Headshop.com Sexual Health Review: Silicone Lube Destroys Silicone Toys, and Oil Destroys Condoms

Getting this right is genuinely the difference between a good product and a failed condom or a ruined toy. Water-based lubricant. Compatible with everything — latex condoms, polyisoprene condoms and silicone toys. It dries out and needs reapplication, and can be reactivated with water. This is the default choice and the right answer if you are unsure. Silicone-based lubricant. Safe with latex condoms. Longer lasting, waterproof, excellent for use in water. But it degrades silicone toys — the surfaces bond and the toy is permanently damaged. It also stains some fabrics and is harder to wash off. Fine with glass, stainless steel and ABS plastic toys. Hybrid lubricant. A water-and-silicone blend. Because it contains silicone, treat it as unsafe with silicone toys unless the manufacturer explicitly states otherwise for that product — and if in doubt, use a condom over the toy, which solves the problem completely. Oil-based products — the important one. Oil weakens latex. This applies to massage oils, coconut oil, petroleum jelly, body lotions, many "arousal oils" and oil-carrier CBD preparations. Latex condoms exposed to oil can break. If you are relying on a latex condom for contraception or STI prevention, do not use anything oil-based with it. The exception worth knowing: polyurethane condoms are not degraded by oil, and polyisoprene condoms — the common latex-free alternative — generally are. Check the product. On the site's own condom-compatibility claim. Its FAQ states the Sun State Hemp CBD-infused lubricants are condom-compatible. Take that as product-specific rather than category-wide — a CBD product in a water or silicone base can be condom-safe; a CBD product in an oil carrier is not. Read the ingredients of any individual product before pairing it with a condom, and note that a product described as an "oil" almost certainly is one. Beyond compatibility, the ingredient issues worth knowing: Osmolality. The World Health Organization has published guidance on personal lubricant osmolality, because very high-osmolality lubricants can draw water out of and damage the delicate epithelial cells lining the vagina and rectum. In laboratory work this has been associated with epithelial damage; the practical advice is to prefer lubricants formulated to a lower osmolality, particularly for anal use and for regular use. Manufacturers who publish an osmolality figure are doing something worth rewarding. Glycerin. A sugar alcohol used in many water-based lubricants. Some people find it contributes to yeast infections, and if you get recurrent thrush, a glycerin-free lubricant is a reasonable thing to try. Warming, tingling and "arousal" agents. These typically work through capsaicin, menthol or similar irritants, or through vasodilators. A meaningful proportion of people find them genuinely uncomfortable rather than pleasant, and mucous membranes are far more sensitive than the skin you would patch test on. Try a very small amount externally first. Fragrance and flavouring are common causes of contact irritation. Parabens and preservatives — a personal preference for most people; relevant if you have a known sensitivity. And if you are trying to conceive: most lubricants impair sperm motility. Products specifically formulated and cleared for use when trying to conceive exist and are the ones to look for — a standard lubricant is a poor choice at that time.

The collection includes a LIBIDO sublingual tincture described as increasing blood flow in the male genitalia. This section is the most important in the review. The FDA warning that everyone in this category should know. The FDA has issued repeated public warnings about "male enhancement" and sexual performance supplements found to contain undeclared prescription drug ingredients — most commonly sildenafil or tadalafil, the active ingredients in prescription erectile dysfunction medicines — or their close chemical analogues, none of which appear on the label. Why that is genuinely dangerous rather than merely dishonest: These drugs interact severely with nitrates. Anyone taking nitroglycerin or another nitrate for chest pain who unknowingly takes a hidden PDE5 inhibitor can suffer a profound, life-threatening drop in blood pressure. This is the specific mechanism the FDA warns about, and the population most likely to buy an "enhancement" product overlaps heavily with the population on cardiac medication. They also interact with alpha blockers, commonly prescribed for blood pressure and for prostate enlargement. Dose is unknown and uncontrolled when the ingredient is undeclared. The practical rule: treat any supplement promising sexual performance benefits as potentially adulterated until proven otherwise, and never take one if you use nitrates. The FDA maintains a public database of tainted sexual enhancement products — it is worth searching a product name before buying. Now the more important point, which is medical rather than regulatory. Erectile dysfunction is frequently the first visible sign of cardiovascular disease. The arteries supplying the penis are smaller than the coronary arteries, so endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis often show up there first — sometimes years before a cardiac event. ED is also strongly associated with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, low testosterone, sleep apnoea, depression, and a wide range of medications. So new or worsening erectile dysfunction is a reason to see a doctor, not a reason to buy a tincture. The evaluation is straightforward — blood pressure, glucose, lipids, sometimes hormone levels — and it can catch something significant early. A supplement that masks or partially addresses the symptom while the underlying condition progresses is the worst possible outcome, and it is exactly what this category sells. Similarly, see a clinician about: Low libido that is persistent and distressing, which can relate to thyroid disease, depression, medication side effects, relationship factors, testosterone, or menopause. Pain during sex. This is never something to push through or lubricate away. In women it can indicate vaginismus, endometriosis, infection, vulvodynia or genitourinary syndrome of menopause — all treatable. In men it can indicate infection, Peyronie's disease or a foreskin problem. Vaginal dryness, particularly around and after menopause, where local vaginal oestrogen is a well-established and effective treatment and lubricant is only symptomatic relief. Any unusual discharge, sores, ulcers, warts, itching or burning, which needs testing rather than a product. Many STIs are asymptomatic — regular testing is the only way to know, and it is widely available free or low-cost through public health clinics. On CBD in intimate products specifically. There is no good evidence that CBD applied topically enhances sexual function. The FDA has not approved CBD for this or any use other than one prescription epilepsy medicine. If you use these products, the compatibility question above still applies — check the carrier.

