When it comes to our sexual health, the education we receive is pretty slim to none. In fact, that’s a huge part of why I created the adult sex ed workshop series I did. (I mean, seriously we don’t ever learn about the best lubes for sex?!)
Today, we’re going to meet at the intersection of pleasure aids and sexual health — lubricants.
The fact is, lubes may look like they’re all created equally, but they are not. Shockingly, not only can the ingredients in some commonly used lubricants cause yeast infections and odors — if you’re using the wrong type of lube with your toy, it can end up creating bacterial infestations. Sexy, huh?
Here are nine of the best lubes for sex (of all types)
1. GoLove CBD Naturals Intimate Lubricant
Biggest Takeaway:
Soothes vaginal discomfort, solves unwanted dryness, and calms your mind.
What It’s Best Used For:
Vaginal or clitoral play — especially for anyone who experiences pain, swelling, discomfort, anxiety, or tenseness during physical intimacy.
Other Facts:
- Created by CBD scientist BS.E. John Renko and sexologist Dr. Sadie Allison
- 200mg of organic, USA-grown cannabidiol (CBD)
- Hypoallergenic and pH-balanced
- Safe with latex and all sex toys
- Dermatologist-tested and lab certified
- Includes luxury hyaluronic moisturizer
- Pleasant smell and natural taste
- Vegan
Key Ingredients:
- Deionized Water — GoLove uses only Type II deionized water. It’s ultra-clean and super-purified of organics, sodium, chlorides, and silicas.
- Gluconolactone—This natural ingredient helps GoLove match your own body’s pH level while serving as a moisturizer and antioxidant.
- Organic Cannabidiol (CBD)— The natural anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, and body-relaxing non-psychoactive cannabinoid. It’s also important to note that GoLove only sources only the best domestically grown, lab-certified CBD.
DO NOT Use:
The best lubes for sex have a purpose and while you can use this for anything, I wouldn’t recommend this for anal sex or anal play if you’re a beginner. It’s just not thick enough and you need a lot of it.
Price: $5 – $68
Where to Purchase: https://rachelwrightnyc.com/golove
CODE: RACHELW
2. Tush Cush by Cake
Biggest Takeaway:
A water-based jelly for those who are beginners to butt stuff or have frequent anal play (or those that prefer extra cushion)
What It’s Best Used For: Anal Sex, Anal Play
Other Facts:
- Hybrid formula of water & premium silicone jelly
- 3.3 fl oz.
- Ultra-thick jelly
- Rich with Aloe Vera
- Skin hydrating & moisturizing
- Free from any de-sensitizers or numbing agents
- Cake’s Tush Cush personal lubricant is a 510K FDA approved lubricant. More information can be found on file with the FDA using reference code K181408.
Ingredients:
Propylene Glycol, Water (Aqua), Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone, Cellulose Gum, Cyclopentasiloxane, Sodium Polyacrylate, Trideceth-6, PEG/PPG- 18/18 Dimethicone
DO NOT Use For:
Vaginal play. Remember, the best lubes for sex are niched down to what you need. It’s better to have 7 different lubes at home that you use for 7 different things than one that kinda works for everything.
Price: $15 – $18
Where to Purchase: https://rachelwrightnyc.com/tushcush
3. So-Low Lotion by Cake
Biggest Takeaway: This is a game-changer for anyone with a penis.
What It’s Best Used For: Masturbation or hand-jobs for folks with penises.
It’s impossible to talk about the best lubes for sex without mentioning the ultimate penis solo sex lubricant.
Other Facts:
- Transforms from a thick cream to a gliding lotion
- Meant for “jerking off” or masturbation with a penis
- Fragrance-Free
- Coconut Oil Based
- Easy cleanup
Ingredients:
DI Water (Aqua), Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Ceteareth-20, Cetearyl Alcohol, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe) Leaf Juice, Tocopheryl Acetate ( Vitamin E), Ginko Biloboa Leaf Extract, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Carbomer, Aminomethyl Propanol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
DO NOT Use For:
Anything vaginal. The ingredients are not pH-balanced for vulvas/vaginas because it’s meant for penises!
Price: $14 – $18
Where to Purchase: https://rachelwrightnyc.com/solow
4. Dame Aloe Lube
Biggest Takeaway:
It moisturizes AND lubricates, which makes it a great natural solution.
