Everything You Need to Know About Vaginal Lubricants

What’s the point?

When a woman feels sexually aroused, her genitalia usually lubricate themselves. The whole thing is a lot more fun because of this.

Without lubrication, making love can be painful and hurt the lining of the vaginal canal. Because of hormone changes, menopause, getting older, or taking medicine, your body may make less lubricant. Most of the time, this is where a synthetic lubricant comes in.

Artificial lubricants can make you feel more aroused, increase your sexual pleasure, keep your vaginal skin soft, and, most importantly, reduce friction when your partner or your favorite sex toy penetrates you. Lubricant can be bought online or at a drugstore near you.
Don’t know where to begin? Find out how water, oil, silicone, and natural options compare, what products to try, how to use them, and more by reading on.

Who can benefit?

Lubricants can be used by anyone, even if their body already makes its own lubrication.

If your vagina is dry, you may find that lubricant is especially helpful. Using lubricant before sexual activity can help prevent itching, burning, chaffing, and other discomforts.

Dryness affects a lot of people who:

• take certain medications, including antihistamines and antidepressants
• struggle with daily water intake or are often dehydrated
• use hormonal birth control
• smoke cigarettes
• are breastfeeding
• are in perimenopause or menopause
• have an autoimmune disorder, such as Sjögren syndrome
• are undergoing chemotherapy

Some lubricants are made to make it easier to get and stay sexually aroused. If you want to try something new, these lubricants can be a great way to spice things up with your partner or get in the mood for some solo play.

What are the different types to try?

Different kinds of lubricants are used for different things. It’s normal to like one more than the others or to switch things up depending on the situation. Whether you’re looking for your first lubricant or want to add to your collection, there’s one out there for you.

Water-based lubricant

Most lubricants are made out of water. There are two kinds: ones with glycerin, which gives them a slightly sweet taste, and ones without.

Pros

Both kinds of water-based lubricant are safe to use with condoms, don’t cost much, and are easy to find. Most of the time, they don’t get on sheets either.

Products that don’t have glycerin are less likely to cause irritation in the vaginal area. They also last longer in stores.

Cons

Glycerin is often found in lubricants that are flavoured or warm. Even though these things have their good points, they dry out fast. They are also known to cause yeast infections because they are high in sugar.

Lubricant without glycerin can have a bitter taste. If you like to switch between oral and physical sex, it might not be the best choice.

Over time, both can get sticky or tacky.

Products to try

For glycerin options that can be used with water, consider:

• Astroglide
• K-Y Jelly
• Doc Johnson GoodHead

For options that don’t use glycerin and are based on water, check out:

• Isabel Fay
• Carrageenan
• FEATURED PICK

Blossom Organics Natural Moisturizing Lubricant

Highlights

• Pure organic aloe may help with rubbing and dryness in the genital area.
• 120 mL lubricant per bottle

Silicone-based lubricant

Lubricants made from silicone have no smell or taste and are slippery and smooth.

Pros

Lubricants made with silicone last the longest of all types. They don’t need to be put on as often as lubricants made with water.

They are safe to use with latex condoms and will stay in place if you want to take a steamy shower.

Lubricants made from silicone are also hypoallergenic.

Cons

Some of the good things about lubricants made with silicone are also bad things. This kind of lubricant might last longer, but it’s harder to get off. You’ll need to scrub the area with soap to get rid of any leftovers.

Silicone-based lubricants shouldn’t be used on silicone sex toys because they can break down over time and make the toys sticky and gross.

Products to try

If you want to lubricate something better, you could:

• Wet Platinum
• Penchant Premium
• Replens
• FEATURED PICK

Wet Platinum Luxury Lubricant

Highlights

• High-quality, pure silicone
• May last longer than other types of lubricant.
• Each bottle has 89 mL of lubricant.

Oil-based lubricants

There are two kinds of oil-based lubricants: natural (like butter or coconut oil) and man-made (like WD-40) (think mineral oil or Vaseline).

Most of the time, oil-based lubricants are safe to use, cheap, and easy to get. But if you can, choose a lubricant that is made of water first. Oils can make your skin feel itchy and stain clothes.

Pros

Avocado, coconut, vegetable, and olive oils are all great natural lubricants for genital massages and all types of sexual play. They are also safe to eat and safe for the uterus.

Body lotions and creams that are made with synthetic oils are good for masturbation, but not for much else.

