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Anal sex can be extremely satisfying, but it comes with more prep and safety requirements than standard PiV sex. For instance, butts don’t self-lubricate like vaginas do. That makes anal lube critical to your pleasure and safety during the act.
I repeat: lube is 100% required for anal sex.
Without it, both partners can experience discomfort or even injury.
Which anal sex lubricant should you choose? How do you use lube during anal? And what about sex toys?
There are a few important factors you need to consider when choosing an anal sex lube, such as ingredients, slickness, safety, and compatibility with your toys.
Not all lubes are appropriate for internal butt play. Others make anal sex MUCH better.
In fact, choosing the right lube can turn “oops, ouch!” anal sex into “oooh, ahhh” anal sex in an instant.
Below, you’ll learn the anal lube basics. Then, we’ll recommend some top-rated anal lubricants for better and safer butt play.
Anal Sex Lube Basics (in 30 seconds)
If you don’t have time for all the deets on anal sex lube, here’s a quick rundown of what you NEED to know.
NEVER have anal sex without lube. It can cause injury and infection (plus it’s not fun)
Use a long-lasting lube for anal sex, like oil-based lube, silicone lube, or hybrid lube
Our favorite silicone lube is Gun Oil, and our favorite oil-based lube is Boy Butter
If you’re using a silicone sex toy, use a water-based anal lube like Sliquid Sassy
Don’t use silicone lube with silicone sex toys. It can damage them
Avoid unsafe lube ingredients like glycerin, parabens, propylene glycol, glucose, and nonoxynol-9
Avoid warming and tingling lube. And, be careful with desensitizing lube (it can mask pain associated with injury)
Apply anal lube liberally to butts, penises, and toys. Reapply often
Use condoms during anal sex to protect against STI transmission and boost comfort
Picking the right anal sex lube is important, but it’s not always easy. Most stores don’t sell lubes that are ideal for anal. Your best bet is to shop online at a reputable retailer like Condomania.
Below, our anal experts will explain how to choose a safe and slick anal lube.
Choose Your Lube Type
Sex lube is made from a range of ingredients. Some are better for anal sex than others.
Water-based lube
Water-based lube is the most versatile lube. You can use it for all types of sex, with toys, with condoms, etc. And, it’s easy to clean.
Unfortunately, this lube is not very slick and must be reapplied often. So, it’s not the best for anal sex. Still, sometimes water-based lube is a good option, such as if you’re using a silicone sex toy.
Try: Pjur Backdoor Comfort Anal Glyde
Oil-based lube
Oil-based lube is made from natural oils, such as coconut oil or avocado oil. This lube is very slick, making it perfect for anal sex and use with sex toys.
On the downside, it’s not safe to use with latex or polyisoprene condoms. Oil-based lube can also be tough to wash out of sheets.
Try: Boy Butter
Silicone Lube
Silicone lube is extremely slick and silky smooth. Unlike water-based lubes, silicone lubricants don’t absorb into the skin, so they stay slippery for much longer. This makes them perfect for anal sex.
Silicone is safe to use with condoms, but it is not safe to use with silicone sex toys.
Try: Fuck Water Premium Silicone Lubricant
Hybrid Lube
Hybrid lube is a blend of water-based lube and silicone lube. You get the best of both worlds—the slickness of silicone and the easy clean-up of water-based lube.
Try: SPUNK Hybrid
Check the Ingredients
Once you’ve found an anal lube you like, look at the ingredients list. A safe lube should have a short list of ingredients and should NOT contain:
Glucose
Propylene glycol
Parabens
Glycerin
Nonoxynol-9 (spermicide)
Menthol
These ingredients can irritate or damage the interior of your butt and make it easier for infections to spread.
All of the lubes recommended on this list are SAFE for anal and do not contain toxic ingredients or irritants.
Note: Be careful using desensitizing anal lube. These lubes contain numbing agents that make it easier to relax your backdoor muscles, but they can also make it harder to realize if you’re getting hurt.
Top-rated Anal Lubricants
The following sex lubes were designed specifically for anal sex. They’re safe for butts, extra slick, and super satisfying.
