Water Slide Glycerin-Free Personal Moisturizer 4 oz

What Water Slide is

Water Slide is a water-based, glycerin-free personal moisturizer sold in a 4 fl. oz. (118 mL) bottle by Earthly Body of Chatsworth, California. The front label describes it in three words the brand chose itself — "water based, pure & natural" — and that is a fair summary of the product's whole idea: a short, uncomplicated water carrier formula rather than a silicone or oil one.

The packaging is a cobalt-blue plastic bottle with a black flip-top cap, so it opens one-handed and closes flat. At 4 ounces it sits in the middle of the range: more than the single-use sachets and pocket tubes in our travel size lubricants selection, and still small enough to keep in a drawer or a bag without being a household-sized pump bottle.

Water-based and glycerin-free — what that actually means

"Water-based" describes the carrier the formula is built on. In a water-based personal lubricant, water is the main ingredient and everything else is suspended or dissolved in it, which is why formulas in this category rinse off with plain warm water rather than needing soap or a solvent. Silicone and oil-based products behave differently: they stay on the skin and take more effort to wash away. The trade-off runs the other way too — a water carrier is the one that thins out as it dries, and that is the problem every water-based formula is designed around.

Water Slide's answer to it is a carrageenan-based texture. Carrageenan is an extract of Chondrus crispus, the red seaweed better known as Irish moss; it has been used for well over a century as a thickener and gelling agent in foods such as ice cream and dairy drinks, and it turns up in cosmetics and personal-care products for the same reason. The back panel of this bottle describes the carrageenan formula as one that re-activates on contact with moisture rather than needing to be applied again from the bottle each time.

Glycerin is the other half of the product's name. It is a sugar alcohol used as a humectant in a great many water-based lubricants, where it adds slip and a slightly sweet taste. Some people simply prefer to avoid it, and a glycerin-free formula is how that preference gets met. Water Slide is built without it, which is the single characteristic the product is named for and the reason it sits in a distinct corner of the water-based lubricants category.

How to use it

Dispense a small amount from the flip-top cap and apply it externally to skin, adding more as you like. A little of a carrageenan-thickened formula goes further than the same volume of a thin one, so start with less than you think you need — you can always add.

Because the carrier is water, a light mist or a few drops of water will bring the slip back if the formula begins to dry, which is usually quicker than reaching for the bottle again. When you are finished, warm water is enough to rinse it off skin; the same applies to washable fabrics, which should be laundered normally rather than left to dry.

Store the bottle closed, upright, at room temperature and out of direct sunlight. Keep the cap clean so it seals properly between uses. This is an external-use product for adults only.

Who it's for

Water Slide suits adults 18 and over who specifically want a water-based lubricant without glycerin in it. That is a real and common preference, and it is not always easy to shop for, because glycerin is a default ingredient in much of the category — reading the panel is usually the only way to tell. If that is the box you are trying to tick, this product exists to tick it.

The 4 oz size fits people who already know they like a water-based formula and want a working supply rather than a sample. It is also a reasonable starting point for anyone new to the category, since water-based products are the most forgiving to clean up after. You can compare it against the rest of our personal lubricants range, including silicone and hybrid options, if you are still deciding which carrier you prefer.

Good to know

• External use only. This is a topical personal-care product, not something to swallow.
• Patch test if you have sensitive skin. Apply a small amount to the inside of the forearm first and wait. Stop using it and speak to a healthcare professional if you notice irritation.
• Carrageenan is a seaweed derivative. If you have a known sensitivity to seaweed extracts, read the ingredient panel on the bottle itself before first use.
• Keep out of reach of children and away from the eyes.
• Adults 18 and over.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Water Slide really glycerin-free?

Yes — Water Slide is formulated without glycerin, and that is what the "Glycerin-Free" in the product name refers to. Glycerin is a humectant found in many water-based personal lubricants, so a formula that leaves it out is a deliberate choice rather than an accident of the recipe.

Can I use Water Slide with condoms and silicone accessories?

Water-based formulas are the category generally used alongside latex barriers and silicone accessories, because water does not degrade latex the way oil-based products can and does not interact with silicone surfaces the way silicone lubricants can. Always follow the specific guidance printed by the maker of the condom, barrier method or accessory you are using it with, since those instructions take priority over any general rule.

How much lubricant is in the bottle?

The bottle holds 4 fl. oz., which is 118 mL. How far that goes depends entirely on how much is applied each time, so no honest figure can be given for a number of uses — but 4 ounces is a full working bottle rather than a trial size, and a good deal more than the single-serve packets sold in the same category.

Does it wash off, or will it leave a residue?

Water-based lubricants rinse away with plain warm water, which is the main practical advantage of a water carrier over silicone or oil. Skin needs nothing more than a rinse; washable fabrics should go through a normal wash cycle.

How is this order packaged and shipped?

Every Gear Isle order ships discreetly in plain outer packaging with no product names, images or brand marks on the outside. Your card statement shows a generic business name rather than the store name.

Product information compiled and reviewed by the Gear Isle product team. We transcribe product specifications directly from manufacturer packaging. Found an error? Tell us.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. For adults 18 and over. Consult a licensed healthcare professional before use, especially if you have a medical condition or a known allergy to any listed ingredient. Keep out of reach of children.