8 Best Lubes for Every Type of Sex, According to Experts
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Let’s be honest: Lubricants make everything better. The best lubes help make vaginal and anal penetration slippery and enjoyable, reduce friction and chafing between bodies (or your favorite vibrator), and allow you to focus more on your comfort and pleasure—you know, the good stuff.
There are three main types to keep in mind. Experts say water-based lubes are a great choice for sex and masturbation, as they can be used with all sex toys and condoms and wash off easily (though they might need frequent reapplication). Silicone-based lubes are excellent for anal sex or in the shower, as they’re longer-lasting, soft to touch, and don’t rinse off under water—just be sure not to pair them with silicone sex toys or silicone condoms, as they can break down the material. And oil-based lubes are best suited for massages, as they can increase vaginal infections and destroy condoms. Don’t worry, we break down everything you need to know about different types of lubes below.
So, whether you want to add more wet action to your sex life, make solo play even more fun, or just find a bottle that’s discreet enough to keep on your nightstand, Glamour testers tried dozens of personal lubricants to find the very best ones. We consulted with sex toy experts, then evaluated the lubes based on feel, scent, how long they lasted, and overall value. Below, find our picks for best lube for sensitive skin, best lube for masturbation, and many more.
Your lube questions, answered
Best Lube Overall: Überlube
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Courtesy of brand1/11Überlube
According to Carol Queen, PhD, a staff expert at Good Vibrations, Überlube is a best-in-show lube. You can use it with most condoms, it’s unscented, and, though it feels smooth and slippery, it never, ever gets sticky. Überlube’s formula is designed to heighten sensation while reducing friction, and it’s also long-lasting and thick enough to use as an anal lube with vitamin E that moisturizes, to boot. You can even use it to reduce chafing from clothing when working out.
- Type: Silicone-based
- Works with: Non-silicone toys, latex, and polyisoprene condoms
- Feel: Velvety soft and not sticky
- Scent: Fragrance-free
- Pros: Long-lasting formula, not sticky, waterproof, and versatile; does not impact vaginal pH
- Cons: Might be too slippery; comes in a glass bottle that may break if it slips from your hands
- Review: I almost exclusively use Überlube. A little goes a long way, it lasts long, and it doesn’t stain anything. It never gets sticky or clumpy; it stays silky and slippery. I can attest to two hours of usage without having to get more. Just a bit pricey, but worth it! —Théo, Glamour tester
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Best Lube for Anal Sex: Sliquid Silver
Courtesy of brand2/11Sliquid Silver
Sliquid is exactly that: slick and liquid. This silicone-based lube is a whole boatload of silkiness and then some. When rubbed between the fingers, you can tell that this lube doesn’t get sticky—no matter how many hours of play you indulge in with your partner. This lube is “great for anal and other kinds of play where you want it to start slippery and to stay slippery,” says Dr. Queen. Its texture is thicker than a water-based lube but not in a way that doesn’t feel natural. When swabbed it drips just like any other silicone-based lube would: slower than most water-based, but faster than most oil-based. And since it doesn’t contain oil, it’s safe to use with condoms.
- Type: Silicone-based
- Works with: Non-silicone toys, condoms
- Feel: Light, very slick—almost a powdery feel
- Scent: Fragrance-free
- Pros: Long-lasting slip; great for shower sex
- Cons: Pricey
- Review: I only use silicone lube, and this is my favorite. It’s always on my nightstand, and I use it with everyone because it glides so nicely. I just pop a bit in a lube applicator then pop it into my bottoms and it’s smooth sailing. I’ve never experienced a broken condom with it, which is a true testament to how great it is. —Michael, Glamour tester
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Best Water-Based Lube: Good Clean Love BioNude Ultra-Sensitive Personal Lubricant
Courtesy of brand3/11Good Clean Love BioNude Ultra-Sensitive Personal Lubricant
This lube’s hypoallergenic formula is designed to sync with the body’s chemistry to maintain its vaginal pH balance—so there’s less fear of a possible infection after using it. “The Good Clean Love BioNude is nice because it doesn’t have any kind of sticky residue—it just leaves your skin soft,” says Heather Shannon, LCPC, a certified sex therapist. “It has a thinner consistency and a very neutral smell. It can be used for anything since it’s water-based, but I’d suggest it for vaginal sex since there’s already likely to be some natural lubricant.”
