Vaginas can often lubricate themselves during sexual activity, but sometimes more help is needed. We discuss everything about vaginal lubricants and vaginal dryness below.
Key takeaways
- Some folks may experience vaginal dryness or pain during sex that may require more lubrication or other treatments to make sex more enjoyable for them.
- Because vaginas are sensitive, it could take a few different products before finding the best lubricant for you. For those with sensitive skin, try silicone-based lubes. Try to avoid lubes with synthetic ingredients.
- Using alternative lubricants like petroleum jelly, baby oil, and olive oil is cautioned because these could irritate the vagina.
When a person becomes sexually aroused, their vagina can typically naturally produce lubrication before sexual activity. It can help with penetrative sex, making it easier for hard objects like a penis or sex toy to enter smoothly and without too much friction.
Sometimes, however, the lubrication may not be enough and could cause pain during penetration, making it unpleasant, or it could cause damage to the vagina. This is where lubrication, or lube, comes in (pun intended).
In this article, we discuss the different types of lubes available, what to do if you experience vaginal dryness, when to use what type of lube, which lubes to avoid, and so much more. But first, here are our top picks of lubes to use with vaginas, and a quick recap of the types of lubes available.
Refresh on types of lube
water-based lube
safe to use with condoms, easy clean-up, versatile
oil-based lube
long lasting, can use as massage oil, not safe to use with condoms
silicone-based lube
best for sensitive skin, longer lasting, may deteriorate silicone toys, safe to use with condoms
hybrid lubricants
often a combination of two lubes, usually of water and silicone
natural lubricants
may contain fewer ingredients, may contain only vegan or organic ingredients
| Price | Type | Size | FDA-cleared? | pH balanced? | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AloeCadabra Natural Aloe Lubricant | $9.99 | water- and aloe-based | 2.5 oz | yes | yes |
| Hello Cake Water-Based Lube | $12 | water-based | 8 fl oz | yes | yes |
| Uberlube | $20 | silicone-based | 1.86 fl oz | yes | n/a |
| Bonafide Revaree | $63 | vaginal insert; non-sexual | 10 inserts per box | yes | n/a |
| Good Clean Love Almost Naked Organic Personal Lubricant | $16.99 | water-based | 4 fl oz | yes | yes |
Alongside our vigorous vetting process, we considered several different practices and qualities before adding lubes to our roundup.
The vagina is a sensitive part of the body that balances its own pH levels. Because of its sensitivity, we tried to find products that were free of parabens, glycerin, hormones, and other chemical additives that could be harmful to the vagina. If the lube is water-based, pH balance is a must.
If it’s silicone- or oil-based, we made sure to choose brands and products that used high quality ingredients, vegan or organic, when creating their product. If the product is FDA-cleared, it’s a plus!
Water-based lubricant
Water-based lube might as well be known as universal lube. Made, as you might guess, with water, water-based lubricant can be used with latex barriers and silicone toys. Water-based lubes can be milder than oil- and silicone-based lubes, and because they’re water-based, cleaning up can be easier than oil- or silicone-based lubes.
However, be mindful of the ingredients in this (and any) type of lube. Ingredients like glycerin and other additives can feed and increase the potential of infections like yeast infections.
Another downside of water-based lubricants is because they’re water-based, the product can absorb easily, meaning you’ll have to reapply it often.
Silicone-based lubricant
Silicone-based lubes last the longest of any lubricant. The body can’t absorb this lube, so you don’t have to reapply it as often as water-based lubricants. Silicone-based lubes are also the best for water-based sex activities. However, silicone tends to be slippery, so make sure you have a nonslip surface handy if you’re standing up!
While they may be safe to use with latex condoms, silicone lubes don’t mesh well with silicone sex toys. Because they’re made of the same materials, the silicone can stick to each other, and the lube could warp the texture of your sex toys, or deteriorate the surface.
Silicone lubes can also be harder to wash off. You may have to scrub a little extra hard with soap to get it off properly. Also, make sure to have an extra layer on top of where you’re being intimate because silicone can stain!
