It can easily be overwhelming when trying to figure out the best lube for you to use. This guide will help you learn more about the lubes available today. Match them with the the sexual activities they are specifically designed to enhance.
Why use lubes?
I know what you’re thinking… “My body already makes fluids I need for sex” Or “spit works just fine.” If sex with you lasts 30 seconds, maybe. And I’m sorry.
Self lubrication depends on the foreplay involved and the body parts you’re playing with. When you want the action to last longer and involve more than a vagina, lube has your back (and other body parts).
Lubes (including personal lubricants) help prevent the painful feeling of too much friction. That’s a good thing. Too much friction can damage your body tissues.
That can encourage bacterial growth from the heat. Making sex uncomfortable or even painful. You’re also less likely to have a condom break from friction by inviting lubes to the event.
On top of all that, lubes can help bring variety to the average sexual experience. (Even those break out encounters ranked well above average).
This article is going to share everything you’ve ever needed or wanted to know about lube, but were afraid to ask. I am going to show you exciting ways to:
- break out of boring bedroom habits
- intensify your pleasure
- enhance your sexual experiences
So read on, my friend. Because, let’s face it… You don’t really want to ask your favorite grocery store pharmacist about what lube is ideal for a rough anal romp. Do you?
Types of Lube
Water, silicone, and oil are the three most common base materials that are used to make lube. The base is very important to your lube choice.
Depending on the type of sexual encounter, the need for condoms, and the use of toys. Using the wrong base can be the difference between sex master and sex disaster.
Water Based Lubes
Water based lubes are the most common type of lube. They are easy to clean up from your body or fabrics.
Since they are made of water, they can be soothing on your skin too. Condoms are safe to use with most water based lubes, meaning the lube won’t cause the condom to weaken and break.
Pros
- Easy to clean up
- Most are condom safe
- Can be used with sex toys, including ones made of silicone
- Edible, making it a popular choice for flavored lubes
- Some can be re-activated with spit
Cons
- Can absorb into the body quickly. Requiring a reapplication pause during those longer, more luxurious sexual encounters
- Water based lubes containing glycerin will be sticky after they dry
Ride Bodyworx’s water based lube
Ride Bodyworx’s water based lube is your new best friend. It doesn’t dry up quickly or become sticky afterwards. Afterwards, just give it a quick wipe down and you’re on your merry little way.
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Silicone Based Lubes
Silicone lubes often last longer than water based lubes. They tend to be more expensive too. Silicone is made from silicon (a natural element) and oxygen atoms.
Silicone lubes feel soft and smooth on your skin thanks to their silky feeling. You’ll find that you will need to re-apply silicone lubes less often.
Silicone lube also won’t wash away with just water. Making them great for bath, hot tub, skinny dipping, etc.
You’ll need to use soap and water to clean it up though. Beware those fancy silk sheets… silicone lubes also stain fabrics like sheets and underwear.
Pros
- Smooth and silky feeling
- Lasts longer than water based lubes
- Hypoallergenic, good for people with sensitive skin and allergies
- Isn’t absorbed into the body as fast as water based lubes
- Doesn’t wash away with water, making it great for sex in water
Cons
- Cannot use with silicone sex toys
- Needs soap and water to clean up
- Can stain fabrics, such as bed sheets and underwear
Amity Jack Bang Oil Silicone Lubricant
Bang oil from Amity Jack is a great silicone lube crafted from the best ingredients. Bang oil lasts longer and slides better than other lubes on the market.
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Oil Based Lubes
Companies use a variety of different kinds of oils to make oil based lubes. Mineral oil and coconut oil are those most commonly used.
Each oil produces a slightly different feeling on your skin. Try different oils and see which one works the best for you. Oil lubes are long lasting and won’t wash away with water alone.
