Not all personal care products are created equal – and the same goes for your lube.
In a perfect world, the products we buy from stores would be kind to animals, have as little negative impact on the environment as possible, and not contain potentially harmful ingredients. This is especially true when you’re looking for very personal products, like lube. It’s something that’s completely normal for anyone to buy, but some of the most well-known brands not only rely on animal testing but also contain ingredients you might not want near your nethers.
In an article on Goop, the wellness brand created by Oscar-winning actor Gwyneth Paltrow, Doctor Maggie Ney, co-director at the Women’s Clinic at the Akasha Center in Santa Monica, explains how toxic ingredients in common lubricants can have a negative effect on health.
“Using lubricants with toxic ingredients has an effect on our reproductive system, as the vagina and anus are highly permeable areas and anything that is applied topically can be absorbed into the body,” Dr. Ney wrote. “Parabens are a very common preservative in most cosmetics (moisturizers, face wash, lotions) that are used to prevent bacterial overgrowth. The problem is that parabens are endocrine disruptors, which means that they have an estrogenic effect in the body—they bind to the same cell receptors as our own estrogen but they interfere with our normal, rhythmic, hormonal process.”
She continued, “Exposure to parabens has been associated with cancer and reproductive health issues and hormone imbalances like fibroids, endometriosis, infertility, and PMS.”
Although many of the most common brands feature the ingredients highlighted by Goop, there are also vegan, cruelty-free, and non-toxic products available on the market – here they are.
5 Vegan Non-Toxic Lubes Gwyneth Paltrow Would Approve Of
1. Sliquid Organics Natural
Sliquid’s Natural is an aloe vera-based, water-soluble lube made from 95 percent organic ingredients. It’s free from glycerin, parabens, and petroleum and is made with hypoallergenic, non-toxic ingredients. Sliquid is a vegan and cruelty-free company that offers a few varieties of intimate products – Natural, Natural Gel (which is thicker than the original), silicone-based, and stimulating lube.
Get the product here.
2. Sustain Natural
Sustain Natural’s vegan and cruelty-free personal lubricant is free from petrochemicals, silicone, parabens, and glycerin. The lube features a water-based formula enriched with organic aloe vera that’s pH-balanced – meaning it reduces the chance of causing bacterial vaginosis – and it’s made from 95 percent organic ingredients.
Get the product here.
3. Pulse H2Oh! Personal Lubricant
Pulse’s water-based vegan lubricant is fragrance-free, 100 percent hypoallergenic, suitable for use with both latex and polyisoprene condoms, and free from harsh preservatives, parabens, and petroleum. The travel-friendly packaging is also recyclable.
Get the product here.
4. Good Clean Love Almost Naked Organic Personal Lubricant
Good Clean Love’s organic vegan lube was designed for those with sensitive skin. The vegan and cruelty-free formula features organic aloe vera and is made without petrochemicals, parabens, or glycerin. It contains notes of lemon and vanilla, giving it a light flavor that’s safe for use with latex, polyisoprene, and toys.
Get the product here.
5. LuLu Organic Lubricant
LuLu’s organic vegan lubricant features a fragrance-free, water-based formula made for dry, sensitive skin. It is free from parabens and glycerin, safe for use with latex and silicone, and promises a silky smooth texture. This vegan and cruelty-free formula is infused with extracts of hemp, quinoa, green tea, and oat for a soothing formula.
Get the product here.
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons
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