Truly Natural Sex Guide

Are you having natural sex? You might think so, but you’re probably wrong.

Take lubricant, for example. Whether it’s coconut cream or mango delicious, that tube you stashed in your nightstand is probably chock-full of parabens, hormones, silicones and petroleum by-products which can cause irritation that makes you more susceptible to decidedly unsexy yeast infections. Ick.

So what about toys? C’mon, don’t pretend you haven’t tried them once or twice—or thrice. Since Shades of Gray came out, they’re practically selling sex toys at Barnes & Noble. But they also can be pretty toxic.

Whether it’s coconut cream or mango delicious, that tube you stashed in your nightstand is probably chock-full of chemicals. If the toys give off a weird smell, that means the plastic they’re made from is vaporizing often carcinogenic chemical compounds at room temperature—a process known as “off-gassing” volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. In short, anything that smells like a shower curtain you don’t want anywhere near your hoo-ha.

So how can you get more natural sex?

When it comes to lube, look for those without “artificial scents,” which can interfere with your naturally sexy pheremones. Like this Good Glide Glycerine Aloa Vera Gel, the label should display a short list of recognizable ingredients.

In the toys department, a quick way to stay away from VOCs is to avoid plastic, and look for those made from silicone, wood or glass that you’ll love playing with—solo, or with a friend. Yes, the idea of glass sounds dangerous, but toys like the Twister Swirl Icicle are designed not to break, no matter what.

Now, go get some. Naturally.