Pros
- Smooth and creamy feeling
- Lasts longer than water based lubes
- Safe to use with non-latex sex toys
- Safe to use with non-latex condoms
Cons
- Weakens latex condoms, making them easier to break
- Not safe for vaginal use, can harbor bacteria and yeast
- Can clog pores, mostly affecting people with sensitive skin
Boy Butter Oil Based Lubricant
Boy Butter’s Original Formula lube contains coconut oil and silicone. Taking it one step further, Boy Butter homogenizes the ingredients like real butter. The result is amazing. It’s long lasting and cleans up easily with water.
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Hybrid Lubes
Combine various lube materials together and you get a hybrid lube. Hybrid lubes give you the benefits and reduce the negative aspects of a single based lube. Many of the hybrid lubes available today combine water with silicone or water with oil.
Silicone & Water Hybrid Lubes
- Natural feeling of water based lubes
- Longer lasting benefits of silicone lubes
- Easier to clean up than only silicone lube
Oil & Water Hybrid Lubes
- Natural feelings of water based lubes
- Longer lasting benefits of oil based lubes
- Easier to clean up than only oil based lubes
SPUNK Silicone and Water Hybrid Lubricant
SPUNK Lube is a water and silicone based hybrid lube. This stuff is fantastic to play with because it resembles the look and feel of semen (cum lube). Novelty aside, it also feels great, lasts long, and is easy to clean up.
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Lube compatibility with male condoms
New condom materials have come out over the past few years. You now have more options than ever for condom type and style and material.
Of course, more choices can also make the buying decision more confusing. Here’s what you need to know about using lubes with the more popular condom materials.
Latex condoms
Compatibility with lubes
- Water based lubes: Yes
- Silicone based lubes: Yes
- Oil based lubes: No
Most of the condoms on the market today are made of latex. Latex condoms can stretch up to 8 times in size. This means they can hold up well during the faster actions of sex.
You’ll still want to use plenty of lube though. Water and silicone based lubes work well with latex condoms.
Oil based lubes do NOT work well with latex condoms. They make the condom weaker and easier to break. Ouch!
Check Prices For Latex Condoms
Polyurethane condoms
Compatibility with lubes
- Water based lubes: Yes
- Silicone based lubes: Yes
- Oil based lubes: Yes
Polyurethane condoms are made of thin plastic and. They are FDA approved for preventing pregnancy and protection from sexually transmitted diseases.
Polyurethane condoms are stronger but not as flexible as latex condoms. They are more expensive too.
Polyurethane condoms are typically looser fitting. Making them more comfortable to men but also easier to slip-off or break.
So, pay attention when using these condoms with your more vigorous sexual activities. Polyurethane condoms transmit heat very well. If you or your partner are allergic to latex, these condoms are a good option.
Check Prices For Polyurethane Condoms
Polyisoprene condoms
Compatibility with lubes
- Water based lubes: Yes
- Silicone based lubes: Yes
- Oil based lubes: Yes
Polyisoprene condoms are made from natural rubber. They are FDA approved for preventing pregnancy and protection of sexually transmitted diseases.
Polyisoprene condoms fit like latex condoms and less expensive than polyurethane condoms. They are more expensive than latex condoms though.
Polyisoprene condoms don’t break as easily as polyurethane condoms. Polyisoprene condoms are a good alternative if you or your partner are allergic to latex.
Check Prices For Polyisoprene Condoms
Important note: These are general guidelines on the lubes you can use with these condoms. Check the condom packaging to make sure it’s safe to use with your lube.
Bigger variety of lubes
What a lube is made of (its base) is only the beginning of the story. There is a wide variety of lube qualities you can choose. Each one can help make sex better and different. Variety is the spice of life. The same goes for sex.
Gel and creams
When the sex gets you pounding fast and hard, you want a lube that won’t run away from the action. Gel and cream based lubes stay put during hyper-active sex, while others may not. They give you that extra glide and cushion you’ll want so you can relax and enjoy the action.
All of three types of basic lube are available in a gel or cream form. Keep them handy for when things get rough or toys come into play.
