Not necessarily. Using any type of oil as a lubricant can be problematic for several reasons.First of all, if you're using any latex condoms or dams, you should steer clear of oils entirely. Oil breaks apart latex, creating holes that you may or may not be able to see, and taking away your protection against pregnancy and infection. Use only water-based or silicone-based lubricants with latex.
Second, if you're not using latex but just want a good lubricant, oil is still not a great choice. Our bodies don't flush out oils very efficiently, so they tend to stick around, clogging pores and leading to uncomfortable acne and/or infection.
We've found that water-based or silicone-based lubricants are overall the best choices for any sexual activity.
If you absolutely must use oil as a lubricant, we recommend doing so only under the following conditions:
- You are being sexual only with yourself, not with a partner;
- You are not using or having contact with any latex products; and
- You are using a long-chain, certified organic oil like organic almond oil.
Please see the articles in the sidebar for more information.