- Type: Water-based
- Works with: Silicone toys, condoms
- Feel: Smooth, a little runny
- Scent: Fragrance-free
- Pros: Feels natural; affordable
- Cons: Dries up quickly
- Review: My favorite lube is the Good Clean Love BioNude. Not only does it meet the criteria you should consider for water-based lubes (a pH balance between 3.5 and 4.5; an osmolality under 1,200; and fragrance- and flavor-free), but it can also be used with any condoms or toys, so no mental math is needed to figure out what goes with what. —H.S.
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Best Oil-Based Lube: Woo More Play Coconut Love Oil
Courtesy of brand4/11Woo More Play Coconut Love Oil
Woo’s luxe coconut oil-based formula is a two-for-one deal: First, it’s a silky-smooth massage oil that gently nourishes skin. And when you’re ready to move from foreplay to the main event, it becomes a slick lubricant that only heightens your pleasure (and that you can lick off). Shannon says that while she likes this oil, its natural antibacterial properties can possibly upset the vaginal microbiome—and it can also destroy latex condoms. So you may want to stick to using the oil purely for a sensual body massage. Since users note that it needs to be warmed before using, storing it in the shower or near a bedside lamp would be ideal.
- Type: Oil-based
- Works with: Silicone toys
- Feel: Has a nice, slow drip between the fingers that never fully absorbs
- Scent: Has notes of vanilla essence
- Pros: Versatile formula, natural ingredients, edible, and moisturizing
- Cons: Not safe to use with latex; may irritate the vagina; can stain sheets; scented
- Review: Works like the best lube I’ve used but makes your skin feel like you [are] moisturized when you’re done. No need to wipe off, no sticky residue—truly an amazing product. —Jesse S., Woo More Play reviewer
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Best Silicone-Based Lube: Maude Shine Silicone-Based Lube
Courtesy of brand5/11Maude Shine Silicone-Based Lube
This long-lasting lube is glycerin-, paraben-, and fragrance-free and has a thin consistency—“great for vaginal sex,” says Shannon. It’s a good anal lube, too. Between the fingers, its consistency feels so slick and smooth that you’d swear it was silicone or oil, but it’s all water-based. The pump-top container doesn’t require any fumbling (no matter how slippery your hands might get) and dispenses just the right amount of lubricant without the mess of a squeeze bottle.
- Type: Silicone-based
- Works with: Silicone toys, condoms
- Feel: Thin, slippery, but not sticky
- Scent: Fragrance-free
- Pros: Organic formula, pump-top design, and discreet packaging; safe to use when trying to conceive; can be used with the brand’s warming lube
- Cons: Pricey
- Review: I’m a big fan of Maude Shine lube. Its pump-top makes it super easy to dispense without making a big mess, and it locks too. It doesn’t have any distracting scent, and I can use it with my silicone vibrator and condoms. A little goes a long way, and though it does eventually dry out, it doesn’t leave a sticky residue. —Malia Griggs, Glamour commerce editor
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Best Lube for Sensitive Skin: Dame Aloe Lube
Courtesy of brand6/11Dame Aloe Lube
If you’re into natural lubricants, this one from Dame is your best bet. According to gynecologists we previously spoke to, its hero ingredient, aloe vera, makes it an ideal lube for sensitive skin. The formula was designed to match the vagina’s natural pH balance—and it’s free of glycerin, sugars, and parabens. In other words, even the most yeast-infection-prone vaginas can feel like they’re in safe hands with this lube. It also stays slick relatively long for a water-based lube.
- Type: Aloe-based
- Works with: Silicone toys, condoms
- Feel: Thin, slippery, and lightly sticky
- Scent: Fragrance-free
- Pros: Organic ingredients, pump-top design, and pH-balanced; lasts longer than water-based lubes
- Cons: Might get sticky quickly
- Review: This is one of my favorite lubes. It feels so natural, doesn’t need a lot of reapplying (unless you’re going the anal route), and it has a grip for the bottle (sold separately) so you can’t drop it no matter how slippery your digits! I have some friends who say it gets sticky after a while, but I’d categorize that stickiness as minimal compared to other brands. —Amanda Chatel, Glamour sex toy writer
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Best Lube for Oral Sex: Coconu Water-Based Lubricant
Courtesy of brand7/11Best Vegan Lube: Coconu Water-Based Lubricant
Dr. Queen recommends Coconu’s vegan coconut-water-based lube. The formula is edible, so it’s an excellent choice to use during oral sex if you want to make things more slippery—and for those who aren’t always keen on tasting their partner’s genitals. The finger test proves that this lube feels just like natural lubrication, albeit a bit more runny, and after some proper finger rubbing, it never gets sticky or pilly—just silky smooth. Plus, it’s nontoxic, 100% cruelty-free, and pH-balanced for those of us with a vagina.