Sex toys are not regulated as medical devices, which means material quality is entirely down to the manufacturer and it varies enormously. Body-safe materials, which are non-porous and can be properly cleaned: 100% medical-grade silicone. The standard choice — non-porous, durable, boilable in most cases. Remember it is incompatible with silicone lubricant. Borosilicate or tempered glass. Non-porous, compatible with all lubricants, easy to sterilise. Inspect for chips before every use. Stainless steel. Non-porous, durable, heavy, compatible with everything. ABS plastic. Non-porous and generally fine. Materials to be cautious about: Jelly, PVC, TPR, TPE and "skin-like" blends. These are porous — they cannot be fully sterilised, and they can harbour bacteria in the surface. Some soft plastics have historically contained phthalates. If you use a porous toy, use a condom over it, every time. Anything with a strong chemical smell, which is a reasonable proxy for a poorly made product. Practical safety: Anything used anally must have a flared base. Retained foreign bodies are a routine emergency department presentation and the fix is surgical. This is not a small point. Never move directly from anal to vaginal use without changing the condom or thoroughly washing — this is a common route to bacterial vaginosis and urinary infections. Clean before and after every use, per the manufacturer's instructions. Non-porous materials can generally be washed with mild soap and water; some silicone and steel items can be boiled. Do not share toys without a condom — hepatitis, HPV, herpes, trichomoniasis and other infections can be transmitted on shared items. Rechargeable is safer than battery for anything used internally — battery leakage in a device is a genuine hazard. Charge with the supplied cable and do not leave lithium devices charging unattended for long periods. Check for damage before use. Cracks and tears in a toy surface are impossible to clean. Store separately. Some materials react with each other in a drawer, particularly softer plastics. Two general points about buying in this category. Discretion and data. Consider what appears on your card statement and in your account history, and use a payment method you are comfortable with. Also consider what the retailer's privacy policy says about data sharing — this is a category where that matters more than usual. Returns are usually restricted. Intimate products are commonly non-returnable once opened, on hygiene grounds, which is standard and reasonable. Read the policy before buying, particularly on higher-priced items, and confirm the warranty on any powered device. And a note on this retailer specifically. Headshop.com's sexual health collection sits within a store predominantly selling cannabis-adjacent products, including delta-8 and delta-9 THC items. If you order from the collection, be aware of what else may appear on your order, in your marketing emails and on your statement — and note that hemp-derived THC products are restricted or prohibited in several states, which is a separate consideration from the sexual health items themselves.

Can I use silicone lubricant with a silicone toy? No. Silicone lubricant degrades silicone toys, leaving a permanently tacky, porous surface. Use water-based, or put a condom over the toy. Does oil-based lubricant break condoms? It degrades latex, yes — and polyisoprene. That includes massage oils, coconut oil, petroleum jelly, many arousal oils and oil-carrier CBD products. Polyurethane condoms are the exception. Which lubricant is safest overall? Water-based. It is compatible with latex condoms and silicone toys, and is the right default when you are unsure. Are CBD lubricants condom-safe? It depends on the carrier. The site's FAQ states the Sun State Hemp CBD lubricants are condom-compatible; treat that as product-specific. A CBD product in an oil base is not condom-safe. What is lubricant osmolality and why does it matter? The WHO has published guidance because very high-osmolality lubricants can damage the epithelial cells lining the vagina and rectum. Prefer lower-osmolality products, especially for anal or frequent use. Why might a lubricant cause thrush? Glycerin, a sugar alcohol used in many water-based lubricants, contributes to yeast infections in some people. If you get recurrent thrush, try a glycerin-free product. Do warming and tingling products irritate? They often work through capsaicin, menthol or similar agents, and a meaningful proportion of people find them uncomfortable. Test a very small amount externally first. Are libido supplements safe? Treat them with caution. The FDA has repeatedly found sexual enhancement supplements containing undeclared sildenafil, tadalafil or analogues, which can cause a life-threatening blood pressure drop in anyone taking nitrates. Should I see a doctor about erectile dysfunction? Yes. ED is frequently the earliest sign of cardiovascular disease or diabetes, because the arteries involved are smaller than the coronary arteries. It is a reason for an evaluation, not a reason for a supplement. Which toy materials are body-safe? Non-porous ones: 100% medical-grade silicone, borosilicate glass, stainless steel and ABS plastic. Jelly, PVC, TPR and TPE are porous and cannot be fully sterilised — use a condom over them. Can I use lubricant while trying to conceive? Most lubricants impair sperm motility. Use a product specifically formulated for use when trying to conceive. Can I return an opened product? Usually not. Intimate products are commonly excluded from returns on hygiene grounds, which is standard. Check the policy before buying, especially on expensive powered items.