Q. My husband and I have used Albolene as a sexual lubricant since the early 1970s. I’m not sure how we heard about it, but it’s great: odorless, tasteless, slick but not messy.
It comes in a white tub you can keep by the bed without embarrassment. A 12-oz. jar costs about $11, but a little goes a long way. We’ve purchased five jars in 27 years of marriage. I haven’t seen this anywhere else and wanted to share our secret.
A. Thanks for the tip. Finding a sexual lubricant that suits both partners can be challenging.
Albolene is a moisturizing cleanser containing mineral oil, petrolatum, paraffin, ceresin and beta carotene. It should not be used with condoms or a diaphragm since petroleum jelly degrades latex. Albolene is available in pharmacies or on the Internet.
After we published this Q&A we received this:
Q. Some time ago a reader praised a moisturizer that she and her husband had been using for 27 years as a sexual lubricant. I meant to save the column, but by mistake I recycled the newspaper. This product was unscented, came in a jar, costs about $11 and starts with an A. I asked the pharmacist about it but he gave me a blank stare.
When I complain to my doctor about vaginal dryness he says use KY Jelly, but it doesn’t help. My husband and I have tried other lubricants without much success so we’d appreciate the name of this product.
A. The moisturizer you are referring to is Albolene. It is distributed by Numark Laboratories and contains mineral oil, petrolatum, paraffin, ceresin and beta carotene. Any pharmacy should be able to order Albolene or you can search the Web for online sellers.
Then there was this:
Q. My husband and I have read questions in your column about a personal lubricant. Many years ago, my gynecologist told me to use Albolene.
It is a mascara remover, but has nothing harmful in it. It melts on contact and leaves no residue or odor. A small dab lasts a very long time. (We have been using the same jar for ten years.) It is available in most drug stores at a reasonable price.
A. You’re not the first reader to praise Albolene as a personal lubricant. Designed as a moisturizing cleanser, Albolene contains mineral oil, petrolatum, paraffin, ceresin and beta carotene.
Some people have suggested that using a product containing petroleum jelly in such a personal way is not advisable. Those who prefer to avoid petroleum products may wish to investigate Sylk, a natural personal lubricant made in New Zealand from an extract of kiwi fruit vine. Others recommend olive oil or coconut oil.