Warming lubes
Warming lubes help increase circulation for a few minutes to a few hours. They don’t heat up, instead they make you feel warmer. Warming lubes are usually made from menthol and mint extracts, such as peppermint.
Oil based warming lubes are mostly meant for massage and external play. They are great for increasing arousal and sensations. Water and silicone based warming lubes can be used as usual.
Only use warming lubes on healthy vaginal tissues. Otherwise you may end up feeling like your genitals are on fire. Some people may be sensitive to warming lubes. Test a small amount on you and your partner first, then get creative.
Wicked Sensual Aqua Heat Warming Lubricant
Add a little spark to your intimacy. Wicked Sensual Care ULTRA Heat is a unique blend of natural extracts to create the ultimate in stimulating sensation.
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Cooling lubes
Cooling lubes give you a cool and tingling sensation when it touches the skin. They are usually made from mint extracts and menthol. Cooling lubes get activated most when you playfully blow or rub them.
An awesome excuse to tease the sensitive areas of your partner’s body. Ears, nipples, lips, you get the idea. Place a small amount of cooling lube on the spot and rub it in or blow chilly puffs to drive them wild.
Wicked Sensual Aqua Chill Cooling Lubricant
Wicked Sensual Care ULTRA Chill is a tingling blend of cooling extracts and high performance silicone designed to heighten sensitivity at your pleasure points.
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Flavored lubes
Flavored lubes are just what you might imagine…lubes with flavors added to them. There are mostly two reasons for using a flavored lube, covering taste and adding taste. Although, if you really need to cover taste… Might I suggest a shower a duex before you begin your sexual explorations?
A more enticing and appetizing reason for flavored lube is encouragement. When you want to encourage yourself (or your partner!) to spend more time licking a particular body part, add some flavored lube. Don’t miss out or list of the best flavored lubes.
Different types of sweeteners and flavors are used in lubes. All flavored lubes can be used on the outside of the body. But only some should be used on our insides…
Flavored lubes with sugar
Sugar is the sweetener that we all love, and love to hate. Flavored lubes containing sugar should not be used internally. Sugar can increase your risk of STI and STD infections. It encourages bacteria growth and can cause yeast infections.
Just like chocolate syrup and whip cream, it’s okay to lick it off a body part. Don’t put it into anything (except, obviously, your mouth).
Flavored lubes with saccharin
Saccharin (also called sodium saccharin) is an artificial sweetener. Do NOT use lubes flavored with saccharin for vaginal intercourse. Saccharin has been linked to yeast infections.
Some people are allergic to saccharin. It can cause them to have headaches, rashes, nausea and more. If you and your partner aren’t allergic to saccharin… lubes flavored with it are good for external play but not the best choice for using internally.
Flavored lubes with aspartame
Aspartame is an artificial sweetener. Which means that it’s made chemicals. It’s also helps ferment yeast and can cause irritation to vaginas. Lubes flavored with aspartame are good for those outside body parts. NOT good for the private ones or internally use.
Sliquid Strawberry Pomegranate Flavored Lube
Feel free when you need to slip! Sliquid comes in a 4.2-ounce push top bottle.
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Flavored lubes with Stevia
Stevia is a natural botanical sweetener. It is diabetic safe and does not feed yeast. This means that it’s safe to use externally and internally.
Many companies have started using Stevia to flavor their lubes. It allows them to create flavors that taste great. Giving you something you can use nearly anywhere on the body.
Wicked Sensual Salted Caramel Flavored Lube
Take a big juicy bite! Kissable, Lickable and Delicious, Wicked Agua Salted Caramel adds subtle natural flavors to enhance oral pleasures. Light and silky, this water bases formula is the perfect sensual combination of an elegant lubricant and a flavor sensation. Never sticky and without an aftertaste, Wicked Agua Salted Caramel satisfies your sweet tooth and your intimate desires all in one amazing pleasure product. Latex friendly. Paraben-free. Vegan – No animal by-products or testing.
