Using Vaseline as Lube – What Are the Pros and Cons?

You and your partner are together and things start to take a romantic turn. It’s getting hot and heavy, but it escalates, you realize you don’t have any lubricant. Going without lubricant might result in a dry and unpleasant experience, so you decide to try some Vaseline to help things get slippery.

Whether you should use Vaseline as lubricant for sex or not is a debated subject. Lubricant is certainly important for overcoming difficulties during sexual intercourse. Vaseline may not be as effective as a personal lubricant designed for sexual activity, but it can certainly serve as a good backup substitution. Here are the pros and cons of using Vaseline as a lubricant.

Pros

It’s smooth and it works

Vaseline can work similar to personal lubricants. Its soft, smooth feel can help intensify pleasure and make sex a pleasant experience.

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It’s thick

The thickness of Vaseline makes it good for lubricating. The thick texture allows the Vaseline to stay soft and smooth for a longer period of time, unlike water-based personal lubricants, which can dry out quickly.

Glycerin free

Some personal lubricants contain glycerin, which is a harmful chemical component that can cause irritation on sensitive skin. Vaseline does not contain any glycerin, so it may be a viable option for people whose skin is easily affected by glycerin. [1]

It’s cheap and readily available

The best thing about using Vaseline as lube is that it’s inexpensive and virtually always accessible. If you don’t have any already in your home, you can find it in many stores since most people regularly use Vaseline. This can come in handy if you’re not looking to spend more money on personal lubricants. You can also order it on Amazon.

It sticks

Vaseline is sticky, so once it’s applied it stays rather than slipping off. All you have to do is apply it to the right areas and spread it wherever you wish for the ideal lubrication.

It’s hydrophobic

Vaseline is hydrophobic, which means it doesn’t break down in moist conditions. Water-based lubricants can easily dry out during sex, but Vaseline won’t. As its environment increases in warmth, the Vaseline will become more oil-like and therefore retain its slickness.

Cons

You can’t use it with latex condoms

Vaseline is a petroleum-based substance, which is incompatible with latex products because it can break down the latex and polyurethane components and therefore cause a latex condom to tear. If you’re looking to use a condom during sex, Vaseline would not be the ideal lubricant to use. [2]

Its stickiness can be inconvenient

While the stick is good for making sure it stays where you need it to, cleaning up afterwards can be frustrating in comparison to more slippery lubricant products. You might need to spend extra time to clean it off your genitals.

You’re more likely to get an infection

The petroleum jelly in Vaseline has been connected to the growth of yeast, which can cause serious conditions such as bacterial vaginosis and pelvic inflammatory disease.

It’s probably best to use personal lubricants such as silicon-based lubes and water-based lubes, which are gentler alternatives for women prone to yeast infections. Vaseline can help promote a space for harmful bacteria to linger, so using it in your genital areas is certainly not ideal. [3]

Not as effective as other lubricants

Vaseline may do the job, but it’s definitely not as effective as some water-based and silicone-based personal lubricants specifically designed to enhance sexual pleasure. Other lubricants provide a more slippery and smooth feel that intensifies the sensations of sex. While Vaseline will work, it’s basically just a sticky and greasy lubricant.

It can stain your sheets

Vaseline can be difficult to clean, and can lead to a big mess in bed. Using Vaseline as a lubricant for sex can stain the sheets of your bed and even your clothes.

Not as good for anal sex

While Vaseline can pass as a personal lubricant for vaginal sex, anal sex is far different in that the anus does not release natural fluid during sex that can serve as a natural lubricant for women. Using Vaseline for anal sex will probably not be as effective as another lubricant, and might not help ease the pain.

Whether you decide to use Vaseline as a lube or not, it’s important to be aware of the pros and cons to determine whether it’ll be a safe and comfortable lubricant.

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