How do I make my own water-based lubricant?

Question

How do I make my own water-based lubricant?

Answer 1

Water-based industrial lubricants are often soaps.



Many water-based lubes are based on carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). You can probably buy that with a credit card from a scientific supply company like Thomas Scientific.



From Wikipedia: "K-Y Jelly uses glycerin and hydroxyethyl cellulose as the lubricant, with chlorhexidine gluconate, glucono delta-lactone, methylparaben and sodium hydroxide as antiseptic and preservative additivies. The liquid form of the product combines glycerin with propylene glycol, sorbitol, and Natrosol 250H (a brand of hydroxyethyl cellulose) for lubrication, with benzoic acid, methylparaben and sodium hydroxide as additives. An alternative glycerin-free formulation marketed as K-Y Ultra contains propylene glycol, sorbitol, Natrosol 250H and polysorbate 60 for lubrication, benzoic acid and methylparaben as preservatives, and vitamin E."

Answer 2

It looks like 'water based' formulas tend to be mostly comprised of water and glycerin.



Some add in aloe or other botanical extracts, while two common formulations use small amounts of propylene or butylene Glycol as preservatives.



Were I you, I would purchase some bulk glycerin and mix it with water at a 1:4 ratio, and add more glycerin until it is at the right consistency.



http://www.americarx.com/Products/12787.html



I may also experiment with adding aloe vera gel, purchased from a health store that sells it pure.



If I were not adding preservative compounds (which is tricky, since you don't want TOO much preservative in something that will absorb into skin), I would mix small amounts and store them in the fridge.

Answer 3

Water-based lubricants are water soluble and are generally the type. The earliest water-based lubricants were cellulose or glycerin solutions. Subsequent products have added various agents for spreading, water retention, and resistance to contamination. The viscosity of these products can be adjusted by adjusting their water content and concentration of cellulose (or another gel-forming hydrophilic ingredient).

Since the 1980s, a few companies have used a water soluble, silicon co-polymer (dimethicone). While these contain a silicone component, they are still water based products. Their viscosity cannot be adjusted.

Products contain a sodium or calcium soap complex thickener or complexing agent. Soap thickeners are mixed with oils to produce greases or high viscosity lubricants by increasing the dropping point.