Many lubricants and topical creams and gels offer a desensitizing effect that helps prevent premature ejaculation and hypersensitivity of the penis.
Others are formulated to help ease any discomfort associated with anal penetration. The majority of these products contain either Benzocaine or Lidocaine as the chief ingredient, which causes the numbing effect.
Both Lidocaine and Benzocaine are local anesthetics that numb the area where applied or injected. Most dentists use either medication in a higher dose than found in lube or topical ointments to ease dental procedures.
So what exactly are the differences between these two ingredients, if any? There are differences between these two ingredients.
For one, they absorb into the skin at slightly different rates when applied topically. Lidocaine is somewhat more water-soluble than Benzocaine, so it will absorb quicker where applied.
Another difference is the duration of each ingredient's numbing effect. Lidocaine tends to last longer than Benzocaine, which does not have effects that last as long.
This means that you might have to reapply desensitizers that contain Benzocaine more often than ones with a Lidocaine-based formula.
Both ingredients are usually well tolerated by the majority of humans. However, a small percentage could be allergic to one or the other.
However, because each is structurally different from the other, just because a person is allergic to one doesn't mean they will be allergic to the other.
That means a person who shows a Benzocaine allergy might be able to use products that contain Lidocaine safely.
There is a wide assortment of delay creams and lubes available in the marketplace today. The products containing these numbing ingredients range from male-specific products to couples' combination lubricant packs.
A good read: What to Know About Delayed Lubricants
Your specific needs should be considered when choosing the right delay cream or lube.
We recommend doing a patch test on your skin, such as the inside of your arm opposite your elbow, before using products such as this to ensure skin compatibility before using the product on more intimate areas of the body.
If you have more in-depth questions or want to know if you have an allergy to either of these local anesthetics, we recommend consulting your personal Physician or Dentist.