Also nice: One of its four ingredients is moisturizing vitamin E, which will leave your skin feeling nice and conditioned afterward, says Finn. “Plus, it comes in a chic glass bottle that deserves a visible spot on the nightstand.”
Type: Silicone-based | Size: 1.85 oz | Other notable ingredients: Moisturizing dimethicone
Best for Beginners: Maude Shine
New to lube? Try this water-based pick from Maude. It comes in a pump bottle that prevents accidental spills and makes application easier. The gentle formula is easy on the skin, while the hydrating ingredients help replenish moisture.
One former SELF editor enjoys pairing this water-based formula with her go-to vibrator (also from Maude) because it isn’t distractingly scented and doesn’t irritate her vulva. You can buy it in a 4-ounce pump bottle, a travel-friendly 2-ounce size, or an 8-ounce value size.
Type: Water-based | Size: 4 oz | Other notable ingredients: Hydrating propanediol
Best Anal Lube: Pjur Back Door Water Anal Lubricant
“If you couldn’t tell by the name, Pjur Back Door was designed with the booty in mind,” says Finn. But unlike most anal lubes that have a silicone base, Pjur’s has a water base. “The formula utilizes a molecule called Hyaluron, which binds with water to create a cushiony consistency,” Finn says.
The resulting gel-like texture makes it great for any kind of anal play, whether you’re pegging with a silicone dildo, slipping in your favorite stainless steel plug, or using safer sex barriers like condoms, they say. Get creative!
Type: Silicone-based | Size: 3.4 oz | Other notable ingredients: Moisturizing hyaluronic acid
Best pH Balanced: Playground Free Love
Free Love was developed with the sensitive vag in mind. If you get UTIs or yeast or BV infections easily, Playground’s water-based lube is worth a try, Shyama Mathews MD, an AAGL-certified minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon and NAMS-certified menopause practitioner based in Plainsboro, New Jersey, tells SELF.
“It’s free from glycerin and is a fragrance-free formula, which helps prevent irritation and maintain comfort in delicate areas,” she says. It also has a balanced pH to protect your vaginal microbiome, she adds.
Type: Water-based | Size: 3.7 oz | Other notable ingredients: Moisturizing hyaluronic acid
Best for Masturbation: Hello Cake Toy Wonder
The thickest water-based lubricant on this list, Toy Wonder is my go-to grab for a self-care session, whether I’m going for a quickie or a masturbation marathon. Why? It’s spongy without being sticky, and it allows my fave sex toy (the Bird Gii) to glide comfortably.
Type: Water-based | Size: 3.3 oz | Other notable ingredients: Hydroxyethyl cellulose thickens the formula
Best for Sensitive Skin: Good Clean Love Bionude
If you have sensitive skin, go for Good Clean Love’s water-based, hypoallergenic lube. It’s recommended by Rosara Torrisi, PhD, an AASECT-certified sex therapist and the founding director at the Long Island Institute of Sex Therapy (as well as many SELF editors). The formula is free from fragrances, dyes, and other potential irritants—plus, it’s slippery without interfering with the sensation of skin-on-skin.
No doubt, gel lubes have their time and place (read: anal). However, I prefer the consistency of Good Clean Love during partnered intercourse because I don’t feel like there’s anything between my partner and I.
Type: Water-based | Size: 3 oz | Other notable ingredients: pH-balancing lactic acid
Best Silicone-Based: Sliquid Silver
Slippery, endlessly slick, and non-sticky, a good silicone-based lube is perfect for butt play, marathon lovemaking, or giving a massage. Sliquid Silver stands out because of its uniquely velvety texture.
The three-ingredient formula feels like the natural lubrication of my body, so I can never tell where that ends and store-bought begins. The brand also makes multiple formulas (water-based, oil-based, and hybrid) for different needs.
Type: Silicone-based | Size: 4.2 oz | Other notable ingredients: Moisturizing dimethicone
Best Oil-Based: Foria Intimacy Sex Oil with CBD
Foria’s coconut oil-based lubricant comes recommended by Megan Fleming, PhD, a psychologist and AASECT-certified sex therapist. She likes that it only has two ingredients: organic coconut oil and CBD. Bonus: I regularly repurpose this long-lasting, moisturizing option as a massage oil when menstrual cramps hit—the CBD seems to help relax the muscles and relieve any related discomfort.
