I’ve had my bottle of Aloe Cadabra Lubricant for far too long. Embarrassingly long. In fact, I lost it for quite a few months and just recently found it again. The wonderful thing is even after all this time it still works just as well as the first time I tried it. It is quite similar to the other aloe-based lube I tried and absolutely loved in feel, use, and ingredients, but it is easier and cheaper to obtain if you are in the US (you can use the discount code “TOUCH” to get free shipping on your first order).

Aloe Cadabra is mostly made up of the obvious: aloe. It’s basically organic aloe vera gel with a little bit of organic vanilla essential oil and some preservatives. Does this mean you could go out and buy aloe vera gel to the same result? Maybe. If you could find one without added nasty ingredients, which is part of the whole purpose of Aloe Cadabra and why it was created. A lot of aloe vera gels out there include things like alcohol, coloring, parabens, and probably more.

It contains no parabens or glycerin. While the additives citric acid, potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate have been documented as having the potential for negative health effects they only come into play in large doses. They are also all natural ingredients, not man-made chemicals, and I have not experienced any irritation or negative effects from use.

I have the Tahitian Vanilla scented version, Aloe Cadabra also comes in French Lavender and Natural/Unscented. The scent is definitely noticeable but not distracting or unappealing. For the most part it tastes and smells like aloe, so mildly plant-like, but again not distracting or unappealing. It is actually kind of nice, but that might be my inner hippie talking.

I also really enjoy the feel of this lubricant. It feels slick, is quite thick and really does feel quite natural both on the fingers and the vulva. Aloe is an anti-inflammatory and naturally soothes and heals skin making this lubricant especially wonderful should you have any sort of vulval irritation such as razor burn or anything equally unpleasant.

Since it doesn’t contain glycerin it’s not sticky in the least bit. It does absorb into the skin a little bit and does need to occasionally be reapplied, but much less frequently than some of the water-based lubes I’ve tried. Since it’s fairly thick it makes a wonderful anal lube, as long as you keep in mind that it will absorb into the skin a bit and use accordingly.

Overall I really love this lube, it feels great, tastes great, doesn’t get sticky, and is very body friendly. I wish I hadn’t lost it for all those months because I definitely would have been using it that entire time, and would probably need another bottle by now!

Much thanks to Live Well Brands for sending me Aloe Cadabra Tahitian Vanilla to review!

Name: Aloe Cadabra Tahitian Vanilla

Manufacturer: Live Well Brands / Aloe Cadabra

Type: Water-based Lubricant

Glycerin-free: Yes
Paraben-free: Yes

Organic: Mostly (95% organic aloe, organic vanilla essential oil)
Vegan: Yes

Ingredients: Aloe Vera gel*, xanthan, vanilla essential oil*, citric acid, potassium sorbate (food grade), sodium benzoate (food grade)
*indicates certified organic ingredient

Smell: Mostly like vanilla and aloe vera, so slightly plant-like but not at all unpleasant.
Taste: Again, like aloe vera, rather plant-like, not a strong taste at all, not unpleasant.
Sticky? Not at all! Not even a little bit!

Rating: 5 Lotuses (out of 5) – Exceptional & Recommended to Everyone Without Question

Sliquid is by far my favorite lube that I have tried. I recommend it to everyone and anyone because it is: all natural, vegan, glycerin- and paraben-free, hypoallergenic, non-staining, and the Organics line is actually 100% organic (unlike some other companies with “organics” in their name). Sliquid has even gone so far to make the bottles of the Organics line “100% recyclable, and the labels are printed on partially recycled stock.” This makes the eco-friendly hippie in me extremely happy and is just one more reason why Sliquid is awesome.

I’ve gone on before about the evils of glycerin and parabens, basically in every lube review I do, but I find it’s important to mention in case this is the first lube review of mine that you have read. If you’re already well familiar with what glycerin and parabens do feel free to skip the rest of this paragraph. Glycerin is extremely genital unfriendly. It is a sugar derivative and any sugar on or in the cunt can lead to yeast infections, especially in those prone to them. It is also used as a suppository to prevent constipation, in other words it can, well, do the opposite of constipation. Definitely not sexy. Parabens are endocrine-disrupting chemicals and can disrupt the reproductive system and are associated with a number of cancers as well as liver toxicity. There are plenty of other evil nasty chemicals in other lubes, especially commercial ones, and Sliquid lubes are happily free of them all.

The absence of glycerin also ensures that Sliquid lubes will never feel sticky, unlike many other water-based lubes. The Organics Natural version is very similar to the Organics Natural Gel which I’ve reviewed before. In fact they both have the exact same ingredients and in the same order which makes me wonder what makes the gel version thicker, some magic something that I don’t understand, probably. While the Organics Natural version is thinner than the Natural Gel that does not mean it is as thin as some other glycerin-free water-based lubes, which can be extremely runny and unappealing.

Like most water-based lubes it does need to be reapplied on occasion during longer sessions, but it also depends on what you’re using the lube for. Generally speaking I would suggest going with the Gel version if you are wanting the lube for anal play or fisting, since it is thicker and a little longer lasting, but for vaginal or vulval use the regular version works wonderfully. Generally speaking I use lube as an addition to my body’s lubrication and when used in conjunction it tends to last longer than otherwise, which is why the Gel version is better for the non-self-lubricating backdoor.

