You want to get it on with your partner, but you’re missing one crucial item—lube. While you can use many household items, like coconut oil or almond oil, grapeseed oil is one of the most common alternatives to typical lube.
We’ll cover if grapeseed oil is a decent lubricant and some natural alternatives in this article so you can decide whether it’s appropriate for you.
Contents
What is Grapeseed Oil?
Grapeseed oil is extracted from the seeds of grapes. It is a good source of essential fatty acids, antioxidants, linoleic acid and vitamin E.
It’s an all-purpose oil that can be used in both sweet and savory dishes, as well as skin and hair products.
Grapeseed oil is pressed from the seeds of grapes. The seeds are pressed to extract the oil and pulp, which is then discarded. The resulting oil has a light green color and a mild, slightly bitter taste. It has a high smoke point, which means it’s ideal for frying or sauteing.
How is grapeseed oil as a lubricant?
Grapeseed oil has been used as a moisturizer and beauty aid for years, but there are plenty of other ways to use this amazing product that you might not know about.
It turns out grapeseed oil is also an excellent lubricant, and it comes with some great benefits you can use to your advantage in the bedroom or even just during intimate moments. Let’s look at the pros and cons of using grapeseed oil as a lubricant.
Pros
1. Lightweight and non-greasy
One of the benefits of grapeseed oil as a lubricant is that it’s very smooth and silky—much smoother than many traditional oils like olive or coconut—so it feels less greasy when applied to the skin. It’s also water-soluble, so it washes off easily with warm water and soap after use
2. Moisturizes sensitive skin
It can be applied directly to the skin, where it acts as a moisturizer and helps prevent dryness and flaking. Grapeseed oil is an excellent moisturizer that won’t leave your skin feeling greasy or
oily, which makes it perfect for daily use. It can be used on any part of the body from head to toe!
3. Helps prevent premature aging of the skin
Grapeseed oil contains antioxidants that help fight free radical damage to the cells in your body. This oil has vitamin E and linoleic acid in it, which are both very beneficial for skin health.
4. Safe for use on most toys
Grape seed oil is mild enough to use on most toys. It has a low viscosity so it will penetrate deeply into the material for long-lasting lubrication without leaving behind a sticky residue. Grapeseed oil is a lightweight, non-greasy, and odorless oil that is perfect for lubricating toys.
Cons
1. Contains estrogen
It contains estrogen, which can cause problems for women who have hormone-sensitive cancers like breast cancer or uterine cancer. If you or your partner has one of these diseases, you may be better off using another type of personal lubricant that doesn’t contain estrogen (like coconut oil).
2. May damage vaginal tissue
Using grapeseed oil as lube could also cause damage to your vaginal tissue. It may be possible for you to contract an STI if you use an inconsistent condom in combination with grape seed oil. Grapeseed oil should never be used vaginally or rectally for any reason because of its high ricinoleic acid content, which can cause irritation and swelling in these sensitive areas.
3. Dries Quickly
The main drawback of grapeseed oil is that it tends to dry out quickly so you may have to reapply frequently. Also, if your skin becomes irritated by the oily feeling after reapplying, then it may not be the best choice for you.
4. Isn’t Safe to Use with Latex Condoms
Another downside to using grapeseed oil as lube is that it’s not compatible with latex condoms. While some condoms are made from polyurethane or nitrile, which do not react with grapeseed oil, many others are made from latex.
Which natural oils are safe to use as lubricants?
Here Are the Ones we Recommend for a Natural Ride, so you can stay clear of baby oil, mineral oils or other petroleum-based oils that will be drying to the skin!
Coconut oil
Coconut oil has been used in soaps and other beauty products for many years. Coconut oil can be used in its liquid form or solid form and is an excellent substitute for petroleum-based lubricants like Vaseline or mineral oil.
It is a gentle, but effective lubricant that won’t irritate you or your partner. Many doctors recommend it over commercial lubes because it doesn’t contain chemicals or additives. Plus, it’s cheap! A jar of coconut oil costs around $10 at most grocery stores. That will last you forever since only a little bit is needed each time.
