Oil vs Water

There’s a lot of debate around oil vs water-based personal lubricants.
… and we can now throw silicone in the mix!
So what goes with what? And what are the pros and cons?

• Water-based lubricants are condom compatible. So are silicone lubricants. Together they make up over 95% of the 200+ personal lubricants I could find on the market. It seems that condoms are what personal lubricants were developed for, and they are usually marketed at young people.
• Oil-based personal lubricants are new on the market – Olive & Bee is the only Australian made oil-based lubricant I know about. Oils are not condom compatible, but are actually more hydrating on the skin than water (think lip balm vs water on cracked lips).
• Not all oils are the same – some are “too thick” and more likely to clog pores, eg coconut oil. Olive Oil has a low comedogenic rating, which means it is a good absorbable oil on the skin.
• Water based lubricants need to have a preservative. Any cosmetic with water needs a preservative. Otherwise it would grow bacteria and mould. There can’t be a 100% natural water-based lubricant.
• Oil based lubricants do not need a preservative, hence are good for people that are sensitive to these chemicals, or just want to avoid them. And silicone lubricants are petrochemicals.
• Water based and some oil based products are fine to use with silicone (eg a pessary or dilator), but silicone lubricants don’t go with silicone products.

Hope this helps! Email any questions to claire@adelaidephysio.com.

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Global opportunities!

Olive & Bee is now trademarked in the following countries:

• Australia
• New Zealand
• United Kingdom
• Canada
• China
• Hong Kong
• Singapore
• India
• United States (which went to appeal but we won!)
• EU pending…

Hopefully we’ll on the track to increasing international sales in 2019…