What we used: Liquid Silk lubricant
From: Bodywise
Price: From £9.99 for a 250ml bottle
Ingredients: Highly purified water, propylene glycol, isopropyl palmitate, dimethicone, cellulose polymer, polysorbate 60, sorbitan stearate, cetearyl alcohol, glyceryl stearate NSE, B.N.P.D, di sodium EDTA, phenoxyethanol, methyl paraben, butyl paraben, ethyl paraben, propyl paraben, BHT.
First thoughts
Lizzie
A quality lubricant in a decent-sized bottle – and at a reasonable price – is quite hard to find. On average, Thomas and I tend to replenish our supply of slippery stuff every two to three weeks. Granted, we’re pretty generous in terms of the quantity we apply to each other but it’s a pain to be constantly buying lube what feels like every five minutes. Enter the 250ml bottle of Liquid Silk.
How it looks
Lizzie
The Liquid Silk lubricant packaging is very simple. The bottle is a good size and resembles the sort you’d buy bathroom handwash in. I like that the pump dispenser isn’t the annoying fixed, squat design you find on the various Durex containers; it screws on, which means that you can unfasten it and get that last bit of lubricant out when you’re nearing the end of your supply. The lube itself is actually a milky white colour, which is quite different to many of the water-based lubricants I’ve used in the past. (The majority tend to be clear.)
In use
Lizzie
True to its name, Liquid Silk does indeed feel really lovely on the skin – incredibly light and silky. The dispenser makes it easy to get just the right amount of lube (a partial pump for a little, a couple of full pumps for a palm full) and it’s a breeze to spread. Best of all it’s not tacky and passes the ‘water test’ with flying colours. (I don’t particularly like lubricants that re-activate and leave behind excessive residue when you run your hands under the tap after use.) You don’t need a great deal Liquid Silk, either, because it spreads so nicely when applied but it is water-based, so you have to reapply it more frequently than you would a silicone-based product. Taste-wise, Liquid Silk isn’t the nicest on the tongue – it has a slightly bitter flavour – but I’ve certainly had worse. The aftertaste takes a minute or so to dissipate, too.
One note of caution. Those who read through the ingredient list at the beginning of this review may have noticed that Bodywise’s Liquid Silk formulation contains parabens. Is that a problem? Well, it boils down to your interpretation of the available research. Some scientific studies claim that parabens, which are used in many cosmetic products, such as shampoos and moisturisers, can be linked to cancer. Specifically, the development of breast cancer in women as parabens can mimic the hormone estrogen. To that end, if you have any concerns about using products containing this particular type of chemical or have a sensitivity to them (parabens can cause skin irritation in some people*), then I would suggest opting for an alternative paraben-free product. You can find out more about parabens here.
*I would classify myself as having relatively sensitive skin and had absolutely no issues with Liquid Silk, despite it having a wider range of ingredients than the organic lube Woohoo! – which I did have an adverse reaction to.
The verdict?
Lizzie
A generous bottle of water-based lubricant that’s pleasant to handle and apply. Great for vaginal and anal intercourse, on toys (we used Liquid Silk when trying out the Pony Play Butt Plug Whip), and to keep things slippery during manual stimulation. Flavour-wise, Liquid Silk has a slightly stronger taste than other water-based lubes I’ve had in my mouth but it’s certainly not dreadful. (I should note here that Thomas found its taste slightly less offensive than I did.) I’d prefer that Liquid Silk didn’t contain parabens, but, for me, their inclusion isn’t a deal breaker.
In summary
Things I liked:
- The size of the container. You won’t be buying replacement bottles as often.
- The texture. Silky, easy to spread and non-tacky.
- The pump dispenser. Makes it easy to get the right amount of lube and can be unscrewed when you reach the end of the bottle, thus enabling you to tap out the liquid at the very bottom.
- The price. Despite the bigger initial outlay, a 250ml bottle of Liquid Silk works out cheaper than many other lubricants millilitre for millilitre.
- As it’s water-based, it can be used on silicone toys.
Things I wasn’t so keen on:
- The taste. Liquid Silk has a slightly bitter tang.
- The inclusion of parabens. In an ideal world, this lube wouldn’t have them.
Tickle your fancy? Click on the following links to buy Liquid Silk lubricant.
* Liquid Silk is also available in a 50ml bottle, although please note that the latter differs in design from the 250ml container.
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Great review! I have been thinking about trying this lube out myself. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Jen!