That lubricant can increase the pleasure in sex you may already know. That lubricant is not just for people who have ‘problems’ you hopefully also know. But did you also know that there is lubricant that is extra stimulating? There are (unfortunately) still many misunderstandings about this type of lubricants and gels. Time for an update.

Stimulating lubricants and gels: libido in a bottle

Stimulating lubricants (also called “arousal gels”) are lubricants to which an extra ingredient has been added to provide extra stimulation. For example, they increase the blood flow to your most sensitive erogenous parts and therefore make them particularly sensitive to touch. Also, the erection of the clitoris or the penis (depending on where you apply it) will increase, because the blood flow is stimulated.

In general, the effect of the added ingredients is to create a cooling or warming sensation, similar to the feeling you get in your mouth when you eat a peppermint, have just brushed your teeth, or have eaten a spicy meal.

By applying a stimulating gel to your erogenous zones, you will become aroused (more) quickly and have a faster orgasm. This is great if you have trouble getting aroused or if you don’t come easily. But it can also be nice if you have already come (a few times) and you need just that little extra stimulus to go on a little longer.

You only need a few drops of some (clitoral) gels. They do have the stimulating effect, but are not a lubricant.

What ingredients are used in stimulant lubricants and what effect do they have?

Stimulating gels or lubricants increase excitement. Almost immediately after applying such a gel to the clitoris, glans, scrotum, anus, nipples or in the vagina, you can feel the excitement increase. How strong the effect is, how long it lasts and what the exact sensation is depends on the ingredients that have been added.

Some people are suspicious. They wonder whether the sensation is not too strong and whether it is safe to use. After all, you don’t put tiger balm or sambal on your genitals, do you?

The intensity of the effect depends on the dosage of the ingredients. Unfortunately, you cannot tell from the label whether there is a lot of pepper or not, for example. You can only see that it contains peppers. Also, because of the chemical names of the ingredients, it is usually not immediately clear to the average layman what it is. Unfortunately, you have to rely on yourself or on reviews from toy testers.

Menthol and peppermint: cooling

Cooling gels are stimulating because they contain menthol, peppermint or arganine. This stimulates the blood supply and makes the area to which you apply extra sensitive. Cooling gels give a slight tingling sensation.

You can tell whether a product contains menthol or peppermint by looking at the ingredient declaration on the label. You can recognise it by names such as methyl, menthyl, menthyl lactate, menthane, menthomenthol, mentha pipertita, mint.

Examples of cooling lubricants with menthol or peppermint are Durex Play Tingle Me, Pjur Cool, Shunga Orgasm Crème, EasyGlide cooling lube and Swiss Navy Sensual Arousal. There are also clitoral gels with menthol and peppermint, such as Durex Gel Intense Orgasmic, High On Love Stimulerende Gel, or Intome Clitoral Arousal Gel.

Also read our reviews of Pjur Cool Refreshing Menthol lube, and Happy Diva Spice Me up Stimu Gel.

Chillies, honey, cinnamon, ginseng: Warming

Whereas cooling gels cause a tingling sensation, heating gels cause a buzzing sensation. Sometimes it takes longer to feel this effect.

There are many different ingredients used that have a warming effect. Capsaicin is sometimes used (the substance that makes chilli so hot, also known as niacin or zanthoxylum bungeanum). An alternative is honey (miel). Be careful with honey, however, as it is not suitable for internal use. Other ingredients you may come across are cinnamon (cinnamomum, cassia, citriodorum), clove (clove oil), ginger (ginger), ginseng and arginine.

Examples of warming lubricants are EasyGlide warming lube, Durex Play Warming, Love Glide Warming, Pure Myglide Ginseng, or Swiss Navy Warming.

There are also warming clitoral gels, such as Clitherapy Clitoris Balsem.

Also read our reviews of EasyGlide Warming and System Jo 9V.

CBD: Relaxing

CBD is the abbreviation for cannabidiol. It is an important constituent found in cannabis (weed). CBD does not make you stoned or high. There is no scientific support for any positive effects of CBD in lubricant, simply because there has never been any research done on it. The idea is that CBD makes the user more relaxed. The mucous membranes in the vagina absorb the CBD in the lubricant. Women who have difficulty relaxing their pelvic floor muscles might find CBD beneficial. CBD is often used to relax muscles. This makes sex less painful and an orgasm is within reach.

There are various lubricants available with CBD, such as CBD Cannabis Lube, CBD Masturbation crème for him or for her, or High On Love Stimulating Gel.

Are lubricants and gels with stimulating additives safe?

Most people will be able to use stimulating gels and lubricants and only experience the pleasant sensation of them. But some people are hypersensitive to these kinds of ingredients. It is therefore always wise to test these kinds of products first. You can do this by applying a small amount to the inside of your elbow and waiting a few minutes. If there is no allergic reaction (redness, itching), you can also use the product on your intimate parts.

… and if it’s not intense enough for you?

Warming and cooling gels and lubricants add a little extra sensation. That’s usually enough to make you feel just a little bit more excited, or to make you come just a little bit easier.

There are really quite a few differences between one brand and another. If you use this kind of product more often, you will notice that your body will react more strongly to one substance than to another.

For more extreme stimulation – for example for lovers of BDSM – these types of products (no matter how strong) are often a bit cowardly. Would you like something stronger? Then read these articles:

• Toothpaste sexs
• Figging, playing with ginger root

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