Lube is pretty great: it keeps you wet and helps you go deeper and longer without feeling any pain or dryness down there [1]. Yet some things really shouldn't be used as lube. Many people have been trying out different types of lube [2] and opting for natural or "kinky" types of substances over water-based or silicone-based lubes on the market [3], but gynaecologists agree: they don't have a place in your vagina. Avoid putting these "lubes" near your or your partner's vagina or penis . . . or things can get messy (literally).
Whipped Cream
Your vagina doesn't need a whipped cream fix, so save it for your sundaes instead. When having fun and being creative in bed, it can lead to melted chocolate and whipped cream, which can get sticky and find their way into your private areas. "If these products get into the vagina, they can certainly cause a change in the acid and base balance. That will lead to vaginal infections, either yeast or bacterial," says ob-gyn and RealSelf contributor Dr. Carolyn DeLucia, MD [5], to POPSUGAR. Use a warm washcloth to clean off quickly before penetration begins. "The key to remember here is that any product or food that is high in sugar can cause a problem with vaginal infections," she explains.
Oil
Olive oil, almond oil, and coconut oil (though coconut oil is controversial, according to gynos) might not be the best lubricants, as they will decrease latex condoms' effectiveness and can lead to a buildup of bacteria. "A healthy vagina has a slightly acidic pH of 3.8 to 4.5, so exposing your vagina on a regular basis to things that raise the pH can upset the healthy lactobacilli and the microbiome, which can predispose to yeast or BV," explains Dr. Karen Brodman, MD, [6] an ob-gyn in New York, to POPSUGAR. Plus, the thickness of such oils may hold on to bacteria and lead to increased risk of infection, adds DeLucia.
Vaseline
Lotions and oil-based OTC products aren't good lubes, either. "Vaseline is not ideal because it's oil-based and will degrade the integrity of a latex condom," says Jenni Skyler, PhD, LMFT, and CST [7], an AASECT-certified sex therapist, sexologist, and licenced marriage and family therapist for Adam & Eve [8], to POPSUGAR. "At the end of the day, all products (from whipped cream to Vaseline to over-the-counter lubes) going into a vagina or anus will essentially expose those mucus membranes to higher absorption of chemicals into the bloodstream," she says.
Baby Oil
Just because it can be soothing doesn't mean it's meant for your vagina. It's made of petroleum distillates, which can be damageing to your vaginal tissues, explains Dr. Jennifer Landa, MD, ob-gyn, and chief medical officer at BodyLogicMD [9], to POPSUGAR. "Imagine rubbing petroleum down there . . . ick, 'nuff said. Also, these can damage latex condoms and increase the risk of STDs and pregnancy," she says. They can also boost the risk of bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections, she adds.