By Lauren Codling
For those of us who’ve hit menopause, the impact on our sex lives is real – vaginal dryness, discomfort and a dip in desire are common symptoms. But even beyond menopause, around 80% of women will experience vaginal dryness at some point in their lives. That’s where Gloriah’s Soul Gel comes in – a luxury, water-based lubricant designed for menopausal and perimenopausal women. The formula has sold out three times already, but it is finally available for pre-order, with shipping scheduled to begin on July 14. The inspiration for Soul Gel came after the co-founders, Jessica and Isla, had a close friend go through surgical menopause at 25 years old. Even with Isla working as a trained NHS women’s health nurse, the pair struggled to find a solution – so they created their own. READ MORE: Sarah J Maas fans can get A Court of Thorns and Roses free on Audible READ MORE: Savvy dog owner swaps supermarket dog food to save over 拢200 Jessica said: “We wanted to create the kind of product we wish we could’ve handed our friend when she hit menopause at 25. Something beautiful, bold, and stigma-smashing.” The story behind Gloriah is just as bold as the product itself. The two Scottish founders invested their life savings into the business and travelled to London to launch the brand. But with no marketing budget, they took matters into their own hands and pinned up posters across the London Underground that read ‘lube in a tube.’ Each one featured a QR code that linked directly to their site, and the cheeky guerrilla campaign quickly went viral. Unfortunately, TFL hit them with a cease and desist – but the mission was already accomplished, and Soul Gel had sold out . Since then, it has sold out three more times, gained a loyal fan base, and launched in Superdrug and Tesco. In terms of the formula itself, it was specifically developed to support skin that has changed due to fluctuations or declines in hormones. Made with natural extracts like aloe vera, oat and ginkgo, Soul Gel aims to calm, soothe, hydrate and boost circulation, helping women reclaim comfort and confidence in the bedroom. Priced at 拢17, it’s already positioned as a skincare-style investment for sex. However, Daily Record readers can take 25% off with the code REACH25 until July 31, bringing the price down to 拢12.75. It’s not just the formula that stands out. Soul Gel comes in a 70s-inspired terracotta tube, giving it the same visual appeal as high-end skincare. Chic enough to sit on a dressing table without raising eyebrows, the packaging reflects Gloriah’s broader mission : to normalise conversations around vaginal dryness, pleasure and female hormonal health. For those who are keen to shop around, there are more water-based lubricants available. That includes the Shine Organic Lubricant by Maude (拢21.59), a pH-balanced, aloe-based formula that is ultra-moisturising and non-sticky. Another option is YES Organic Water-Based Lube (拢7.99) from Lovehoney. One user said: “I have super sensitive skin, and this gave me absolutely no issues. Doesn’t feel icky or sticky at all.” Regarding Gloriah’s Soul Gel , the brand has also received some positive feedback from shoppers. This person said: “After having my second baby, I needed something gentle and nourishing. This has been a lifesaver.” Meanwhile, another piped up: “It does feel like a little moment for the soul. Calming, comforting, easy.” A third added: “The oat and aloe combo is genius. It feels so calming on my skin, not just down there but anywhere I use it.” It has no negative reviews online, including on Amazon, where it boasts a solid 4.9-star rating. That being said, delivery is only free when spending 拢30 or more. Otherwise, it’ll set shoppers back 拢3.75. But that doesn’t stop reviewers from expressing praise: “I expected it to be ok, but I didn’t expect to LOVE it. Zero stickiness. Just smooth comfort.” Another said: “I have super sensitive skin, and this didn’t sting or irritate once. Can’t say that for most products.”