No matter what body you’re in or which partners you like, personal lubricant (aka lube) improves your play. It’s always necessary for anal sex and almost always needed for playing with toys. As for vaginal sex, vulva owners’ natural wetness varies with age, stress levels, medications, the time of the month, and a host of other factors—this is true for everyone. Lube makes it easy to create a slippery environment for comfortable play, any time.
Everyone should have lube for frictionless FUN, but how do you choose the right one? Is it better to put it on your toy or on your bits? Read on below to find the answers to these questions and more.
What is lube?
Let’s back up a second. What is lube, you ask? It’s a fluid mixture meant to ease friction and prevent chafing. Personal lubricant is easy to find in drugstores, convenience stores, sex shops, and even some department stores.
It’s used most often during sexual play, but not always. Some people use lube to insert Kegel balls, as a primer for makeup (really), or to counter vaginal dryness during menopause. Then there are some ultra-creative ways to use lube, meaning you could keep some on hand in case the locks on your doors are sticky!
Types of Lube
A lubricant’s “base” is its starter ingredient; all the other ingredients are mixed into it. Each base—like water, oil, or silicone—has its own benefits and drawbacks. Bases are one of the biggest differences between lubes, so making an informed decision about which base you want is a great place to start.
1. Water-Based Lube
Water-based lubes are the most versatile option. They work well with sex toys and condoms, and they’re usable for both vaginal and anal sex. They also tend to be the best choice for people with sensitive skin or tissue. The biggest drawback of some water-based lubes is that they dry out quickly, so reapplication may be necessary.
All SUTIL’s lubricants are water-based, so they’re perfect for using with our toys. The Luxe formula works well for just about everyone. It feels light on the body, it lasts a really long time, and it doesn’t leave any residue behind. Plus, it has some star ingredients—oat beta-glucan and hyaluronic acid—that promote a slippery texture and hydrate your body over time.
2. Oil-Based Lube
Oil’s slippery, all right, and very long-lasting. If those are your top priorities in a lube, then oil-based formulas may be right for you. They’re compatible with glass and stainless steel sex toys, but definitely not compatible with silicone toys or latex condoms.
Aside from its tendency to degrade condoms and silicone, an oil-based lube’s biggest flaw is its propensity to stain sheets. Oil-based lubes also can disrupt vaginal microflora, so they might not be the best for vaginal sex with a sensitive partner.
3. Natural Lube
“Natural” lubricant is a bit of a vague term. Some people repurpose household items, like coconut oil or almond oil, and use them as lube. Using minimally processed cooking oils as personal lubricant poses the same problems as using a store-bought oil-based lube. Coconut oil, in particular, is thought to promote yeast infections among people with vulvas.
If you’re drawn toward products and brands that maximize their use of eco-friendly materials and minimize their use of harmful chemicals, you’d probably like Hathor Pure, SUTIL’s very first lube. It has a moderately thick texture, seven simple ingredients, and no weird chemicals (which means no chemical smell). Plus, it features soothing botanicals like horny goat weed and ginseng. SUTIL’s other two lubes, Luxe and Rich, are made with Ecocert ingredients.
4. Silicone-Based Lube
Silicone lubes are the thickest option and therefore excellent for anal play. They offer a cushiony feel and are usually non-irritating to the skin. Plus, they’re compatible with condoms, long-lasting, and a good pick for playing in a shower, bath, or hot tub. Silicone lube isn’t easily rinsed away.
The fact that it’s not easily rinsed away is also a drawback: Cleanup is a little trickier with silicone lubes. They can stain sheets. Annoyingly, silicone lubes will destroy silicone toys, so don’t combine them!
If you’re looking for the benefits of a silicone lube without the drawbacks, consider SUTIL Rich. It’s the brand’s thickest formula and pH-balanced for the anus. Because of its plush texture and hyaluronic acid, it’s also great for sex during menopause or an everyday vaginal moisturizer for those experiencing dryness.
5. Hybrid Lube
A hybrid lube refers to a lubricant that combines water and silicone bases. Hybrid lubes’ thickness is between true water-based lube, which runs thinner, and true silicone lube, which runs thicker. Hybrid silicone lubes are safe to use with condoms.
