Intro: Let’s Talk Science, Baby (But Keep It Sexy)
When it comes to choosing the right lube, there’s a whole lotta misinformation sliding around out there. One ingredient, in particular, has gotten a bad rap over the years: glycerin.
Is it bad? Will it really give you a yeast infection? Should you avoid it completely?
Let’s pour a little Liquid Gold on the facts and clear things up.
Because here’s the truth: glycerin isn’t the enemy. Osmolality is.
And when formulated right (like ours), glycerin can be your silky-smooth bestie, not your bacteria-boosting frenemy. We are not saying glycerin can not cause yeast infections, what we are saying is where glycerin is used (most common base ingredient in cosmetic products, it needs to be formulated correctly to avoid this).
Wait, What Even Is Osmolality?
Let’s break it down without the lab coat jargon:
Osmolality = how concentrated a solution is, or how much “stuff” is dissolved in it.
When it comes to lube, this really matters. Why? Because your vaginal (or rectal) tissues are sensitive AF. They like balance,specifically, something called isotonicity. That means a product matches your body’s natural fluid levels.
If a lube is too high in osmolality (hyperosmotic), it can pull water out of your cells, leading to irritation, dryness, and microscopic tears-aka the perfect storm for infections.
The WHO (World Health Organization) Osmolality recommendation for safe products is under 1200mOsm/kg. The ideal range is 290- 380 mOsm/kg.
Products with high Osmolality, dehydrate your skin (for some brands they do this on purpose! YES, these are brands that put profit before the people) cause the dryer you are the more you need to use, the more you buy! Nu Davidson, our founder, has made a vow to put people before profit, always.
Liquid Gold calls BullSh*T on this, and we made sure we serve the people first, with a carefully formulated product that helps to hydrate and support the skin. Our dermo test results even came back, stating our product is less harmful than water on the skin. As water can strip the skins natural lipid, whilst we over here are giving you that golden support we promise.
Spoiler: It’s not the ingredient that’s always the problem. It’s the formulation.
Glycerin: Friend, Not Foe (When She’s Formulated Right)
Now let’s get into glycerin’s glow-up:
It’s one of the most widely used ingredients in water-based lubes.
It’s naturally derived (often from plants). (Look out for vegetable glycerin, that’s the one you want to see in your products)
It’s an excellent humectant, meaning it draws in moisture and keeps things smooth, hydrated, and deliciously slippery.
The myth: “Glycerin causes yeast infections.”
The truth: Only when it’s used in high concentrations, leading to a spike in osmolality.
But when used correctly in a balanced formulation? Glycerin is gentle, hydrating, and 100% body-safe.
Fun Fact: Your body actually produces glycerin on its own as part of lipid metabolism. So it’s not some foreign invader, it’s familiar territory.
Why Liquid Gold Said YES to Glycerin
At Liquid Gold, we don’t just throw ingredients into a bottle and hope for the best.
Our water-based formula is designed to be:
- Low-osmolality
- Body-safe & pH-balanced
- Infused with Rooibos (our signature South African tea that soothes + protects)
- Vegetable Glycerin-inclusive-but mindfully measured
We chose glycerin intentionally, because it performs beautifully in a low-osmolality blend that feels luxurious while keeping you healthy.
No stickiness. No tacky residue. No pH chaos.
From the owner; “Glycerin is used in the majority of our beauty products as a standard base ingredient, from lotions to shampoos and many more. What does matter is that it’s ethically sourced and most importantly how it’s used in the product. The structure of an ingredient evolves when it meets other ingredients, that’s science baby. We focused on how to use clean ingredients to work together in support of the body. It’s not possible to make a product that works for every human body as everybody is unique, but we sure do try our best to make the best product we can with the knowledge we have.”
Just a smooth, sensual glide that loves your body back.
What to Watch Out for on the Market
Not all lubes are created equal, babe.
- Many “cheap” or poorly-formulated lubes are hyperosmotic, even if they’re labeled “natural.”
