Is there a real difference between "specialty" lubes and store brand lubes?

Contributor: minstrel69 minstrel69
Taking into account considerations such as quality, useability and price per ounce, which is better? Please explain your choice.
Answers (public voting - your screen name will appear in the results):
- Kira - , edeneve , molli316 , iabicpl09 , Neurogasm , novanilla , potstickers , Chastity Darling , Allison.Wilder , LavenderSkies
10  (91%)
noway
1  (9%)
Total votes: 11
Poll is open
11/27/2012
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Contributor: charletnarouh charletnarouh
i'm honestly not sure what you mean by "store brand" vs. "specialty". i choose my lubricant based on it's ingredients and manufacturing. The brand name factors in only so far as knowing that particular manufacturer is responsible and reliable in their production and business practices. It's not that it's "specialty" lube. It's that it's conscientiously produced with safe, reliable ingredients using safe, eco-friendly manufacturing. If there was another brand that lived up to my expectations in these areas, i'd have to compare other factors. So far there isn't.
11/27/2012
Contributor: - Kira - - Kira -
Quote:
Originally posted by charletnarouh
i'm honestly not sure what you mean by "store brand" vs. "specialty". i choose my lubricant based on it's ingredients and manufacturing. The brand name factors in only so far as knowing that particular manufacturer is ... more
I agree with this. I don't pay much attention to the brand, but I do look at ingredients and quality. I'm sensitive to a lot of ingredients, so getting a lube that will work with my body is most important. It happens to be that lubes that work for me tend to be more expensive, but better to pay more money and not have burning or infections.
11/27/2012
Contributor: minstrel69 minstrel69
I am referring to store brands such as Walgreens Personal Lubricating Jelly v. brands such as Id Glide and others sold here. I've used both and don't really see a difference in quality, however there does seem to be a difference in price. I can see that if you have a reaction to chemicals in lubes, why you would be careful about the ingredients but if not, are there other considerations I am unaware of?
11/27/2012
Contributor: edeneve edeneve
cheap and generic don't always equal quality.
11/27/2012
Contributor: minstrel69 minstrel69
Quote:
Originally posted by edeneve
cheap and generic don't always equal quality.
True. But expensive and brand name don't always equal better. I'm trying to find out if there is something that really sets the two apart. Here are the ingredients of the store brand. Water , Glycerin , Hydroxyethylcellulose , Chlorhexidine Digluconate , Gluconolactone , Methylparaben , Sodium Hydroxide
11/27/2012
Contributor: Kitka Kitka
Quote:
Originally posted by minstrel69
True. But expensive and brand name don't always equal better. I'm trying to find out if there is something that really sets the two apart. Here are the ingredients of the store brand. Water , Glycerin , Hydroxyethylcellulose , Chlorhexidine ... more
Someone like myself would be allergic to that lube based on the ingredients. I'd go with something like Sliquid Sea (which I use all the time now).

Honestly, the only thing that sets lubes apart for me are the ingredients and whether I'll have a reaction to them or not, I could care about the brand name or price.
11/27/2012
Contributor: molli316 molli316
There is a difference!
11/27/2012
Contributor: charletnarouh charletnarouh
As a strict rule, i won't use lubricants that include glycerin or parabens (such as methylparaben). The list of ingredients in your post above includes both. Glycerin can cause a lot of common vaginal issues and parabens are linked to cancers and other problems and i also try to stick with lubes that are natural and organic to avoid harsh chemicals and potential allergens. i used to use ID Glide, not because i liked it but because it was what i was used to. i wouldn't consider anything in the ID line "specialty". When i started learning about ingredients and potential problems and when i developed a series of infections from lubricants, i switched to YES lube which is a bit on the pricey side, especially with shipping since it can't be ordered from EF or any other US company and has to be shipped from Europe, but i find it to be well worth the price. Sliquid is the only other brand i know of that i would seriously consider.
i can definitely say that my YES lube is a far cry superior in texture and performance compared to ID glide. i've never used anything like Walgreens brand but i'd hazard a guess that YES is a vast improvement. i can't vouch for Sliquid because i haven't actually personally tried it.
11/28/2012
Contributor: Neurogasm Neurogasm
If by "store brand" you mean something like walgreens or equate, then yes, there's a huge difference. If you mean something like Sliquid vs Babelube, then no, not really. At the same time, a good portion of lubes you get at walgreens, walmart, or wherever else are loaded with glycerin and other chemicals that can mess up your pH and give you a UTI.
11/29/2012
Contributor: Allison.Wilder Allison.Wilder
Quote:
Originally posted by minstrel69
Taking into account considerations such as quality, useability and price per ounce, which is better? Please explain your choice.
Specialty lubes are just as good as generic and vice-versa.
03/10/2013
Contributor: LavenderSkies LavenderSkies
Store brand I find is much lesser quality than what I can find on Eden.
03/12/2013