At Cosmo, top-tier sex is kind of our thing. So it should come as no surprise that when readers ask us for advice on how best to get theirs, we’re quick to suggest one of the many methods, positions, toys and tricks we stand behind. What actually might surprise you is that one of the most effective solutions to sex that feels meh is simpler than you probably think: Use lube. Even (especially!) if you’ve never used it before. Even if you don’t get it. Even if you think you and/or your partner’s natural lubrication is doing the job just fine. Because trust us when we say that if sex feels good now? Just wait until you get wetter.
You see, lube wins MVP for tons of reasons beyond just helping to combat vaginal dryness during penetration (which is already a huge benefit for people with vulvas). It can complement the body’s natural lubrication, which can make sex feel better, increase arousal, and thus, increase natural lubrication—a win-win if there ever was one. You can (and should!) use it to make anal sex more comfortable. The right lube can make playing with sex toys feel even better. It can make hand jobs and blow jobs more fun (and tasty, if your lube is flavored!) for both giver and receiver. And as technology has evolved, so, too, have the benefits of lube. Some are infused with natural ingredients that help nourish, hydrate, and protect your intimate skin. Others claim they can even help reduce the risk of bacterial vaginosis and UTIs.
Not convinced yet? We’ll keep going. In fact, we are so passionate about lube—and all the sex-enhancing goodness that comes with it—that for the second year in a row (which, yes, definitely is your sign to check out our still-amazing winners from Lube Awards 2023 if you haven’t already), we used our editor expertise to call in the best lubes on the market today, presenting our picks in the expertly curated list below. In determining our winners, we looked at everything from ingredients lists to benefits to price points that vary and feel accessible for all types of budgets. And naturally, we tried them ourselves. We tested winners from women-, sexologist-, and BIPOC-owned brands and small businesses and prioritized products we knew would best serve the people we care about most: you, our readers. Because we don’t take for granted that you’ve trusted us to keep your sexual pleasure top of mind for the past 60 years, and we promise to keep doing that for the next 60 still to come.
Now go on and get wet.
Jump to:
- Best Silicone-Based: Maude Shine Silicone
- Best Water-Based: Playground Naked Love
- Best Oil-Based: Bloomi Delight Oil-Based Lube
- Best Aloe-Based: Dame Aloe Lube
- Best Flavored: Glissant Eau D’Amour Sea Salt and Caramel Lubricant Spray
- Best Value: LubeLife Ultra Slick Thick Silicone Lubricant
- Best With CBD: Foria Intimacy Sex Oil With CBD
- Best Organic: Coconu Water-Based Lubricant
- Best for Anal: Sliquid Silk
- Best for Toys: Nécessaire the Sex Gel
Best Silicone-Based: Maude Shine Silicone
Pros
- A little goes a long way—use less than you think you need!
- The bottle is so chic that you’ll want to display it.
- Comes in three sizes (and prices), so you have options.
Cons
- The 8 oz. and 4 oz. sizes come with two lids, a flat top, and a pump top, and I know I’m going to lose one of them.
- Dries a little sticky.
Sexual health brand Maude has figured out how to create excellent and chic products that aren’t too pricey, and that goes for their lube just as much as it does for their classic vibe ($49 and my absolute favorite vibe available at the $50-ish price point). Available in three sizes, Maude Shine Silicone is super-moisturizing—a little goes a long way, so that tiny 2 oz. bottle can last you ages. —Erika W. Smith, senior editor
Best Water-Based: Playground Naked Love
Pros
- Cute and compact bottle that’s easy to stick in an overnight bag.
- Scentless—no plasticky odor here.
- The texture is very similar to bodily fluids, so it feels ~natural~.
- Hypoallergenic and nonirritating, so it won’t feel itchy or burning.
- Reviewers swear it helps reduce BV, yeast infections, and UTIs.
Cons
- Feels a little sticky at application.
- Not that long-lasting, so you may need to reapply.
If you only own one lube, it should be a water-based one—they’re safe to use with toys and most condoms, and they work just fine in pretty much any sexual situation you can think of. Playground’s Naked Love is a water-based lube that’s hypoallergenic and nonirritating, designed to help reduce and prevent UTIs, BV, and other common vaginal health issues. Plus, the bottle is adorable. —EWS
Best Oil-Based: Bloomi Delight Oil-Based Lube
Pros
- Organic and made with plant-based ingredients like organic cocoa butter, organic coconut oil, and organic sunflower seed oil.
- Feels super hydrating and slick—like giving your intimate skin a tall drink of water.
- It’s thick but not too thick. You don’t have to reapply it a bunch of times because the glide lasts long.
Cons
- Because it’s so natural, it comes out of the tube a little waxy. You have to rub the product between your fingers for a few seconds to make it smooth and oily.
- It smells like coconut oil, so opt for something else if that’s not your jam.
Bloomi Delight is 100 percent that girl if you have sensitive skin and want total peace of mind. In fact, the company’s founder is a sexologist, so you can pretty much rest assured that anything you use from this brand is produced with your health and wellness in mind. Delight is organic, extra-slick, and safe for both internal and external applications. It’s a little greasy, as most oil-based lubes tend to be, but this one is so clean and pure that it feels super hydrating on the skin. Rub any excess on your nipples, elbows, shoulders—anywhere that feels good—and keep the fun going. —Veronica Lopez, sex and relationships editor
Best Aloe-Based: Dame Aloe Lube
Pros
- No mess to wipe away after use.
- Made with organic plant extracts so the consistency is gel-like and soothing—very similar to the body’s natural lubrication!
- Compatible with sex toys and latex condoms.
- Blue glass bottle feels luxe and blends into your nightstand.
