Select the type of lubricant to review components, concerns, preferences, acquisition, evaluations, and other details:

• Glycerines
• Lipids
• Polymer
• Petroleum
• Silicone

Glycerin-based Lubrications

Composition and Properties

Glycerin is a carbohydrate associated with simple alcohol sugar. The molecular makeup of glycerins cause them to attract moisture and thus provide strong lubricating qualities. When all available moisture is consumed, they become sticky and have anti-lubricant properties.

These lubes can be organic and natural (such as the byproduct of certain food preparation), or manufactured through industrial synthesis. Once created, they can be packaged in liquid and gel forms. Typical brands include Astroglide® and Wet®.

Safety and Sanitation

Glycerin is often a food additive, so general consumption is theoretically possible; however, ingestion is not recommended, especially if the glycerin is not food-grade. Most glycerin-based lubes contain additional additives to add color, increase duration, and prevent fungal and bacteriall growth.

In all likelihood, glycerin-based lubes facilitate the transmission of STIs instead of hindering them: avoid sharing lube and lube containers. Wash up thoroughly between Bottoms. On the plus side, these lubes do not destroy condoms, toys, or gloves.

Clean up is simple with soap and water, and these lubes rarely stain or discolor linens, clothing, or furniture.

Marketing, Cost and Availability

Glycerin-based lubes are typically marketed as water-based lubes. Look in the 'Health and Body' or 'Personal Care' sections—you can locate the lubes there alongside condoms. Pricing is minimal.

Hybrids

To increase the duration of these lubes, mixing with other lube bases is common. Once mixed, they are generally marketed as hybrids or creams.

Fisting Compatibility

Glycerin-based lubes extract water from the air and fist chute and lose their slipperiness relatively quickly. For this reason, they are okay for fucking, but poor for fisting.

Lipid-based Lubrications

Composition and Properties

Lipid-based lubes are composed of fatty acids (usually triglycerides) derived from plants or animals. At room-temperature, they can be in liquid, solid, or semi-solid state. At body temperature, most are liquids.

Lipids are generally hydrophobic and are insoluble in water. They essentially function as lube by coating both the fist chute and hand/arm, which decreases friction.

Safety and Sanitation

Since many foods are composed of, or are prepared in oils, most lipid lubes are safe for direct consumption. Anecdotal evidence suggests that cholesterol can be higher in very active fisting Bottoms who use lipid-based lubes as their primary lubrication source.

Like glycerin-based lubes, cross contamination is a concern between partners and sessions. All Bottoms should have their own lube containers and Tops should wash frequently to decrease the transmission of STIs via tainted lube. Single use containers should be discarded at the end of a session.

Lipids have the ability to weaken condoms and gloves, and they can deteriorate certain toys. The frequency of glove changes, the pace of play, and the unique movements of fisting play make disintegration unlikely.

Clean-up usually requires dish soap designed to cut grease. Keep a bottle of Dawn® inside your shower and near your sink.

Sheets, towels and pillows can be permanently stained by lipid-based lubes

Marketing, Cost and Availability

Cooking oils and greases are readily available in most grocery stores worldwide. Cost is minimal. Due to these two factors, lube manufacturers typically do not offer lipid-based lube solutions.

Hybrids

It is common for fisters to combine lipid-, glycerin-, and petroleum-based lubes together to create easy-to-apply, long lasting lubrication.

Fisting Compatibility

Lipid-based lubes such as Crisco® and coconut oil are traditional favorites in the fisting community. While Crisco has a specific odor, off-brand labels do not. Some Bottoms prefer only Crisco®, while others prefer anything but Crisco.

Polymer-based Lubrications

Composition and Properties

In chemistry, a polymer is a naturally occurring or synthetic compound that has large molecules made up of many relatively simple repeated units. Three common polymer-based lubes are: polyethylene glycol (PEG or PEG-M90), methyl cellulose (MC or E461 to E464), and Xanthan Gum. Derivatives of these substances are J-lube®, K-lube®, and Xanthan.

MC/E461 is synthetically produced by heating cellulose with a solution of sodium hydroxide (or other caustic substance) and treating it with methyl chloride. The alcohol common in the polymer is replaced by methoxide (-OCH3 groups). Different kinds of methyl cellulose can be prepared depending on the number of hydroxyl groups substituted. PEG is made through similar chemical processes, with different bases and caustic substance. Xanthan Gum is prepared through a fermentation process.

In cool water (anything below body temperature), these three polymers thicken (and are best if chilled prior to use). In extremely hot water or temperature, these lubes can become a gel or paste, sometimes losing their slipperiness.

The slipperiness (and stringiness) of these lubes is due to the extremely long polymer chains. These chains slide over each other. Using a blender or food processor to prepare this type of lube cuts the chains and can decrease how slippery they are.

Safety and Sanitation

The primary ingredients in these polymers have daily uses that involve either ingestion (as a food ingredient) or application to the body (as a lotion, for example). Xanthan's primary use is a food additive to thicken and tie ingredients together. It is often used as a primary ingredient in gluten free products. MC/E461 is often a food additive and emulsifier (Metamucil is an methylcellulose product), so general consumption is theoretically possible; however, ingestion is not recommended. PEG-M90 is a primary ingredient in lotions, shampoos, and soaps.

