Astroglide Green Cap

While regular Astroglide was never a lube I liked due to the high glycerin content and thin consistency, I was pleased to see that they now offer a glycerin and paraben free water-based formula. It comes in the signature Astroglide curved bottle, only it wears a green flip-top cap. I found out today that there is also an Astroglide Natural, which is glycerin-free, so I requested a free sample on the Astroglide company website.

The 2.5 ounce bottle is a convenient size for storage and travel, and it's also fairly discreet. In fact, at first glance it looks like a bottle of hand sanitizer. The flip-top cap is more user-friendly than a screw-on top, but I still really prefer a pump. The lube is clear and has a very thin consistency. There is a slight clean chemical smell to it, as well as a very bitter taste, which is certainly something to keep in mind if you think you might be incorporating any oral play when using this lube.

Astroglide Glycerin and Paraben Free contains the following ingreidients: Purified Water, Butylene Glycol, Xylitol, Propylene Glycol, and Polyquaternium 15. Now, I willingly admit that I had no idea what 4 out of the 5 are, and they sound a bit scary so I looked them up. Turns out all of them are commonly found in cosmetics and personal care products. Butylene Glycol and Popylene Glycol are essentially humectants, which means they retain moisture. Polyquaterniums are polymers that act as preservatives. They can be found in shampoo, hair spray, and contact lens solutions, and they may have antimicrobial properties depending on the type.  Xylitol is an organic compound found in fruit and vegetable fibers. It's a sugar alcohol that is often used as a sugar-free sweetener. So, I'm not sure why this lube tastes so bitter! Apparently, Xylitol decreases yeast proliferation, which is promising news to those of us who are prone to yeast infections.

On first application, Astroglide Glycerin and Paraben Free starts off very wet and feels almost greasy, but not in an unpleasant way. After a few moments the lube turns ever-so-slightly sudsy, but it stays slick. As it gradually dries, it doesn't thicken or feel sticky, but it seems to leave a slight residue on the skin that I have a difficult time describing. It's not a tacky feeling, but you definitely know something is there. Because the lube is a thinner consistency and lasts a long time compared to other water-based lubes I've tried, I don't have to use very much, which is really nice. It also feels pretty natural to me. While silicone-based lubes last for ages and do a great job, to me they have a different feel to them, which again I have a hard time explaining, but it's just not the same kind of wet sensation you get with water-based lubes.

I can happily report that this Astroglide formula did not irritate me at all. I have rather sensitive skin anyway, and my genital skin is no exception. If anything, it's even more delicate and will protest with an unpleasant burning sensation if I put anything on there it doesn't like. I successfully used this lube during manual masturbation, vaginal sex, and with toys. Actually, this is a great one to have on hand for use with sex toys because it's compatible with any material. I have not tried this lube for anal play, but I am curious to find out how it does since it's so thin and kind of runny. So I'll need to get back to you on that one. The consistency also makes this lube a tad bit messy as I noticed it tends to drip. At least it's non-staining and cleans up easily.

All in all, this lube exceeded my expectations. If you'd like to read more reviews of Astroglide Glycerin and Paraben Free, check out what others have to say about it on this sex toy review site.

$12.99Astroglide glycerin and paraben free Lubricant by BioFilm Buy from EdenFantasys