Principal Active Ingredients
There are five common lubricant bases: glycerine, lipid, emulsifier, petroleum distillate, and silicone. Emulsifier is subdivided into two categories: gum and PEO. Factors such as availability, body safety, clean-up, cost, and personal comfort preferences determine usage. The type of play may also determine selection as certain lubes work better for different types of play.
Glycerine

Figure 1-3: Viscosity of Glycerine
Glycerine lubes have varying viscosities; however, viscosity doesn't translate to lubricity.
Glycerine is not suitable for most fisting activities. The intestinal lining absorbs the water within the lube and rehydration of the tacky remnant is ineffective.
Pros
- Easy cleanup / non-staining
- General availability
- Edible
Cons
- Cost per coverage cm/inch
- Dehydrates quickly
- Does not rehydrate
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Suitability
- Foreplay, traditional sex, masturbation while fisting
- Backup/emergency use (unavailability of more suitable lubes)
Lipids

Figure 1-4: State Changes of Lipids
Many lipids, such as coconut oil, are solid or semisolid at room temperature but melt at body temperature.
Lipids are the original fisting lubricants prior to recent innovations in fisting lubes. Even with newer, highly lubricious lubricants, lipids are still utilized to protect the lining of the fist chute and provide a specific friction coefficient that can increase fisting pleasure.
Pros
- Non-toxic
- General availability
- Unique drag factor
- Edible
Cons
- Difficult in initial application
- Stains
- Odors
- Degrades latex gear and condoms
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Suitability
- Application of a base coat in anal canal, rectum, and upper fist chute
- Backup/emergency use (unavailability of more suitable lubes)
- Personal preference for unique drag factor
Emulsifiers: PEOs

Figure 1-5: PEO Affordability
In a ratio of 1:50, PEOs provide sufficient lube to generously coat and reapply without breaking the bank.
PEO-based lubricants are the most commonly fisting lubes. They are extremely lubricious and can be made in volumes appropriate for a single session. These are often referred to as powdered lubes or water-based lubes, though technically, water-based lube is a misnomer, as glycerine lubes are also water-based lubes.
Pros
- Inert/non-allergenic in most individuals
- High lubricity
- Highly customizable lubricity and viscosity
- Odorless
Cons
- Higher than average clean-up efforts
- Shorter shelf lives (days to weeks)
- Most common culprit of 'lube' farts
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Suitability
- All fisting activities
Emulsifiers: Gums

Figure 1-6: Lubricity of Gums
Gums are lubricious at low and high viscosities.
Emulsifying gums are an alternative option to PEO lubes. Gums are derived by fermentation, seed germ of specific plants, or other biological processes, whereas PEOs are a petroleum-based product. Without some type of preservative, they must be discarded promptly.
Pros
- Customizable lubricity and viscosity
- General availability (health food stores)
- Decreases cleanup time when coupled with PEOs
Cons
- Shelf life (1 day)
- Slight Odor
- May require frequent reapplication
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Suitability
- Application of a base coat in anal canal
- Foreplay, traditional sex, masturbation while fisting
- Backup/emergency use (unavailability of more suitable lubes)
- Personal preference for unique drag factor
Petroleum Distillates

Figure 1-7: Vaseline's© Protective Barrier
Semi-solid petrolatum substances, like Vaseline©, protect against tears.
Petroleum Distillates include byproducts from the mining and refining of petroleum. Many lipid-based lube recipes add petroleum distillates to make the lube smooth and elegant. Advance fisters may use a dollop while douching to decrease harm from high velocity water and douche nozzles.
Pros
- Cost
- General availability
- Slipperiness
Cons
- Cleanup (internal & external)
- Stains
- Mild irritant to certain people
- Degrades pvc, latex gear and condoms
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Suitability
- Application of a base coat in anal canal
- Douching routines
- Masturbation while fisting
- Personal preference for unique drag factor
Silicone

Figure 1-8: Silkiness of Silicone
Despite very low viscosity, silicone absorbs into the skin to provide good lubricity.
Silicone is rarely used as a fisting lube by advanced fisters. Novice fisters often use silicone until they are exposed to more suitable fisting lubes.
Pros
- Inert/non-allergenic
- General availability
- Unique drag factor
Cons
- Cost per coverage cm/inch
- Stains
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Suitability
- Application of a base coat in anal canal
- Foreplay, traditional sex, masturbation while fisting
- Backup/emergency use (unavailability of more suitable lubes)
- Personal preference for unique drag factor
Other

Figure 1-9: Cum and Spit
Biological materials provide minimal lubrication.
Various other items can be used as lube, including spit and cum, cactus and aloe extracts, and distillates from beans, gelatin, etc.
Pros
- Scene enhancement (pigginess)
- All-natural
Cons
- Low/limited lubricity
- Availability
- Prep time
Suitability
- Street fairs and public venues after pre-lubing (spit)
- Post-orgasmic play (cum)
- Organic veracity (aloe, cactus, beans, etc.)