Who knew there was a different suggested pH for vaginal versus anal lube!
And I actually mean that. WHO knew! The World Health Organization (WHO) has different suggested lube pH for vaginal versus anal use (pdf). Isn't it just the coolest thing that the freakin' WHO has weighed in on what your lube pH should be, depending on where you use it? Part of the reason they do this is because a pH that differs from the place you are using it can make you more vulnerable to infections. Let's dive in.
What is pH? A measure of how acidic or basic a solution or substance is. A pH of 7 is neutral. Anything less than that is considered acidic. Turns out the pH of vaginas ranges from 3.8 to 4.5 and rectum pH ranges from 5.5 to 7.0. So the trick is to try and match the pH of where you use the lube.
WHO recommends 4.5 for vaginas. A higher pH can increase the risk of bacterial vaginosis. Sensitivity factors differ widely, just like vaginas do. Some people seem to get more infections that others.
WHO recommends a pH of 5.5 to 7.0 for asses! A lower pH can irritate tissues and cause damage, which can also increase susceptibility to infection.
One Lube pH to Rule Them All?
It would be great to find a lube that's perfect for anal and vaginal, but the pH parameters recommended are clearly different. So if perfection is what you are after....
Sliquid Silk has a pH of 4.1 to 4.4. While I have extolled it's virtues for 10 years as an excellent pegging lube, and it certainly is, but perhaps not for everyone. Paying attention to the right pH might be a good idea if you are one of those extra-sensitive individuals who is prone to infections or irritations.
Butt-Friendly Lube pH
In my Advanced webinar I recommend a special lube for wider insertions that I really love. It's thick and cushiony, vegan, has only 3 natural ingredients, a shelf life of 2 years, waterproof (shower play!), AND washes off easily with soap. Palm Grease by The Butters Hygienics has been confirmed by attendees of my advanced webinar as the ideal lube for the challenge of wider toys. I checked with the awesome folx over at The Butters to see if the pH is in the recommended range.
Interesting thing I discovered! Since Palm Grease contains only oils, it does not have a measurable pH. Oils do not have a lube pH value because pH is a scale that measures the acidity or basicity of a solution in water, and oils are not water-based. The pH can be measured in even a little bit of water like the water content of Aloe. So Palm Grease is still very much butt-friendly, as pH is not a factor.
Consider their aptly-named Butt Stuff lube, though. It has a nice ass-compatible pH of 6.1! The primary Ingredients are coconut oil, sustainably sourced palm oil, shea butter, soybean oil, and aloe. Butt Stuff has no scent to speak of, and it pretty tasteless (vegan and edible). It is very slightly grainy fresh out of the bottle, and those tiny grains melt immediately when warmed to skin temperature. This is a great, long-lasting, butt-friendly lube with the correct pH for pegging! Butt Stuff is not as thick and cushiony as Palm Grease, but just as slippery.
So Many Butt Lubes!
Perhaps you and your ass want to check out the full range of butt-friendly lubes this company offers:
- Butt Stuff
- Butt Stuff with CBD
- Palm Grease Original
- Palm Grease Unscented with CBD
- Palm Grease Extra Greasy Unscented
- Palm Grease Extra Greasy Unscented with CBD
Butters Hygienics offer sample collections of CBD Lubes, all the variations of Palm Grease (with and without CBD, scented and unscented), and a complete mini-sampler of all their excellent quality anal and vaginal lubes.
What's With the CBD?
Using CBD lube anally offers quick absorption and localized effects. It is not desensitizing, but can ease anal play through increased relaxation. Also it has anti-inflammatory properties, which can reduce any after-play soreness. The use of CBD lube can ease anxiety, which helps to decrease the time needed for complete relaxation, allowing penetration.
Best part? As most of you know, I am a lube snob. There are bad and unnecessary ingredients I simply won't accept in a lube. These lubes satisfy my lube snob pickiness! The sole ingredient I see in the Palm Grease Extra Greasy that isn't ideal is the 'fragrance', but they offer unscented versions as well, so we are home free in butt lube land! (Keep in mind that the oil content of these lubes makes them incompatible for latex condom use, if you are fond of covering your strap-on with a condom.)
Can I get a Hallelujah?!
