But do you know what kind of lube is on your condom? I posted about this several weeks ago, after I emailed Trojan, Durex and Lifestyles to inquire about the lubricant used on their condoms. Trojan quickly wrote back to inform me that only their polyurethane condom (Avanti) uses a silicone-based lubricant. The rest use water-based lube. I took that response from Trojan, along with Kimono's proud advertisement of their "unique" water-based lubricant, and felt safe in generalizing that most condoms were probably lubricated the same way.
Oh, but I was wrong. This email arrived recently from Durex:
All of our lubricated condoms contain lubricants that are silicone basedNow, I'm sure you recall hearing from your friendly local adult store employee/sex educator/toy-savvy friend that silicone lube is bad news for silicone and cyberskin toys. It breaks down the material, although I can't honestly tell you to what degree. I've heard reports that a nickel-sized amount of silicone lube and a little friction will literally melt a silicone dildo. I've also heard that the effect isn't quite as visible, but just as sad: silicone lube degrades the material, making it porous and ruining one of the best things about having silicone toys! Since I know better, I've never had a silicone meltdown accidentally, and (let's face it folks) who has the extra cash to willfully ruin a perfectly good sex toy, even if it is in the name of science?
except the lubricant used in our Natural Feeling condoms which is water
based.
That being said, I can't tell you for sure what the effect of a silicone-lubed Durex condom is on a silicone toy. I definitely think it's possible that the combination of
silicone-on-silicone and lots of friction could create a reaction. Anyone else want to weigh in? If you've ever had a major condom-related dildo meltdown, or if you use Durex on your Johnny all the time and have never noticed a problem, or if you have more hard facts about the science, I'd love to hear from you.
In the meantime: Trojan and Kimono are (mostly) water-based, and Durex uses (mostly) silicone. Still no response from Lifestyles. I feel like I should write an investigative report... think 20/20 would buy it?
5 comments:
Amanda,
Silicone and water based lubes feel very different. You can tell immediately upon touch (water based: a bit tacky, silicone: oily).
Sasha
That's interesting.. I have recently used a Trojan Supra.. Thinking that it would be the hypoallergenic alternative to safe sex. Some months ago I had contact dermatitis on my hands to secondary contact with polyurethane finish, my hands turned hot pink from holding this person's hand. I thought it'd be fine to use a polyurethane condom since its in a dry form but now I know that silicone breaks down the material it explains why I had a burning reaction to it. I used the condom on a sex toy, didn't do anything to the sex toy though.
I bought a whole bunch of toys at once. My purchase included a silicone vibe and a silicone dildo. The non-silicone vibe I bought came with a free packet of "Body Fluid" lube. I didn't consider that the lube would be incompatible with the silicone. After my 400 dollars worth of "afternoon delight" I realized that my silicone vibe and dildo, even after washing had become permanently tacky. They aren't melted -- just porous, I guess. I'm ticked that the store I bought all the stuff from didn't mention the silicone issue. :-(
Never had a problem with silicone condom lube on silicone toys, but I've always bought the highest grade of the latter and haven't heard or given any complaints.
--CL, S. F., Calif.
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