Pharmacy Products
Many flavoured gels contain sugar or syrup. This matters in a few cases: diabetics should check the ingredients and pick stevia or sugar-free options, and anyone prone to yeast or candida should know that on contact with the vulva or vagina the sugars feed fungi. Sugar isn't ideal for the teeth in frequent use either. Sugar-free gels with stevia or sucralose are friendlier for diabetics and yeast-prone people. For daily use, go sugar-free; brands like Sliquid Swirl are gentler.
The category covers products made for intimacy rather than everyday grooming. It includes aphrodisiac body lotions with pheromone or sensual scents, intimate-area moisturisers for the sensitive zone, body shimmer and glitter for aesthetics, edible body paint, massage candles that melt into massage oil, and pheromone lotions. What sets these apart from daily cosmetics is their special ingredients chosen for erotic use.
Massage candles are made from special fats that melt at a low temperature of 40-50°C. You light the candle 10-15 minutes beforehand to form melted oil, blow out the flame, then pour the warm, not hot, oil onto the body and use it straight away as massage oil. Common ingredients are soy wax, shea butter, jojoba oil and essential oils. Brands include Jimmyjane, Bijoux Indiscrets and Kama Sutra. The advantage is atmosphere and oil in a single product.
It's scientifically debated. In animals, pheromones provably regulate behaviour, but in humans it's murky: the vomeronasal organ that detects them is largely non-functional in adults. Some studies show a small effect of androstenone or androstenol on perceived attractiveness, while others don't confirm it. The likely effect is placebo: the user feels more attractive, changes their posture and so draws more interest. Buy them for the scent and the confidence boost, not for a guaranteed pull.
Intimate moisturisers are creams for the vulva and perineum that tackle vaginal dryness from menopause, contraceptives or stress, irritation from frequent sex, recovery after childbirth, and allergies to everyday soaps. Good ingredients include aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E and calendula, while parabens, sulfates and perfume are best avoided. The key difference from a lubricant: a moisturiser is applied daily for long-term rehydration, whereas lube goes on right before activity. Brands include Yes and Replens.
Body shimmers vary in safety. Cosmetic-grade glitter, from PET or polymer, is body-safe for external use and fine for sensitive skin. Edible body shimmer uses food ingredients like sugar and mica and is safe for oral contact. Avoid industrial or craft glitter, which isn't body-safe and has sharp edges. Keep it away from the eyes and an open mouth, remove it with toy cleaner or soap as it clings to skin, and don't apply it on broken skin. A known brand is Pretty Woman.
In a sex shop, the bath products category includes couples' bath bombs designed for a romantic soak, scented bubble bath with erotic aromas and aphrodisiac ingredients, bath salts with essential oils, couples' shower gels, body scrubs for soft skin and floating candles for atmosphere. The purpose is to set a romantic or sexual mood before activity.
Bath bombs are compressed balls with active ingredients. The basics are sodium bicarbonate and citric acid, whose reaction makes the CO2 fizz, essential oils for scent (lavender to relax, ylang-ylang for romance), moisturisers like shea butter and coconut oil, and colours. Aphrodisiac versions add damiana extract, rose or jasmine. If you also play with a toy, rinse it well afterwards, since the oils can irritate internal tissue. Brands include Lush and Bath & Body Works.
Not all of them. Scented bath bombs and gels can irritate the vagina and urethra, glycerine and sugar raise the yeast-infection risk in prone people, and parabens and sulfates irritate the mucous lining. Bubble bath suds dry the lining and can cause a UTI. So keep soaks short at 15-20 minutes, rinse afterwards, avoid frequent use, choose fragrance-free if you're yeast-prone, and prefer hypoallergenic brands.
Bath sex has its challenges. Water rinses away natural lubrication, so you need silicone lube, since water-based washes off fast. Bubble-bath chemicals can irritate internal tissue, and the slippery surface risks a fall. So lay an anti-slip mat on the tub floor, use silicone lube, keep your time in the water short, rinse the genitals with water afterwards and don't rely on a fast-filling tub. A shower is more practical than a bathtub.
