Does sex hurt? That’s why we added botanical extract to our lubricant

For this reason, we have developed the Etna lubricant, which has already become a favorite for many. We wanted to bring to the market a natural product that not only reduces friction but also helps to relieve discomfort during sex. When botanical extract is applied locally to the intimate area, it affects the skin’s nerve endings* by reducing inflammation. This helps not only the body but also the mind to relax — which in turn allows us to experience pleasure more easily.

(*The nerve endings of the skin are sensory organs that detect and transmit sensory stimuli through the nervous system to the brain. They are the part of the skin that makes you aware of stimuli in your environment.)

Botanical extract is known for its inflammation- and pain-reducing properties. Studies have shown that botanical extract affects the body’s nervous system regulation, which regulates, among other things, pain, muscle tension, and the stress response.

The anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties of botanical extract make it an interesting addition not only to lubricants but also to other pain-relieving products.

Around the world, the use of botanical extract in pain management has become more common, especially in North America, Canada, and also in Europe. Botanical extract is used for treating pelvic floor tightness, skin inflammations, nerve pain in the limbs, rheumatoid arthritis pain, and muscle tension following sports injuries. 

Botanical extract has been said to help especially with pain felt on the surface of the skin, which is not easy to treat with painkillers taken orally. This finding also led to the creation of the Etna lubricant: through practical experience, via our test group, we noticed that botanical extract eases, among other things, the symptoms of pain conditions in intimate areas, such as vulvodynia.

What makes Etna special?

We may be a bit biased when praising our own product, but we are not the only ones who are satisfied with Etna: our lubricant recently received top marks from a hundred-member jury at The European Natural Beauty Awards gala in Paris. Blank&’s Etna is Ecocert-certified, vegan natural cosmetics, and it does not contain synthetic fragrances or other artificial ingredients. The product is water-based and compatible with condoms and sex toys.

The botanical extract contained in the product, combined with the lubricant’s two other main ingredients, is an unbeatable combination: moisturizing sea buckthorn and skin-strengthening vitamin E nourish the skin and mucous membranes deeply – some have even used our lubricants on a sensitive scalp or for shoe chafing! 

Have you already tried Etna yourself? Explore Blank&’s lubricants: Etna and Glisa.

This article does not replace medical advice. If pain continues or is accompanied by other symptoms, it is always a good idea to talk with a healthcare professional.

Many people turn to lubricants for relief. The problem is that not all lubricants actually make things better. For some, applying a lubricant can lead to stinging, burning, or irritation.

More often than not, the reason can be found in the ingredient list.

Sensitive Mucous Membranes Are Different from Regular Skin

The mucous membranes in the intimate area are significantly thinner and more delicate than the skin elsewhere on the body. They also contain a high concentration of blood vessels and nerve endings, making them particularly sensitive to irritation.

Many conventional lubricants contain ingredients designed to improve texture, shelf life, or moisture retention. Common examples include propylene glycol and certain preservatives.

Propylene glycol is widely used as a moisture-binding ingredient to prevent products from drying out. However, some people find it irritating to sensitive mucous membranes. The same can be true for certain preservatives and fragrances, which may cause burning or discomfort—especially when the tissue is already sensitive or inflamed.

When a product intended to provide relief ends up causing more irritation, it can easily create a vicious cycle: discomfort leads to tension, tension increases sensitivity, and sensitivity intensifies symptoms.

What Does Research Say About Intimate Pain?

In recent years, researchers have become increasingly interested in vulvodynia and vestibulodynia—chronic pain conditions characterized by burning, stinging, tenderness, and painful intercourse.

Studies suggest that these symptoms are often linked to localized inflammation and heightened nerve sensitivity. In other words, the pain may not be caused by visible tissue damage, but rather by the nervous system reacting more strongly than usual to touch and other stimuli.

This is why many experts emphasize that intimate products should do more than simply provide lubrication. Their ability to support mucosal health and minimize irritation matters just as much.

The Question That Started Blank&

The founders of Blank& kept encountering the same problem: why did so many intimate products seem to cause more discomfort than relief?

That question led to the creation of Etna: a lubricant designed not to sting.

Etna is a plant-extract intimate wellness product created to reduce discomfort and enhance pleasure. It has also become an everyday essential for people dealing with chronic pain conditions, vaginal dryness, or symptoms associated with perimenopause.

From the very beginning, the goal wasn't simply lubrication—it was holistic intimate wellbeing.

Explore Blank& lubricants: Etna and Glisa

Botanical extract brings a new perspective to intimate wellness

Botanical extract is a non-intoxicating compound derived from hemp, known for its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties.

Research suggests that topical botanical extract may influence nerve endings in the skin and help regulate inflammatory responses. In one study involving women with vestibulodynia, participants using a plant-extract gel reported significantly greater relief from painful intercourse compared to the placebo group.*

These early findings support the idea that botanical extract may have a calming effect on sensitive intimate tissues.

Etna's formula is built around three key ingredients:

• Botanical extract, which soothes and cares for delicate mucous membranes

• Sea buckthorn, which deeply moisturizes and nourishes

• Vitamin E, which helps protect and strengthen the skin barrier

Together, these ingredients create a formula designed to support the intimate area's natural balance without unnecessary additives.

Looking for More Glide?

As Etna evolved, the Blank& team received another request: could there be an ultra-simple, long-lasting lubricant suitable for nearly everyone?

That idea became Glisa.

Glisa combines botanical extract, coconut oil, and vitamin E in a richer, longer-lasting formula. Compared to many traditional water-based lubricants, it provides extended glide without synthetic chemicals.

While Etna was specifically designed to soothe and support sensitive mucous membranes, Glisa offers long-lasting comfort for those who appreciate a simple, gentle, and natural formula.

Both lubricants are water-based and safe to use with condoms.

Ultimately, this isn't just about lubrication. It's about choosing intimate products that support comfort rather than contribute to discomfort. When your mucous membranes feel their best, intimacy can feel better too.

*Vestibulodynia clinical study (topical plant extract)*