Comparison of popular lube types across performance, safety, and ingredient transparency.
Water vs Silicone Lube: Why Plant-Based Is the Future of Intimate Skincare
Choosing a lube shouldn’t be this complicated. Yet, many people feel overwhelmed when faced with ingredients they don’t recognize. Should you use a water-based lube, a silicone one, or is there something better?
At The Lube Club, we’ve spent years rethinking this question. What you put on—and in—your body matters, especially during intimate moments. That’s why we’re breaking down the most common lube types—water-based and silicone-based—and showing you why our plant-based formula is the better choice.
Water vs Silicone Lube: Where They Fall Short
Water-based lubes are often marketed to women, especially in drugstores and large retailers. They’re sold as “natural” or “gentle,” but many contain ingredients like glycerin, propylene glycol, and methylparaben. These additives can throw off your body’s natural balance, leading to dryness, irritation, and even yeast infections.
Silicone lubes, on the other hand, are often favored in LGBTQ+ communities—especially among gay men. They’re known for lasting longer and being waterproof, which makes them popular for shower play. However, they also contain ingredients like dimethicone, cyclopentasiloxane, and dimethiconol. These chemicals create a layer on your skin that traps bacteria and heat, making clean-up more difficult. Worse, they can break down silicone toys over time.
There’s a Bigger Issue
Most traditional lubes rely on ingredients that weren’t made for sensitive skin. For example, many water-based lubes have high osmolality. That means they pull moisture from your skin instead of helping it. In fact, studies show that high-osmolality formulas can damage the skin barrier and increase your risk of irritation or infection.
Even the World Health Organization recommends that lube should stay under 380 mOsm/kg. Shockingly, many popular options go over 2,000 mOsm/kg.
What’s in Your Lube? Check These Ingredients
Most lubes you’ll find online or in stores contain one or more of these:
- Glycerin – Can lead to yeast infections and vaginal dryness
- Propylene Glycol – A known skin irritant
- Methylparaben – Linked to hormone disruption
- Dimethicone / Cyclopentasiloxane – Creates a barrier that blocks skin’s natural function
These ingredients are used to thicken the formula, help it last longer, or make it feel slippery. But they weren’t designed for intimate use. And they definitely weren’t designed with your skin’s health in mind.
The Lube Club Difference: Clean Ingredients, Real Skincare
Now let’s compare that to The Lube Club. Our formula is plant-based, simple, and made with ingredients you can pronounce.
What You’ll Find in Our Formula
- Organic Aloe Vera – Hydrates and soothes
- Plant Cellulose – Adds natural glide without chemicals
- Chamomile Extract – Reduces inflammation and calms the skin
- Vitamin E – Supports skin repair and offers antioxidant benefits
No glycerin. No silicones. No glycols. No PEGs. No parabens.
We believe in full transparency. When you read our label, you’ll recognize every ingredient—and know why it’s there. Because your intimate care should be as clean as the rest of your skincare.
This Isn’t Just Lube. It’s Intimate Skincare.
Clean beauty changed how we treat our skin, hair, and faces. So why should our most intimate areas be left behind?
At The Lube Club, we’ve raised the bar. You’re not just getting a lube. You’re getting a plant-based formula that hydrates, protects, and feels amazing—without the junk.
Ready to Make the Switch?
What you choose matters—especially if you use lube regularly for toys, intimacy, or dryness.
For our LGBTQ+ and gay community: If silicone is your go-to, now there’s a smoother, safer option that won’t damage your toys or trap bacteria.
For our straight women and vulva-owners: You deserve a lube that doesn’t throw off your pH or leave you sticky. This one hydrates, supports your skin, and wipes clean.
Try our plant-based lube today—and feel the difference of skincare-grade ingredients made for pleasure.
🛒 Explore Our Plant-Based Lube →
📬 Join Our Email List + Get a Free Sample
📖 Read How to Choose the Right Lube