What Gwyneth Paltrow Believes We Should Use Instead Of Lube
-
Loading... - NINA DEBEVEC
- 10 May 2020
- 739 Views
- 0 Like
- 0 Comment
Gwyneth Paltrow believes when it comes to lubricant, we should be using edible goods - such as coconut oil and almond oil - instead of “super toxic” shop-bought versions.
Writing on her lifestyle site ‘Goop’, Paltrow, 43, credited an episode of the Netflix series ‘Grace and Frankie’ - in which Frankie created her own homemade lube from yam - as her inspiration for recommending natural lube.
She spoke to Dr Maggie Ney, co-director of the Women’s Clinic at the Akasha Center in Santa Monica about the potentially negative health effects of lube and whether natural ingredients are a better choice for use on our genitals.
Dr Ney explained that many lubricants contain “toxic ingredients” which can affect the reproductive system.
“Parabens are a very common preservative in most cosmetics (moisturisers, face wash, lotions) that are used to prevent bacterial overgrowth,” she said.
But because the genitals are the most permeable parts of the body, they are more likely to absorb parabens.
Dr Ney added: “The problem is that parabens are endocrine disruptors, which means that they have an estrogenic effect in the body - they bind to the same cell receptors as our own estrogen but they interfere with our normal, rhythmic, hormonal process.”
Exposure to parabens has been linked to cancer and reproductive health issues, however there is no solid evidence to suggest that one causes the other.
“When it comes to lube, if it is safe to eat, it is generally safe to apply,” said Dr Ney.
She recommended organic coconut oil, olive oil, aloe vera gel or almond oil, which are all “free from preservatives and safe alternatives to conventional lubricants”.
She did add, however, that oils can compromise the integrity of latex so it’s not wise to use them with latex condoms.
Additionally, coconut oil can potentially disrupt vaginal flora, so women who experience yeast infections or chronic bacterial vaginosis are advised to limit use downstairs.
