Let's talk about something that can transform your intimate experiences: personal lubricant. Whether you're navigating hormonal changes, using condoms or toys, or simply want to add more comfort and glide to your intimate moments, the right lubricant makes all the difference.
Enter Smooth —Bloomi's clean, water-based personal lubricant designed to enhance ease and pleasure during intimacy. Like everything in the Bloomi Essentials collection, Smooth is formulated with natural, body-safe ingredients that work with your body, not against it.
In this guide, we're breaking down everything you need to know about water-based lubricants: what makes them different, when to use them, and how Smooth's plant-powered formula supports your intimate wellness.
Quick Overview: Meet Smooth
Smooth is a lightweight, pH-balanced water-based personal lubricant made with organic botanicals. Anyone looking for comfortable, pleasurable intimacy, especially those using condoms or toys, or experiencing dryness
Key benefits:
- Compatible with latex and polyisoprene condoms, dental dams, and sex toys
- pH-balanced at 4.2 to support vaginal health
- Ultra-low osmolality (200 mOsm/kg) for tissue safety
- Free from parabens, glycerin, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances
- Safe for oral sex and both external and internal use
Shop Smooth - $18 ($14 with subscription)
Understanding Personal Lubricants: More Than Just Moisture
A personal lubricant is designed to enhance intimacy by providing additional wetness and slip that makes sex more comfortable and pleasurable. Think of it as an intentional addition to your intimate routine—not a sign that something's wrong with your body.
Using lubricant doesn't mean you're not "wet enough" naturally. Our bodies' natural lubrication varies based on hormones, stress levels, medications, menstrual cycles, and arousal patterns. Even when natural lubrication is present, adding a quality lubricant can prevent friction, reduce the risk of micro-tears (especially with toys or condoms), and simply make everything feel better.
The key is choosing a lubricant that's formulated to support (not disrupt) your body's delicate intimate ecosystem. That's where understanding the different types of lubricants becomes essential.
Water-Based vs. Oil-Based Lubricants: Which Is Right for You?
Not all lubricants are created equal. The two main categories, water-based and oil-based, each have distinct characteristics that make them better suited for different situations.
Water-Based Lubricants (like Smooth)
Texture & Feel: Lightweight and silky, designed to mimic your body's natural wetness and lubrication
Best for:
- Use with latex and polyisoprene condoms (oil can break down latex!)
- Compatibility with all sex toys, including silicone toys
- Oral sex
- Everyday intimate activity
- Those prone to sensitivity or infections
Practical notes:
- May require reapplication during extended sessions
- Easily washes off skin and doesn't stain sheets
Oil-Based Lubricants (like Delight)
Texture & Feel: Thicker, more cushioning texture that provides long-lasting deep moisture
Best for:
- Massage and extended foreplay
- Shower or bath sex (it's waterproof!)
- Anal sex, where extra cushioning is beneficial
- External intimate touching
- Ultra-sensitive or thinning tissue (especially during menopause)
Practical notes:
- NOT safe with latex or polyisoprene condoms or some sex toys
- May stain fabric (but washes out)
- Longer-lasting without reapplication
If you're using condoms or toys, water-based is your safest choice. For massage, extended moisture, or external play without barriers, oil-based works beautifully. Many people keep both on hand for different occasions.
What Makes Smooth Different: Clean Ingredients That Work With Your Body
Most water-based lubricants on the market contain some of the harshest preservatives and additives in intimate care. We wanted to create something better: a simple, effective formula that feels good and supports your vaginal microbiome.
Our Plant-Powered Formula
- Organic Sunflower Seed Extract – Deeply hydrates intimate skin while providing antioxidant protection
- Green Tea Extract – Soothes and hydrates with natural anti-inflammatory properties
- Guar Gum (from Green Bean) – A natural plant thickener that creates a silky texture and locks in moisture
- Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic Acid) – A natural moisture-binding powerhouse that relieves dryness and helps skin retain hydration
- Hydroxyethylcellulose – A gentle, plant-based thickener perfect for sensitive skin
Why pH Balance Matters
Smooth is pH-balanced at 4.2—matching the natural acidity of healthy vaginal tissue. Using products with the wrong pH can disrupt your vaginal microbiome, making you more susceptible to irritation, odor, and infections. A pH-balanced lubricant works in harmony with your body's protective bacteria to maintain optimal intimate health.
