When it comes to picking the right type of lube, we know it can be a little confusing, to say the least. Depending on where you’re shopping, you might not think you have a ton of options. But the truth is, you do. You so do—there are hundreds of types of lubes on the market, all made up of different ingredients, textures, flavors and functions, and deciding what works and feels the best can be a lot to think about. We get it, so much so that we decided to dedicate an entire week to your ~lube education~ in the form of our first-ever Lube Week. Enter: This helpful guide, for which we reached out to actual sex experts for their takes on what type of lube to use in every situation.
ICYMI, there are three main varieties of lube: water-based, silicone based, and oil-based. These three varieties all have different qualities and work best for different types of sex and play, but one thing they all have in common? They can make sex way better. Like, a million times better. As in, even if you think your vag is the ultimate WAP (and we love that for you), you could still benefit from the slippery greatness that is lube.
Why? Because even though your natural lubrication is great, it might not be enough for penetrative play, says clinical sexologist Megwyn White, director of education at Satisfyer. “Lube reduces friction between the penis and vagina, anus or other body parts during sexual activities and, when used with a condom, can make it less likely that the condom will break or fall off,” says White, which, hello, you def don’t want. Plus, lube can also prompt your body to produce even more self-lubrication, “as the wetness presents more pleasurable sensations, allowing the body to feel more at ease,” says certified sex coach, sexologist, and founder of Inner Eros, Michaela d’Artois, author of the e-book Your Orgasm Blueprint: The Comprehensive Guide to Discovering Your Sexual Potential and Achieving Ultimate Pleasure.
So if you’re paying attention, that means: You’re probs already naturally wet from foreplay + the right lube for additional wetness = a better, less-friction-filled sexual experience that can feel so good, it makes your body produce even more natural lubrication. Sign us TF up.
Now, without further ado, here’s what you should know about the differences between the main types of lubes, and which to use for whatever you’re into—with a few of our Lube Awards winners tucked in between.
Water-Based Lube
As the name suggests, these lubricants are water-soluble, meaning that, yes, they contain water, with a few other ingredient solutions (sometimes cellulose ether or glycerin). While water-based is the best all-purpose lube (if you're going for a desert island scenario, this is the one you wanna have), it's also the only one that's safe to use with condoms and all toys. It's also a breeze to clean up, whereas oil-based lubes can sometimes leave marks. But, it also dries out a wee bit quicker than silicone or oil-based, so you might need to re-apply a few times.
Plus, according to d’Artois, water-based lubes are a great option for those just jumping into the lube game, “as they’re going to feel the most similar to your natural wetness or saliva.”
When to use
- Masturbating with or without toys
- Sex with or without condoms
Pros
- Great for your solo sesh. “It can be used with any and all sex toys, plus, it’s safe to use with pretty much any material on earth,” says Danny Becker, certified sexologist at The Enhanced Male.
- Can be used with condoms without deteriorating or breaking them down.
- Most wallet-friendly, depending on the brand.
Cons
- No shower, pool, hot tub, or any other type of water sex. “You can’t use water-based lube in water because it will wash it away,” says Becker.
- It can dry out quicker than the other alternatives. “Plan on reapplying this for long sessions,” says Maryann Karinch, author of Mature Sexual Intimacy.
- Sticky. Pro tip: “Add a few drops of water when the lube starts to gum up, and it will get slick again,” suggests Carol Queen, resident sexologist at Good Vibrations.
Silicone-Based
Good news: Silicone lubes don’t contain any water, so they’re not going to wash right off of you or your partner. Though the texture may feel a bit different than your natural lubrication, they last much longer and are extremely effective in and out of the bedroom. They’re also the slickest type of lube, says White, “making them a great option for anal play or water play.”
When to use
- Shower sex (or any other place with water)
- Anal sex
- Sex with or without condoms
- If you struggle to maintain wetness down there
Pros
- It lasts a long time. You won’t need to reapply again, and again, and again, says Queen.
- It’s 100 percent waterproof, so do your thing in the shower, bathtub, while chasing waterfalls, literally wherever.
- It’s ultra-slick. If you’re a newbie to anal play—ding, ding, ding!
- It’s hypoallergenic, meaning it’s very unlikely to cause you or your partner an allergic reaction, says Karinch.
- It’s also great for “fixing squeaky door hinges, moisturizing your tattoo, and making your hair shine,” says Becker. Okay!
Cons
- It can’t be used with silicone sex toys. “If the toy is soft, jellylike, or made of silicone, don’t use silicone-based lube,” says Becker. According to White, this is because they may cause damage and deterioration to other silicone products due to the way silicone molecules react with each other. Good to know!
- If you choose to masturbate without a toy, the lube may be so thick, you’ll need to wash your hands after playtime, says Karinch. NBD, though.
Oil-Based Lube
Oil-based lubes last a long time and are great for things like anal play, massages, and external masturbation because they’re luscious in feel and texture, says White. They’re also “great for temperature play, as they warm up with the body,” says White. But! They’re not compatible with latex condoms (they can break!) or most toys, and according to d’Artois, they can “potentially irritate the vagina’s sensitive ecosystem.” d’Artois recommends testing them out in small doses before diving in fully.
When to use
- Masturbating (but only for people with a penis)
- Massages
Pros
- “If you have a penis, it provides an external barrier which is super-slick and lasts until you scrub it off,” says Becker.
- It is extremely, extremely slick, says Queen.
- Great for your skin!
Cons
- “Oil cannot be absorbed inside the body, so using it internally is not recommended,” says Becker. For those masturbating with vaginas, nix the oil-based lube altogether.
- And no sex with this lube either, as it will not only break down condoms and latex, but shouldn’t be used internally, says Becker.
- Not recommended for people with food allergies (re: some can be made with nut oil, plant-based oils, or petroleum jelly).
