Many lubricants on the market use synthetic fragrances and mineral oils. They can irritate delicate skin on both men and women, so we stock safe and natural alternatives. There are two main types of lubricants, water based and oil based. Depending on the use and sensitivities, specifically the vagina, you will want to choose the right lube for your needs. Natural lubricant is often recommended to patients by doctors, which is how it first appeared in this store over a decade ago.

Water Based Lubricant

We stock a range of water based lubricant from industry leading brands. Water based lubricant is both condom and toy safe. YES is available in budget friendly sizing up to 150ml.

Water based lubes are usually the first recommendation to use with condoms and sex toys. They reduce friction and increase the viscosity of the body's natural fluids and mimic them, which is helpful not only during sexual play but during medical procedures. They also don't interfere with latex or silicone.

Oil Based Lubricants

Olive and Bee Intimate Cream is the first oil based lubricant in our store. It uses olive oil and beeswax as its core ingredients. They market it as an Intimate Cream. While it's a very effective personal lubricant, it can also be used as a massage oil and moisturiser. It is best not to use oil based lubricant with condoms. Oil based lubricant, whether it’s formulated oil based or just a straight oil can damage or even break latex, silicone or plastic. Read why below. Oil based lubricants don't interfere with the delicate pH balance of the vagina and are often the first choice for those with sensitive skin.

The best lube to use with condoms

It is best to stick with water based lubes with condoms. Why? Oil based lubricant can weaken the integrity of condoms, and in particular, latex. This combined with the friction of intercourse can weaken and tear them.

The best lubricant to use with sex toys

A water based lube is always the safest choice. The biggest problem is that an oil based lubricant can deteriorate plastic, latex and silicone. We have seen this issue when cooking with silicone baking sheets and olive oil in the oven and they never really get quite clean if they're used with a lot of oil. Is the same combination here, just with less heat.

Can lube impact fertility?

Let's be really clear here, lube is NOT a contraceptive. EVER. According to the Mayo Clinic and several other medical sites, lubrication during sexual activity between a man and a woman reduces the ability of sperm to move towards the egg. Whether it's natural lube or a mineral based one, the end result is the same.

What is personal lubricant used for?

While most people will instantly associate personal lubricants with their sex life, they actually have a lot of other uses. The creator of Olive & Bee is a physiotherapist with an interest in pelvic pain, and found a lot of her patients were reporting irritation from petroleum based lube. Doctors use lubricants during pelvic and prostate exams and we have many customers who take their own to their medical appointments to reduce friction with medical instruments and latex gloves. Lubricant is used for vaginal dryness in menopause and peri-menopause.