These lubes also have some of the same drawbacks as fully silicone-based lubes, in that they can feel sticky and may trap bacteria in the vagina. Some hybrid lubes can be used with silicone toys, but it varies—check before buying.
What Is Lube Used For?
Lube is used to ease friction during sexual play, generally during vaginal or anal penetration. It lessens the friction caused by thrusting and stroking motions, which reduces discomfort and minimizes the risk of micro-tears in the body.
Some outdated myths discourage some people from using lube. Some individuals mistakenly believe that if a person with a vagina wants to use lube, they must not be aroused. In reality, vaginal wetness fluctuates for all sorts of reasons, as discussed above, and arousal may not have anything to do with it. Even young, healthy people who are very turned on can have more FUN by using lube!
How to Use Lube
Thankfully, lubricant is very easy to use. You might want to start by squeezing a quarter-sized amount into your clean hand and applying it directly to your bits. Vulva owners can use lube both internally and externally. If a quarter-sized amount doesn’t seem like enough, then add more! There’s no real risk of overdoing it, unless you’re worried about cleanup after play.
As for how to apply lube to a sex toy, the approach is similar. Use enough lube to cover whichever part of the toy will contact your body. Once you start playing, if you feel like you could benefit from a smoother glide, then add more lubricant!
1. Use Lube During Vaginal Play
Vaginas don’t like too much friction, so lube makes sex comfier and hotter! Lubricant is particularly important during menopause, or for individuals who have already gone through menopause.
Lubricant is safe to use during pregnancy, but generally not recommended for individuals trying to conceive. The fluid can slow sperm’s swimming. For those who would prefer to use lube when trying to conceive, the lightweight texture of SUTIL Luxe is your best bet.
2. Lube Is Necessary During Anal Play
The anus and rectum do not self-lubricate, so lube is a non-negotiable during anal play, whether you’re working with a toy, a finger, or a penis. Because anal tissue tears so easily, most people prefer to use thick lubes with lots of staying power. Again, SUTIL Rich is our recommendation here.
3. Try Flavored Lube for Oral Sex
A little extra slickness really enhances everything, blowjobs and eating out very much included. Some flavored lubes taste better than others, so ask the employee at your local sex shop for their recommendation.
One thing to watch out for: While some brands use glycerin as a sweetener and humectant, it’s actually not great for the vagina, and can cause yeast infections. Some brands use glucose, a sugar, which can also cause yeast infections. If you think you might switch from a blowjob to vaginal sex on the same night, then pick a flavored lube without those ingredients.
4. Put Lube on Toys
Any toy, regardless of its size or material, isn’t going to feel the same as skin, which is naturally moisturized. That’s why lube is even more critical when you’re playing with toys than it is when you’re having analog sex with a partner. Silicone toys, in particular, have a grippy texture that may not glide easily across your body unless you lubricate them. Plus, some FUN FACTORY toys are girthy, so using a little lube makes insertion a lot more comfortable!
5. As a Daily Moisturizer
Individuals who are going through menopause, or who have already gone through it, often experience vaginal dryness as a side effect. Wearing a little lube vaginally can make daily life more comfortable, whether or not you intend to have sex that day. Choose a formula with hyaluronic acid, like SUTIL Luxe or Rich, and your tissues’ hydration levels will build over time.
Lube FAQs
Is lube healthy to use?
Yes, lube is very healthy and can make sex more comfortable and hotter. That said, some mass-produced formulas have questionable ingredients: Glycerin can cause yeast infections, parabens are endocrine disruptors, and petroleum-derived ingredients don’t belong near your sexy parts.
FUN FACTORY partnered with SUTIL because they avoid all those ingredients. Their propylene glycol is plant-derived, not petroleum-derived—a rarity in the industry. Plus, their Hathor Pure and Rich formulas are gluten-free.
Does lube expire?
It sure does. Check your lube’s packaging for a date or symbol that indicates its shelf life.
Can you use lotion as lube?
Absolutely not! Lotions are meant for external use only, as they may contain irritating fragrances or other inflammatory ingredients. Plus, it will likely absorb too quickly into the body to be of much use.
Can you use baby oil for lube?
Again, absolutely not. It will be far too irritating. If you’re looking for a cost-effective lube, try Hathor Pure.
All ideas included are for educational and entertainment value, and do not constitute medical advice.
