Love & Care Lub: the natural lubricant you forget is there

Lubricant is the most underrated sex toy in the world. It makes everything more comfortable, safer and more enjoyable, whatever your age or level of arousal. You still have to pick a good one. I used this one for two months, down to the last drop.

What’s in it

Ten ingredients, not one more. Water, moisturising agents (propanediol, glycerin), a plant-derived thickener (xanthan gum), prebiotics (inulin, alpha-glucan), lactic acid to respect the pH, and two standard preservatives.

No fragrance, no colouring, no silicone, no parabens. In the UFC-Que Choisir comparison of undesirable ingredients, none of its components is flagged as at-risk.

One honest caveat: it contains glycerin. Most people tolerate it perfectly well, but if you’re prone to recurrent thrush, it’s an ingredient some people prefer to avoid. If in doubt, talk to a health professional.

Texture and feel

Fluid without being runny: it doesn’t run through your fingers, but it spreads effortlessly. The feel is very close to natural lubrication, with no “gel” effect and no greasy film.

It doesn’t get sticky as it dries, which is the number one flaw of cheap water-based lubricants. It has no noticeable taste or smell.

Staying power

This is the limit of all water-based lubricants: the skin eventually absorbs it. Allow around ten minutes before reapplying. The trick: a drop of water (or saliva) is often enough to reactivate it.

For anal play or in the shower, I switch to a thicker or silicone-based lubricant, which lasts longer.

Compatibility

• Silicone toys: yes, with no risk to the material.
• Condoms: water-based lubricants are in principle compatible with latex; check what it says on the packaging.
• Sheets: doesn’t stain, comes out in the wash.

The full compatibility chart is in the safe practices guide.

My verdict

Five grapes. It’s not a spectacular product, and that’s exactly what you want from a lubricant: for it to do its job and be forgotten.