One strange thing about Sliquid lubes is if you only use a small amount and have a lot of friction going on they do this strange thing where they turn a little opaque white and, should you be rubbing the lube between your fingers, can form peaks when you take your fingers apart. This is somewhat strange and slightly reminiscent of egg whites (though all Sliquid lubes are 100% vegan so they don’t contain any eggs). I’m not really sure what causes this, and it doesn’t really affect the way the lube works, other than being just slightly odd. However, it only happens if you do not use enough lube, and I have mostly only noticed it while rubbing it between my fingers and not actually when it is in use on genitals.

Strangeness aside, I love all Sliquid lubes and recommend them to everyone I can. I think Sliquid lubes are the best lubes I’ve tried especially because they are so body-safe.

A big huge thank you to Trinity Romance for sending me Sliquid Organics Natural!

Name: Organics Natural

Manufacturer: Sliquid

Type: Water-based

Compatibility: Works with all toy types. Latex safe. Body safe.

Glycerin-free: Yes
Paraben-free: Yes

Organic: Yes
Vegan: Yes

Flavored: No

Taste: Virtually none, maybe slightly aloe-like, but hardly at all.
Smell: Slightly plant or aloe-like, which makes sense because that’s the third ingredient. Not unpleasant and not overpowering.
Sticky:Not at all!

Ingredients: Purified Water, Plant Cellulose (from Cotton), Aloe Barbadensis*, Natural Tocopherols (Vitamin E), Cyamopsis (Guar Conditioners), Extracts of Hibiscus*, Flax*, Green Tea* & Sunflower Seed*, Citric Acid (Citrus Fruits), Phenoxyethanol (Rose Ether)
* Organic botanical extracts are independently certified by Quality Certification Services in compliance with the USDA National Organic Program.

Rating: 4 Lotuses (out of 5) – Very Good & Highly Recommended

I thought I would branch out a bit and try a new kind of lube for me: warming lube. After absolutely loving Sliquid Original H2O and Sliquid Organics Natural Gel I knew Sliquid would be the perfect company for my first warming lube.

Sliquid is dedicated to producing glycerin- and paraben-free lubes which works wonderfully for me as I am trying to only use lubes without those ingredients. Glycerin can cause or exacerbate yeast infections in women prone to them, is used as a suppository for constipation so it can *ahem* do the opposite of that if used anally⁰¹ and if that isn’t enough it is also responsible for the horrible stickyness that most water-based lubes are known for. Parabens are endocrine-disrupting chemicals and can disrupt the reproductive system including mimicing estrogen or affecting the secretion of testosterone, they’re found in lots of things and I am avoiding them everywhere as much as possible.

Sliquid lubes are also hypoallergenic, non-toxic, non-staining, vegan, and compatible with condoms and every sex toy material. They even have an Organics line and an organic version of Sizzle called Sensation.

The only difference between the ingredients of Sliquid Sizzle and Sliquid Original is food grade menthol which actually triggers cold receptors and creates more of a cooling sensation than a warming one. The cooling is so intense, however, it’s almost like a warming sensation. Technically menthol irritates your skin, which may be (I think) the source of the warming-like sensation.

Friction is supposed to activate and enhance the warming-like sensation, and it definitely does it’s job. It usually only takes a couple seconds after applying Sizzle before I can feel it with no additional rubbing aside from that which is needed to apply it. Due to the lack of glycerin Sizzle is not sticky at all, yet it’s also not thin like a lot of other water-based lubes. It’s quite thick, actually, which helps you get it only where you want it.

Since it does have menthol in it the taste and smell reflect that quite evidently. If licked soon after putting to use before it has the chance to calm down a little bit it can definitely make your tongue tingle, which makes for interesting oral. It also smells like menthol, though I can’t smell it when it is on me I’m sure if your nose was down near it you would be ale to smell it, so if you don’t like minty smelling things you might want to pass.

Personally, I’m not sure how I feel about the warming-like sensation of Sliquid Sizzle. I have only used this on my clit, not internally as I’m not sure I would enjoy that sensation and haven’t gotten up the nerve to give it a try. Though I imagine it feels much like many other warming lubes and I know it feels similar to a few arousal products which employ menthol or peppermint oil to do their “arousing,” I’m just not convinced I enjoy that tingly cooling/warming sensation in general. I do know that it has piqued my interest, and I am definitely interested in trying other warming and cooling products out there.

My own preferences aside, however, this is a wonderful lubricant from a wonderful company and a great way to dive into sensation lubes or to enhance an existing collection.

You can find Sliquid Sizzle, along with other Sliquid products, Dildos and sex toys of every flavor on SexToy.Com.

Name: Sizzle – Warming Formula

Manufacturer: Sliquid

Type: Water-based Lubricant

Compatibility: Works with all toy types. Latex safe. Body safe.

Glycerin-free: Yes
Paraben-free: Yes

Organic: No, but there is an organic version: Sliquid Organics Sensation
Vegan: Yes

Flavored: No

Ingredients: Purified H2O, Plant Cellulose, Polyquat 007, Food Grade Menthol, DMDM Hydantoin

Smell: Like menthol, which shouldn’t be a surprise, but not overwhelmingly.
Taste: Also like menthol, and the fresher you get it from the bottle the more likely it is to make your tongue tingle too.
Sticky? Not at all, of course!

Rating: 3 Lotus’ (out of 5) – Good & Recommended

Much thanks to SexToy.Com for letting me review Sliquid Sizzle!

1. This gem of information is thanks to Tristan Taormino’s wonderful Ultimate Guide to Anal Sex for Women (review coming soon)! [↩]