Understanding Osmolality: The Hidden Health Factor
You might not have heard of osmolality, but it's crucial for vaginal health as well. Osmolality measures the concentration of particles in a solution –when it's too high, lubricants can actually pull moisture OUT of your vaginal tissue, causing irritation and potential damage.
Smooth's osmolality is 200 mOsm/kg –far below the World Health Organization's recommended limit of 2,000 mOsm/kg. This ultra-low number means Smooth is gentle on delicate tissue and won't cause the dryness or irritation that many commercial lubricants create.
Our Clean Promise
Every Bloomi product is formulated without:
- Parabens
- Phthalates
- Glycerin
- Synthetic fragrances
- Dyes
- Petroleum-based ingredients
- Harsh preservatives
When to Use Smooth
The beauty of a quality water-based lubricant is that it's versatile enough for nearly any intimate scenario. Here are some times when Smooth can enhance your experience:
You're experiencing dryness or discomfort – Hormonal changes from menopause, perimenopause, postpartum, or your menstrual cycle can affect natural lubrication. Smooth provides comfortable glide without irritation.
You're using barrier protection – Using latex or polyisoprene condoms, dental dams, or diaphragms? Water-based lube is essential for preventing friction and keeping barriers intact.
You're incorporating toys – Smooth is safe for all materials, including medical-grade silicone.
You want to enhance oral sex – Smooth is fragrance-free and has a clean ingredient profile, making it comfortable for oral play without interfering with taste.
You're being proactive about comfort – You don't need a reason beyond wanting intimacy to feel amazing. Using lubricant is an intentional act of self-care that prevents friction and micro-tears while maximizing pleasure.
How to Use Smooth
Using Smooth is simple, but here are some tips for the best experience:
1. Patch test first – Before using any new product on intimate areas, test a small amount on your inner forearm and wait 24 hours to check for sensitivity.
2. Start with a generous bottle 'squeeze' – Apply several drops to intimate skin –the vulva, clitoris, penis, or anus –or directly to a toy or condom. You can always add more.
3. Reapply as needed – Water-based lubricants may absorb or dry during extended sessions. Simply add more, or reactivate with a touch of water or saliva.
Keep Smooth next to your bed so it's always within reach. Making it part of your routine removes any awkwardness and makes intimacy more spontaneous.
Your Questions, Answered
What is a personal lubricant?
A personal lubricant is a product designed to reduce friction and enhance comfort during intimate activity. It provides extra wetness or slip that makes sex, masturbation, and intimate touching more pleasurable and comfortable. Think of it as a tool that works alongside your body's natural responses to create the best possible experience.
What's the difference between water-based and oil-based lube?
Water-based lubricants like Smooth have water as the main ingredient, creating a lightweight texture that mimics natural body lubrication. They're compatible with condoms and all sex toys, easy to clean up, and safe for oral sex. Oil-based lubricants like Delight have a thicker texture that provides more intensive moisture and cushioning. However, they can't be used with latex condoms or some toys. Oil-based formulas are ideal for massage, anal sex, and situations where you want longer-lasting lubrication without reapplication.
Does using lubricant mean I'm not getting "wet" enough naturally?
Absolutely not -this is the biggest myth about lubricant! Natural lubrication varies tremendously based on hormones, stress, medications, hydration, time in your cycle, and countless other factors. Using lubricant is about being intentional with your intimate wellness and maximizing comfort and pleasure. It prevents friction and micro-tears (especially with toys and condoms) and simply makes everything feel better. The most sexually confident people are the ones who reach for lube without a second thought.