Sesame oil
Sesame oil is also an excellent natural lubricant, though it’s not water-soluble. Therefore, it may have more of an oily effect than grape seed oil and other oils. Sesame oil is also non-irritating when used vaginally and can be very stimulating due to its scent.
It’s a good idea to mix sesame oil with coconut or another thick vegetable oil if you find it too runny for comfort. If using on someone else, make sure they aren’t allergic to sesame before applying directly to their skin.
Extra virgin olive oil
Olive oil, especially extra virgin olive oil, is a popular option for those looking for a natural lubricant and with good reason. It’s easy to find and relatively cheap and olive oil has natural antimicrobial properties, which may reduce your risk of infection. However, olive oil has some drawbacks. Its viscosity makes it more challenging to clean up than water-based lubes.
And although it’s safe for vaginal use, olive oil should not be used anally because its fatty acid content makes it very difficult to wash out and could cause irritation or infections in that area. Plus, if you are using condoms, don’t forget that extra virgin olive oil breaks down latex so make sure you have non-latex options on hand!
Aloe vera
Aloe vera is commonly used in skin care products and sunscreens and has been used traditionally for centuries as a soothing gel. Aloe vera gel can be used with latex condoms (unless you’re allergic) and doesn’t have any of the side effects of other lubes like drying out your vagina or causing yeast infections.
Plus, it’s all-natural! While not necessarily designed for use as lubricant, aloe vera works well if you’re looking for something natural. It may feel a little sticky at first, but that feeling will go away after you get used to using it.
Almond oil
Sweet almond oil makes for an excellent natural lubricant. It has a silky texture that feels luxurious and leaves you feeling moisturized. It’s best to avoid almond oil if you have nut allergies, however, as it can also cause allergic reactions in some people.
Almond oil has antibacterial properties that help keep your vagina healthy by preventing bacterial infections, which are commonly spread through sex. Almond oil is also very safe to use with condoms because it doesn’t break down latex. Make sure not to use too much—it might drip out of the condom!
Avocado oil
Avocado oil is another oil that’s safe for use in lubricants. It might not be as familiar or accessible as grapeseed oil, but it provides a good substitute if you’re looking for something other than grapeseed oil.
The key difference between avocado and grapeseed oil is that avocado oil has a higher concentration of oleic acid, which means it will have more of an oily texture when used as lube. This can be both a pro and con: While some people prefer less viscosity (like water-based lubes), others enjoy using thicker oils like avocado oil because they feel more substantial.
Canola oil
Canola oil is a lightweight, edible oil often used for cooking, but it can also be used in sexual activity. Canola oil is composed of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats and has an ideal high smoke point (the temperature at which a fat begins to break down).
In addition, because it’s relatively thin and has less odor than other oils, canola oil makes a good choice for use as lube. It should never be used with latex condoms or sex toys made from rubber, however, because it can cause them to deteriorate.
To ensure you don’t experience any discomfort when using canola oil as lube, start with a small amount and add more if needed.
Shea butter
Shea butter’s thick consistency means it works well for those with sensitive skin and is a popular alternative for women with vaginal dryness. It is also thought to be a safe lubricant for men who suffer from premature ejaculation or whose partners are taking anti-depressants that prevent ejaculation.
Before applying shea butter as lube, make sure your hands are clean, and then warm some in your hands until it has liquefied slightly. Then carefully use it directly onto your sex organs!
Takeaway
Grapeseed oil is like a lesser known, unappreciated cousin of olive oil. It’s less fragrant, and not quite as tasty, but it’s great for lubricants because it’s very light and doesn’t spoil — even at higher temperatures.
Grapeseed oil has a high amount of linoleic acid, which acts as a lubricant that is similar to petroleum-based lubricants but without the damaging effects on the environment or human health.
If you don’t have grapeseed oil available near you, consider one from the above mentioned suggestions—these can be found at your local health food store or online and work great for women and men alike.
However, it is important to note that oil based lubricants (Like coconut and olive oil) always run the threat of breaking down latex condoms. Again, education and research are key when trying out new lubricants or products of any kind!
