Betty's Guide to Flavored Lubes & Lotions: What's In Them and How Safe Are They

Flavored lubricants and massage oils can be a lot of fun but if you’ve ever wondered what’s in them, you’re not alone. How can something that tastes so amazing be safe on your most delicate skin and how much is safe to swallow? And which ones are safe to use with condoms? Well, Betty has the answers.

FLAVORED LUBRICANT 101

Flavored lubricants are made by adding a sweetening agent and flavoring to a water-based lubricant. At Betty’s we only sell flavored lubricants that have been chosen not just for their yummy flavors, but also for the quality of the ingredients. They are completely edible, paraben free, vegan friendly, and work well with a woman’s natural ph-balance and vaginal flora.

EDIBLE OR KISSABLE MASSAGE OILS 101

Massage oils can contain a huge variety of ingredients and flavorings so read the ingredients list and the instructions carefully. The words ‘Foreplay Oil’ or ‘Aphrodisiac Oil’ will usually mean that the product is meant to be used only on the external genitals and nipples rather than rubbed all over the body. It may have ingredients that could become sticky if spread too widely or that may not be good for the ph-balance of a vagina.

WHAT IS USED TO SWEETEN THEM?

FLAVORED LUBRICANTS: The best flavored lubricants use artificial sweeteners like aspartame (Sliquid Swirl) or Stevia (Wicked Flavored Lube). Real sugar derivatives like sucrose can promote yeast growth in the vagina so they should be avoided. None of Betty’s flavored lubricants contain sugar.

FLAVORED MASSAGE OILS: Many use artificial sweeteners like flavored lubricants, such as saccharin (Exsens Warming Oils), but some may contain sugar. The Kama Sutra Oil of Love is a foreplay oil meant to be drizzled on the external genitals and comes in several delicious flavors, but the company is very clear that it is not a lubricant or all over massage oil because it contains sucrose.

ARE THEY LATEX CONDOM SAFE?

FLAVORED LUBRICANTS: Yes. Because they are water based, they are condom safe.

FLAVORED MASSAGE OILS: MAYBE. Read your labels carefully. Exsens Warming Massage Oils are completely condom friendly and so are the Shunga Kissable Oils. The Shunga Kissable Massage Creams, however, are NOT latex safe because of the types of oils they contain.

ARE THEY EDIBLE?

FLAVORED LUBRICANTS: Yes. Same as any water-based lubricant.

FLAVORED MASSAGE OILS: Make sure your product is marked edible, lickable, or kissable. Some massage products like the Jimmyjane Afterglow Mystic Mango Massage Candle may sound delicious but they are not meant to be tasted. Opt instead for all-over massage oils like Exsens Warming Pina Colada Massage Oil which is completely lickable and delicious.

HOW MUCH CAN I SWALLOW SAFELY?

FOR BOTH: Anything marked kissable, edible etc. can be ingested and has been deemed safe for human consumption. But remember, these products contain ingredients to make them slippery so eating too much will result in unpleasant side effects in your digestive tract.

WILL THEY STAIN MY SHEETS OR CLOTHING?

FLAVORED LUBRICANTS: No. Water based flavored lubricants are safe for your sheets and clothing.

FLAVORED MASSAGE OILS: Avoid massage oils that contain mineral oil because that can be staining. Shunga Organica Kissable Oil contains natural cold pressed oils which are non-staining and not sticky. Similarly, Exsens Warming Flavored Oils have a non-staining formula, so they are safe to use wherever, whenever.