What Happens If Lube Makes Your Skin Irritated – Health Digest

Certain ingredients in lube are known to cause yeast infections in some people, especially if you have sensitive skin. Examples include glycerin, nonoxynol-9, propylene glycol, chlorhexidine gluconate, and petroleum-based products. 

According to Dr. Jamil Abdur-Rahman, a board-certified OB/GYN and chairman of obstetrics and gynecology at Vista East Medical Center in Waukegan, Illinois, “Glycerin is a metabolic byproduct of sugar, which can serve as food source for microbes” (via SELF). Nonoxynol-9 can mess with the pH balance in your vagina, propylene glycol could affect someone with skin sensitivities, chlorhexidine gluconate could cause burning and irritation, and petroleum-based products could alter the pH in your vagina, leading to infection. 

You may have to engage in some detective work if you notice a yeast infection or skin irritation right after using lube and see if any of the ingredients in the product could be the culprit. Trying out different brands to see what happens with each of them is one way to go, but there are some expert-recommended tips on understanding lube and choosing the right one for you.