- Type: Coconut-water-based
- Works with: Silicone toys, condoms
- Feel: Creamier and runnier than other water-based lubes
- Scent: Slightly vegetal
- Pros: Long-lasting; feels natural; edible; safe with latex
- Cons: May not feel slick enough for anal sex
- Review: I can’t say enough about this water-based lube! I was sold initially by the fact it has all natural ingredients, but it’s so silky smooth. I love how it does not feel all sticky and oily. —Lauren, Amazon tester
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Best Lube for Massage: Bijoux Indiscrets Slow Sex Full Body Massage Gel
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Amazon8/11Bijoux Indiscrets Slow Sex Full Body Massage Gel
You can rub Bijoux’s unique gel into the skin for a sexy, soothing massage—and when things heat up, use it as a lube. It has a rich, tropical scent, and—unlike oils—is safe to use near the vagina and genitals. “When I first got my hands on the Bijoux Indiscrets line of Slow Sex, I was immediately smitten. My favorite definitely has to be the Full Body Massage gel that doubles as a lube, because it lasts a long time, never gets chunky or pilly, and the texture feels so good and moisturizing against my skin (plus, it smells fantastic!),” says Chatel.
- Type: Silicone-based
- Works with: Silicone toys, condoms
- Feel: Gel
- Scent: Coconutty
- Pros: Safe in intimate areas; versatile as a massage gel; vegan
- Cons: Scented
- Review: Sometimes [my partner and I] started with a massage, and then we wanted it to continue with sex. But my vagina appears to be super sensitive, and after using oils and other massage gels we had to clean ourselves very carefully (before touching each other down there). This massage gel saved me from those situations: It can be used as a lubricant for sex, and it’s completely safe! —Stephany, Bijoux Indiscrets tester
9/11What are the benefits of lube?
Lubes make sex and solo play more comfortable and enjoyable, so you can focus less on whether you’re wet enough and more on your pleasure. Use lube to reduce vaginal dryness, decrease friction during penetration and anal sex, or for a massage.
10/11What type of lube should you buy?
The three main types of lube are silicone-based, water-based, and oil-based. Each has varying pros and cons for your sexual health and how you plan to use it. Here’s what to know about each:
Water-based lubes are perhaps the most popular variety. They’re made primarily of water plus thickening agents, and they’re the only type that works well with everything: skin, silicone sex toys, and latex condoms. They’re less likely to stain fabrics and easy to rinse off with water. The downside? Water-based formulas tend to dry out and become tacky quicker than other formulas, meaning more frequent reapplication may be necessary.
Silicone-based lubes are generally safe to use vaginally, anally, and orally. Silky and longer-lasting than their water-based counterparts, they’re great for shower sex since they don’t wash off with water alone, Justin Lehmiller, PhD, a research fellow at the Kinsey Institute, previously told Glamour. Keep in mind, however, that silicone-based lubes should never be paired with silicone sex toys or silicone condoms, since the material can degrade over time.
Oil-based lubricants such as coconut oil are another long-lasting option with many of the benefits as silicone. You can use oil with silicone sex toys, but it should never be used with latex condoms, because it can cause them to break down.
On top of their material, tons of lubes market themselves with flavors, scents, and sensations. Some are hypoallergenic for sensitive skin; some are numbing to make anal play more comfortable; some have ingredients that deliver a warming effect. You can go with anything that floats your boat. Just read the ingredients and avoid glycerin if you’re prone to yeast infections—it’s been linked to the condition.
11/11Meet our experts
- Carol Queen, PhD, a staff expert at Good Vibrations
- Renita F. White, MD, a board-certified ob-gyn
- Charlsie Celestine, MD, an obstetrics and gynecology physician in New Jersey
- Heather Shannon, LCPC, a certified sex therapist and host of the podcast Ask a Sex Therapist
- Amanda Chatel, a Glamour sex toy writer who has tested over 1,000 toys
