Ah, personal lubricants—the key to smooth, comfortable, pleasurable sex.
According to U.S. Census data and Simmons National Consumer Survey (NHCS), 49.92 million Americans were reported using personal lubricants in 2018, and the number’s rising.
But despite the widespread use of lubrication, there’s a lot of misinformation about what lubricants do (and what they don’t do).
Before you buy a lubricant, you should know what you’re getting into, and this guide should help you understand the basics.
If you still need more help after reading this, browse through our "How to Use Personal Lubricant" article.
Do I Need to Use Lubricant?
Lube makes all sexual activity more fun. If you want to increase your pleasure, lube is for you.
When aroused, women's bodies produce natural lubrication, but the amount can vary widely. Factors like menopause, illness, diet and even simple stress can limit the body's production of vaginal lubricant.
More importantly, lube improves sex even if there's no shortage of natural lubrication.
Despite a common misconception, even women with no self-lubrication issues will benefit significantly from adding additional lube.
Even if you or your partner have ample natural lubrication amounts, you will benefit significantly by using a personal lubricant during sex.
Personal lubricants introduce thrilling new sensations into your sex life, solo or concert. Try it!
What Do Personal Lubricants Do, Exactly?
In simple words, lubricants enhance sexual activities by limiting friction.
They provide a smooth “liquid” barrier between body parts, which will improve masturbation, and vaginal and anal sex.
Any time body parts rub against one another, it will cause uncomfortable friction, which should be reduced to increase pleasure.
Lubricants can also moisturize and even prevent sensitive skin from becoming irritated.
Some lube additives that can actually add new intimate pleasureful sensations (we’ll get to those in a minute).
Regardless of your gender or sexual preferences, there’s always a place for lube in your sexual toolkit.
Types of Lubricant Bases
The most significant difference between lubricants is the base ingredient—the main element used to provide lubrication.
There are three main types of lubricant bases (although manufacturers continue to innovate—expect more base ingredients, like aloe, to join the list soon).
Water-Based Lubricants
This is the most common type of lubricant. Water-based lube is the closest thing you can get to the body’s natural lubrication for a reasonable price.
Plus, they’re entirely safe to use with latex, condoms, and adult toys. Since they’re water-based, these personal lubricants are water-soluble and wash off easily.
$10.99
Sliquid H2O: The Premier Water-Based Lube Looking for a lubricant that's long-lasting and safe for your body? Look no further than Sliquid H2O Water-Based Lubricant. This adult lubricant is formulated with purified water and plant cellulose to provide a natural,… Read MoreSliquid H2O Water-Based Lubricant
$11.99
Unfortunately, that also means that they tend to dry up quicker than silicone or oil-based lubes, but some formulas last longer than others.
A quick tip: To make your water-based lube last longer, simply apply water or spit to the lubricant as it is drying out. This will reduce the lubricant and keep it slick for as long as possible.
Silicone Lubricants
Silicone-based is the second-most popular type of personal lubricant. Silicone lube is not water-soluble, so your body cannot absorb it like it would a water-based lubricant.
This makes silicone lube last a VERY long time and is a significant reason it is the recommended lubricant for anal sex.
Lubricant made from silicone tends to be EXTREMELY slippery, so please use extreme caution and make sure to clean all spills right away.
$11.99
SKYN® All Night Long™ Lubricant Get ready to take your pleasure game to new heights with SKYN All Night Long Silicone Lubricant! 🌙✨ This magical potion is here to make your intimate moments last longer and feel oh-so-silky smooth. Say… Read MoreLifeStyles SKYN All Night Long Silicone Lubricant | 2.7oz
$15.99
As an added bonus, silicone is waterproof. Water won’t wash silicone lube away. That can be advantageous if you’re getting frisky in the tub or shower.
A silicone-based lube doesn’t ever dry out during everyday use, and it leaves your skin feeling wonderfully smooth.
Silicone lubricant is often used as a skin and hair moisturizer, so don’t be afraid to apply it where needed.
