Lube-Guide

So Much Lube, So Little Time… Why Use Lubricant?

Adding lubricant to your sex life—whether during solo play, with a sex toy, or with a partner—can elevate sensations to a whole new level and make your sexual experiences more pleasurable!

What Are the Do’s and Don’ts?

It might seem as simple as buying a tube of lube and getting started, but choosing the wrong lubricant can damage your sex toys, disrupt your pH balance, or even cause a condom to break! That’s why we’ve put together this handy guide to help you find the perfect lube while avoiding common mistakes. We’ve also listed our top favorites for each type!

Water-Based Lubricants

Water-based lubes are the most common and popular because they’re versatile and suitable for almost every scenario. These lubricants can be used with any type of sex toy, regardless of material, without causing damage.

Additionally, water-based lubes are easy to wash off, don’t stain, and won’t create unnecessary mess. However, they do tend to absorb into the skin, so you may need to reapply during sex.

For oral sex enthusiasts, flavored water-based lubes are also available, adding fun and taste to intimate moments. If you’re unsure which lube to buy, you can’t go wrong with a water-based option.

Pros:

• Easy to clean
• Non-staining
• Compatible with all types of sex toys

Cons:

• May require frequent reapplication
• Not as long-lasting as other lubes

For a safe choice, check out Sweden’s best-selling water-based lubricant:

Flavored Lubricants

Flavored lubes are a great way to add an extra layer of fun and enjoyment to oral sex.

These lubes are safe to use and come in a variety of flavors, making intimate moments more playful and sensual. Most flavored water-based lubes are compatible with sex toys and condoms, making them a versatile and delightful addition to your sex life.

Pros:

• Perfect for oral sex
• Enhances the experience with added taste

Cons:

• Can irritate sensitive skin
• May disrupt vaginal pH due to added ingredients

Silicone-Based Lubricants

Unlike water-based lubes, silicone-based lubricants are extremely long-lasting and provide superior glide. These types of lubes don’t absorb into the skin but instead create a protective layer, leaving your skin feeling soft and silky.

You’ll need only a small amount, and rarely have to reapply during use. Thanks to their silky and dense consistency, silicone lubes are also excellent for full-body massages.

However, avoid using silicone-based lubes with silicone sex toys, as they may degrade the material. They’re perfect, though, for toys made of glass or metal.

Pros:

• Highly effective and long-lasting
• Smooth glide
• Great for massages

Cons:

• More expensive than water-based lubes
• Not compatible with silicone toys

Made in Germany with the highest quality, this is one of the world’s most popular silicone-based lubricants:

Silicone- and Water-Based Hybrid Lubricants

These are a mix of water- and silicone-based lubes—often called hybrid lubes—offering the best of both worlds. Thanks to the small amount of silicone included, these lubricants are compatible with all types of sex toys, even those made of silicone.

You get the positive qualities of water-based lubes with the thicker and longer-lasting consistency of silicone-based ones.

Pros:

• Long-lasting glide
• Compatible with all toy types

Cons:

• Slightly more expensive

This creamy hybrid lube from the popular RSFU brand is gentle on sensitive skin:

Sterile Lubricants

Sterile lubes are commonly used in healthcare settings and offer an alternative to traditional water-based lubricants. Since they are sterile, they’re particularly useful in situations where cleanliness is paramount.

Water-based sterile lubricants have antibacterial properties and are ideal for vaginal dryness or advanced play like sounding (urethral penetration and expansion).

Using sterile lube ensures maximum safety as these products undergo rigorous clinical testing.

Pros:

• Suitable for advanced play
• Great for vaginal dryness
• Compatible with all types of toys

Cons:

• Simple, clinical packaging

K-Y Lubricating Jelly is a sterile, moisturizing gel with a firm consistency:

Anal Lubricants

For anal penetration, specialized anal lubes are essential since the anus doesn’t produce natural lubrication.

Using a quality anal lubricant is key to enjoying great anal sex. These lubes come in water- and silicone-based forms, offering long-lasting glide and soothing properties. Many anal lubes are designed with calming ingredients to make penetration easier and more comfortable.

Anal sex should never be uncomfortable or painful, and with a good anal lube, you can ensure a smooth experience.

Pros:

• Designed specifically for anal use
• Often contains soothing ingredients

Cons:

• Should only be used for anal play

Provides extra-long glide and contains jojoba extract for a calming effect:

Oil-Based Lubricants

While silicone lubes are fantastic, oil-based lubes are also highly effective—though we generally recommend silicone-based options over oil-based ones.

Oil-based lubricants shouldn’t be used with condoms or sex toys, as they can break down the materials. Additionally, oil-based lubes can negatively affect the genital area, potentially causing yeast infections.

Despite this, oil-based lubes are incredibly slippery and long-lasting, making them ideal for fisting.

If you’re curious to try it, go ahead—everyone has different preferences, and it’s important to find the lube that works best for you. Just keep the disadvantages in mind!

Pros:

• Fantastic glide properties
• Perfect for fisting
• Highly long-lasting

Cons:

• Not ideal for vaginal health
• Not compatible with silicone or plastic toys
• Not safe with condoms

Crisco, made from palm and soybean oil, offers a unique sliding experience: