with silicone lubes oil based lubes don't dry out. Their consistencies do vary greatly but most commonly is much thicker than silicone and like that of soft butter or I'm sure most people would be familiar with Vaseline!!
• Brands and ingredients vary greatly from being all natural such as Crisco which is basically a cooking fat to other "new age designer" lubes which contain other added chemicals some of which are not particularly good for the body.
• Most people would recommend you stay away from these lubes unless you are quite clued up as to what you are doing and what you're using them for.  

Desensitizing Lube & Relaxants 

Due to the growing popularity of anal penetration there has developed a market for products which specifically target relaxing or desensitizing the anus in order to allow anal penetration to become a much more enjoyable experience particularly to those trying it for the first time or those who generally find it uncomfortable.

Some desensitizing or "numbing" lubes have been on the market for a while and now due to their increasing popularity many companies have jumped on the band wagon and manufactured these products with varying ingredients, application styles and effects. There are 2 main variants being those which "desensitizing" or "numb" and those which "relax".  

Desensitizing Lubes 

These would be the most popular out of the two due to their longer availability on the market. These work by basically anaesthetising the area in which it is applied thus alleviating any pain that a person may feel during penetration. The problem with this type of lube is that you could do yourself some damage without realising it due to loss of sensation and it would be strongly recommended that if you are to use these to be aware of your bodies capabilities and what you are putting in it.

Most of these are in cream form and the desensitizing agent is contained within the cream which acts as the lube. They are generally water based so are compatible with condoms and toys, but you should always check the label first. 

Some are also in the form of a spray such as Pjur Analyse. A small amount is sprayed onto the required area in this case the anus. It is then left for ten minutes or so for the anaesthetic to have time to work. It must be noted that these sprays aren't classified as a lubricant and if you are wishing to use lube you must apply it in addition to the spray. Generally these sprays are compatible with all types of lube, but again you should always check the label.

Relaxants

These "relaxants" are basically the new kids on the block. They don't contain an anaesthetic as such but instead other ingredients that affect the sphincter muscle and help it relax. Some of these as with Pjur Analyse come in a spray form. "Mr Ease" is an example of this. It utilizes some natural ingredients which help relax the sphincter as opposed to anaesthetising it.

Another relaxant is "innuendo". This was probably the first on the market in terms of being a relaxant. Like Mr Ease, Innuendo also contains natural ingredients which help relax the sphincter. Instead of a spray it is a gel that is massaged into the outside and to a small degree the inside "rim" of the anus. Again these are left for a short period to take effect and lube is then added separately.  

Nonoxynol-9  

Nonoxynol-9 or N-9 is a chemical ingredient used in products from baby wipes to laundry detergent and also use to be a standard ingredient used in a lot of brands of lubricant. It was included as a spermicidal agent and also as a barrier to prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases including HIV. Unfortunately it has since been discovered that N-9 can actually increase the chance of infection by damaging the lining of the rectum and vagina. Due to this most lubricant companies have now ceased to include this ingredient in their lubes. If you are unsure if a particular type of lube does or doesn't contain N-9 always check the label and/or contact the lubricant company direct to find out.

All lubricants sold on the pleasure2me website do not contain N-9.