Are Bloomi lubricants safe to use during pregnancy?
Yes, our lubricants are safe to use during pregnancy and are designed specifically for sensitive skin and tissues. Smooth is made with clean, plant-based ingredients and is free from glycerin, fragrances, and harsh preservatives often found in other intimate care products. It's pH-balanced at 4.2 and has an osmolality of 200 mOsm/kg, which supports your vaginal microbiome rather than disrupting it. While some lubricants labelled "fertility safe" or "pregnancy safe" still contain parabens and other chemicals we avoid at Bloomi, Smooth keeps its formula clean.
I'm going through menopause and not enjoying sex as much. Would a lubricant help?
Yes –using a clean lubricant can make your intimate experiences significantly more comfortable, slippery, and pleasurable. During menopause and perimenopause, hormonal changes cause vaginal tissue to become thinner, drier, and more prone to micro-tears and irritation. A pH-balanced water-based lube like Smooth provides cushion and slip that creates a protective layer for delicate tissue. Smooth also contains hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and sunflower seed extract that support skin health. For even more intensive moisture, some people prefer Delight, our organic oil-based lubricant, which is ultra-moisturizing. Both are excellent choices for sensitive, thinning tissue.
Why should a lubricant be pH-balanced, and what pH is ideal?
Your vagina naturally maintains a slightly acidic environment (pH 3.8-4.5) to support healthy bacteria and protect against infections. Using lubricants with the wrong pH can disrupt this delicate balance, making it harder for your body to fight harmful bacteria and potentially leading to irritation, odor, or infections. Smooth is formulated at pH 4.2 –right in the optimal range to work with your body's natural chemistry. This is one of the most important factors in choosing a safe, body-friendly lubricant.
What is osmolality, and why does it matter?
Osmolality measures the concentration of dissolved particles in a solution. When a lubricant has high osmolality, it can actually draw moisture OUT of your vaginal cells through osmosis, causing tissue damage, irritation, and paradoxically making you drier. The World Health Organization recommends lubricants stay below 2,000 mOsm/kg, but many commercial lubes far exceed this. Smooth's osmolality is just 200 mOsm/kg—meaning it's incredibly gentle on vaginal tissue and won't cause the cellular damage or irritation that high-osmolality products create.
How much lubricant should I use?
Whatever you prefer is the short answer. Everyone's preferences are different, and factors like the type of activity, your natural lubrication levels, and personal preference all play a role. The beauty of lubricant is that you can't really use "too much" if more feels better to you. With water-based lubricants, you may need to reapply during longer sessions as the product absorbs into skin or evaporates. Listen to your body and use whatever amount makes you feel most comfortable and pleasured.
How can I get my partner comfortable using lubricant too?
Open communication is key. Frame it as something that will enhance both of your experiences. You might say something like, "I'd love to try using this because I think it'll make things feel even better for both of us." If your partner seems hesitant, remind them that using lube is a sign of intentionality and care, not a reflection on anyone's arousal or performance. You can also incorporate it naturally into foreplay –apply it as part of touching each other, which makes it feel like a sexy addition rather than a medical necessity. Once you both experience how much more comfortable and pleasurable intimacy becomes, any hesitation usually disappears quickly.
The Bottom Line: Intentional Intimacy Starts Here
Choosing a quality lubricant is an act of self-care and an investment in pleasurable, comfortable intimacy. Smooth was created to support your body with clean, effective ingredients that enhance rather than disrupt your natural intimate ecosystem.
Whether you're navigating hormonal changes, using protection, incorporating toys, or simply want to maximize comfort and pleasure, Smooth provides the slip and hydration your body deserves, without the questionable ingredients found in most lubricants.
Ready to experience the difference clean, pH-balanced lubrication makes?
Shop Smooth - $18 ($14 with subscription)
Full Ingredient List: Purified Water, Organic Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Extract, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba (Guar) Gum, Organic Camellia Sinensis Leaf (Green Tea) Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid