DIY natural lubricant. Why pH is so important and what is osmolality
What is a lubricant? It works as a substitute for natural lubrication during intercourse, making sex more comfortable. It can also be used as a care product for dry intimate areas.
Types of lubricants
Lubricants can be water-based, mixed, based on natural oils and silicone. Let's consider their advantages and disadvantages.
- Oil-based lubricants provide good glide. However, after use, they have to be washed off with detergents, in addition, they leave greasy stains and are not suitable for latex or polyisoprene condoms. They may contain mineral oils and other petrochemical products, but as a rule, they do not contain preservatives.
- Silicone-based lubricants are very economical, they are less greasy than oil-based ones, but they also have to be washed off. Such lubricants are suitable for all types of condoms and also do not contain preservatives. However, they cannot be considered natural products.
- Hybrid lubricants are a water-silicone based product. They also need to be washed off, but this product does not leave stains. Contains preservatives, and when making it, it is important to take into account the pH and osmolality values, we will talk about this later.
- Water-based lubricants feel the most natural, as they best imitate natural lubrication. They do not need to be washed off and they do not leave stains. The safety of such a product depends on the pH and osmolality values. Often, such a lubricant contains a preservative, and may also contain fragrances, petrochemicals and unwanted components.
What pH value should a lubricant have
A moist environment and a low pH value are the key to intimate health. Usually, the pH in that very place fluctuates from 3.8 to 4.5, but in case of diseases or menopause it can reach 7.5, which is not good at all.
The vagina has its own microbiome, beneficial microflora, which prevents pathogenic microorganisms from multiplying. Basically, the microbiome of the intimate area is several types of lactobacilli. They not only feel comfortable in an acidic environment, but they also help maintain the necessary acidity, as they secrete lactic acid. If the pH increases, the population of lactobacilli decreases. This causes various problems: bacterial vaginosis, thrush, dryness.
Most manufacturers do not indicate the pH of lubricants on the packaging, and unfortunately, it is often higher than the required value. Which can lead to the above-mentioned consequences.
The pH value is a characteristic of water-based or water-silicone lubricants, oil and silicone do not have a pH.
By the way, it is precisely because of the pH values that there are no universal lubricants. After all, for example, the pH of the rectum is 7.5, so a vaginal lubricant is no longer suitable.
What is osmolality and why is it important for lubrication
An unbalanced lube recipe can lead to drying out of the mucous membrane of the intimate area, and now we will talk about such a phenomenon as osmosis.
Osmolality is a measure of the concentration of particles of a substance per liter of solution. In the vagina, osmolality is 380 osmolality/kg. Now let's consider what happens if the osmolality of the lubricant is significantly higher than this value.
If a lubricant with high osmolality gets on the mucous membrane, the fluid from the cells is pushed out to create a balance between internal and external pressure. Thus, the cells of the vaginal tissue can be destroyed and die from lack of moisture. Hence dryness, irritation, microtrauma, itching.
It is unlikely that anyone will measure osmolality at home. But here's a little hint: glycerin, glycols, propanediol, osmotic humectants always greatly increase osmolality. And they are literally found in all lubricants that are available for sale.
WHO recommends looking for lubricants with an osmolality of at least 1200, but it can reach 2000. No one writes this value on the packaging. But if the composition contains glycerin or glycols (read more about all types of glycols that can be found in cosmetics in our article), then the osmolality is definitely closer to 2000.
Actives that should not be in a lubricant
Given new knowledge about osmolality, the recipe for a natural lubricant should not contain glycerin, glycols and propanediol. However, the list of components that are undesirable in a lubricant does not end there.
Typical allergens in any cosmetics - fragrances and preservatives, can also cause a number of problems, especially for those with sensitive skin or allergy sufferers. If you want to get a truly safe lubricant, exclude fragrances from the composition. But of course you can't do without preservatives. And here you need to look for the most acceptable preservatives of plant origin, and it is better never to use parabens in lubricants (which many manufacturers are guilty of). In regular cosmetics, parabens are not so bad. But it is better not to add them to lubricants, since they are considered xenoestrogens, substances similar to the hormone estrogen, and can affect the endocrine system.
Another common component of lubricants is nonoxyethanol-9 or spermicide. It is used as an antibacterial component. Scientists have concluded that when using it, the likelihood of contracting STIs and HIV increases significantly.
You can also find chlorhexidine in lubricants; this antiseptic destroys at least three types of lactobacilli present in the microbiome of the intimate area.
You should not use carrageenan as a thickener either; it is a natural gelling agent from red algae, but it can increase the pH of the lubricant, which, as we know, is extremely undesirable.
Lubricants for thrush or dryness of the intimate area
If you periodically suffer from thrush or candidiasis, you need to be especially careful when choosing a lubricant. Some components can become an excellent breeding ground for pathogenic bacteria and fungi. These are various sugars, the same glycerin, sodium saccharinate, glucose, inulin, saccharin and other polysaccharides. They are often used as moisturizers.
Those who have chronic thrush need to pay special attention to the pH of the lubricant, because Candida albicans does not multiply if the acid-base balance is below 5.
With vaginal dryness, a high-quality lubricant is just indicated, and as a daily care product. It will help normalize the pH of the intimate area, balance the microbiome and the already beneficial lactobacilli responsible for the production of lactic acid will take up the moisturizing process.
How to make a recipe for a natural water-based lubricant
The lubricant should be based on water, a thickener, moisturizing additives without osmotic action, healing extracts. Guar or xanthan gum are suitable as thickeners. From moisturizers you can take urea, NUF, lactic acid. Choose water-soluble extracts - centella asiatica, for example. Take the dosage at the minimum limit, keep in mind that these extracts are glycerin-based, which means that in high concentrations they can affect the osmolality of your lubricant. You can add D-panthenol, its healing properties will come in handy in the recipe for a natural lubricant. Aloe vera concentrate in the lubricant will be very appropriate, since it will not only act as a moisturizing, healing asset, but will also work to lower the pH of your lubricant. From preservatives, you can pay attention to Germal, it is the least likely to cause an allergic reaction, and Euxyl K712, it is well suited for an acidic environment.
Do not forget to adjust the pH of the finished product, this is very important. If you follow these recommendations, you will get a high-quality and safe lubricant that can also be used as a care product.
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