Like glycerin-based lubes, fungal and bacteriall growth is common without special preservatives. In fact, many labs use methylcellulose as a medium for growing and monitoring cells and viruses. STI transmission can be avoided by not sharing lube and lube containers. Wash up thoroughly between Bottoms.

These lubes are 100% condom, toy, and glove safe.

Clean up is easiest by hyper saturation (pressure washing with excessive amounts of water). Hair conditioner or table-salt can break the cellulose bonds and 'cut' the lube.

Marketing, Cost and Availability

Glycerin- and polymer-based lubes are typically marketed as water-based lubes. J-lube® or J-jelly can be bought at some medical supply stores and most veterinary supply stores or websites.

Xanthan gum can be found in health food stores.

Per ounce (or milliliter), these lubes are the relatively cheap. A teaspoon of Fist Powder® and K-lube® can make sufficient lube for a fisting session, a couple tablespoons of J-lube® does the same thing.

Hybrids

Mixing with lipid-, silicone-, and petroleum- based lubes is very common among fisters. The hybrids are usually cream-like in texture and appearance.

Fisting Compatibility

Polymer-based lubes run neck and neck with lipid-based lubes regarding usage in fisting. Many older fisters like the lipid lubes, while younger fisters and depth fisters prefer polymer for extreme fisting.

Veterinary and obstetrical lubes such as J-lube® and J Jelly are ideal for the intensity and length of a fisting session.

Specialty Vendors/Acquisition

J-lube®, K-lube®, and Fist Powder® can be purchased from Amazon or other vendors online.

Petroleum Lubes

Composition and Properties

Petroleum-based lubes are likely to be the first lubrication material used by adolescents in discovering sexual gratification. Very few adults use them as stand-alone lubrications; however, many over-the-counter lubes contain highly refined petroleum components.

The most common petroleum-based lubes are petroleum jelly, baby oil, and mineral oil. Formed from complex hydrocarbons (at least 25 carbons per molecule) during the oil refinement, they may be solid or liquid at room temperature. Petroleum jelly melts just slightly above body temperature.

Like lipid-based lubes, petroleum lubes are hydrophobic and insoluble in water. They decrease friction by coating the hand/arm and fist chute with molecules that slide over/past one another.

Safety and Sanitation

There are differing purity standards for over-the-counter petroleum-based products—most have been highly refined. The material itself provides no food source for bacterial and fungi; however, contaminants can be trapped inside the lube jar and provide some nutritional value to unhealthy organisms. Single use containers can be prepped before a session to eliminate this concern. Cross contamination between Bottoms is also a concern and standard Safety processes should be followed.

Once applied to skin, these lubes can trap existing bacterial, fungi, or parasites inside the body. For this reason, some people do not use petroleum products as lubes.

If using a cream or lotion hybrid (see below), be aware of all product ingredients and any product warnings. Some items may burn the tissues inside the colon.

Any petroleum product will weaken condoms, gloves, toys faster than any other lubricant. Use caution.

Using a lipid (such as olive oil) will help dissolve the petroleum-based lube enough that the remnants can be washed away with soap and water.

Sheets, towels and pillows can be permanently stained by these lubes.

Marketing, Cost and Availability

Vaseline® and mineral oil are the most common petroleum-based lubes and are easily found in Pharmacies and 'Personal Care' aisles of many stores. Cost is minimal. Rarely are they marketed directly as lubrication.

Hybrids

Most lotions and creams have petroleums as ingredients. Some fisting lube recipes combine lipid-, glycerin-, and petroleum-based lubes together to create easy-to-apply, long lasting lubrication.

Fisting Compatibility

Some individuals do not like the greasy feeling that lingers even after clean-up and will not use these lubes or hybrid combinations for fisting.

Specialty Vendors/Acquisition

Elbow Grease, Boy Butter, and other creams are usually available at adult/sex stores or online.

Silicone Lubes

Composition and Properties

Unlike all of the other lubes discussed on this page, Silicone lube has a different core, specifically, the element silicone instead of carbon and the alcohol molecule (-OH).

Like lipid-based lubes, silicone is hydrophobic (it repels water), and the slipperiness is due to how the molecules interact with each other.

Safety and Sanitation

Preservatives and the nature of silicone prevent bacterial and fungal growth in non-contaminated lube. Although single use packages from manufactures are available, the quantity is insufficient for fisting. Creating your own single use packaging is also inconvenient, if not impossible.

Like petroleum-based lubes, silicone can trap existing fungi and bacterial in the skin. As a result, you may see an increase susceptibility to jock itch or other skin-related infections. Other medical concerns involve the product packaging which indicates that this lube has not been evaluated for internal uses.

Silicone lubes will destroy rubber, latex and non-medical grade silicone toys. It will also weaken condoms and gloves quicker than lipid-based lubes. Use cation.

Copious amounts of shampoo and conditioner applied before rinsing with water will help remove silicone lubrication. Use the same methodology to remove from fabrics prior to washing—effectiveness may vary.

Fisting Compatibility

Like water-based glycerin lubes, silicone-based lubes can be used for fisting in a pinch.

Typically, they do not facilitate longer sessions or depth play because of the amount of lube required to sufficiently coat the hand/arm and the fist chute. Silicone lube can facilitate shower and pool fisting.

Specialty Vendors/Acquisition

Usually available at adult/sex stores or online.

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