Just make sure you don’t pair it with anything made of latex, and steer clear if you have a tree nut sensitivity or allergy.
Type: Oil-based | Size: 3.8 oz | Other notable ingredients: Moisturizing coconut oil
More lubes to consider
Although these picks didn’t quite make our list of top picks, we still think they’re worth considering. Some have key, expert-approved ingredients, while others are great for taking with you on the go.
Dame Aloe Lube
“Aloe is known to reduce skin irritation and dryness, which clearly factors into discomfort,” women’s health specialist Clare Bertucio, MD, the CEO and chief medical officer of vulva care brand Medicine Mama, tells SELF. So, if you find yourself navigating either issue, consider this unique option from Dame, which is infused with moisturizing aloe leaf juice.
“In addition to aloe vera, it has green tea, oat, and hemp seed that provide natural moisture and prevent inflammation, while added botanicals like mushroom extract promote blood flow for arousal,” adds Finn. Also nice: the minimalist blue bottle sports an easy-to-use pump.
Type: Water-based | Size: 4 oz | Other notable ingredients: Hydrating hemp seed and oat kernel extract
DeoDoc Lubricant Drops
Excellent news: There’s finally a silicone lube that won’t make your hands sticky. Deo Doc’s Intimate Lubricant Drops come in a travel-friendly spray bottle—just position the top a few inches away from your body and press the top to use it. While the lube can’t be used with silicone toys, the hands-free application comes in handy whenever I’m masturbating with a compatible vibrator (like my Magic Wand Waterproof).
Type: Silicone-based | Size: 1 oz | Other notable ingredients: Dimethicone
Frequently asked questions
The short answer? Because it makes most positions feel better. Dr. Rodgers notes that lube creates glide, preventing the friction created by your hands, a toy, or a partner from causing irritation. Lube can also help soothe an itchy, dry, or uncomfortable vagina—and it’s a must for anal sex because your anus can’t lubricate itself.
What should you consider when shopping for lube?
Choose your lube based on what you want to use it for. Water-based lube is great for almost all types of sex—plus, it’s safe to use with latex and silicone products, Dr. Rodgers says. It usually comes in a thin, slippery liquid or gel form that’s “easier to clean off than silicone-based [lubes] and much safer with toys and condoms,” says Dr. Torrisi. One downside is that water-based lube tends to get sticky as the water evaporates during use, so it needs frequent reapplication. You can remedy any tackiness by adding a few drops of water to refresh it.
According to the experts we spoke with, silicone-based lube is an excellent choice for anal sex and hand jobs because it’s longer-lasting and less absorbent (requiring fewer reapplications). It’s also hypoallergenic, which makes it great for sensitive skin, Dr. Rodgers says. FYI: You can use this kind of lube with latex condoms, but never with silicone sex toys because it can degrade their material.
Lastly, oil-based lubes are popular because they’re cheap and easy to find at most drugstores. But oil can cause latex condoms to break—and using petroleum jelly can potentially lead to vaginal infection. So if you do opt for an oil-based formula, use it with a latex-free condom like this option from Skyn ($7).
Which ingredients should you avoid in lube?
When it comes to reading a lube label, Dr. Rodgers recommends avoiding parabens, petroleum, and any fragrances or flavors, which can be harsh on your skin. (None of the picks on our list contain any of these.) If you’re prone to yeast infections, make sure that your water-based lube doesn’t have glycerin in it. This ingredient is a byproduct of sugar, which may alter your vaginal pH by producing an overgrowth of yeast, leading to infection.
In general, “avoid products that report that they heat you or warm you,” Dr. Rodgers says. “This is likely an irritant that’s causing burning of the tissue—that’s why it’s warm!” Also, don’t use food or whipped cream as lube: She says this can also cause irritation and increase your risk of infection.
Our experts
- Rosara Torrisi, PhD, an AASECT-certified sex therapist and the founding director at the Long Island Institute of Sex Therapy
- Allison K. Rodgers, MD, a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist and infertility doctor at Fertility Centers of Illinois
- Lisa Finn, a sex educator with sex-toy store Babeland
- Megan Fleming, PhD, a psychologist and AASECT-certified sex therapist
- Shyama Mathews, MD, an AAGL-certified minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon, and NAMS-certified menopause practitioner based in Plainsboro, New Jersey
- Clare Bertucio, MD, a medical doctor, women’s health specialist, and the CEO and chief medical officer of Medicine Mama
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