Is coconut oil safe to use as lube?

I get asked this one a lot.

Usually it's a woman who has read somewhere online that coconut oil is the natural answer to chemist lubes, and she's got a jar sitting in the pantry thinking, why not?

First up, I love that you're thinking about what you put on your yoni. Truly. That's where it all starts. But I'm going to be honest with you. Coconut oil is not lube, and it's not what I'd reach for.

Truth is:

It wasn't made for your yoni

The coconut oil in your kitchen was made for cooking. It was never designed for the most delicate skin on your body.

It also goes solid below about 24 degrees, so in winter you're scooping out a hard white lump and trying to melt it in your hands while the moment passes you by. Not exactly sexy.

And let's be real, if that jar lives in the kitchen, it's probably had a knife or two in it. Crumbs on your yoni is not the vibe.

Some women find it throws them off

Your vaginal canal has its own delicate balance and every body is different. Over the years I've had clients tell me they noticed itching or irritation after using kitchen oils down there. Others are totally fine with it.

If you ever notice itching, burning or anything that doesn't feel right, stop using it and check in with your GP. Your body is talking to you.

Oil and condoms don't mix

This one is important. Any oil, coconut oil included, can break down latex condoms. That goes for Yoni Elixir too, because it's an oil.

If you're using latex condoms, use a water-based lube. If you love the feel of oil, polyurethane or nitrile condoms are the ones to look for.

So what do I use instead?

If you love the idea of something natural, look for an oil that was actually made for intimate skin. Something with a full ingredient list on the back that you can read and understand, plant oils you recognise, and nothing you can't pronounce.

This is exactly why I created Yoni Elixir back in 2015. I couldn't find anything I wanted to put on my own body, so I made it. Sweet almond, baobab and jojoba oils, slow-infused with plants I love like raspberry leaf, chamomile and ashwagandha. It stays liquid, it feels silky not greasy, and one or two pumps is plenty.

Just a heads up, it contains sweet almond oil, so skip it if you have a tree nut allergy. And like anything new, do a little patch test on your inner arm first.

I talk about all of this in the video below. Have a watch.

Quick answers

Can I use coconut oil as lube?

You can, but I don't recommend it. It wasn't made for intimate skin, it goes solid in cooler weather, some women find it irritating, and it can break down latex condoms.

Is oil-based lube safe with condoms?

Not with latex condoms. Oil can weaken latex. Use a water-based lube with latex, or choose polyurethane or nitrile condoms if you want to use an oil.

What's a natural alternative to coconut oil?

An oil made for intimate use, with a short ingredient list of plant oils you recognise. Yoni Elixir is the one I make by hand in the Northern Rivers.

If you've got questions about any of this, just reach out. I'm always happy to chat.

With love

Victoria