Let’s talk about lube, baby. Let’s talk about it because no one really likes to mention it… Lube, like KY Jelly, is one of the reasons I was inspired to write my most recent book, “Eco-Sex: Go Green Between the Sheets and Make Your Love Life Sustainable.”

Many people use it religiously, but no one was talking about the scary toxic ingredients in conventional brands. (I’m talking to you, KY Jelly and Astroglide.)

Lube is the unmentionable that hides in your night table drawer until it’s needed in the heat of passion. Picked up at your local pharmacy, where it’s stocked next to the Neosporin, your lube usually comes out in the dark, and is stored away again, the label never to be examined in detail. But examine it well you should. If you care about eating organic produce and using BPA-free water bottles, you should definitely worry about the substances that come in contact with your nether-regions. Mucus membranes are not the place to experiment with your health, as they readily absorb whatever they touch, and take it straight to your bloodstream.

Aside from nasty parabens, the carcinogenic, endocrine-disrupting “preservatives” pushed by Big Chem, many conventional personal lubricants are made from every environmentalist’s arch enemy: petrochemicals. Lubes often contain other known toxins like propylene glycol, an irritant and allergen that, according to the Skin Deep database, have a high rate of absorption via the skin.

Then there’s glycerin, a substance that isn’t, on it’s own, considered a toxin, but it’s not necessarily something you want inside of you. Glycerin, a derivative of the soap-making process, changes the natural pH of the vagina and interferes with its natural ability to self-clean. It can also strip the vagina of moisture, causing irritation that can lead to yeast infections and exposure to STDs. Even some of the “natural” lube brands still had glycerin in them until very recently. This is your reminder: always read labels, even if a product is on the shelf at Whole Foods and claims to be green.

But lucky for us, there are a few truly conscious, safe, and excellent quality brands of lube available. Even better news – some of these brands are actually USDA organic certified. You can order them online, find them at the aforementioned Whole Foods, or visit your local, conscious sex shop. Live near a Babeland, Coco De Mer, or Good Vibrations? (Be warned, you may go in for the lube and leave with more fun items than you bargained for.)

Note: when using lube, remember one very important thing: oil-based products are NOT compatible with latex condoms. This is incredibly important, because the oil can break down the condom and cause it to tear. I am a huge fan of pure coconut oil as a DIY massage oil and lube, but never with a condom.

With all that in mind, here is a list of my faves. Buy these healthy brands so that soon they replace the toxic KY on the shelves:

Blossom Organics is my hands-down, absolute favorite brand. It’s free of parabens, petroleum, silicones, alcohol, hormones, artificial dyes, glycerin, flavorings or fragrances. It’s latex condom friendly, aloe-based, and pH-balanced. Bonus: their Warm Sensation formula is deliciously flavored with stevia and peppermint. You want to try it, trust me.

Firefly Organics is another great brand made from shea and sunflower seed extract. Note: this is an oil-based formulation that’s not meant for use with condoms. It’s great for use with silicone toys, however.

Yes is an organic, chemical-free UK-based line that’s beautifully packaged in sexy Tiffany blue bottles. They have both water-based and oil-based formulas, depending on your needs.

Image: look catalog

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We’ve all got one – a little tube in the nightstand drawer, ready for those moments when our bodies seem to be failing at what they’re supposed to do naturally. At the risk of sounding like a commercial, I’m just going to say it: vaginal dryness happens.

Maybe you’re on birth control pills, or maybe your man isn’t spending enough – ahem – quality time before the act itself takes place. But if you find yourself reaching for lubrication, stop and read those ingredients! You might be filling one of the most delicate parts of your body with a bunch of scary chemicals, and even affecting your fertility.

It’s all too easy to just grab whatever the most promising-looking plastic tube on the drugstore shelf. The labels on products like KY Jelly, Astroglide and Durex Play focus on adjectives like “sensual” and “warming”, not safety – and sometimes, ingredients aren’t even disclosed.

Here’s the thing about most conventional sex lubes:

Many contain parabens. KY brand lubricants – aside from the ‘sensitive’ version – contain parabens, a class of chemicals used as preservatives. Even the relatively natural-sounding brand ‘Phyto Soya’ is packed with practically every paraben in existence. Parabens are estrogen mimickers and have been linked to breast cancer. Chemicals like parabens are easily absorbed through the skin, and mucous membranes – like vaginal tissue – are even more susceptible.

They’re often petroleum-based. Any lubricant that lists mineral oil in its ingredient list is made from petrochemicals. An obvious offender is plain old petroleum jelly. If you like putting fossil fuels in your vagina, raise your hand! Yeah, that’s what I thought.

They can cause infection. Whenever you see glycerin or a word starting with “glycol” in the ingredients, you’ve got potential problems. These ingredients – common in lubes like Astroglide – are closely related to glucose, which means they’re a sugary feast for yeast. Not exactly sexy.

They affect fertility. If you’re trying to conceive, think twice about using any old lube. Studies show that lubricants like KY, Astroglide and FemGlide affect both sperm quality and motility, meaning they slow ’em down and damage their DNA. While a product called “Pre-Seed” proved to be the most sperm-friendly, it does contain parabens, so it’s best not to use artificial lube at all if possible.

That doesn’t mean that just because you’re breastfeeding, going through menopause or taking antidepressants, you have to resign yourself to uncomfortable sex. Check out some of these alternatives:

Firefly Organics – Though not made for use with latex condoms (polyurethane is okay), Firefly Organics is a 100 percent natural, paraben-free personal lubricant made with sunflower seed extract, cocoa butter and shea butter.

Yes Lubricant – Yes brand lubricants come in both water- and oil-based varieties for latex condom compatibility. The oil-based product contains shea butter, sweet almond oil, sunflower oil, beeswax, cocoa butter and vitamin E while the water-based product is made with aloe, guar gum, locust bean gum and flax extract.

Good Clean Love – Totally natural, organic and vegan, Good Clean Love lubricants come in naturally scented versions like lavender rose, almost naked with a touch of lemon and vanilla, and cinnamon vanilla – a spicy scent reminiscent of pumpkin pie, a scent that most men find sexy.

Coconut Oil – Some ladies swear by plain old virgin organic coconut oil as a sex lube, and though no studies have been done on its safety, it seems like a great choice. Coconut oil is naturally fungicidal, so nothing funky will grow in it (which is a common problem in any kind of lube). It’s also antibacterial and silky smooth, but avoiding it in conjunction with latex condoms is probably a good idea.

Image: Zawezome

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