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A note on language:
In this search area, we have opted to use medical/anatomical terminology for consistency. However, we also want to acknowledge that language is imprecise, and that these terms may not be the ones you use to identify your own body parts. We see you and respect this.
A note on language:
In this search area, we have opted to use medical/anatomical terminology for consistency. However, we also want to acknowledge that language is imprecise, and that these terms may not be the ones you use to identify your own body parts. We see you and respect this.
October 01, 2016 4 min read
We hear it from you often - why are there so many types of Sliquid lubricant? How can there possibly be that much variation? And which should I choose? Don’t worry, we’ve got you!
First, let’s look at the characteristics that are shared by all the lubricants in the Sliquid range:
All Sliquid lubricants are vegan-friendly and free from animal testing or cruelty. That means there are no animal products or derivatives in Sliquid lubes, and the ingredients have not been tested on animals.
A lot of personal lubricants (especially water-based ones) have glycerine (or it's cousins, glycol or glycerol) in them. This is a humectant, which is used to help make lubricant slippery, but it is also a sugar derivative, which means it has the potential to disrupt the body’s natural balance and contribute to UTIs and thrush. Boo! Sliquid uses plant cellulose derived from cotton to achieve the same slippery effect without the sugary risk.
The scientific research on parabens indicates that they may contribute to cancer growth, and seeing as there is no need to use them to create a quality lube, Sliquid have erred on the side of caution and opted not to use parabens in their formulas. Hooray!
Now let’s look at each Sliquid lubricant in more detail. Sliquid lube can be divided into three categories: silicone, water-based and hybrid lubricants.
Sliquid just have the one silicone lubricant, called Silver. Silver is made from just three ingredients: Dimethicone, Dimethiconol, Cyclopentasiloxane. These are three different types of ultra-concentrated pharmaceutical-grade silicone, and Sliquid blend them to create the perfect consistency. Silicone lubricant has a low viscosity and will glide effortlessly for hours.
The price tag may seem high compared to water-based lubricants, but they also tend to last a lot longer, meaning you need less of it, meaning 125 ml of silicone lubricant will go a longer way than 125 ml of a water based lubricant.
And unlike water-based lubricant, silicone will stay on the surface rather than being absorbed into the skin, which is why it can last longer before reapplication is required. It’s also totally waterproof, which makes it perfect for use in the shower or bath. Silicone lubricant can potentially degrade silicone sex toys. Most manufacturers will ask that you use a water-based lubricant with silicone toys.
This is where the Sliquid range can get really confusing! There are six different styles of water-based lube in the Sliquid range, so let’s go through them one by one:
H2O is where it all began. This is a really back-to-basics lube, done right. With five simple and natural ingredients, this is a pH neutral lubricant. A healthy vagina will usually have a pH somewhere between 3.5 and 7. H2O has a pH of 5.2, which means it won’t disrupt the natural balance of your body. It is a clear, viscous liquid with no discernible taste or scent, and can be brought back to life with a little water or spit.
H2O is the base formula that Sliquid use to create the full range of water-based lubricants - all of the Sliquid lubes are pH neutral, although the pH levels range from around 4 to 7, depending on their specific formula.
Sassy has all the same ingredients as H2O, but is formulated to have a thicker, more gel-like consistency. This makes it a great option for places that don’t naturally lubricate, like the anus, because it provides an elevated level of cushioning and comfort. Like H2O, it is scent and taste-free.
Sea is H2O but with added treasures from the sea! We’re not kidding - they’ve added carrageenan, nori and wakame into the mix for this one. These ingredients are known for their skin conditioning properties, and they also make things a little more wet and slippery. Most excitingly, carrageenan has been shown in some studies to reduce the transmission of HPV (human papillomavirus)! Whilst that isn’t a reason to throw all caution to the wind, it is an exciting development in sexual health.
Sizzle which, you guessed it, starts out as H2O but adds a food-grade menthol to create a tingling, warm-and-cool sensation. It is totally safe to use in our bodies, and can be a great way to entice or increase arousal. We love Sizzle for intimate massage. Please keep in mind that all bodies are different, and menthol is a known, but mild irritant. Most people will be fine, but if your lube isn’t causing you pleasure (and especially if it causes you pain), please discontinue use.
If you wanted flavour instead of tingle, then Swirl is the one for you. Except actually, there are eight (yes, eight) flavours available, and we carry them all. Most flavoured lubricants don’t make the grade at Nikki Darling, mostly because they use glycerine. Sliquid creates sweetness with food-grade flavouring and a small amount of aspartame instead, which is nicer to the environment, and means that you can use this lube for all the kinds of sex you want to have. It’ll make your junk taste even better than it already does. We’re particularly enamoured with the new Blackberry Fig flavour.
The last of the water-based range is Satin - Sliquid Satin is a special formula that has been specifically designed to use not just as a personal lubricant, but also as an intimate moisturiser. If you experience vaginal dryness, you may find this gentle, aloe vera infused formula provides some relief - It can be used daily. Satin also contains carrageenan and vitamin e for extra soothing and moisturising.
Sliquid have just the one hybrid lubricant called Silk. That is a lubricant that combines both silicone and water-base ingredients to create a luscious, thick lubricant. Sliquid also add a number of cream emollients, which gives this lubricant a creamy, almost-whipped look. It is still mostly a water-based lubricant, with only 9% silicone in the formula, but it really does make a difference and lasts a lot longer than a pure water-based lubricant. Hybrid lubricants with low silicone content may be safe with silicone toys, but we recommend you patch test and be mindful of manufacturer warranties.
We hope that helps explain the difference in the Sliquid range! Please feel free to get in touch if you still have questions. We’re always happy to help!
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