Sensual Sense
By Elena Sullivan

Walgreens offers men and women pleasure, with its store brand lubricant.

From personal lubricants to tampons to pads, retailers are raising the bar when it comes to satisfying women's desires.

There are many things that can make a woman and a wife happy, including personal lubricants. Now, although personal lubricants can be used for both men and women, at many retailers they are located in the feminine hygiene section. Astroglide and K-Y brands seem to be the most prominent on shelves; however, drugstores Walgreens, Deerfield, IL, and CVS, Woonsocket, RI both offer an impressive variety of personal lubricants.

While lubricants can satisfy women in many ways, the prices and quality of Walgreens and CVS brand lubricants will definitely put a smile on many a woman’s face.

Walgreens is giving national brands a run for their money in the personal lubricant category. Going beyond the standard lubricating jelly and lubricant, Walgreens now offers more interesting products that compete with national brand items such as K-Y and Astroglide. For example, consumers can find Walgreens 2-in-1 Warming Body Massage & Personal Lubricant, Walgreens Body Massage & Personal Lubricant and Walgreens Massage Oil & Personal Lubricant, all at the low price of $9.99.

There still might be a stigma attached to buying store brand lubricants, however, Walgreens brands do not have the retailer’s name written on the front of the packages and the bottle design depicts a seductive atmosphere with candles and warm colors.

Included in the store brand lubricant range is Walgreens 2-in-1 Warming Body Massage & Personal Lubricant in a variety pack, which contains:

• Epic Romance 2-in-1 Warming Massage Oil - 0.5 fl
• 2-in-1 Warming Body Massage & Personal Lubricant Unscented - 0.5 fl oz
• 2-in-1 Tingling Body Massage & Personal Lubricant Mint Scented - 0.5 fl oz
• Garden Embrace 2-in-1 Warming Massage Oil - 0.5 fl oz
• Autumn Mist 2-in-1 Massage Oil - 0.5 fl oz
• Beachside Cocktail 2-in-1 Warming Massage Oil - 0.5 fl oz

Walgreens describes the lubricants as non-staining with an ultra-silky texture.

The Walgreens brand Body Massage & Personal Lubricant item includes two 2.5 fl oz. lubricants and is condom compatible, water soluble, and meant for massaging the entire body.

Another example in Walgreens lubricant selection is its Massage Oil & Personal Lubricant Set, which contains two 2.5 fl oz–2-in-1 Warming and 2-in-1 Tingling. According to the retailer, the 2-In-1 Body Massage and Personal Lubricant Kit offers both a warming and an invigorating touch that can be used all over the body.

Along with these non-standard lubricants, Walgreens does offer typical lubricants such as Walgreens Personal Lubricant & Moisturizer, Walgreens Personal Lubricating Jelly, Walgreens Warming Liquid Personal Lubricant and Walgreens Warming Liquid Personal Lubricant.

CVS Comes in Second

While not as extensive and innovative as the Walgreens private label line of personal lubricants, CVS does offer a sizable selection. Included in the range is a CVS Warming Lubricant, Warming Jelly and Lubricating Liquid.

An interesting item is CVS Long-Lasting Vaginal Moisturizer. According to the retailer, “CVS Long-Lasting Vaginal Moisturizer was developed to supplement and replenish a woman’s natural vaginal moisture and provide safe immediate relief from the itching, burning, irritation and soreness related to vaginal dryness. Vaginal dryness is a common condition that can be brought on from menopause, childbirth, nursing and chemotherapy. Certain medications, excessive exercise, douching and tampon use can also impact vaginal dryness. For gentle relief use CVS Long-Lasting Vaginal Moisturizer. Estrogen free. Pre-filled applicators. Instructions in Spanish included.”

PL Tampons Take Charge

Walgreens and CVS provide women with yet another reason to smile–store brand tampons that have stylish packaging with clean lines and bright colors, along with quality that compares to national brands. Both retailers also offer products that many retailers don’t offer, such as thong-sized pantiliners and light absorbency tampons sold in separate box opposed to only offering light absorbency tampons within a multi-pack.

CVS offers a multitude of private label tampon options. New to the line is a box of ten super-plus absorbency tampons. The line also features large multi-packs containing 80 or 72 tampons. A unique and uncommon product amongst private label tampons is a separate box of light absorbency tampons. The box contains 18 unscented tampons and the retailer asks shoppers to compare the item to Tampax Pearl.

Many retailers only include light absorbency tampons in their multi-pack boxes, so now the consumer doesn’t have to buy an entire multi-pack in order to have access to light absorbency tampons.

Additionally, CVS offers a small five count multi-pack for those consumers who don’t need to purchase an entire pack of tampons, but perhaps just need a few for on-the-go.

Walgreens also offers several feminine hygiene products not commonly found as private labels, including pantiliners intended for women who wear thongs. The product is shaped to fit thong underwear and is unscented. The retailer suggests consumers use the pantiliners as “added protection when using tampons,” or “to use everyday for a clean, fresh feeling.”

By offering private label feminine hygiene products that other retailers don’t, CVS and Walgreens are building their brand image, which according to reports is extremely important when it comes to feminine hygiene products like tampons and pads. Women tend to be particular when it comes to feminine hygiene and if private labels provide consumers with items that have eye-catching package design, or innovative products, along with prices lower than other brands, the women are more likely to stray from their a national brand and try private labels.