These lubes are compatible with latex condoms. Because silicone is chemically inert, it’s hypoallergenic. You will find that many silicone lubricants only have two or three ingredients.
Ride Bodyworx Ride Rocco Silicone-Based Lube
$34.99
$36.99
Ride Rocco Silicone Lubricant This highly-concentrated, premium blend of medical-grade silicones is ideal for every type of erotic encounter, from sensual massage to hardcore anal play. Ultra-concentrated silicone blend Designed to last without reapplying Glycerine free and Paraben free Hypoallergenic… Read More
Expect to pay a little more for a silicone lube—they’re often double the price of their water-based counterparts.
Beyond that, there are two main disadvantages of silicone lubricants. They can stain certain fabrics, for one thing.
Also, you shouldn’t use silicone personal lubricants with silicone sex toys. The liquid silicone degrades the solid silicone toy due to the molecular interaction of different silicone types.
You can wash off silicone with soap and water, but you’ll need plenty of soap; water alone won’t do the trick.
Oil-Based Lubricants
Lubricants with an oil base are most commonly used for masturbation; many sex experts discourage oil-based lubes for penetrative sex since they can leave a coating that increases the chances of infections.
Oil cannot be absorbed by your body, which can cause the lube to sit idle inside of you for extended periods, which is not necessarily a good thing.
$10.99
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 MoreSPUNK Natural Coconut and Avocado Oil Lubricant
$12.99
Like silicone lubricants, oil-based lubricants aren’t water-soluble, so you need soap to wash them away.
They can stain some fabrics, and they will degrade latex condoms, making them useless. That said, oil lubes are safe to use with polyurethane condoms.
The main advantage of an oil-based lube is its staying power. These lubricants last for an exceptionally long time.
Hybrid Lubes
This is a relatively new category of lubrication. Hybrid silicone-water lubricants offer the feel of silicone with the toy-friendly features of water-based lubricants.
If anything, hybrid lubes have an even creamier glide than pure silicone-based lubricants.
Silicone-water hybrid personal lubricants last long and won't stain most fabrics. They also tend to be less expensive than pure silicone lubricants. Win-win!
$15.99
Silk Natural Feel Lubricant by ID Lubes There's nothing softer than silk, and if you're looking for a long-lasting lubricant with an unbelievably soft texture, ID's Silk hits the mark. This lube uses a unique blend of silicone, water, and glycerin into a… Read MoreID Silk Long-Lasting Hybrid Lubricant
$20.99
Which Personal Lubricant Should You Choose?
Knowing this, if you’re trying to find the “best” lube: it doesn’t really exist.
The answer is different for just about every person, but here are a few questions to ask yourself when choosing a personal lubricant:
How will I use this?
This is the first and most important question: Will you use this lube for masturbation, anal sex, vaginal sex, or oral sex? Will you use a condom or dental dam? What about toys? A bit of planning will go a long way.
For instance, silicone lubes are often preferable for anal sex.
$19.99
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 MorePjur Backdoor Comfort Water-Based Anal Glide
$22.99
They last longer and generally have a thicker consistency than water-based lubricants (we should note a few thicker water-based formulas, so this is more of a general guideline than a rule).
Silicone is also great for vaginal intercourse, although some people prefer the feel of water-based products. However, silicone lubes aren’t great for many toys.
To be safe, a good rule of thumb is to never use silicone lubricant with soft sex toys, whether they’re made with silicone, jelly, rubber, or PVC.
$6.99
Tenga Egg Lotion Lubricant for Masturbation Eggs TENGA Egg Lotion is a water-based adult lubricant meant for use with TENGA Masturbation Eggs, condoms, and more! While it's a perfect lubricant with TENGA Eggs, TENGA Egg Lotion can use it in… Read MoreTENGA "Egg Lotion" Water-Based Lubricant
$7.99
Water-based lubricants work well with all toys but dry out over time. Oil-based lubricants are ideal for masturbation but not recommended for vaginal sex.
