If you’ve ever wondered if luxurious coconut oil would make a great personal lubricant, you’re not alone. Coconuts are exotic, tropical, and delicious, after all. The coconut palm tree has become the symbol for sunny vacations and tequilas on the beach. And coconut oil is used in skin lotion, hair products, and even desserts. In most homes, coconut oil is a pantry staple for baking decadent desserts. So, it’s tempting to use coconut oil as a lube.
Coconut is a multipurpose powerhouse, but one thing it shouldn’t be used for? As personal lubrication.
Health Benefits of Coconut Oil
If the question is about health value, coconut oil comes with a long and impressive list. Research indicates that coconut oil is: (01)
Antidiabetic
Antioxidant
Antimicrobial
Anti-inflammatory
Hypocholesterolemic
In addition to these health benefits, coconut oil also serves as an excellent skin moisturizer. Studies show that coconut oil prevents and heals skin damage, especially the age-related kind. Coconut oil has the ability to support regeneration of collagen, preserve skin moisture, and strengthen the skin barrier. (02)
Hearing all of the good things that coconut oil can do for your skin, you’re probably wondering, “Why can’t I use coconut oil as a personal lubricant?” Because there’s a huge difference between what you can consume and what you can place in your vagina! For example, hot sauce is delicious, but you wouldn’t use it for personal lubrication.
Let’s take a deep dive into why you may not want coconut oil as your first (or even second or third) choice as a personal lubricant.
What You Need in a Personal Lubricant
People have a broad range of reasons why they don’t want to use the personal lubricant sold at drugstores. Sometimes, a trip to the drugstore is an inconvenience. For some people, a quality upgrade is a must. Other times people may want to use something “natural” and start wondering, “Can I use almond oil instead? How about avocado oil? Coconut oil works, right?”
The answer to these questions aren’t a simple “yes” or “no.” It takes some explaining, so here goes.
Is Your Lubricant pH-balanced?
Coconut oil has an alkaline pH, while a healthy vagina is acidic. A lubricant’s pH should match healthy vaginal conditions. The wrong pH can cause bacterial or fungal overgrowth, like yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis (BV). Using a lubricant that’s balanced prevents infections and skin irritations. Coconut oil, on the other hand, is not a good pH match for sex. (03)
Is Your Lubricant Safe for Your Skin?
It’s true that coconut oil is an ingredient in many popular skin moisturizers. However, vaginal tissue and skin near the genitalia is not the same as skin on the arms and legs. Vaginal areas tend to be extra-sensitive. Coconut oil is not non-comedogenic, meaning that it can still cause allergies or irritation to the skin even if the oil is all-natural. The same coconut oil that softens the hair on the head without problems may cause bumps and rashes near the sensitive vaginal area.
Does a Lubricant Need to Be Antibacterial?
When it comes to wound care and wiping doorknobs, the word “antibacterial” fits in well. In regards to a woman’s vagina, however, antibacterial isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. The vagina contains beneficial bacteria that balances out the environment. As a result, an antibacterial lubricant might wipe out the good bacteria along with the bad, leaving the vagina without its natural defenses. When choosing a lubricant, opt for one that doesn’t kill off beneficial microorganisms in the vagina.
Coconut oil is inherently antibacterial, and studies indicate that coconut oil can sometimes function as an antibacterial agent to wipe out disease-causing bacteria and fungus. However, there are not enough studies to indicate whether coconut oil preserves the beneficial microorganisms within the vaginal area. So, in this regard, studies still remain inconclusive as to whether coconut oil is a safe antibacterial lubricant. (04)
Furthermore, unlike lubricants made specifically for use during sex, coconut oil may not be produced in a controlled environment or stored appropriately. During the production or storage of coconut oil, the wrong microorganisms may be introduced into the oil. These bacteria or fungi can and can lead to infections when used as lubrication.
Should Lubricants be Oil-Based or Water-Based?
Medical professionals recommend a water-based or silicone-based lubricant. Most condoms and sex toys are latex, and oil-based lubricants break down latex. Oils reduce the integrity of latex condoms, increasing the potential for pregnancy or disease. Coconut oil is an oil, which means that it can break down latex products and should not be used for vaginal lubrication. (05)
Is it a Pregnancy-Safe Lubricant?
Women who are trying to conceive should be aware that many personal lubricants may prevent pregnancy. Many over-the counter lubricants found in a drugstore, for example, have spermicidal ingredients.
In general, personal lubricants tend to reduce sperm motility, decreasing the chances for pregnancy. The jury is out about whether or not coconut oil is safe for people who are trying to get pregnant, but it’s better to play it safe and choose another lubricant option other than coconut oil.
Is Coconut Oil a Good Choice As a Personal Lubricant?
The answer would be a thumbs down. There’s a lot to love about coconut oil, but there are too many unknowns when it comes to using coconut oil as a personal lubricant. The following are the three primary reasons why coconut oil isn’t ideal for personal lubrication.
1. Coconut oil is an oil-based lubricant.
Due to its oil-based nature, coconut oil isn’t compatible with latex. Therefore, it can’t be used with most condoms and toys. Furthermore, the human body is water-based. An oil-based lubricant isn’t well-suited for the water-based environment within the vagina.
2. Coconut oil may result in skin irritations.
While an allergic reaction from using coconut oil on the arms might resolve without any problems, an allergic reaction from coconut oil on the genitals is a different story. A rash on someone’s penis or vulva is typically much more painful than anywhere else on the body, therefore it’s best to use a non-comedogenic or hypoallergenic personal lubricant — which coconut oil is not!
3. The jury is still out regarding coconut oil’s safety as a personal lubricant.
Coconut is edible, which is always a plus when it comes to personal lubrication. However, there are no scientific studies that can definitely say whether it’s safe to have sex using coconut oil. It’s safe to cook with coconut oil, but that’s not necessarily the criteria for a personal lubricant. Until research indicates that coconut oil is safe to use as a lubricant, it’s best to keep the oil out of the bedroom.
Are there better options than coconut oil for personal lubrication?
According to a leading sex expert Dr. Emily Morse, lube heightens sensation and levels up the experience. Dr. Morse does have a few tips on choosing the right lubrication:
Avoid gimmicky trends (ahem – coconut oil), especially for people who have allergies.
Women who are looking to get pregnant should consult with their doctor to determine what lubricants are safe to use.
Dr. Morse encourages the use of personal lubrication for both solo and partnered sex. According to Dr. Morse, lubrication not only benefits women, but, “whatever is good for her will definitely be good for both people.” She goes on to say, “I think there’s still some stigma in people’s minds…and that ‘we only need to use it if there’s a problem like if she’s too dry.’ But lube enhances so many sexual experiences that I’m a fan.”
In short, personal lubrication isn’t just for women. Lube does more than supplement natural lubrication – it goes beyond and takes sex up a notch for everyone. Men included.
Playground offers a number of personal lubricants that work as well as coconut oil, without all the cons. Are you jonesing for that coconut scent? Mini Escape is a water-based coconut and sandalwood essence personal lubricant that gives you that tropical atmosphere you’re searching for. If you’re seeking a decadent personal lubricant that smells good enough to eat, then Date Night is for you. This lube feels like silk and smells like champagne and cake — everything you need for a party. When adding a personal lubricant to your sexual repertoire, make sure it’s the safest and healthiest you can find — choose Playground.
Resources:
(01) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33022082/
(02) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8870445/
(03) https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/food-features/coconut-oil/
(04) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844019362723
(05) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2535978