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Flavored lubes with natural flavors
Not all flavored lubes have sweeteners in them. Lubes can be flavored with natural flavor extracts. System JO offer several flavored lubes with no added sugar or artificial sweeteners.
System JO Raspberry Sorbet Flavored Lubricant
Feeling adventurous? Want to explore taste sensations unlike anything you could have imagined? Grab some JO flavored lubricants! The only water-based lube that feels like silicone, now in over a dozen irresistible flavors! Mix and Match to fit your mood and create a kissable map down your partner’s body and follow it with your tongue. Sugar free and ready for any type of sensual play. Raspberry Sorbet 4 4 fl oz bottle.
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Desensitizing and delay lubes
Desensitizing and delay lubes contain a mild anesthetic, such as benzocaine. They help numb the area where it’s applied, but only temporarily. Desensitizing lubes are mostly used to help men delay their orgasm and last longer.
The downside is that the man is numbing his penis, so it may not be as much fun for him. Edging and kegel exercises can be a good alternative to using a desensitizing lube. The help you to learn control.
You will need some planning when using desensitizing lubes. Apply a very small amount of desensitizing or delay lube to the tip of the penis 10 minutes before sex. Let the lube absorb into the skin.
The desensitizing lube can rub off on your partner. So, be sure to wipe off the desensitizing lube before you stick it in. Otherwise it won’t be as much for them.
ON BOLD Delay Gel
ON BOLD Delay Gel from Sensuva is a great desensitizing lube. It’s safe for oral play and even includes a sweet minty flavor.
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Stimulation lubes
Stimulation lubes help arouse you and intensify your orgasms. They help increase blood flow to the area where applied. Increasing sensation in that area.
Warming and cooling lubes are considered stimulation lubes. But there’s more to this group. Stimulation lubes made specifically for women are often milder than those for men.
Menthol and mint extracts are common ingredients used in stimulation lubes. Such as peppermint. L-Arginine is another ingredient that may be used instead of menthol. L-Arginine is an amino acid that stimulates blood flow.
Those with herpes will want to avoid stimulation lubes with L-Arginine. It’s been known to cause outbreaks.
ON Power Glide
ON Power Glide from Sensuva is a stimulating lube. It “dramatically heightens sensation for men and increases blood flow.” It makes men feel thicker, firmer, and increases their orgasm satisfaction. So…obviously, we recommend it!
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How to use lubes
Don’t overthink applying lube. It’s as simple as pouring liquid out of a bottle (though, in this case, pour slowly or you will make a very unsexy mess).
You will want to control how much lube you use. When starting out with using lubes, start small. You can always add more lube later if you need to. Pour a small amount on the body part, toy, or your fingertips. Lightly, sexually, teasingly spread with your fingers.
The lube application should be as much a part of foreplay as the actual foreplay. HAVE FUN with it! Over time, and depending on your partner, you will learn how much lube you need for each activity.
Lubes for sensitive skin
Skin irritations and infections are irritating and painful. Common ingredients in lube increase the irritation and pain.
Fortunately, many companies have started making personal lubricants for sensitive skin. Giving many people with sensitive skin the freedom to enjoy using lubes again.
Pay special attention to the lube bottle labels if you or your partner have sensitive skin. Look for lubes that are marked at organic, natural, or for sensitive skin. Avoid any personal lubricant that contains glycerin.
Propylene glycol is one alternative to glycerin. It can cause skin irritation to a very small percentage of people. You might try using coconut oil as lube for certain activities.
Picking the best lubes for you
The best way to discover which lubes work best for you and your partner is to try them out. Most lube users have tried different types and brands to decide what they like. Check our our lists of best gay lubes, best masturbation lubes, best cum lubes, and best anal lubes to help get you started.
Beware of picking the one perfect lube and sticking with it. You run the risk of sex becoming routine.
Companies are introducing new lubes all the time. Try new lubes with new experiences to keep sex interesting. Variety is spice of your sex life too.