You get the idea.
Once you understand the advantages of the three main types of lube, you should have a pretty good idea of what you’ll need, but think about how you will use the product before clicking “buy.”
Will this be safe for my body?
Suppose you’re buying a lubricant for vaginal use. You should definitely avoid oil-based lubes since some formulas can increase the chances of yeast infections by upsetting your vaginal flora (the bacteria and other microbes that live in a healthy vagina).
Oil-based lubricants will also damage latex condoms, so reiterate that if you’re practicing safe sex, avoid oil-based lube.
If you plan to use a condom with an oil-based lube, make sure that the condom is made of polyurethane, not latex.
$5.99
Trojan Supra Bareskin Condoms Get all the thinness of BareSkin™ without the latex. Supra™ condoms are all about sensitivity in more ways than one. Their design transmits natural body heat and provides a barely-there sensation while also protecting those who… Read MoreTrojan Supra Bareskin Condoms
$7.99
Although some people may be sensitive to propylene glycol ingredients, silicone and water-based lubricants are generally safe.
Some publications have also suggested that a class of antimicrobial chemicals called parabens could affect hormone production.
At the same time, there’s currently no scientific evidence to support that assertion; paraben-free lubricants are pretty standard.
If you have allergies, you’ll also want to check the labels of personal lubricants with herbal ingredients.
Many lubricant manufacturers now offer organic lubricants, and all-natural lubes made for the more health-conscious consumers.
$9.60
Sliquid Organics Natural: Formulated with Aloe Sliquid Organics Natural is a standard thickness, water-based lubricant infused with organic, natural ingredients. This formula is the base for the other Sliquid Organics lubricants. Aloe Vera based & water-soluble Formulated with organic ingredients… Read MoreSliquid Organics Natural Lubricant with Aloe
$14.99
Natural lubricants tend to dry out quicker than most due to the lack of preservatives and other synthetic ingredients.
Many health-conscious consumers seek out glycerin-free lubricants as some believe that glycerin can turn into sugar inside the female body, thus potentially causing yeast infections.
No long-term studies prove this, but many believe it is better to be safe than sorry.
Whatever formula you choose, always be safe and buy your lubricants from a reputable supplier. If you notice irritation or other adverse effects after using a particular lube, discontinue use immediately.
Am I interested in a “special” lubricant formula?
Specialty lubes increase stimulation in lots of ways. If you can dream it, there’s probably a lube that can do it. Edible lubes are available in a stunning array of flavors.
There are warming lubes, cooling lubes, and tingling lubes. There are even lubes that can help delay ejaculation. These specialty lubricants produce their effects with unique ingredients.
For instance, warming and cooling lubricants offer a different type of sexual experience using capsaicin, menthol, and other additives.
Some lubricants have herbal additives and vitamins for a libido-boosting effect (To be determined if these truly boost libidos).
If you decide to try a lubricant with added sensations, always remember to test it on your skin before jumping right into sex.
Experts recommend testing a small amount of lubricant on the inner part of your wrist; that’s a sensitive area that mimics the reactions you may have on your genitals.
PH-neutral lubricants are ideal if you’re especially susceptible to yeast infections or trying to conceive. Some manufacturers even make sperm-friendly lubricants to increase your odds of conception if that’s your goal.
For men with a hair-trigger, numbing lubricants can help prolong sex (although they’re generally not recommended for anal penetration since they can increase the chances of an injury by blocking pain).
There’s a massive world of lubricants, so dive in—metaphorically, once you know the basics.
The more popular ingredients used for numbing lubricants include lidocaine and benzocaine, both over-the-counter topical anesthetics commonly used at the dentist.
Here’s the bottom line:
No lubricant is 100 percent perfect for everyone. Experimentation is fun, so try out different lubricants from different brands.
See what you like. As long as you know the lube’s ingredients and use it as directed, nothing can go wrong.