Where people are unable to obtain personal lubricants, they could use one of the following alternatives: Aloe vera You can buy emollients from a pharmacy without a prescription. If the skin condition is severe, talk to a GP, nurse or health visitor, as you may need a stronger treatment. If your skin stings after using an emollient wash product and does not settle after rinsing, ask a pharmacist to recommend a different product. Using emollients with other skin treatments Shop for Vaseline jelly, lotions, creams, and serums online. If You Want to Use Vaseline as an Everyday Moisturizer

Vaseline is also unsafe to use with latex condoms due to the mineral oils it contains. These oils will react with the latex and make the condom burst.’ This can rejuvenate visibly dry skin and help reduce the appearance of fine, dry lines. Vaseline jelly creates a protective barrier that shields the skin against environmental factors such as windburn, and has been used for over 100 years to protect minor cuts, scrapes, and burns. You may need to experiment with different emollients or try a combination. For example, you may decide to use a cream during the day and an ointment at night. How to wash with emollients Megan says: ‘Sudocrem creates a barrier on the skin to promote the skin’s healing process, and is specifically designed for cuts, burns and nappy rash. It does not get absorbed into the skin, and so would linger in the vagina and on the penis and vulval area. It also contains liquid paraffin and citric acid, which can upset the delicate flora of the vagina.’ Bio Oil

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Hekmatpou, D., et al. (2019). The effect of aloe vera clinical trials on prevention and healing of skin wound: A systematic review.

Vaseline Original Petroleum Jelly is the original skin protectant that's been used to protect and help heal dry skin since 1870. The original petroleum jelly from Vaseline is triple-purified, hypoallergenic and dermatologically tested, and is ideal for a multitude of uses, including as a moisturiser for sensitive skin or as a lip balm. When researchers looked into the microbial activity of petroleum jelly, they found that the substance increases the regulation of peptides on your skin’s surface. Peptides happen to be a popular ingredient in some of the more popular and proven beauty creams and firming products. As butter is a dairy product and requires refrigeration, there are risks if people use it for sexual activity. Everyday soaps, shampoos and shower gels usually dry out the skin and can make skin conditions like eczema worse.Darvishi, M., et al. (2015). The comparison of vaginal cream of mixing yogurt, honey and clotrimazole on symptoms of vaginal candidiasis. Emollients can be applied as often as you like to keep the skin well moisturised and in good condition. Ideally, this should be done at least 3 or 4 times a day. Some lotions and soaps contain perfumes and preservatives, such as parabens. These can irritate the genitals and lead to infection. However, like olive oil, people should not use virgin coconut oil if they use latex barrier methods of contraception. Egg whites Emollients are best applied after washing your hands, taking a bath or showering because this is when the skin most needs moisture.

Emollients are often used to help manage dry, itchy or scaly skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and ichthyosis. They help prevent patches of inflammation and flare-ups of these conditions. Types of emollients Lotions We all know that coconut oil is amazing, and it has about fifteen million uses, but lube? Not one of them. Megan explains: It's especially important to regularly apply an emollient to your hands and face, as they're exposed to the elements more than any other part of your body.Maierhofer, C., et al. (2016). Lubricant use and rectal chlamydial and gonococcal infections among men who engage in receptive anal intercourse. In addition, Vaseline states that it is for external use only, so it is likely not suitable for penetrative or oral intercourse. While petroleum jelly is effective at keeping the skin moist, unfortunately, it’s quite greasy and heavy, and can stain clothing.