What is Personal Lubricant?
Personal lubricant, or “lube,” is a liquid or gel designed to prevent unwanted friction during sex. It can be used for various types of sexual activities, including penetrative and anal sex, as well as masturbation. Some types are also safe to use with sex toys.
Choosing the Right Lube
When selecting a lube, it's important to consider the different types available. Lubricants come in various bases, including water, silicone, oil, and hybrid options that combine a few of the above. There are many formulations to perfectly suit your needs.
The Best Lubricants
Here are some of the best options in different categories:
- Best water-based lube: Blossom Organics Natural Moisturizing Lubricant
- Best silicone-based lube: Wet Platinum Pure Silicone Lubricant
- Best oil-based lube: AH! YES OB Plant-Oil Based Personal Lubricant
- Best natural lube: Aloe Cadabra Personal Lubricant & Moisturizer
The Benefits of Using Lube
Regardless of your gender, age, or stage in life, using lube can enhance sexual pleasure by reducing friction and providing smoother skin. According to a 2009 Indiana University study of 2,453 women, participants reported that lube made sex more pleasurable and enjoyable over 70 percent of the time.
It's important to dispel the misconception that needing a lubricant indicates a lack of interest in your partner. Lube should be seen as an encouragement to enhance sexual pleasure and should be trusted as a tool to improve intimacy.
How We Selected the Best Lubricants
We considered price, base type, and customer ratings when choosing the best lubricants. We included various options at different price points to accommodate various budgets.
Additionally, we selected options with high user reviews, recognizing that choosing a lube is a highly personal decision.
We believe that pleasure is an essential aspect of a safe and healthy sex life. Therefore, we rely on experienced writers, educators, and other experts to provide recommendations on everything from sexual techniques to the selection of sex toys.
If you see a shop link to a specific product or brand, it has been thoroughly researched and vetted.