Here's The Right Kind Of Lube For Every Kind Of Sex

We asked the experts about the best stuff for all your slip 'n slide needs. The products in this post were updated in August 2022.

We hope you love the products we recommend! Just so you know, BuzzFeed may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. Oh, and FYI — prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication.

Lube can be a really great addition to sex stuff.

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Lube is fun and exciting, but it's also actually functional since it can help prevent little tears in the tissue that could lead to infection, Dr. Jennifer Berman, urologist and female sexual health expert, tells BuzzFeed Health. So even if you've never used lube before, it can't hurt to try it — especially if you've had any issues with dryness or discomfort in the past.

BUT it's important to use the right stuff, which might take some trial and error.

vevo.com / Via buzzfeed.com

Just as people have allergies or sensitivities to ingredients in skincare products, the same goes for lube and your genitals, says Berman.

Generally, more ingredients will mean more irritation to someone with sensitivities or allergies, says Berman. So if you know you're prone to infections or rashes, stick with the simple stuff and test a tiny amount on your arm or stomach before using it on your genitals — just in case. If you develop any itching, burning, pain, or other irregular symptoms, stop using it immediately and seek medical care if the reaction gets worse.

There are three main kinds of lube: Water-based, oil-based, and silicone-based.

Reddit User SexToyPeddlar / Via reddit.com

Water-based: Water is the main ingredient which makes it soothing and great for sensitive skin, plus it's easy to clean off your body and sheets. Water-based lubes are compatible with all sex toys, but they're not great for the shower/bath (since they wash right off) and they're not very long-lasting.

Silicone-based: Silicone lubes have a unique silky feel and they're usually hypoallergenic. Since the silicone molecules are too large to absorb into skin, the lube is super slippery and lasts much longer so you don't need to re-apply as often — and it works for water play. But silicone lube will actually ruin silicone sex toys, because it breaks down the surface and makes the toys gummy and gross.

Oil-based: Oil-based lubes feel great and you can find them in your kitchen (coconut and olive oil work great). However, they're not safe to use with condoms because they make the latex porous so it's prone to ripping, which increases the risk of pregnancy or STIs. While it's good for masturbation and massage, it's also oil, so it'll be hard to clean and it can stain sheets or clothing.

So let's get to some lubes! We asked the experts for their best picks for every type of sex. Here are their suggestions:

FYI: We talked to Dr. Jennifer Berman, urologist and female sexual health expert; Claire Cavanah, co-founder of woman-friendly sex shop chain Babeland; and Dr. Mary-Jane Minkin, clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Yale School of Medicine.

Jenny Chang / Via BuzzFeed

The experts say that simple water- and silicone-based lubes are best. "Vaginal tissue is extremely sensitive, so anything hypoallergenic is great, especially if you're prone to irritation or UTIs," says Minkin. So stay away from scents, flavors, or hot/cold sensations lubes with menthol or cinnamon unless you know it doesn't bother you.

Definitely avoid synthetic oil or petroleum-based products like Vaseline, says Berman. They don't really work and they get super sticky because petroleum isn't water-soluble. "It's like a petri dish for bacteria and microbes to grow and cause infection," says Berman. Natural oil (coconut, olive, jojoba) isn't a bad option, but it can be hard to clean off, and you can't use it with condoms.

1. Babeland's Babelube

http://www.babeland.com/babelube/d/1674

http://www.babeland.com/babelube/d/1674

It's great for vaginal sex because it's non-irritating and doesn't get sticky — which also makes clean up a breeze."We love it because it works on all toys, and it's free of glycerin, a sugar compound," Cavanah says. But since it's water-soluble, you probably don't want to use it in the bath or shower because it'll dissolve quickly.

Buy it at Babeland in a variety of sizes from $.50 to $22.

2. Wet Platinum Lubricant

Wet / Via stayswetlonger.com

The super slippery high-grade silicone in Wet Platinum is great for long-lasting sex without needing to reapply constantly and it's perfect for water play in the shower or bath. It's also safe to use with any plastic, glass, or metal sex toys but you should wash it off shortly after. Don't use it with silicone sex toys, though.

Buy it from Target for $12.99.

3. Replens Silky Smooth Moisturizing Lubricant

Replens / Via walgreens.com

Replens is a silicone-based lube made to combat vaginal dryness, so it's great for vaginal sex and it also moisturizes the vaginal tissue. Just keep it away from your silicone sex toys.

