Flavoured

Flavoured lubricant is a water based gel that tastes of something: strawberry, cherry, mint, vanilla, cola, cotton candy. It exists for oral sex, where an ordinary lubricant tastes of nothing or of chemistry, and it doubles as a normal glide afterwards. This guide explains what to look for on the label, which flavours work, and the one ingredient question that matters for anyone prone to irritation.

What it is

A flavoured lubricant is a standard water based lubricant with flavouring and, usually, a sweetener. It is safe with latex condoms and every toy material, washes off with water and does not stain. Most are thinner than a plain water based gel, because they are made to be tasted as much as to last, so they may need reapplying during penetration.

Sugar and glycerin

Real sugar in a lubricant feeds yeast, and glycerin in quantity can do the same for people who are prone to infections. Most flavoured lubricants are sweetened with sucralose or saccharin rather than sugar, which is what to look for; check the ingredients for sugar, honey, glucose or fructose and avoid those for vaginal use. If thrush is a recurring problem, keep flavoured lubricants for external and oral use and use a plain gel inside.

Flavours

Fruit flavours are the safe bet and the most popular; mint and cinnamon add a light tingle; dessert flavours, vanilla, caramel, chocolate, are sweeter and heavier. Taste and smell are personal, so a small bottle first. The best ones taste faintly of the flavour rather than of a sweet shop.

Using it

A little on the skin, or on the partner, is enough; more is cloying rather than better. As a glide it works like any water based lubricant: add more rather than pushing through dryness, and add a drop of water to revive it.

Warming and tingling

Some flavoured lubricants also warm on the breath or tingle; those belong to a slightly different category and are worth trying on the inside of the wrist first if the skin is sensitive.

Frequently asked questions