I think of myself as a connoisseur of sexual lubricants…though it is probably closer to the truth to say I am a lube snob, if you must know. Recently I read the USA Today insert “Sexual and Reproductive Health”, featuring Dr. Laura Berman. There I came across the ad suggesting that Aloe Cadabra Organic Lube might be good for those of us who no longer gush in response to a mild breeze. Being both a lube snob and a woman “of a certain age,” I was–to say the least–intrigued.
What interested me about this lube was the ingredient list: organic aloe vera gel, vitamin E oil, xanthan gum (one of the common ingredients in the gluten-free baked goods I eat) , organic lavender essential oil, citric acid, potassium sorbate (food grade), sodium benzoate (food grade), and organic vanilla essential oil. I liked that I generally know what all those other ingredients are. But I especially noticed the first ingredient: organic aloe vera gel, the stuff my mom put on my skinned knees and burned fingers when I was a kid.
“This will be interesting,” I thought. Lube as I know it fits into one of four categories: 1) water-based, 2) oil/oil-based, 3) silicone-based, or 4) a naturally-occurring body fluid. Aloe Cadabra is an entirely new-to-me category: aloe-based lube. I had to try it, of course. My notes are as follows…
Smell: Aloe Cadabra has a natural lavender scent which was a bit too strong for my husband, who likes scent-free products. I, however, found the scent relaxing and pleasant.
Texture: This lube was slick at first, and then became slightly sticky, eventually soaking into my skin.
Moisture: Since Aloe Cadabra was absorbed into my skin, it seemed very moisturizing. It even soothed the raw, red skin under my nose when I had a cold, so I am now keeping a bottle of Aloe Cadabra in my purse. My skin stays raw and chapped during the winter, and this is the most effective balm I have yet come upon for my poor, sensitive skin. Perhaps it seems strange to rub vaginal lubricant all over my face, but it feels great and smells great, so why not?!
According to the NIH National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine and Memorial Sloan-Kettering herb resources, there is no clinical evidence to suggest using topical aloe vera as a moisturizer, per se, but there is evidence to support using topical aloe vera to promote healing of minor burns, abrasions, and inflammation. As any woman who has a sensitive vulva knows, anything that soothes the minor abrasions and inflammation we can get on our delicate bits is a welcome addition to our daily health repertoire.
The NCCAM and Sloan-Kettering do suggest that lavender oil can be a skin irritant if applied directly to the skin undiluted, but generally people tolerate lavender well if it is blended with other ingredients.
Lubrication: My standard test for lubricants is the hand-job test. My own lubrication changes throughout my cycle and can be slick, thick, sticky, or thin depending on the day. When experimenting with a new lube I like to first test it on a penis, because I can’t confuse the lubricant’s properties with my own. The results of the Aloe Cadabra lubrication test? It stays slick as long as many water-based lubes, which means it dried out fairly quickly and required a good deal of reapplication.
Recommendation: I enthusiastically recommend using Aloe Cadabra as a soothing vulvar balm, keeping an extra bottle in your purse for your hands and face. For sex use Aloe Cadabra or choose a lubricant that stays slick a bit longer, like Sliquid Organics Natural, a water-based lube that also contains aloe. To boost production of your own natural lubrication, encourage blood flow to your genitals by having sex, masturbating, and/or doing kegel exercises regularly.
