can you use aloe vera as lube?

Aloe vera is a plant that is commonly used for aftersun care, or to soothe and cool sensitive or dry skin. However, a question we hear pretty often is: can you use aloe in a personal lubricant for sex and masturbation? Yes! It is a lesser known use, but a great one! Aloe lube is loved by people with sensitive skin, natural alternative seekers, and individuals looking for a pH-friendly solution alike.

While you can use aloe as a sexual lubricant, it is important to select the right products that won’t irritate, dry, or alter pH balances. Some aloe products contain oils or harsh ingredients that are not suitable for internal and intimate use. So, in this blog, we will outline the do’s and don’ts of aloe as lube. 

Key Takeaways (TL;DR) Aloe Vera as Personal Lubricant?

• Aloe vera is a plant that produces natural gel used to moisturize and care for burnt, irritated, or dry skin.
• It can also be great for sexual lubricant with its gentle, hydrating properties that work well for sensitive genital skin.
• Aloe is also condom compatible, natural, and soothing, further proving its strength as a natural lubricant ingredient.
• When it comes to finding a natural personal lubricant, ONE® True® is a great place to start! ONE® True is 99% naturally derived, longer lasting than the leading natural lubricant, hypoallergenic, glycerin-free, and pH-friendly.

What is Aloe Vera?

Aloe vera is a succulent that produces clear gel that can be used for treating dry, burned, and irritated skin. This plant is known for its soothing and cooling properties that make it great for moisturization and aftersun care. However, many people don’t know that it can also be used as an ingredient for sexual lubricant!

What are the Benefits of Aloe Vera? 

There are many benefits that make aloe vera a great addition to your personal lubricant including:

Moisturizing and Soothing: The soothing and moisturizing properties of aloe vera can be sensitive on genital skin making it great for those who experience dryness and irritation with other sexual health products. 

Condom and Toy Compatible: Aloe vera itself does not cause any damage to toys or condoms, so it is a perfect ingredient for a natural water-based lubricant, like ONE® True®. Important note: When purchasing aloe lube, make sure that it is compatible with the type of sex you are having, as some brands include oils, like coconut and sweet almond oil which can break down latex condoms. 

pH-friendly Options: There are aloe products made with vaginal health in mind! While aloe vera gel alone is slightly higher than the vagina in pH, many personal lubricants with aloe are designed to match your body with a water-based formula that brings down the pH level to match vaginal pH, making it pH-friendly.

Gentle and Natural Ingredients: Aloe vera is a great ingredient to seek out in sexual lubricant! Raw aloe has a pH of around 4.5, which is very close to the natural acidity of the vaginal environment. Aloe feels soothing and moisturizing on skin. Aloe is a gentle, natural ingredient that is safe for skin and intimate contact. By adding it to other products, like personal lubricants, that contain natural ingredients and are glycerin-free, paraben-free, and fragrance-free, make it a great choice for those with sensitive skin looking for a natural lube alternative. 

Can I Use Aloe Vera as Lube?

Short answer: yes! 

Aloe can be incorporated into natural lubricants in two main ways: either the primary ingredient is aloe vera juice (Aloe Barbadensis leaf juice), making the formula aloe-based. On the other hand, lubricants can be water-based with added aloe vera extract. Natural lubricants using aloe as the base tend to be thicker, whereas water-based lubricants with aloe extract tend to be a bit thinner and more slippery, but less viscous. ONE® True® Natural Lubricant is a water-based lubricant with aloe vera extract added. True is made with 99% naturally derived ingredients, hypoallergenic, pH-friendly, and dermatologist tested. 

Make sure to read the ingredients of the products you intend to use and ensure they're compatible with each other. It is best to avoid aloe gels that were not created to be personal lubricant as they may contain ingredients that are not safe for intimate areas with delicate skin. We also suggest avoiding any products that contain oils as they can cause condom breakage and damage to sex toys. 

Is Aloe Lube Good for pH Balance?

ONE® True® lubricant is a pH-friendly lube made with aloe. So, while we cannot claim that all aloe lube is good for pH, we are proud to say that our natural lubricant is pH-friendly. ONE® True® was designed with your body in mind using high-quality, naturally derived ingredients to curate a pH-friendly, soothing formula great for all of your intimate moments. 

Does Aloe Lube Expire?

Yes. All lubricants have an expiration date and it depends on the ingredients how long your natural lube will last. ONE® True® which is a water-based formula made with aloe, has a 3-year expiration date from the time of manufacture. Before using a lube, check the expiration date on the package to avoid using expired products as this can lead to decreased effectiveness and irritation. 

Conclusion: What is the Best Aloe Lube? 

The best aloe lube is one that meets all of your criteria, so ONE® True® natural lube is a great place to start! Some essential characteristics that make ONE® True® one of the best natural lubricants include: 

Natural Ingredients: Our natural lubricant is a 99% naturally derived, water-based lubricant made with aloe. And if you are asking yourself where the other 1% comes from, it's Sodium Benzonate, which is there to keep your lube free from microbial growth.

Condom Compatibility: ONE® True® is compatible with latex, polyisoprene, and nitrile condoms. 

Long Lasting: ONE® True® natural lubricant was found to be longer lasting than the leading natural lube. But due to the properties of natural formulas, you may still need to reapply. 

Easy-to-Clean: Because it is water-based, True® is easy-to-clean and non-staining, all you need is to wash it with water and you’re good to go. Great for whenever and wherever the moment arises.

pH-friendly: ONE® True® is pH friendly, making it the perfect solution for those looking for a lubricant formulated with the vaginal microbiome in mind. 

Free From: Glycerin, propylene glycol, sulfates, hormones, parabens, dyes, fragrances, oils, phthalates, and gluten.

FAQs

Why should I care about lube ingredients? 
As with any product that comes in contact with your body, knowing what’s inside can be a great way to identify allergies, prevent pH imbalances, and maintain healthy, hydrated skin. All ONE® lubricants are vegan-friendly, paraben-free, gluten-free, non-GMO, condom compatible, FDA-cleared, medical grade, and dermatologist tested. 

Is aloe safe as lube? 
Yes, aloe vera is safe for lube. Use lubricants like ONE® True® that are medical grade and FDA-cleared. 

Can I use aloe lube with condoms? 
Short answer: yes. Some aloe lube can be used with condoms. For example, ONE® True® is water-based and compatible with latex, polyisoprene, and nitrile condoms. However other lubes may contain oils or other ingredients that can break down latex and lead to condom breakage and microtears. Always check the lubricant you are using and what the condom compatibility is!