Planned Parenthood

Someone asked us:

Where can I buy water based or silicon lube? Do you need a prescription?

Nope! You don’t need a prescription for water- or silicone-based lube, and you can buy it at a drugstore or pharmacy over the counter. It’s usually found near the condoms, where you’ll find brands like K-Y, Astroglide, or ID-Glide. You can often also find small, single-use samples of lube at health centers. 

So what’s the deal with water- and silicone-based lubes? Water-based lubes are the most common, since they’re safe to use with both condoms and sex toys, they’re easy to clean up, and they’re usually non-irritating. Water-based lubes can dry up  fairly quickly, but you can easily “reactivate” them again with water or saliva (or more lube). Silicone-based lubes generally last longer, since silicone isn’t absorbed by skin the way water is. They can be used with condoms, but not with silicone sex toys, as silicone-on-silicone creates a chemical reaction that can dissolve and degrade the surface of the toy and make it feel sticky. 

Lube is a great product to have on hand for safer, more pleasurable sex. Lube makes condoms slippery and less likely to break. Lube also makes sex feel better by cutting down on friction, which can irritate your skin. 

When you’re buying lube, it’s important to find one that works for you and your condom (and/or toy). Never use oil-based lube (like petroleum jelly) with a condom – the oil in the lube can cause it to break. Read the package insert that comes with your condoms if you have any questions about what you can use. Here’s a handy guide to picking the right lube for you from Babeland

- Nina at Planned Parenthood