AH! YES – no tricks, just treats!
Take a look at many ‘mainstream’ intimacy products and we guarantee the ingredients list will make you scream! Primarily made from synthetic chemicals, most ‘old style’ lubricants will be filled with skin irritants, penetration enhancers or chemicals with hormone mimicking properties. Other’ ingredients are absent entirely – a few manufacturers don’t actually declare the ingredients on their packaging; have a look when you are next in a supermarket.
Fortunately, you won’t find any spooky surprises in our products!
We believe that enjoying something as wonderfully natural as sex should be as natural as possible, which is why AH! YES products are made only with certified organic, plant-based ingredients.
No tricks, just treats!
It’s so important to familiarize yourself with the ingredients within a product, so that you know exactly what you’re putting on and in your body. To help you make an informed decision about the products you are considering purchasing, we’ve put together a list of synthetic chemicals and additives that we recommend you avoid within your sexual intimacy products, and the body-safe alternatives to keep an eye out for.
Ingredients to avoid:
Glycerin & Propylene glycol
Although renowned for its moisturizing properties within skincare and shower gels, the same can’t be said for its use within intimacy products. Glycerine is a complex sugar and can serve as a food source for microbes such as Candida, particularly at a low concentration and could encourage Thrush.
Often used as a humectant, propylene glycol works to retain or preserve moisture within a product. When applied to the skin, this synthetic ingredient is ‘a penetration enhancer’ used to ‘pull’ other chemicals into the skin. For those with sensitive skin, it can cause vaginal irritation.
Parabens
I.e. Methylparaben, are synthetic preservatives that inhibit the growth of bacteria and mould within a product. However, some studies suggest that methylparabens may be a cause for concern in regards to breast cancer due to their estrogen-mimicking properties.
Petroleum or petroleum-based ingredients
Including: Mineral Oil (Liquidum Paraffinum), Petrolatum (petroleum jelly), Paraffin oil (lamp oil or premium Kerosine) or Paraffin wax.
Ever been tempted to use Vaseline as a lube? Although these oily creams look and feel as though they should act as an effective lubricant, they coat the skin and are hard to remove, meaning that they stay inside the vagina longer than other ingredients.
Silicone-based ingredients
Silicone-based substances such as methyl polysilxane and dimethicone, also feel silky smooth but, like petroleum-based substances, they will restrict the skin’s ability to breathe and are incredibly hard to wash off, which could leave the skin feeling dry and tight.
(For more information on how AH! YES compares to other intimacy brands, take a look at our comparison table here)
Body-kind alternatives:
Guar Gum Cyamopsis tetragonoloba
Also known as guaran, guar gum is extracted from guar beans. It acts as a plant-derived thickening agent, emulsifier and stabilizer.
Aloe Vera Aloe barbadensis
Aloe vera has been used for centuries to repair damaged skin. At appropriate concentrations, the active form of aloe vera that we use works to moisturise, soothe and heal.
Locust Bean Gum Ceretonia silique
Locust bean gum is plant gum extracted from the seeds of the carob tree, which gives viscosity and a slippery texture to our water-based products.
Flax Linum usitatissimum
Also known as common flax or linseed, Flax gum has a rich, clean quality slipperiness and has been known to repair damaged skin. It has been used by man for 6000 years to heal mucous membranes.
Cocoa Butter Theobroma cacao
This butter from the cocoa bean is richly emollient and packed with antioxidants.
Shea Butter
Extracted from the nut of the African shea tree (Vitellaria paradox), shea butter is widely recognised as a superb moisturizer. It has been claimed to have anti-inflammatory properties and helps to heal dry skin and sooth irritation.
Sunflower Oil Helianthus annuus
Sunflower oil is richly moisturizing, but is noncomeogenic, which means that it doesn’t block the pores. It has smoothing properties and a high vitamin E content.
If in doubt, look for the logo
As well as our high quality plant-based ingredients, we’re also incredibly proud of our Soil Association organic certification. Our certification guarantees that our product’s ingredients and formulation process are regulated to ensure that they are pure, natural and unadulterated.
Navigating the skincare and intimate wellness market can often feel overwhelming. If you’re unsure which product is truly body-safe, we recommend that you opt for a product with the Soil Association logo. That way you know that the product you’re using has been rigorously tested and verified. They’ve done the hard work, so you don’t have to!
Follow these links for more information on our ingredients policy and organic certification.
