# latex and almond oil

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/latex-and-almond-oil/202999>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [September 21, 2003, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/latex-and-almond-oil/202999 "2003-09-21T17:06:31Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 8\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Kaio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c68b51/32.png) [@Kaio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaio)\
**Post date:** [September 21, 2003, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/latex-and-almond-oil/202999/1 "2003-09-21T17:06:31Z")

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Sooo… we all know that petrolium jelly + latex = very bad, but I was wondering how latex reacts to other types of oils. Specifically, we bought an all-natural massage oil yesterday, and I’m wondering how careful we need to be with it.

Ingredients:  
Almond oil, coconut oil, kukui oil, olive oil, canola oil, pecan oil, vitamin E, oleth 3, essential oil and/or fragrance, natural herb, spice, flower, or resin (the last four being put whole in the bottle to infuse the oils)

Does anyone know if any of these are stuff to watch out for?

TIA.

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**Author:** ![CrazyCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CrazyCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyCatLady)\
**Post date:** [September 21, 2003, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/latex-and-almond-oil/202999/2 "2003-09-21T17:20:01Z")

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I’m not completely certain, but I’ve always heard that _any_ oil-based product can degrade latex. That’s why they tell you to use water-based products with condoms, and presumably why medical people use water-based lubes with their latex gloves.

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**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\
**Post date:** [September 21, 2003, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/latex-and-almond-oil/202999/3 "2003-09-21T18:32:49Z")

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Google “latex” “vegetable” “oil” – there are many many sites and (cites) indicating that all oils (animal, vegetable, & mineral) will degrade latex. This also includes hand lotions, Crisco, and Mr. S Personal Lubricant. Only water-based and glycerin-based lubricants are latex-safe. And yes, rubbing alcohol kills latex too.

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**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\
**Post date:** [September 21, 2003, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/latex-and-almond-oil/202999/4 "2003-09-21T18:37:52Z")

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Google “latex” “vegetable” “oil” – there are many many sites and (cites) indicating that all oils (animal, vegetable, & mineral) will degrade latex. This also includes hand lotions, Crisco, and Mr. S Personal Lubricant. Only water-based and glycerin-based lubricants are latex-safe. And yes, rubbing alcohol kills latex too.

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**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\
**Post date:** [September 21, 2003, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/latex-and-almond-oil/202999/5 "2003-09-21T18:42:53Z")

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Google “latex” “vegetable” “oil” – there are many many sites and (cites) indicating that all oils (animal, vegetable, & mineral) will degrade latex. This also includes hand lotions, Crisco, and Mr. S Personal Lubricant. Only water-based and glycerin-based lubricants are latex-safe. And yes, rubbing alcohol kills latex too.

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**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\
**Post date:** [September 21, 2003, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/latex-and-almond-oil/202999/6 "2003-09-21T18:47:44Z")

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%#@&ing hamster!

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**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\
**Post date:** [September 21, 2003, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/latex-and-almond-oil/202999/7 "2003-09-21T18:53:15Z")

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%#@&ing hamster!

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**Author:** ![antechinus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/fbc32d/32.png) [@antechinus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/antechinus)\
**Post date:** [September 22, 2003, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/latex-and-almond-oil/202999/8 "2003-09-22T07:11:18Z")

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Dont even think about it Nametag.  
DSA1920’sSDRST.