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Personal Lubricant Formulation
Does anyone here have any experience formulating personal lubricants?
I’m trying to find a formulation that meets the following criteria:
1. Latex safe – no lipids
2. Iso-osmolar – hypo-osmolar and hyper-osmolar formulations destroy vaginal cells.
3. pH 3.8-4.5
4. non-toxic to lactobacillus
5. won’t promote bacterial vaginitis like glycerin.
6. no parabens or propylene glycol as preservative.
7. super slippery and long lasting!
Not so easy! I’ve seen some people trying to innovate with 12% silicone emulsions or formulations with carrageenan or aloe based products.
There must be more room for innovation here.
Any thoughts?
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8 Replies
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Also, I’d be happy to hire someone who has some experience in this field to help me out! Thanks!
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Potassium Sorbate is a very gentle preservative that can work well at lower ph values.
Sodium Polyacrylate - a.k.a. Waterlock - swells in water and holds that water very well. You might have sucess in using it as a lubricant.
Xylitol - natural sugar that has humectant properties and is effective at disrupting biofilms. Might be useful in regards to lubricants that are vaginal friendly.
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Lubrajel http://www.lubrajel.com/
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Many thanks, Robert! Looks like an interesting product. I’m going to reach out to the manufacturer.
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Thanks, Mike. I’m concerned about the use of Sodium Polyacrylate in a personal lubricant. I feel there is a bad perception of the ingredient for this use after the scare around using it with tampons.
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From my understanding,
Sodium Polyacrylate in tampons was a problem because the wet tampon was left inside the vaginal cavity for too long. The ladies were keeping the bloodied, wet, absorbant tampon inside them, without changing them out as required. The Sodium Polyacrylate, because it is so absorbant, was making the tampon extra moist. This additional moisture, combined with the bio-fluids and the duration of time the tampon was left in, caused the problem.
Basically, any fibrous material that becomes wet and sits for extended periods of time would produce the same problem. If diapers werent changed properly, one would have such a problem.
It would be like re-using toilet paper without disposing of it after each use. The paper, when wet and contaminated with bio-fluids, would breed bacteria and cause sickness. There would be nothing wrong with the toilet paper’s initial state, only that people kept reusing it.
I dont think Sodium Polyacrylate would pose the same problem in a lubricant. The Lubrajel Natural product that Robert directed you to doesnt contain sodium polyacrylate, I believe; however, United Guardian actually uses Sodium Polyacrylate in their medical grade Lubragels. These medical grade gels are designed to be used with applications that invade the inside of the human body.
You are free to use whatever ingredient you like.
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Mike - Thanks so much for your detailed view. I’m really pleased with how generous people are on this forum!
I really enjoy what I learn here. -
Look into incorporating PEG 400 into whatever formula you are playing with. 10% to 20%
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