Cons

Lubricants made from natural or synthetic oils can destroy latex condoms, cause condom failure, and stain fabrics.

Your vagina may get irritated by synthetic products. They also take longer to get out of your body than the natural versions of the same thing. This could cause an infection in the uterus.

Products to try

Most natural lubricants that are made from oil can be bought at a grocery store. But if you want to spend money on something made for intimacy, check out:

• Coconu
• Überlube
• YES

YES OB Organic Natural Plant-Oil Based Personal Lubricant

Highlights

Contains shea butter, cocoa butter, and sweet almond oil.
People with sensitive skin may find it helpful.
40 mL lubricant per bottle

Natural lubricant

There are more natural products on the market than just those made from oil. Some companies have made lubricants out of plants or other eco-friendly ingredients that are organic or vegan.

Pros

Many natural lubricants don’t have paraben in them, which is a common preservative that is known to be health risks. They also use organic ingredients, which are safer for your vagina and better for the environment.

Cons

Some all-natural lubricants may not last as long. They might also be more expensive than regular lubricants.

Products to try

If you’re going au naturel, consider:

• Aloe Cadabra
• Sliquid Organics
• Good Clean Love Almost Naked
• Blossom Organics

Aloe Cadabra Personal Lubricant and Moisturizer

Highlights

• Vitamin E is added to 95% organic aloe vera.
• May make sexual activity less painful and less dry.
• 71g of grease in each bottle

Things to consider when choosing the right lubricant for you

Of course, not all vaginal lubricants are created equal. Depending on your needs, some brands will work better for you than others.

• If you are experiencing dryness. Lubricants that are “warming” might not help because they contain glycerin, which can dry out quickly. Your best bet is to use silicone lubricants that last a long time.
• If you get yeast infections often. Stay away from things that have glycerin in them. The chemical can make your vagina itch and kill good bacteria, which can lead to an infection.
• If you want to get pregnant. Look for a lubricant that says on the package that it is “sperm friendly” or “fertility friendly.” Researchers have found that some lubricants can slow down sperm motility.
• If you plan on using a condom. Oil-based lubricants should be avoided at all costs. Oil-based lubricants are the fastest way to destroy a latex condom.
• If you want to use a sexual toy. Use a lubricant that is made of water. Silicone-based lubricants can break down the rubber of a silicone sex toy over time.
• If you want to play while you’re in the shower. Choose a lubricant made of silicone. When you turn on the shower, water-based products will be washed away.

Is there anything to avoid entirely?

Oil-based lubricants are safe to use, but they can make most condoms useless. They might also irritate the uterus.

You should also use less lubricant that smells or tastes good. These chemicals might make you feel bad.

Some of the ingredients in lubricants are more likely to cause inflammation or irritation, so people with sensitive skin should avoid them. Among these things are:

• glycerin
• nonoxynol-9
• propylene glycol
• chlorhexidine gluconate

Is lubricant the same thing as vaginal moisturizer?

Vaginal moisturisers can help stop itching and irritation in general, but they don’t make the area wet enough to stop pain during penetration.

This is because, unlike lubricants, moisturizers are taken in by the skin. They need to be used often to help with dry skin.

If you plan to do anything sexual, you may still need to use a lubricant to make things more comfortable.

How to use lubricant effectively

Effectively using lubricant doesn’t really have a “right” or “wrong” way to do it. But you can make the process easier by doing a few things:

• Put down a towel to keep it from getting dirty.
• Before you use it, warm it up in your hands.
• As part of foreplay, use lubricant to get more excited.
• Use lubricant right before penetration, whether you’re playing with a partner or by yourself.
• Use a lot of it so that your vulva and vagina get enough moisture. Put lube on the penis or the sex toy.
• As you go, check how much lubricant is still on and add more as needed.

Are there any side effects?

Most lubricants don’t cause any problems. But there is a chance that you could be allergic to something in the lubricant.

See a doctor if any of the following happen after you use it:

• difficulty breathing
• any swelling, especially of the tongue, throat, or face
• hives
• rash
• itching

You should also see your doctor if you get yeast infections more often when you use lubricant regularly.

The bottom line

Lubricants for the vaginal canal can be a great way to spice up sex with a partner or on your own. The extra moisture can reduce any friction or pain and help get you more excited.

Think about your comfort and safety when choosing between different lubricants. Whether or not you have fun during your afternoon romp will depend on how much lubricant you use and how long it lasts. If you use the wrong product, your vagina may feel irritated instead of frisky.