- Some “glycerin-free” options still use other ingredients that disrupt your body’s balance. Such as Aleo Veria, which is also a great plant based alternative but carries a lot of natural sugars. So remember its in the formulation that really makes the difference with the ingredients.
- If the lube stings, dries out, or leaves you irritated, it’s not the right fit. (And that’s not your fault.)
At Liquid Gold, we believe your lube should be as luxurious and trustworthy as your skincare. Because it’s for your most intimate parts and that deserves premium care.
Final Takeaway: It’s Not If There’s Glycerin-It’s How It’s Used
Let’s stop villainizing one ingredient and start looking at the full picture.
- Low-osmolality is key.
- Ingredients matter-but so does their synergy.
- Glycerin isn’t bad,when it’s crafted with intention, it’s damn near perfect.
TL;DR (Too Lube-y, Didn’t Read)
- Glycerin in lube = not automatically bad.
- High osmolality = irritation risk, yeast infection risk.
- Liquid Gold = low-osmolality, glycerin done right.
- Your pleasure + your health = non-negotiable.
RESOURCES: Key Studies & Guidelines
| Source | What it Does / Its Findings | How It Supports the Argument |
| WHO / WHO/UNFPA “Use and procurement of additional lubricants for male and female condoms” | Recommends that personal lubricants ideally should have osmolality ≤ 380 mOsm/kg to reduce risk of tissue damage. Iris | Bolsters claim that osmolality is more important than simply the presence of glycerin; shows there are safety benchmarks. |
| “Personal Lubricants & Osmolality” (WHO presentation, Dr William Potter etc.) | Summarizes that many commercial lubricants are hyperosmolar (2,000‑6,000 mOsm/kg), whereas physiological fluids (vaginal secretions, semen) are ~250–370 mOsm/kg. Advises keeping glycerol/glycol content low, pH in appropriate range. extranet.who.int | Useful to show: high osmolality is common, but avoidable; glycerin/glycol levels are one lever in formulation. |
| “Hyperosmolal vaginal lubricants markedly reduce epithelial barrier properties and showed damage …” (Ayehunie et al., 2017) | Finds that lubricants with osmolality > ~1,500 mOsm/kg cause significant damage to vaginal epithelial barrier, increasing risk of irritation etc. PMC | Supports that going too high in osmolality is directly risky; underscores why “formulated carefully” matters. |
| “Personal and Clinical Vaginal Lubricants: Impact on Local …” (Wilkinson et al., 2019) | Shows that hyperosmolar lubricants are cytotoxic, inflammatory, and disrupt barrier function in 3‑D vaginal epithelium cultures. PMC | Use this to back up mechanistic evidence: not just a hypothesis, there are cell‑level studies. |
| “A randomized trial on the effectiveness and safety of 5 water‑based personal lubricants” (Palacios et al., 2023) | Tests five water‑based lubes, some formulated to meet WHO limits (≤ 1,200 mOsm/kg in that study version), showing lower irritation when they do. Oxford Academic | Great for showing that glycerin‑using lubes can be safe when formulation is careful and meets guidelines. |
| Clinical and personal lubricants impact growth of vaginal bacteria etc. (Łaniewski et al., 2021) | Looks at how different lubes affect vaginal Lactobacillus etc.; some antibacterial/antimicrobial effects but also potential for negative microbiome impact depending on formulation. PMC | Useful to nuance: glycerin by itself isn’t always bad, but other ingredients + osmolality + pH can tip the balance. |
Data / Numbers
- Normal vaginal fluids ~ 260‑370 mOsm/kg. extranet.who.int+2rogelcancercenter.org+2
- Many commercial lubricants are in range ~2,000‑6,000 mOsm/kg (hyperosmolar) when tested. extranet.who.int+2PMC+2
- Damage to epithelial barrier noted when osmolality exceeded ~1,500 mOsm/kg. PMC+1
- WHO recommends ≤ 380 mOsm/kg for safer use. Iris+2rogelcancercenter.org+2