First Contact with the alien species Lelo

If you are looking for a water-based lube that won't irritate and comes in the most discreet lube bottle I've seen yet, this is the lube for you. Marketed as a "personal moisturizer," I would agree that this body-safe (paraben and glycerin-free) product is better for female masturbation than intercourse or anal play from my experience. I am not a man so I cannot say how well it lasts for male masturbation.

Since it is chemically formulated to be sensitive for the genitalia, this product is also safe for anal play. Lelo's personal moisturizer will not last at all in wet places like a pool or shower because mixing with water will wash it right off. The perk of it being designed as a moisturizing lube is that it can be used after rough sex to ease any soreness.

After contacting Lelo directly, a company manager affirmed that the expiration date will be on the box. I did not get a confirmation that the date on the bottom of the bottle is the manufacturing date, but I will make that assumption based on the fact I bought the lube this summer (2012). The metallic pump mechanism is cone-shaped and clog-free, with an unusual circular-shaped top reminding me of the Contact Machine. I have not noticed any leaking from the pump itself nor around the base of the pump, regardless of it having traveled in a gym bag a few times. Each pump of lube is a little more than a fingertip amount.



Lelo's slick personal moisturizer (LPM) has an almost natural feeling because of its thin texture and how well it mixes with body fluids. It is half as viscous as a silicone lube (BF, Fun Factory's Bodyfluid) and a little less viscous than soap (Soap, method's free of dyes & perfume gel hand wash). This means that it will run fast down your finger, dildo, etc. Each marking is a centimeter (cm) and the pictures were taken approximately at a minute.

The scent up close (my nose right above the skin) reminds me of aloe vera, which is a plant with a slightly sweet smell (not like a fruit though). This is not surprising because Aloe Barbadenis Leaf Juice is the fourth ingredient listed. I did not like the taste at all, a bittersweet aftertaste that lingers on the tongue; however, I did not buy this product for oral sex. The sweetness of the taste can be explained by aspartame. If you are allergic to artificial sweeteners, this product isn't a good choice.

This water-based lube has several other plant derived ingredients (such as hydroxyethylcellulose), including extracts: Ginseng, Avena Sativa, and Gurana.

The other categories of ingredients in the product are: organic alcohols, propylene glycol, PEG-45M, and sodium benzoate; an organic acid, citric acid; and salts, potassium sorbate and tetrasodium EDTA. The last few ingredients do not fit into tidy categories, including: Polysorbate-20 and Polyquaternium-5.

Lelo excels at being a top-notch water-based lube because it hasn't caused a reaction for me and doesn't linger on the skin afterwards. Because it moisturizes quickly (within 20 minutes), I usually have to reapply. The glass bottle becomes slippery, which makes reapplying a bit of a hassle. I would not suggest applying with one hand because the bottle size is rather bulky because of its width. It is really easy to clean up because it is water-based and designed to be absorbed by the skin. I do not feel the urge to wash it off because it dries up without getting sticky.

It is compatible with all toys and doesn't feel heavy (resting on the skin for too long). I expect that I'll probably run out of this in about 6 months. Even though it isn't long lasting like the other lube I own (silicone-based), I would suggest it as someone's first water lube because of the low risk of irritation and the unusual pretty black bottle.

Arriving in a gift-ready black box, I was excited to try this lube after dealing with irritation from glycerin in the past; there was no irritation. When one of my family members saw this on my dresser, they were puzzled because they know that I don't wear perfume; it is discreet enough to be out in the open because it does indeed look like a perfume bottle (albeit opaque).

I've been using this mostly with silicone toys since I cannot use my silicone lube. I have used the glass bottle when it is cool (slightly below room temperature) for temperature sensation play, placing it against the skin. I might re-purpose the empty bottle with icy water and not-too hot water for future sensations.

Because I was impressed, I have already gifted this to a friend who I think will appreciate the smaller sized tube (2.5 oz.).