Buy it from Amazon for $16.28.

4. Good Clean Love Almost Naked Aloe-Based Lubricant

Good Clean Love / Via goodcleanlove.com

This lube is organic and aloe-based so it's great for super sensitive skin and it won't leave behind a sticky mess. It's safe on all sex toys and it has a touch of organic lemon and vanilla so it smells great too without the harsh chemical additives. But since it's water-based, this will dry out faster so it isn't great for marathon sex or water-play.

Buy it from Amazon for $11.99.

5. Blossom Organics Moisturizing pH-Balanced Lubricant

Blossom Organics / Via amazon.com

This is a water-based formula that's also pH-balanced. "The vagina is an acidic place, so it's good to use a lube that helps maintain that pH and prevent it from getting too alkaline, which can lead to vaginitis or yeast and urinary tract infections," Berman says.

Buy it from Amazon for $12.90.

6. Swiss Navy Premium Silicone Lubricant

Swiss Navy / Walgreens / Via walgreens.com

There are only three ingredients in this classic formula, which makes it a great option if you're new to lube and it has high-grade silicone so it lasts forever. Plus, the leak-proof pump bottle is perfect if you're fumbling around in the dark.

Get it from Amazon for $28.92.

7. Lelo Moisturizing Personal Lubricant

Babeland / Lelo / Via babeland.com

This water-based lube works with condoms and all kinds of sex toys. It's a moisturizing formula made with aloe and free of glycerin or fragrance, so it's perfect for sensitive skin — especially when there's friction between larger sex toys and the delicate vaginal tissue.

Buy it from Amazon for $15.

8. Pre-Seed Personal Lubricant

Pre-Seed / Via walgreens.com

Fun fact: When it comes to baby-making, almost all lubes inhibit sperm motility in the vagina. "Pre-seed is the only lubricant proven in clinical trials to not inhibit sperm motility so it's great if you're trying to conceive," says Minkin. (It doesn't enhance sperm motility, it just doesn't mess with it.) It also has plant-based antioxidants and it's a good moisturizing option if you're dry.

Buy it from Amazon for $19.96.

Jenny Chang / Via BuzzFeed

Even though the experts agree that everyone should embrace their natural smell and taste, flavored lubes can be a fun and delicious addition, too. Most flavored options are water-based since it's safer to swallow, says Cavanah. Whereas silicone can leave your mouth all slippery and oil can leave a gross sticky residue.

Since you may be ingesting a little of the lube when you use it, there are even vegan and kosher options to compliment everyone's dietary restrictions. However, any flavored lubes with actual sugar or sugar compounds can alter the vagina's pH and potentially lead to infections, so you probably want to skip those for cunnilingus.

9. Sliquid Swirl 100% Vegan Flavored Lube

Sliquid / Via sliquid.com

Sliquid is 100% vegan and pH balanced, so it's typically safe for all. That said, it does contain an artificial sweetener, so maybe steer clear if you're very sensitive to irritation.

Buy it from sliquid from Amazon for $12.95.

10. System Jo Strawberry Kiss Lubricant

System JO / Via amazon.com

It's water-based and sugar-free so it won't get sticky and gross, which makes it a great option for oral sex and foreplay. But it does contain plant-based glycerin, so you might not want to use it in a vagina that's prone to yeast infections.

Buy it from Amazon for $7.99.

11. Wicked Aqua Salted Caramel Lubricant

Wicked / Via amazon.com

This one's super light and sweetened with Stevia, so women who are prone to yeast infections should skip it, but it's penis-friendly. Plus, it tastes just like your favorite Starbucks drink.

Buy it from Amazon for $8.69.

12. Wet Flavored Gel Kosher Lubricant

Wet / Via stayswetlonger.com

Yes, this water-based lube was declared kosher by the Rabbinical Council of California.

Buy it from Amazon for $7.51.

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The anus doesn't lubricate like the vagina, so the important function of lube for anal sex is adding comfort and preventing tears or trauma in the tissue around the anus, says Cavanah.

Both water- and silicone-based lubes are great, but Cavanah says silicone is a better option since it's super slippery and comfortable, plus you don't need to reapply it all the time. You should approach oil-based lubes for anal sex like you do for vaginal sex — avoid them if you're using condoms.