What It’s Best Used For: Vaginal Sex / Vaginal Play
Other Facts:
- Plant-derived, organic, and pH-matched to vaginas
- Free of glycerin, parabens, hormones, or sugars
- Safe for toys, conception, and most condoms
- This is one of the best lubes for sex in my opinion because of it’s natural ingredients
Ingredients:
Aloe Leaf Juice (natural moisture), Propanediol (natural solvent), Mushroom Extract (promotes blood flow), Gluconolactone (natural preservative), Sodium Hyaluronate (natural moisture), Quinoa Seed Extract (reduces inflammation), Hemp Seed Extract (reduces inflammation), Linseed Extract (natural moisture), Green Tea Extract (reduces inflammation), Oat Kernel Extract (natural moisture), Hydroxyethylcellulose (natural thickener), Xanthan Gum (natural stabilizer), Sodium Benzoate (natural moisture), Potassium Sorbate (natural preservative), Citric Acid (natural preservative)
DO NOT Use For:
Anal Play, it’s a little thin (because it’s water-based) and you’d need to re-apply a loooooot.
Price: $16 – $18
Where to Purchase: https://rachelwrightnyc.com/dame
with code RACHELWRIGHT for a special discount!
5. GoodCleanLove
Biggest Takeaway:
A women-owned company that focuses on sexual health with products that smell great, are science-based and do what the label says they do.
3 Lubricants Featured Above:
- BioNude Ultra Sensitive Natural Moisturizing Personal Lubricant
- Formulated to help you avoid irritation or adverse allergic reactions. If you have a sensitive vagina, this lube is for YOU.
- BioMatchâ„¢ Technology: bio matched to the body’s own lubrication
- 100% isotonic (same salt concentration as cells and blood),
- pH-balanced
- Unscented and unflavored
> > Try a 3oz tube of it from Amazon by clicking here.
- Almost NAKED Personal Lubricant
- 95% organic ingredients
- Smells amazingly sweet
- Safe with latex + polyisoprene condoms and all toys
- Smooth + long-lasting
> > Try a 1.5oz tube of it from Amazon by clicking here.
- bio-genesis Fertility Lubricant
- goodcleanlove says it best themselves, “BioGenesis is a water-based, hydroxyethylcellulose formula – exactly what is recommended by our friends at Mayo Clinic because those materials combined most closely match natural vaginal moisture and do not decrease sperm motility. Our formula is the only product of its kind that is paraben-free and contains both calcium and magnesium ions that are clinically proven to support successful fertility.“
> > Try a 2oz tube of it from Amazon by clicking here.
- goodcleanlove says it best themselves, “BioGenesis is a water-based, hydroxyethylcellulose formula – exactly what is recommended by our friends at Mayo Clinic because those materials combined most closely match natural vaginal moisture and do not decrease sperm motility. Our formula is the only product of its kind that is paraben-free and contains both calcium and magnesium ions that are clinically proven to support successful fertility.“
Other Facts:
- All GCL lubes are water-based
- They are all scientifically formulated
- 100 percent free of petrochemicals, parabens, & glycerin
Price: $7 – $22
One of the reasons I think GCL has some of the best lubes for sex is their attention to science and pleasure.
GoodCleanLove also makes BioMatchâ„¢ Wipes — which I’m obsessed with. You can check those out on Amazon here. (as shown in above photo!)
6. The Butters Hygienics Co. Original Lube
Biggest Takeaway:
The best kept secret of lubes — it’s hand made and so yummy on your skin.
What It’s Best Used For:
- Vaginal Sex / Vaginal Play
- Toy Play (compatible with all toys)
- Anal Sex / Anal Play
- Tattoo care, dry skin patches
Other Facts:
- 2oz or 8oz jar with a batch date and number
- Vegan & Edible
- Pregnancy-Safe
- Hypoallergenic
Ingredients:
Each of The Butters’ ingredients is used for its specific properties:
- Pure Organic Aloe: provides moisture and prevents it from feeling oily.
- Apple cider vinegar: balances pH, manages bacterial and yeast growth and gently cleanses.
- Arrowroot: prevents drips, increases the feeling of softness, and helps mix any lubrication your body makes with The Butters.
- Coconut and grape seed oil give your skin essential vitamins and lipids while offering immediate lubrication.
- Raw grade Ghanaian Shea butter, extra virgin olive oil, palm kernel oil, and lipid emulsion: melts into slick long-lasting lubrication and offers healing properties for sensitive areas.
DO NOT Use For:
You can literally use this for almost ANYTHING.
