The wetter the better; a YES® guide to understanding and enjoying lube

From “just a bit dry” to “painful without it”, using lubricant is now a normal part of healthy, pleasurable sex at every life stage. But with everything from flavoured gels to silicone slicks on the shelf, how do you know what actually supports your intimate health – not just your slip and slide?

Consider this your updated guide to the wet and wonderful world of personal lubricant, with a focus on certified organic, plant-based options.

What is lube used for?

Lubricant can support almost every kind of intimate activity:

• Penetrative sex (vaginal or anal) to reduce friction, increase comfort and ease penetration.

• Solo pleasure and sex toy play to boost sensation and protect delicate tissue.

• Foreplay, massage and oral to make touch feel smoother and more relaxing.

• Insertion of tampons, menstrual cups or vaginal trainers to make things more comfortable.

Using lube can also help reduce the risk of condom breakage by minimising friction, but only when you choose a condom‑compatible formula. Not all lubes are created equal: the base (water vs oil), the pH and the ingredients will influence how, when and why to use them.

Lube types: water, plant‑oil and coconut

Most modern lubricants fall into three main categories. YES focuses on plant‑based, certified organic formulas that are pH matched to vaginal tissue and free from glycerine and harsh chemicals.

Water-based lubricants

Water-based lubricants use water as the main ingredient, which is why they tend to:

• Feel closest to natural vaginal lubrication and work quickly to ease dryness.

• Be compatible with latex and polyisoprene condoms (always check individual pack).

• Play well with almost all toy materials, including silicone, metal, plastic, glass and wood, because they do not contain oils or silicones.

YES® WB is an organic water‑based lubricant that:

• Is pH matched to the vagina and formulated without glycerine, parabens, hormones or known skin irritants.

• Feels silky with no smell, colour, taste, stickiness or residue, making it ideal for everyday dryness, oral sex and mutual masturbation.

For condom use, perimenopause or menopause‑related dryness, and general “go‑to” lube needs, a high‑quality water-based option like YES WB is usually the best first choice.

Plant oil-based lubricants

Plant oil-based lubes are rich, long‑lasting and water‑resistant, making them well suited to:

• Extended partnered sex or solo play when you want more staying power.

• Foreplay and sensate focus, especially when used as a massage oil across the whole body.

• Providing a protective, emollient layer on dry, sore vulval and vaginal tissue, helping reduce rubbing from underwear and movement.

YES® OB is an organic plant‑oil‑based lubricant that:

• Uses organic butters and plant oils to nourish and condition skin while giving durable lubrication as a natural alternative to silicone lubricants.

• Is particularly helpful when you want both glide and intensive moisturising of intimate skin.

Important: plant oil-based lubes, including YES OB, are not compatible with latex condoms because oils can erode the material and compromise condom integrity. If you are using condoms, choose a water‑based lube instead.

Coconut oil-based lubricants

Coconut oil has a long history as a soothing, anti‑inflammatory ingredient, and dedicated coconut‑oil‑based lubricants are not the same as a jar from the supermarket shelf. Purpose‑made products are formulated, manufactured and preserved specifically for intimate tissue.

YES® COCO is a coconut‑oil‑based lubricant that:

• Blends organic coconut oil with jojoba oil for a smooth, nourishing feel, ideal for those experiencing vaginal and vulval dryness.

• Acts as an emollient, creating a protective layer to reduce friction from sex, underwear and movement, while being water resistant for shower or pool‑side play.

Like other plant‑oil formulations, coconut‑oil‑based lubes are not suitable with latex condoms, but can be great with silicone toys and for water‑play.

Why not silicone-based?

Silicone-based lubes are common, long‑lasting and usually condom compatible, but they are not plant‑based and may be harder to wash off the skin or bedding. They can also be incompatible with silicone toys and may not align with those seeking certified organic, pH‑matched options free from unnecessary additives.

YES focuses instead on organic water‑based and plant‑oil‑based formulations, offering a natural alternative to conventional silicone products.

Choosing the right YES® lube

Here is a simple at‑a‑glance guide to choosing between the main YES options:

Always check individual product pages and packaging for full usage guidance and compatibility information.

How to use lube for more pleasure

Lube works best when it is part of the whole experience, not an awkward afterthought.

• During foreplay: Use an oil‑based lube like YES OB or COCO for slow, sensual touch and massage over the whole body, as well as around the vulva and perineum.

• During penetration: Apply YES WB to both the entrance and shaft (or toy) before you start, and add more as needed to keep things smooth and comfortable.

• For day‑to‑day comfort: A small amount of oil‑based lube around the vulva can reduce rubbing from underwear, sport, or simply walking around, especially when dryness or irritation is an issue.

Whatever your anatomy, preferences or relationship status, wetter really can be better. Clothes off, lube on – and choose an intimate routine that supports both pleasure and long‑term vulval and vaginal health.