13. Astroglide X Premium Silicone Lubricant

Astroglide / Via amazon.com

This premium silicone lube is super slippery so it's great for long-lasting anal or vaginal sex — and a little goes a long way, so you don't need to reapply. It's also good for water play and safe with condoms, as well as any glass or metal anal beads.

Buy it from Amazon for $18.96.

14. Sliquid Sassy

Sliquid / Via sliquid.com

This lube is one of the best for enhancing comfort and reducing friction during anal sex, Cavanah says, and it's compatible with condoms. It's a super thick water-based formula so it has a lotion-like cushiony feel even though it's easy to clean off. It's also pH balanced so it's safe for vaginal sex.

Buy it from Babeland for $8.99.

15. Gun Oil Silicone Lubricant

Gun Oil / Via amazon.com

This long-lasting silicone formula is great for anal sex because it won't dry out and the vitamin E helps moisturize delicate skin. It's also great for water play and contrary to what the name suggests, there's no oil in this lube so it's safe to use with condoms. "It's also one of the best for male masturbation," Cavanah says.

Buy it from Amazon for $10.50.

16. Babelube Silk

Babeland / Via babeland.com

This is a hypoallergenic water-based lube with a little bit of silicone and emollient, so it makes a great long-lasting hybrid lube for anal or vaginal sex, and it's safe with condoms. You can also technically use this one with silicone sex toys if you wash them immediately after (and you're not using them for a long time).

Buy it from Babeland in various sizes from $10 to $24.

17. System JO H2O Anal Lubricant

System JO / Via amazon.com

This feels silky and doesn't get tacky even though it's a super viscous water-based lubricant, says Berman. The thick formula makes it great for anal sex and it's compatible with condoms and all sex toys.

Buy it from Amazon for $14.58.

18. Pjur Back Door Relaxing Silicone Lubricant

Pjur / Via amazon.com

This is a super high-concentrated silicone formula. It also contains jojoba extracts to help relax the anal sphincter, and it's safe to use with condoms.

Buy it from Amazon for $37.99.

Jenny Chang / Via BuzzFeed

"Traditional lubes really aren't meant to be rubbed on the body — water-based lubes dry out easily and silicone molecules are too big to absorb into the skin," says Berman. So here are some options that are moisturizing and slippery for all the rubbing and touching leading up to sex.

19. Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

Viva Labs / Via amazon.com

Coconut oil is really best for massage and foreplay because it's easily absorbed, slick, and smells great. Plus, it has natural antifungal and antibacterial properties so it's great to use on oily or acne-prone skin. But since it degrades latex, you can't use with it condoms.

Buy it from Amazon for $7.85.

20. Überlube

Babeland / Via babeland.com

This lube is hypoallergenic, glycerin-free, and safe to use with condoms so it's a great option if you want to transition from foreplay to vaginal or anal sex. The liquid silicone formula is super light and has vitamin E so it doubles as a great massage oil and masturbation aid.

Buy it from Babeland for $24.99.

21. Boy Butter Oil-Based Lubricant

Boy Butter / Via amazon.com

This coconut and vegetable oil-based lube is great for masturbation and it's safe with all toys used during anal sex. Unlike most oil-based lubes, it's non-staining and washes off skin and fabric.

Note This is not condom compatible and isn't good for vaginal sex because the vegetable oils can accumulate inside the vagina and attract microbes, which can cause infection.

Buy it from Amazon for around $35.

22. Good Clean Love Oil

Good Clean Love / Via goodcleanlove.com

This 100% vegan oil is glycerin-free and non-toxic, so it's safe to use all over the body and great for massages and bathing. It's scented with sage and sandalwood so it feels warming and leaves skin smelling amazing.

Note This isn't safe to use with condoms during anal or vaginal sex, and even though it's safe for kissing, you probably don't want to ingest a lot of it during oral sex.

Get it from Amazon for $31.93.

23. Babeland Arousal Balm

Babeland / Via babeland.com

This balm is great for foreplay because it has a warming sensation which is especially arousing for sensitive areas like the nipples, clitoris, or perineum. It's glycerin-free and vegan so it's safe for use on the vagina but it's oil-based so it should stay mostly outside the genitals. Since it's in a small tin, it's easy to transport and mess-free. That said, it isn't compatible with condoms.

Get it from Babeland for $6.