Honey, which may seem like a no-brainer at first because it’s delicious and slippery. However, the sugar content can lead to bacteria growth and, ultimately, yeast infections. Therefore, you should keep honey away from your genitals.

Chances are that you have a bottle of aloe vera that’s been sitting for months by your bedside, or you’re keeping it in the closet for the summertime, so you can soothe your bad sunburns. Most everybody has some aloe vera somewhere around, and did you know that it has a lot of other uses besides alleviating redness and providing a cooling sensation? What a lot of people don’t talk about is that aloe vera makes a great lube. It’s very gentle and has neutral properties no matter what type of skin you have. It’s very safe to use anywhere on your body, including your vagina–as long as you make sure the bottle you have contains 100% pure aloe vera gel, and that it doesn’t have any type of sugar or any artificial ingredients.Another warning: whatever type of homemade lube you make, don’t expect to be able to keep it around for weeks or months like you do with commercial lube. Even if you store your homemade stuff in a cool and dry place such as a cupboard, the container becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. Plus, without any kind of preservative it’ll go bad fast. It’s safe to make your own lube–but use it within a couple of days at the most. Ultimately, it may be safer to use oil-based lube for outercourse rather than intercourse—because according to sex therapist Leigh Norén, some oils can promote yeast infections by disrupting the vagina’s microbiome. Hybrid a b Ashley, Beth (December 10, 1996). "Toy-hunt madness Gotta-get-it-gifts send parents into seasonal frenzy". USA Today. p.1D. Ensures safer sex: By reducing friction, lube helps to prevent a condom from breaking—thereby reducing your risk of unintentional pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections. Natural lubricants are becoming a huge market as people are more aware of potentially scary ingredients in other products. The Natural Love Company has created a cruelty-free, vegan version that is made without additives or synthetic chemicals. This makes it a great choice for anyone struggling with allergies or sensitive skin.

Monica Grover, DO, MS, is a double board-certified gynecologist at VSPOT Medi Spa, a sexual health spa in New York, NY. Water-based lubricants are the most popular, O’Reilly says, and for good reason: They’re easy to clean up, don’t leave stains, and can be used with most sex toys and condoms. Tamika K. Cross, MD, FACOG, is a board-certified ob-gyn at Serenity Women's Health & Med Spa in Pearland, TX.Durex Play Tingling Lubricant Gel is a water-based lube, which makes it perfectly safe for sex incorporating condoms and toys. Unless you’re using condoms, natural oils are generally great, and are used for massage all over the body because rubbing oil feels really good. Oil-based products also last a lot longer than lubricants that are water-based. This is especially true if the oil you’re using is organic. Please tell me it's mince pie flavoured, or brandy sauce flavour… Interested parties need to know.”