It depends on the waterproof rating. IPX7-rated toys are fully waterproof, usable in water up to 1 m for 30 minutes, so they're safe in the bath. IPX4-IPX6 are splash-resistant but not submersible, allowed only in the shower. Unrated toys should never go in water. Water in an electronic toy ruins the circuit and voids the warranty. Check the packaging for the IPX rating; silicone and non-electronic toys of glass or steel are safe in water. Clean them afterwards to prevent mould in crevices.
Sex shops sell dyes for body and pubic hair. Pubic hair dye is a special, body-safe dye that's less irritating than regular hair colour. Temporary body hair colour matches body hair to head hair, cosplay dye suits character roles, and glitter spray works for occasional use. The point is aesthetics, role play and character matching. Importantly, regular head-hair dye isn't suitable for pubic hair, since it carries a higher allergy risk.
It's safer than regular head dye by design: free of PPD, the main allergen in normal dyes, with a hypoallergenic formula, a short 10-15 minute wait instead of 30-45, and tested for sensitive skin. Even so, a patch test 48 hours before use is mandatory. Never apply it directly to the vaginal opening or anus, on fissures or irritation, during pregnancy, or with a history of dye allergy. The best-known brand is Betty Beauty.
Pubic hair dyes come in natural shades (blonde, beige, brown, black, red, jet black), cosmetic colours (pink, purple, blue, green, brown-blonde), glitter add-ons and cosplay specialties. Most dyes last 4-6 weeks or until the hair grows out, with cosmetic colours fading sooner at 2-4 weeks. To apply, clean the area, apply to dry hair, wait per the instructions and rinse. Brands include Betty Beauty and Fun Stuff.
Apply it in steps. Patch test 48 hours before on the inner arm, shower and rinse to clean, then dry. Put on gloves, protect the surrounding area with petroleum jelly, and apply with a brush or comb while avoiding the mucous membranes. Wait per the instructions, 10-30 minutes, then rinse with warm water until clear, dry and check for irritation. With any allergic reaction, rinse immediately and see a doctor.
Pubic hair dye suits people who want to cover grey hair in the area, match the aesthetic of their head hair, dress up for cosplay or role play, mark a festive occasion (pink for Valentine's) or add a playful element as a relationship surprise. It's an aesthetic choice, not a medical necessity. It isn't advised for sensitive skin, a history of allergy or a possible pregnancy.
Sex shops stock specialised make-up: cosplay make-up for characters (harlequins, vampires, fantasy), latex and body paint for full bodies or effects (blood, gashes), drag queen make-up with bold, exaggerated colours, BDSM aesthetic looks (dark eyes, pink lips) and body glitter. The difference from everyday cosmetics is that branded lines like Mehron and Kryolan hold up far better against sweat, spray and water, staying put during intense activity, and are body-safe and hypoallergenic where possible.
Branded body paint is safe. Check that it's FDA-approved or cosmetic-grade, hypoallergenic, and either water-based for easy removal or alcohol-based for durability, and paraben-free. Side effects include pigment allergies (so patch test), stomach upset if swallowed, and respiratory issues with an airbrush used without a mask. Remove it with water and soap or a remover. Brands include Mehron, Snazaroo and Wolfe FX.
Edible body make-up is made for oral contact, using edible pigments, sugar or stevia, glycerine and flavourings. It's used for body painting between partners, strip play and edible nipple covers. It differs from regular body paint, which may contain non-edible ingredients. Watch for allergies, note the sugar if you're diabetic, and don't use it in the vagina if you're prone to yeast infections. Brands include Cake Beauty and Touch of Honey.
Remove it by type. Water-based comes off with a shower and mild soap in 5-10 minutes. Alcohol-based needs a special remover and may leave residue for 1-2 days. Latex lifts with 91% isopropyl alcohol or a dedicated remover. For glitter, press sticky tape on first, which lifts it, then wash with soap and water. For a full body, shower, wash and scrub if needed; keeping the skin moist protects it.