Because silicone is a synthetic ingredient, it could be more likely to have more synthetic ingredients in a product. Make sure to check the ingredients for substances like glucose, gluconate, glycogens, parabens, and more.
A
Oil-based lubricant
Oil-based lubes are thick, so a little goes a long, long, long way. They can also be used as a massage oil, and can be moisturizing for some. Oil-based lubes are silicone-safe and compatible with most sex toys. And because of all these benefits, some experts recommend using oil-based lube with silicone anal toys.
One of the main downsides of oil-based lubes is that they are not compatible with condoms, dental dams, gloves, and other latex barriers. Some oils also have the potential to mess with vaginal pH, which could lead to UTIs and other vaginal infections. So, if you’re looking at lubes and are prone to UTIs or yeast infections, opt for another type of lube.
Another downside is that oil can stain fabric, so you’ll need to lay down a towel or blanket first.
Natural vs. hybrid lubes
When you start shopping for lube, you’ll see the phrase “natural” used in marketing. Typically, natural lubes are paraben-free. (Parabens are a commonly used preservative with
Sometimes, this means that all the ingredients are organic or vegan, or that the product contains botanicals or eco-friendly ingredients (like most of the lubes on our list). Lubes marketed as natural aren’t necessarily better — it all comes down to personal preference and skin type.
Hybrid lubes are a combination of two lubes, usually water and silicone. Manufacturers mix these two for the best of both lubes. For example, a hybrid water and silicone lube is compatible with any condom and sex toy, including silicone (whereas silicone is not safe with silicone toys). These lubes could also be easier to wash off than plain silicone lube.
However, these lubes may require additional application than a traditional silicone lube and may not be as easy to clean as water-based lubricants.
When in doubt...
use lube
It will be safer for your partner and for you if there’s less friction involved in your sexual activities. In general, lubricants can be used by everyone — regardless of whether your body produces lubrication on its own, your age, or what kind of sex you’re having.
That said, if you’re experiencing vaginal dryness, you may find lubricant especially beneficial.
Adding lubricant can help ease symptoms commonly associated with vaginal dryness, such as itching, burning, chafing, and other discomforts.
However, if lubricants are not helping your vaginal dryness, you may want to see a healthcare professional to see if there are any underlying causes.
What causes vaginal dryness?
There are several reasons why someone might be experiencing vaginal dryness. These include:
- not drinking enough water
- smoking cigarettes or other tobacco products
- using certain medications, like antihistamines, antidepressants, and hormonal birth control
- nursing
- experiencing perimenopause or menopause
- underlying health conditions, such as autoimmune disorders
- undergoing chemotherapy
- psychological factors
Things like stress, anxiety, dehydration, and lack of sexual arousal are just some of the reasons why you may be experiencing vaginal dryness. If lubricants aren’t your thing, there are other ways to try and increase natural vaginal lubrication.
- Foreplay and arousal: If possible, these techniques may be able to help form more natural lubrication. During arousal, blood flow to the vaginal tissue increases, helping to stimulate moisture.
- Communication and emotional connection: Stress, detachment, and other psychological impacts could be affecting your partner and their ability to feel arousal. Talk with each other by creating a safe environment and discuss any concerns you may have. Keeping lines of communication open creates pathways for trust and emotional comfort, which may have a positive impact on sex.
- Avoid dyes, fragrances, and other synthetics: Some body products may have ingredients that could be harmful to your vagina and its pH levels. Try and use organic or vegan products without synthetic ingredients to keep your vagina’s pH balanced.
Vaginal dryness and experiencing pain during sex can affect women of any age, from premenopausal to postmenopausal, and the causes can vary from daily stresses, emotional stresses, or dehydration, to cancer, low estrogen levels, or certain hygiene products.
Some of these can be managed by lubrication, vaginal moisturizers, therapy to relieve stress, and more. When these are not working well enough for you, and you are still experiencing any of the symptoms below, it may be time to see a healthcare professional.
