Good personal lubricant is like ice-cream topping. Sure, you can eat ice-cream without topping and still enjoy it, but that little extra makes it even more pleasurable, especially when the pairing is perfect.

Sex and lube work the same way. You can have sex or use adult toys without lubricant but incorporating the right one can make the experience so much more comfortable and create a range of exciting sensations. Also, some of our best flavoured lubes taste great on ice cream as well, if that’s your thing. Yes, we’re speaking from experience.

But ice-cream aside, which lube is best for what occasion? And do you really need all of them, or is the giant pump bottle enough?

Whether you’re playing solo or with your lover, here’s all you need to know about the wide range of lubricant options out there, and when – or if – you should be using each type.  

Yes, it’s the most common and basic lubricant. No, that doesn’t mean the other types are necessarily better. Water-based lubes are cheap, versatile, easy to use and simple to wash off.

It’s compatible with all good sex toy materials, and a great choice for vaginal sex. It can be used for anal sex, but we suggest looking for specific anal sex formulations, as those are specifically designed to provide complete lubrication, rather than supplementing existing, natural lubrication. 

Silicone-based lubricant is long-lasting and leaves a thin, silky smooth layer on the skin’s surface. Because it’s long-wearing and not absorbed by the skin, silicone-based lubricant is ideal for anal sex and aquatic play – just remember you’ll need to wash it off the skin with soap after use.

Generally, silicone-based lubricant should not be used with silicone toys because it can damage the material, however, it is compatible with glass, wood, steel and ABS (hard) plastic.  

Hybrid lubricants combine the properties of two or more lubricant categories in one. Traditionally these are water-based and silicone-based lubes, but they can also be water and oil based, for example, and include warming or cooling sensations as well.

Water and silicone-based hybrids typically offer the best properties of both. For example, hybrid lubricant with a small proportion of silicone can be long-lasting and easy to clean while remaining safe to use with silicone toys. When choosing a hybrid lubricant we recommend reading the descriptions and features carefully as they aren’t all the same – so make sure it’s going to work for your needs.

For adults wanting to enhance the taste of oral sex, flavoured lubricant is perfect. Flavours range from light and fruity to rich and dessert-like. Being water-based, flavoured lubricants are safe to use with toys but if you or your play partner has a vulva, look for sugar-free options, as sugar can encourage yeast infections.

As the name suggests, anal lubricant is specially designed for anal sex, and that’s because of its thick, long-lasting formulation. That said, it can still be used for vaginal sex if desired.

Anal lubricants can be water or silicone based, so it’s a good idea to check before using them with silicone toys. If you’re unsure what you should use, we recommend sticking to water-based anal lubes.

Some anal lubricants contain ingredients, such as benzocaine, that create numbing sensation to lessen the pain that can be associated with anal play. The anus has thin, sensitive tissues and unlike the vagina, does not produce its own lubrication. Take care if using desensitising lubricant because it can make harder to detect irritation, tears or internal damage until the numbness wears off.

If you’re experiencing pain during anal play, start slowly and gently with smaller toys and plenty of compatible lubricant. The more relaxed you are, the more comfortable insertion will be. For an in depth look to anal play, check out our Anal Sex for Beginners guide. 

For adults who prefer natural lubricants, organic varieties can be a good choice. The meaning of ‘organic’ can vary across brands so check the ingredients and for official certification.

Organic can mean a given lubricant contains certain ingredients, contains a certain percentage of certified organic ingredients, or does not contain artificial substances. Do note that lubricant can never be 100 per cent organic because water cannot be certified as organic.

Available in water-based and silicone-based formulations, warming lubricants a warming sensation upon contact with intimate areas, through the use of oils and extracts - often peppermint or capsaicin, an active component of chilli peppers. The warming can enhance arousal and sensitivity and will last for varying lengths of time depending on the product and individual.

Cooling lubricants create a cooling or tingling sensation upon intimate contact, especially when your lover blows on the area. These lubricants can be water-based or silicone-based and often include menthol to produce the cooling sensation and in turn heighten arousal and sensitivity. How long the cooling lasts varies across products and individuals.

There are a range of other speciality lubricants you may want to consider. Some of them have crossover with the major categories above, so you if you come across one there, here’s what they do and are for.

Women’s formulations

Generally, women’s lubricants are designed to supplement or mimic natural feminine lubrication. They can provide moisture and support a healthy vaginal environment. Some options are designed especially for women experiencing hormone-related changes to their intimate areas.

Men’s formulations

Men’s lubricants often have a higher viscosity to provide a thicker cushion of pleasure, making them perfect for use when stroking.

Some thick, pillowy lubricants with a gel-like texture even stay in place exactly where needed and pair well with masturbators to deliver a pleasurably wet sensation.

Jelly

Jelly lubricant is a thicker consistency lubricant, sitting somewhere between your regular lubes and your gel lubes. Jelly lubes come in both water-based and silicone-based varieties and can remain thick during use or melt into a smooth glide.

Some jelly lubricant is stringy like chewing gum making it perfect for those seeking a unique touch sensation, but all are ideal for texture-based play – different formulations will simply provide different textures to play with. 

Gel

Gel lubricants are among the thickest out there, and some provide a pillow-like texture that stays in place without dripping or thinning too quickly. They’re particularly well-suited to rigorous play, anal pleasure, and use with masturbators made from compatible materials.

Realistic

These lubes are designed to mimic the look, feel or smell of ejaculate, and are often designed for use with squirting sex toys. These lubricants can be water-based, silicone-based or a hybrid, providing options for solo, coupled and toy-based play

Massage glides are perfect for all-over body use, and can be water, silicone or oil-based. They are formulated for effortless massage, whether to create a sensual experience with your partner, soothe aching muscles or leave the skin silky soft after bathing.

While massage glides can be used in foreplay, not all types can be used as lubricant – they can contain ingredients, such as perfumes, that may irritate delicate areas or substances, like oil, that may damage condoms.  

Water-based and silicone-based lubricants are safe to use with most condoms and can be a simple way to reduce the risk of condom breakage and make safe sex even more pleasurable. Hybrid lubricants can also be condom-compatible depending on the ingredients.

Substances that should generally not be used with condoms include oils, petroleum jelly and butter.

Always check the packaging of your sex toy or condom for manufacturer’s recommendations on the most suitable lubricant to use with it.