Cons
- Like most aloe-based lubes (and similar to many water-based ones), the slickness doesn’t last as long as an oil- or silicone-based lube, so you might have to reapply a few times.
If you aren’t already familiar with Dame, take notes: This woman-led brand is innovative and carries something for everyone. Their Aloe Lube comes in a blue glass bottle that’s so sleek and simple, you’ll want to keep it front and center on your nightstand. It’s made with tons of natural ingredients like quinoa seed extract, mushroom extract, and green tea extract, but mostly, it’s an aloe-packed delight to use during sex and solo play. It’s thin but not watery—perfectly glossy and similar to natural vaginal lubrication. And while you might have to reapply it a few times during longer sessions, you won’t even be mad. Knowing your lube is totally body safe? Worth it. —VL
Best Flavored: Glissant Eau D’Amour Sea Salt and Caramel Lubricant Spray
Pros
- Sleek, discreet, and travel-friendly bottle you can slip into your bag or display on your nightstand without raising any eyebrows.
- Non-sticky, water-based formula.
- FDA-approved, food-grade flavor.
- Compatible with toys and condoms.
- Spray bottle makes for easy, no-mess application.
Cons
- Flavor is relatively subtle.
- Water-based, spray-on formula isn’t super thick or long-lasting.
- Pricier than other winners on our list.
Consider this the chic older cousin to whatever aggressively artificial-tasting nightmare marked your intro to flavored lube. This never-sticky, water-based spray formula adds a not overbearing, tastefully delicious flavor to your oral pursuits without any sus chemicals or weird aftertastes. Oh, and the impossibly luxe design that could easily be mistaken for a high-end mascara tube? Just a bonus. —Kayla Kibbe, associate sex and relationships editor
Best Value: LubeLife Ultra Slick Thick Silicone Lubricant
Pros
- Extra-thick and gooey consistency—perfect for extended play and if you don’t want to have to keep reapplying.
- You can’t really beat the cost for the quality.
- Glycerin- and paraben-free.
- Compatible with all types of condoms.
Cons
- Thickness makes it a little tough to wipe off.
Few lube brands have as much variety as LubeLife does—these guys know what they’re doing when it comes to making good lube, and Ultra Slick Thick is no exception. The thick formula is perfect when you’re craving something that’ll go the distance. It lasts—you won’t have to worry about interrupting play to reapply over and over again. And because it’s silicone-based, you don’t really need to use much. A few drops is all it takes. The best part? The 4 oz. bottle is $10 and the 8 oz. bottle is $13—probs less than the cost of your daily desk salad. You have no excuse to not stock up. —VL
Best With CBD: Foria Intimacy Sex Oil With CBD
Pros
- All-natural formula featuring just two ingredients and zero weird chemicals.
- Great for both external and internal play.
- Reviewers say the CBD enhances relaxation and arousal.
- Can be used with toys made of silicone, glass, elastomer, or stainless steel.
- Can be used with polyurethane condoms.
Cons
- Oil-based formula is slippery, so best avoided during shower sex.
- Not compatible with latex toys.
- Not compatible with latex or polyisoprene condoms.
As someone who has historically struggled to get out of my damn head and into my body during sex, I’m thrilled to announce I have finally found the solution: a pre-sex rubdown featuring this CBD-infused coconut oil lubricant. And while I love it as a sexy massage oil, it’s also safe to use as lube for penetrative play (though not with latex or polyisoprene condoms or latex toys, JFYI). Either way, allow this sleek and slippery stuff to help you get into it. —KK
Best Organic: Coconu Water-Based Lubricant
Pros
- Formulated with natural ingredients and hypoallergenic.
- 100 percent edible (the base is coconut water) so you can use it for oral sex as well as vaginal sex.
- It’s super-moisturizing, scentless, and not too sticky.
Cons
- It has a somewhat short shelf life; you’ll want to replace it after about six months of opening.
- Some people find the consistency too watery.
Coconuts are amazing, aren’t they? Along with skincare, haircare, drinks, and snacks, these fruits are also responsible for some of our favorite lubes. This Coconu lubricant uses coconut water as its base, and it gives you all the slippery goodness of a water-based lube while still being hypoallergenic. —EWS
Best for Anal: Sliquid Silk
Pros
- Hybrid formula combines the best of water- and silicone-based lubes.
- Creamy, long-lasting texture.
- Features the cleanup of water-based lube and the longevity of silicone lube.
- Safe to use with some high-grade silicone toys.
- Safe for use with condoms.
Cons
- Not safe for use with all toys.
- Some reviewers report that while it lasts longer than most water-based lubes, it doesn’t last as long as silicone-only options.
So you love a water-based lube but want the long-lasting slick only silicone can bring to backdoor play? Enter: this hybrid formula recommended by sexpert Zachary Zane, author of Boyslut: A Memoir and Manifesto. Combining the versatility of your water-based fave with the longevity of silicone, this best-of-both-worlds option is a go-to for anal and beyond. —KK
Best for Toys: Nécessaire the Sex Gel
Pros
- Infused with hyaluronic acid, lactic acid, and allantoin for skincare-like benefits for your intimate skin.
- Vegan and fragrance-free.
- The serum-like consistency and sleek bottle design feels luxe.
Cons
- Pricey for the amount you’re getting.
You already know Nécessaire’s body and hair-care products are everything, but did you know they also make lube? The Sex Gel is water-based, making it perfect for use with toys and lasts long enough to do the job. (You might have to reapply for longer sessions and partnered play—as you would with most water-based lubes.) It’s a bit pricier for the size of the packaging, but you’re getting so many amazing ingredients here that make the cost worth it. Not to mention it’s ideal to take on-the-go, it’s fragrance-free and effective—the reviews speak for themselves. —VL
