Ride H20: My New Favorite Lube

Ride H20 is a water-based lubricant made by Sliquid. It can be used for vaginal or anal sex, or masturbation with or without toys. Those with sensitivities will appreciate a simple ingredient list: purified water, plant cellulose, cyamposis, and potassium sorbate. Notice there are no parabens, glycerin, or other questionable ingredients in this product. Another review I read mentions that it has DMDM hydantoin, which is apparently a somewhat controversial chemical, but I did not see it listed under the ingredients on my bottle, so perhaps Sliquid has changed the formula.

As I tried to convey in the photo below, the texture is similar to hair gel. It is thicker than some other water-based lubes I've tried - sort of like K-Y's consistency but obviously much higher quality. It does not feel sticky or cloy at all. It does take a firm squeeze to get it out of the bottle but once dispensed, it stays in place well (due to the thickness.)

Ride H20 has no discernible smell whatsoever. I didn't taste it, but other reviews stated that it has no taste. This is definitely good news for those of us (like me) who are averse to strong chemical smells.

This lube performed exceptionally well during all applications. I thought maybe it would be too thick for vaginal penetration, but it wasn't: when mixed with my natural juices, it was just perfect. For anal play, it provided the extra lubrication I needed, and I did not have to re-apply it like I with other lubes. It washes off nicely (I always wash up after sex; it wasn't because of the lube) and leaves no sticky residue. Being water-based, it works with all materials. I am racking my brain for something to gripe about, and I can't even think of anything!

The 4.2-ounce bottle arrived wrapped in a plastic bag in case of leakage. Fortunately, my bottle arrived in top condition. The bottle itself is PETE plastic, which is recyclable. (Yay!) Its label is both attractive and informative. I tried to take a picture of one side, but it came out a bit hard to read.



The label states: "IMPORTANT: do not use if safety seal is broken or missing. Should irritation occur, discontinue use at once. Keep out of eyes and children's reach. For cosmetic and topical use only."

No instructions per se, but that should be fairly obvious with lube. ;-) It is NOT discreet at all-a quick glance will reveal that this is precisely a bottle of lubricant, nothing else.

This is a plain lube--scent, taste, color, and tingling/cooling-free. While lubes with such features may be interesting, sometimes it's nice to go back to basics. Not to mention that minimizing the number of ingredients makes for a more body-friendly product.

My title says it all about how I feel about this lube. I thought I had found the ideal lube: yes, it contains glycerin but at least it's fairly natural, feels nice, and gets the job done. Little did I know how much difference a slight increase in viscosity can make. Especially for anal. Best of all, it leaves no residue or irritation behind. I don't think I have a need for my old lube now that I've found this gem!