Table 1 –
Common lubricants and their chemical characteristics
| Categories | pH | Osmolality m0sm/kg | Sperm Toxicity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KY Jelly | Water-based | 4.5 | 2430 | + |
| Astroglide | Water-based | 4.3 | 2299 | + |
| Replens | Water-based | 2.9 | 1491 | + |
| Good C Lovelean | Water-based | 4.8 | 269 | + |
| Pjur | Silicon-based | N/A | N/A | ** |
| Glycerin | Petroleum-based | N/A | N/A | + |
| Vaseline | Petroleum-based | N/A | N/A | + |
| Mineral Oil | Petroleum-based | N/A | N/A | − |
| OliveOil | Oil-based | N/A | N/A | + |
| Canola Oil | Oil Based | N/A | N/A | + |
| Coconut Oil | Oil Based | N/A | N/A | − |
| Pre-Seed | Hydroxyethylcellulose-based | 7.2–7.8 | 380 | − |
| Saliva | Natural | 6.2–7.4 | 70 | + |
| Egg whites | Natural | 6.5 | 276 | − |
*
Ideal pH values for lubricants are around normal vaginal pH (3.5–4.5); desirable and acceptable osmolality values are 380 and 1200 m0sm/kg, respectively, as recommended by the WHO. In order to have a pH e osmolality values the fluid has to be soluble in water. That is the reason why oil-based lubricants have no pH.
**
sperm toxicity not evaluated in previous studies