Water-based anal lubricants:
Sliquid Sassy Ultra-Thick Lubricant
$8.99
$11.99
Sliquid Sassy Ultra-Thick Lube Sliquid Sassy Lubricant is a long-lasting and water-based anal gel. 💦 Ultra-thick water-based gel Latex, rubber, plastic & silicone toy friendly Non-staining, unflavored and unscented Uniquely blended to emulate your body’s own natural lubrication Sliquid Sassy is… Read More
Pjur Backdoor Comfort Anal Glyde
Pjur Backdoor Comfort Water-Based Anal Glide
$19.99
$22.99
Pjur Backdoor Water-Based Anal Glide A water-based lubricant that feels almost like silicone, pjur Back Door Moisturising Water Anal Glide has a long lubricating effect and boasts all the advantages of water. Furthermore, the formula of pjur Back Door Moisturising Glide has… Read More
Boy Butter "Clear" Water-Based Lubricant
$10.99
$12.99
Unveiling the Magic: Boy Butter Clear Behold the elixir of love, the wizardry in a bottle – introducing Boy Butter Clear H2O, the lubricant that's about to redefine your intimate experiences with its patented invisagel charm. 💑 Lubricant Equality: Safe… Read More
Oil-based anal lubricants:
Boy Butter Original Lubricant with Coconut Oil
$10.99
$14.00
Boy Butter Original Lubricant Boy Butter Original is an oil-based lubricant consisting of two powerful yet gentle ingredients: coconut oil and an organic silicone blend. The ingredients are homogenized like real butter. The result is a personal lubricant… Read More
SPUNK Natural Coconut and Avocado Oil Lubricant
$10.99
$12.99
SPUNK NATURAL Lubricant SPUNK Lube Natural is a unique blend of edible, virgin coconut oil and organic avocado oil that locks in moisture for amazing natural personal lubrication. This vegan-friendly adult lubricant is free from silicone, glycerin, and parabens, as… Read More
Silicone anal lubricants:
GUN OIL Silicone Lubricant
$20.99
$22.99
Gun Oil Silicone Lubricant Attention, private! At ease. Designed to meet the needs of the most hardcore bedroom soldiers, Gun Oil Silicone provides slick, long-lasting lubrication thanks to its proprietary three-molecule silicone blend. You won't find a lube with the same texture… Read More
Fuck Water Premium Silicone Lubricant
$12.99
$18.99
Fuck Water SILICONE Sex Lubricant Alright, Condomaniacs, you're in for a wild ride with FuckWater Premium Silicone Lubricant. This isn't your average lube; this is the James Bond of lubricants, designed for stamina, endurance, and a super long-lasting performance that… Read More
Pjur Analyse Me! Silicone-Based Relaxing Anal Glide
$26.99
$31.99
Pjur Analyse Me! Silicone-Based Relaxing Anal Glide Anal sex can be a profoundly passionate and sensual experience, but proper preparation is essential. Pjur Analyse Me! is a silicone lubricant designed specifically to enhance anal play. It contains natural relaxants but no… Read More
Hybrid anal lubricants:
SPUNK Hybrid Lubricant
$7.99
$10.99
SPUNK Lube Hybrid SPUNK Lube Hybrid is a water-based silicone lubricant that resembles the look and feel of natural body lubrication (ie: cum). It lets you feel the sensation of skin-to-skin contact. Why we LOVE SPUNK Hybrid SPUNK… Read More
Sliquid SILK Non-Staining Silicone & Water-Based Lubricant
$8.99
$13.99
Sliquid Silk Non-Staining Silicone & Water Lubricant Sliquid Naturals Silk Lubricant is a unique blend of H2O water-based lubricant, 12% silicone, and creamy emollient esters for an even longer-lasting lubricant. Unlike pure silicone lubricants, this formula is non-staining. Sugar-free (glycerin and glycol),… Read More
Buying anal sex lube is the first step. But how do you use it correctly? Follow these tips to ensure your anal sex stays slippery and safe.
Apply Lube Generously
When you have vaginal sex, you might only need a few drops of lube. Anal is different. You need to apply plenty of lube to both partners' parts.
