Is Baby Lotion Gentle on Condoms?

"I know that you're not supposed to use oil based lubricants with condoms, but my partner and I used baby lotion a couple times. Then I read that using it can have the same problems as using oil based lube with a condom. Are you only at risk for an std if the oil actually causes the condom to tear? Or can it become thin enough that something could pass through it without it being obvious that the condom was damaged?"

Oil-based products like baby lotion and condoms are a bad combination. It’s recommended not to mix those things because oil will cause a condom to break.. Pure baby oil will burst a condom on contact. Depending on the type of baby lotion and amount of oil, a condom might not break but that’s a matter of luck. If the condom did not break, then the risk is certainly lower.. But we don’t  recommend betting on that in the future! Water-based lubes and silicone-based lubes are the way to go with condoms. Remember to keep silicone-based lubes away from your silicone based sex toys.

Of course, the only way to completely restore a worried mind is to get tested. For more information, visit City Clinic www.sfcityclinic.org for information about getting checked in San Francisco, go to www.stdtest.org or call the CDC National Hotline for services near you: 1-800-CDC-INFO.

To your health,
Dr. K

(Photo: Getty Images)

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Dr. K is Jeffrey D. Klausner, MD, MPH, a board-certified internist and infectious disease specialist. Currently, he is a deputy health officer and director of the STD Prevention and Control Services Section at the San Francisco Department of Public Health.

This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to serve as medical advice. The information provided should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. It is not a substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, you should consult your health care provider.

Comments

[Astro]

i cant even believe this is a question on here

[spherefactor]

Why wouldn't the headline be "BABY OIL CAN BURST A CONDOM ON CONTACT" or would that be too informative, or maybe actually save someones life ? Screw that! Lets grab a few extra ad clicks!

[Arthur Graves]

I've allways heard this.Baby Oil is good for foreplay but not as lube.

[tomriddlesmate]

WARNING: Baby Lotion causes FLASH Explosions with condoms, burning off at least 2 inches of your penis!

[beforreal]

I can't believe how stupid you guys are. Are you just running out of ideas, or do you assume that your readers are stupid as well?

[Adam]

Hey beforreal, why is this stupid? Obviously someone didn't know and wrote in and they are answering their question.

I think it's stupid of you to think that everyone knows what works and doesn't work. You may have known that baby lotion is wrong to use but if it helps just one person to protect themselves better than I applaud this.

Shame on you for criticizing an attempt to help make our community better, healthier and more knowledgeable.

[Tim]

Use polypropelene condoms. Then you can use motor oil if that grabs your fancy. besides that, they are more sheer, transfer heat better, provide better feel and comfort and are stronger.

[Garrett]

Well said Adam!

[Ger]

Sorry I'm asking but, why should i keep my silicone based toys from silicone based lube?

[MikeFromOakville]

Posted by: Ger:
Sorry I'm asking but, why should i keep my silicone based toys from silicone based lube?

I was wondering the same thing.

[davis]

I was wondering myself, why to keep the silicone lube away from silicone toys also. That is new to me also.

beforreal is just one of those jerks that spout off at the keyboard without thinking. He didn't think that not everyone, has access to information. That not everyone lives in a city where that info is readily and openly avalible. Or to even know what information to look for. I moved from a major city to a small town of 600 in alabama. belive me they don't know, or even know what to ask most of the time. Not to mention there are more and more new guys coming out everyday, who in the past never had a need to know. Cant forget the young guys who didn't grow up in the worst of the Aids crisis

The only stupid people are one who didnt ask, or those who bitch casue someone was smart enough to ask.

[brontomancer]

I must agree with the question of why is this a even a story on this site. However, if gay.com felt it warranted to print information that has been repeated over and over and over again in order to save one life, then I'm all for it.

I'll make it simple for those who don't actually read the article.

OIL-based LUBE w/Condom=YOU CAN DIE
WATER-based LUBE w/Condom=SAFER SEX.

If in doubt, look on the label. IF it says OIL in ANY part, throw it out and use one that does NOT have OIL in it. It's that easy.

[TheLordofWales]

Actually, while it is horrifically ignorant to say "Do you think we're stupid? Why would you post this question?" what's up with spherefactor?

He's blaming marketing and capitalism on an article that directly informs people of the dangers?
So, apparently the headline isn't direct enough.
It should only give the main point so that people feel they shouldn't read ALL the information?

Methinks the lady doth protest too much.

I haven't heard of silicone lube & silicone toys thing either. Now THAT would have made a good headline!

[K]

"i cant even believe this is a question on here"

When I see 18 year olds with hiv in gay.com chatrooms, it's probably good that it's on here.

[g]

i kneew this a long time ago but i guess it's good for those who don't.

not everybody knows everything

[Jared]

Guys heres a basic solubility rule, not it will not always be true, "Like Dissolves Like."

Condoms are a rubber and thus oil based. Oil lubes dissolve them. Water based lubes are water and highly polar unlike unpolar oil/plastic/rubber, thus no dissolving rubber.

Silicone is a bit tricky its a little polar a little not, but if you remember "Like Dissolves Like", you will realize silicone lubes will eat up your silicone based toys.

[wallace]

to jared
thank you ! very interesting ! Hope you have a nice easter. God, these people tell you what's bad, but they'll never tell you why. Pisses you off eh??? yeah, like a million others...........

[YVIEEE]

WHAT WOULD YOU GUYS RECOMMEND AS A GOOD & SAFE LUBRICANT FOR CONDOMS?!!

[Adam & Eve, Sex Toys]

Great post. Too many people aren't aware that oil-based lubricants are just not safe for latex condoms. Way to spread the word!