- Pain at times other than sex: Vaginal dryness may not happen strictly during sex. It could impact your daily life. You could be feeling uncomfortable in daily tasks, like sitting, urinating, standing, or anything else.
- Change in vulva or vagina: Though this is harder to see, it is common for the vulva to look different. Here, a trusted partner can help, or you can examine yourself to see if anything looks different or unusual.
- Change in vaginal discharge: Vaginal discharge is normal and varies by cycle. If your discharge is becoming more watery or smelly than usual, speak to a healthcare professional to get tested or evaluated.
- Bleeding or spotting: If you’ve started to bleed or have spotting during or after sex, and you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, see a medical professional for help on how to proceed.
Vaginal lubricants can be a great way to ramp up your solo or partnered sex session. The added wetness can reduce friction or discomfort and help increase pleasurable slide.
When deciding between lubricants, keep your personal pleasure preferences, body, and safety in mind.
No blanket statement like this can be made. All lubricants and all bodies are different.
That said, some lubricant ingredients can cause inflammation or irritation and should be avoided by people prone to vaginal infections or who have sensitive skin.
These ingredients include:
- glycerin
- nonoxynol-9
- propylene glycol
- chlorhexidine gluconate
You should also limit your use of lubricant with fragrance or flavoring, which may also cause irritation.
These common pesterers aside, Jeffcoat notes that some people can also be sensitive to lubricants that don’t have these ingredients.
She recommends treating a new lube like you’d treat a new facial moisturizer. “Spot test it on your skin, and if there is no reaction within a couple of hours, you should be good to go,” says Jeffcoat.
Most lubricants are free of side effects. Still, it’s possible to have an allergic reaction to something in the lubricant.
Discontinue use and consult a healthcare professional if you experience any of the following:
- difficulty breathing
- swelling, especially of the tongue, throat, or face
- hives
- rash
- itching
Consult a clinician if you develop more frequent yeast infections when lubricant is a part of your routine.
If you’re experiencing vaginal dryness, opt for silicone- or oil-based lubricant. You won’t have to reapply as often.
No, using lube doesn’t affect your body’s natural lubrication process.
“There is no evidence to support that your body will produce less of your natural lubricant if you use a commercial lube,” says Jeffcoat. “Our bodies just don’t work that way.”
Nope!
Commercial lubricant adds wetness to your vagina during sex — and only during sex. Vaginal moisturizers are designed to moisturize the vaginal canal tissues over time.
With daily use, vaginal moisturizers can help remedy and prevent general itching and irritation, explains Jordan Soper, a sex therapist certified by the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) and medical reviewer at Promescent.
Vaginal moisturizers aren’t designed with penetration in mind and usually don’t provide enough wetness to prevent discomfort during penetrative play. Moisturizers, unlike lubricants, are absorbed into the skin.
If you’re planning any sexual activity, you may still need to use a lubricant to increase comfort.
Just keep in mind that there are several reasons why you might be experiencing dryness, itchiness, or vaginal pain.
“It’s recommended to rule out other root causes of these concerns rather than just trying to increase moisture,” says Soper.
Older research suggests that some lubricants can negatively impact sperm motility. So, if you’re trying to become pregnant, choose a lubricant that says it’s “sperm friendly” or “fertility-friendly” on its packaging.
There isn’t a “right” or “wrong” way to use lubricant effectively.
But there are a few things you can do to make the process easier:
- Lay down a towel to prevent staining.
- Warm up the lubricant in your hands before applying.
- Apply the lubricant to the place being touched and to the thing(s) doing the touching.
- Be liberal when applying so that your vulva and vagina are sufficiently wet.
- Reassess how much lubricant is still on as you go and reapply as needed.
Baby oil is not the best choice to use as lube for vaginal or anal sex for a number of reasons. It can stain sheets and clothing and can destroy sex toys made from latex, silicone, rubber, or plastic.
Like other oil-based lubricants, older research has shown that baby oil can destroy latex condoms.
Research also suggests using baby oil as lube is linked to higher rates of rectal infection and can increase the likelihood of developing bacterial vaginosis.