Butts don’t self-lubricate, and neither do penises, so both need to be absolutely glistening with lubrication before you attempt penetration.
Once anal sex is in motion, you’ll probably need to reapply lube if you feel friction or discomfort. Check in often to avoid hurting your partner.
Use a Condom
Butts can’t get pregnant, so why use a condom?
It’s easier to transmit certain STIs (like HIV) via anal sex. So, wearing a condom for anal sex is extra important if you and your partner want to stay safe.
Condoms are also designed to maximize the slickness of lube, making anal sex more comfy and slippery. Add plenty of silicone lube to the outside of the condom, and you should be good to plow for ages.
Plus, wearing a condom makes it easy to switch from anal to vaginal sex. Just take off the condom and put on a new one. This prevents bacteria from the butt from getting inside the vagina.
Remember: DO NOT use oil-based lube with latex or polyisoprene condoms. It can cause them to break.
Take it Slow
Even with plenty of lube, you shouldn’t aim to jackhammer your partner’s butt. Anal sex happens slowly and deliberately.
Starting with foreplay is essential. Your partner’s butt muscles need time to relax and loosen up. Next, penetrate slowly. Very slowly. Wait until your partner is comfortable before penetrating deeper, and add more lube often.
Try Toys First
If you or your partner is not experienced with anal, try anal sex toys first, like a butt plug or dildo.
Anal training kits contain multiple butt plugs, starting small and increasing in size. These are meant to train you for safe and pleasurable anal sex.
If you’re solo, starting with fingers is a good way to work up to bigger things. Use finger condoms to protect against fingernails and spreading bacteria.
Where to Shop for Anal Sex Lubricants
Most stores do not carry the types of lube you need for anal sex. For the best anal sex lube, shop online at Condomania.
At Condomania, we’ve been selling sex lube for over 30 years, and we’ve helped educate our community on safe anal sex practices.
We stock a huge selection of lubricants and condoms that are SAFE to use for anal sex, as well as plenty of medically-tested sex toys.
We also offer anal sex lubricants in large sizes (up to 32 oz), which can save you a ton of cash.
Condomania is America’s favorite retailer for all things anal. We throw in loads of perks with your orders, such as FREE shipping on orders over under $50, FREE discreet billing and packaging, and exclusive discounts on anal sex lube, condoms, and sex toys.
Browse Condomania’s selection of anal sex lubricants here, and get ready to have better, safer bum fun.
Want to learn more about having BETTER anal sex? Read our 101 Guide to Anal Sex here.
If you’ve already got your lube and condoms ready, check out this guide on how to prepare for amazing anal sex.
FAQs
Can I have anal sex without lube?
Only if you’re into bad decisions.
Butts don’t self-lubricate, so anal without lube = friction, discomfort, and possible injury. Use a high-quality anal lube every time—your butt (and your partner) will thank you.
What kind of lube is best for anal sex?
You want something slick, long-lasting, and butt-safe.
Silicone lube is the gold standard for anal—it’s super slippery and doesn’t dry out. Oil-based lube is also great, especially for toy-free play. Just avoid water-based lube unless you’re using silicone toys (and even then, pick a thick one like Sliquid Sassy).
Can I use silicone lube with anal sex toys?
Not unless you want to melt your toy like a popsicle in July. Yikes.
Silicone lube + silicone toys = damage. Always use a water-based or oil-based lube with silicone toys to keep them safe and your play squeaky clean.
How much anal lube should I use?
More. No, even more than that.
Slather it on liberally—your butt, your partner, your toys, everywhere. If anything feels dry or draggy, pause and reapply. Anal is not the time to be stingy.
Are desensitizing anal lubes safe?
They’re a mixed bag.
Numbing lubes can help newbies relax—but they can also mask pain and lead to injury. If you’re trying one, go slow, communicate, and NEVER ignore discomfort.
Where’s the best place to buy anal lube?
Online at Condomania, obviously.
Most stores barely carry anal-friendly lubes. Condomania stocks safe, body-tested anal lubes in every variety—plus discreet shipping!