How to read a lube label

Start with the base. Water, silicone and oil give lubricants different textures and work with different materials. Look for the base on the box or product page. If you plan to use a condom, dental dam or toy, pull up the maker’s instructions for that item too. The two sets of directions need to agree.

Next, read the directions for use. Some lubricants are intended for particular areas of the body. The Original Coconut Lube is for external use only. Look for instructions about first use, storage and when to stop. Those details are easy to miss when you’re comparing jars by size or price.

Finally, scan the full ingredient list. This is where you can spot an ingredient you already know you react to or check for a fragrance you’d prefer to skip. LubeCo lists one ingredient, raw, cold-pressed organic coconut oil. Anyone with a known coconut allergy should avoid it.

If you’re comparing products online, save the directions alongside the ingredient list. A screenshot makes it easy to check the details again when the parcel arrives. Read NSW Health’s guide to lube for a breakdown of the three bases.