Gwyneth Paltrow: Avoid 'Toxic' Lubes When Having Sex And Use Coconut Oil Instead | HuffPost Life

'If it's safe to eat, it's generally safe to apply.'

By

Parents editor at HuffPost UK

|

Gwyneth Paltrow believes when it comes to lubricant, we should be using edible goods - such as coconut oil and almond oil - instead of "super toxic" shop-bought versions.

Writing on her lifestyle site 'Goop', Paltrow, 43, credited an episode of the Netflix series 'Grace and Frankie' - in which Frankie created her own homemade lube from yam - as her inspiration for recommending natural lube.

She spoke to Dr Maggie Ney, co-director of the Women's Clinic at the Akasha Center in Santa Monica about the potentially negative health effects of lube and whether natural ingredients are a better choice for use on our genitals.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Dr Ney explained that many lubricants contain "toxic ingredients" which can affect the reproductive system.

"Parabens are a very common preservative in most cosmetics (moisturisers, face wash, lotions) that are used to prevent bacterial overgrowth," she said.

But because the genitals are the most permeable parts of the body, they are more likely to absorb parabens.

Dr Ney added: "The problem is that parabens are endocrine disruptors, which means that they have an estrogenic effect in the body - they bind to the same cell receptors as our own estrogen but they interfere with our normal, rhythmic, hormonal process."

Exposure to parabens has been linked to cancer and reproductive health issues, however there is no solid evidence to suggest that one causes the other.

SEE ALSO:
Does Penis Size Matter? New Survey Reveals All
Sick Of The Pill? Seaweed Beads Could Be For You
So what should we use instead?

"When it comes to lube, if it is safe to eat, it is generally safe to apply," said Dr Ney.

She recommended organic coconut oil, olive oil, aloe vera gel or almond oil, which are all "free from preservatives and safe alternatives to conventional lubricants".

She did add, however, that oils can compromise the integrity of latex so it's not wise to use them with latex condoms.

Additionally, coconut oil can potentially disrupt vaginal flora, so women who experience yeast infections or chronic bacterial vaginosis are advised to limit use downstairs.

While it can be pretty expensive, coconut oil has a wide variety of uses outside of the bedroom and kitchen. Here are some of them:

How Coconut Oil Can Make Your Life Better

Oil Pulling(01 of17)

Tired of Listerine? Try oil pulling!

Using coconut oil instead of mouthwash is believed to do a better job of getting rid of plaque and other bacteria in our mouths, and boosting the immune system overall. (credit:Getty Images)

Moisturizer(02 of17)

Coconut oil works better on the skin than some commercial moisturizers because many major brands use petroleum-based chemicals that can suffocate the skin, says celebrity nutritionist Kimberly Snyder.The oil strengthens tissues and removes excessive dead cells on the skin's surface that can make it dry and rough. (credit:Getty Images)

Stimulating Hair Growth(03 of17)

Coconut oil can help hair grow long, strong and healthy. It also helps keep the hair shiny, says Palmer's, which produces its own coconut oil formula. (credit:Getty Images)

Coffee Creamer(04 of17)

Coconut oil works great in coffee if you do it correctly, writes Becca Ludlum at My Crazy Good Life.

First, you make a cup of coffee, then pour half into a blender or a frother. Add one to two tablespoons of coconut oil, milk, and five to seven scoops of Stevia. Then froth and blend.

According to Ludlum, you'll end up with a delicious latte. (credit:Getty Images)

Salad Dressing(05 of17)

Coconut oil can also make a good salad dressing. Epicurious has a recipe for a sweet maple and coconut dressing that combines coconut and olive oil, maple syrup, dijon mustard, sesame seeds and more. (credit:Getty Images)

It's Better than Butter(06 of17)

Coconut oil can be used in the same way that you might use dairy butter or vegetable oil, says Artisana Organic Foods. You can spread it on toast, use it to cook food on the stove and even try it in place of vegetable oil when baking.

It's better than butter and trans fats, Penny Kris-Etherton, a cardiovascular nutrition researcher, told Web MD, though she warned that it's not better than vegetable oils. (credit:Getty Images)

In Smoothies(07 of17)

The Smoothie Recipe Handbook has several ideas for using coconut oil in your favourite blended drinks.
To avoid clumping, notes Wellness Mama, melt the oil slightly and add slowly as the smoothie is being blended. (credit:Getty Images)

In The Bath(08 of17)

Nohona Products promotes its coconut oil as an all-over body moisturizer. It recommends adding a little bit to your bathwater to help heal ailments such as burns and rashes. (credit:Getty Images)

For Eczema(09 of17)

The National Eczema Association in the United States has seen coconut oil work effectively to treat the skin condition.

Heidi Carolan from England reported a massive improvement in her son's skin after using coconut oil and soap nuts. She said the oil is lovely on his skin and easy to apply without much touching or rubbing, which can further irritate the condition. (credit:Shutterstock)

Cuticle Oil(10 of17)

Problems with hangnails? Try coconut oil! It helps to soften cuticles and moisturize hands, says dermatologist and author Dr. Ava Shamban. (credit:Getty Images)

In Curries(11 of17)

Coconut oil makes a great addition to many curry recipes, giving Indian dishes a dash of extra flavour, BBC reports. (credit:Getty Images)

For Baking Cookies(12 of17)

Yes, you can even use it in cookies. It can enhance flavours, and if you use refined coconut oil, you can make chocolate chip cookies that taste just like the regular kind, says the Culinary Couture Blog. (credit:Getty Images)

Frying Eggs(13 of17)

Coat the bottom of a skillet with coconut oil to create a non-stick surface, then crack a couple of eggs to ensure they have an extra coating of flavour, says Swanson Health Products. (credit:Getty Images)

Add to Oatmeal(14 of17)

Coconut oil adds a "buttery richness" to oatmeal, writes Anjali Malhotra at the Perfect Morsel blog. It tastes great AND it's healthy. (credit:Getty Images)

On Popcorn(15 of17)

Who needs butter on your popcorn when you can use a healthier alternative? You can either heat coconut oil on your stove (being careful, of course) and pop kernels in it, or air pop your kernels and toss them in two tablespoons of coconut oil. (credit:Getty Images)

Sunscreen(16 of17)

Coconut oil was the original sunscreen, says the Coconut Research Center. It doesn't block UV rays like other sunscreens do: it lets in beneficial UV rays, the kind that allow for some natural vitamin D. For those coming out of winter with very pale skin, though, we'd suggest getting some SPF on you as well. (credit:Getty Images)

For Stretch Marks(17 of17)

Coconut oil can help make stretch marks from weight loss and gain, pregnancy or even just growing go away. It has moisturizing properties and antioxidants that can nourish the skin, says EarlyCare.org. (credit:Getty Images)

Before You Go

Related

uk lifestyle news uk lifestyle Sex lube coconut oil

Suggest a correction

|