What’s Really in Silicone Lube?
Silicone is in your adhesives, your cooking utensils, your boob implants, and yes, in your lube too. But how is something that’s in all of that be safe for the most intimate part of you?
Silicone has been around longer than you might think though it originally wasn’t meant for sex. Back in the 1940s, it was used to coat medical glassware and needles because blood naturally clots when it hits glass, and silicone's slick, chemically inactive surface prevented that reaction entirely. It took decades more before it made its way out of the lab and eventually into the bedroom.
The jump to silicone in personal lubricant seemed like an obvious one. Silicone was waterproof and — most importantly — didn't degrade latex, the most popular material in condoms. At the height of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s, oil-based lubricants were proven to break down condoms and compromise their effectiveness, making them genuinely dangerous. Silicone was thick, effective, and safe. It quickly became the gold standard.
Today, silicone lubricants can be found everywhere. While the thickness isn't everyone's cup of tea, it's ideal for anyone who wants to be extra lubricated — which comes in handy especially during anal sex or a shower session. Silicone lube is also long-lasting, so unlike most water-based lubes, you don't have to worry about reapplying and can focus on staying in the moment.
A common concern is that silicone is unsafe to use internally — but that's actually a myth. Silicone is hypoallergenic, meaning it sits on top of the skin rather than absorbing into it, so allergic reactions are unlikely. Also, unlike other substances, silicone also doesn’t require preservatives, which means you don’t have to worry about additional ingredients that may irritate your vagina or pH balance. And this is something Shibari knows well. With its Silicone-Based Lubricant, the brand offers an option with only two ingredients — making it as clean of a lube as you’re going to get.
The bonus? It's genuinely great for vaginal dryness. Whether you're going through menopause, experiencing difficulty getting wet, or simply want to be wetter (because who doesn't?) silicone lube is one of your best bets.
A few things to keep in mind: silicone degrades other silicone, so if you're adding toys into the mix, stick to glass, metal, hard plastic, or ceramic. And because it's not water-soluble, cleanup requires soap and water. If you skip cleanup, you risk staining your sheets, so don't say we didn't warn you.
And if you're going all manual… get ready for a very fun, very wet time.