Price: $5 – $17
Where to Purchase:
https://getthebutters.com/thebuttersprods/thebutterslube
7. Lovers Water Based Lube
Biggest Takeaway:
In the best way, this is the most basic and fabulous vaginal lubricant made to mimic the feeling of vaginal lubrication.
What It’s Best Used For: Vaginal Sex / Vaginal Play, Clitoral Play, Toy Play
Other Facts:
- Free of propylene glycol (we talked about this above!)
- Compatible with natural rubber latex condoms and polyisoprene condoms
- Really nice silky natural texture and not sticky
- Can be used with all toys
- Since this photo was taken, they have updated the branding, it’s a nice green bottle now!
Ingredients:
Water, Propanediol, Gluconolactone, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid
DO NOT Use For:
Not compatible with polyurethane condoms.
Price: $19.50 – $24.50
Where to Purchase: https://loversstores.com/collections/lube/products/lovers-water-based-lube
8. Wicked Sensual Care Simply Aqua Jelle
Biggest Takeaway:
A water-based lube that’s designed to be best for longer-lasting anal or vaginal play.
What It’s Best Used For: Anal Sex / Anal Play, Vaginal Sex / Vaginal Play, and any Extended Play
Honestly, this is one of the best lubes for sex because it’s water-based AND incredible for anal sex or anal play. That’s not a common combo.
Other Facts:
- Water-Based
- Free of glycerin, propylene glycol, and parabens
- Clean, vegan, plant-based, and cruelty-free
- pH-balanced for vaginal health
- Slick, not sticky
- Olive leaf extract for more moisture
- Compatible with all toys and condoms
Ingredients:
Water, Propanediol (corn), Hydroxyethylcellulose (tree bark), Cellulose gum (cotton seed), Disodium EDTA, Aloe Barbadensis (aloe vera) Leaf Extract, Olea Europaea (olive) leaf extract, Stevia Rebaudiana (stevia) Leaf/Stem Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid
DO NOT Use:
If you’re extra extra sensitive to yeast infections.
Price: $12.99
Where to Purchase:
https://rachelwrightnyc.com/wickedjelle
9. Sliquid
Biggest Takeaway:
Sliquid has a lube for everyone and they’re a wonderful company, IMO, leading the personal lubricant industry right now.
The 3 lubricants pictured above are:
1. Sliquid Sassy
What It’s Best Used For: Sensitive Vulva Owners & Anal Play (it’s thicker than most water-based lubes)
This is the pink one in the photo above.
I really love this lubricant because it’s compatible with all of my toys, great for vaginal and anal use, and it’s made with vagina sensitivity in mind (pH balanced + hypoallergenic). This is at the top of my list for vulva owners to have in their lube kit at home!!
Where you can get it:
https://rachelwrightnyc.com/sliquid
2. Sliquid Swirl
What It’s Best Used For: When you want an aspartame based flavored glycerin-free lube. Sliquid currently offers eight flavors; Cherry Vanilla, Green Apple Tart, Blue Raspberry, Pina Colada, Pink Lemonade, Strawberry Pomegranate, and the new Blackberry Fig & Tangerine Peach.
This is the green bottle in the photo above.
I’m not personally a big fan of flavored lubes, but if you like them, get them from this product line. In all of the Sliquid Swirl products, the ingredients are: Purified Water, Plant Cellulose (from Cotton), Cyamopsis (Guar Conditioners), Natural Flavoring, Aspartame, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid
Where you can get it:
https://rachelwrightnyc.com/sliquid
Sliquid RIDE Bodyworx Silk Hybrid
What It’s Best Used For: Anal Play, anal sex, or longer-lasting play where you want more of a silky glide.
This is a water-based lube that has enough silicone infused (12%) to give you the best of both worlds – long lasting like a silicone lubricant and easy to clean up like a water-based lubricant.
This is the black bottle in the photo above.
Note: Because this lube has silicone in it, DO NOT USE IT WITH ANY SILICONE SEX TOYS OR PLEASURE AIDS! It will eat at the silicone and create microscopic holes where bacteria will grow and fester… and then go into your body. So, let’s not.
Where you can get it:
https://rachelwrightnyc.com/sliquid
Price Range: $19 – $22
Note: The information above is accurate and up-to-date as of the day of publishing. Any edits will be noted below. Please contact rachel@rachelwrightnyc.com if you find an edit or information that needs updating.
Note: Some of the links above are affiliate links, which means you’ll get a discount and I may get a thank you from the company if you end up getting something from them. We love a win/win/win.
