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The 24 best lubes for women: better sex and friction-free masturbation starts here
Our pick of the best lubricant for sex, self-love and female wellness
By If you suffer from vaginal dryness, find sex uncomfortable, or your love life might simply benefit from a bit of extra slip and slide, you have come to the right place. Lubricant (AKA lube) is the solution to your arid undercarriage woes and there is no shame in seeking help if it benefits your sex life.
Reluctant to get sticky? Sex is supposed to be messy! And trust us, when it comes to keeping your vulva happy, a blob or two of lube is the very least you deserve. The right lubricant can work wonders in the bedroom, keep your skin supple and transform your orgasm power in the process.
The best sex lubes for women
Here's our pick of the best lubricants for women at a glance. Keep scrolling for the full list.
What is lube?
Sexual lubricant is a type of emollient that is designed to reduce friction during solo or partnered sex. 'Lube, by definition, is something that can help ease friction by making surfaces smooth or slippery,' explains Lindsay Wynn, CEO and Co-founder at vulvovaginal wellness experts Momotaro Apotheca.
'Lube can be made of a variety of ingredients depending on your specific needs,' she adds. 'From homemade to store bought, lube is a wonderful addition for both mind and body when it comes to personal or partnered sex.'
What are the benefits of using lube for sex?
Using lube with your lover(s) or adding a pea-sized blob or two to your favourite sex toy during solo masturbation can sidestep vaginal dryness, make penetrative sex a whole lot more comfortable and can even help combat chafing should things get really heated in the bedroom.
'Sex of all types can benefit from lubrication,' says Wynn. 'Be it vaginal or anal penetration, the use of toys, tribbing or scissoring, sex can cause micro tearing to the vulva, vagina or anus. Adding a body-safe lube can help prevent tearing and reduce discomfort associated with these small tears. Beyond the pain points, lube can be used to enhance pleasure.'
'Lube is great and I honestly believe it should be used by everyone who wants to experience penetration,' agrees Kelly Gordon, Head of Creative at Sex Tech Brand Hot Octopuss. 'It makes penetrative sex comfortable, highly pleasurable and it also means that you can always have a quickie if you don’t have time for foreplay.'
Whatever gets you off, there is likely to be a lube for you. But with so many options to choose from, where do you start?
What are the different types of lube?
Lube comes in various forms, so do your research before you make a purchase to ensure you choose the best lotion for the motion:
Water-based lube
This is our go-to lube for most sexual scenarios. 'Water-based lube is great and can be used in almost all situations!' says Gordon. 'It can also be used with your favourite silicone sex toys without damaging your toy. Water-based lube is also said to reduce condom breakage, plus it's easy to wash off.'
Silicone-based lube
This is often thicker and more luxurious than its water-based counterparts. 'Silicone lube is long lasting, so it doesn’t need to be applied often,' explains Gordon. 'It is also incredibly smooth, giving an amazing and sensual feeling when using it for penetration. Silicone lube is also great for use in water, as it doesn’t wash away as easily as other lubes.'
Oil-based lube
This type of lube is also long lasting, but it can damage condoms and play havoc with your bedlinen, so proceed with caution. 'Oil-based lube is known to work well with the body and your natural lubricant,' says Gordon. 'There are a few downsides to it though, as it can leave oily stains on sheets and it can also increase the chance of upsetting your natural pH level and increasing the chance of yeast infections.'
Hybrid lube
Some brands have caught onto the fact that no two people are the same and created hybrid lubes to suit differing tastes, so it's worth shopping around to find the shoe that fits.
Does lube give you thrush?
If you regularly suffer from yeast infections, you might be concerned about lube leading to thrush. 'This is highly dependent on the quality and ingredients of your lube,' explains Wynn.
'Lube should not be scented or flavoured with any sugar, dye or fragrance or a derivative of,' she adds. 'The vulva, vagina and anus contain mucous membranes that are highly absorbent and can be easily irritated when introduced to suboptimal ingredients.'
If you're concerned, shop around until you find the lube that fits. 'Do your research and find lubes/products that work with your body. Sexual health isn’t one size fits all and neither is lube,' adds Wynn.
The 24 best lubes to shop now
From the best anal lube to water-based emollient for partnered sex and oil-based gels that are ideal for solo sessions, keep scrolling for our pick of the best lubes for every sexual scenario...
Roam Refreshing Gel Lubricant - For the Front
Roam Refreshing Gel Lubricant - For the Front
If self-care is high on your agenda, premium lubricant brand Roam will appeal. This luxuriously silky lube is enriched with agave, aloe and jojoba that promises to hydrate your most sensitive parts while you focus on self pleasure! And if you're feeling experimental, they stock excellent lube especially for backdoor pleasure too.
Type: Water-based lube
Best for: Solo and partnered sex
Lovehoney Enjoy Water-Based Lubricant
Designed to mimic the body's natural fluids, water-based lubricants are ideal if you experience dryness or just fancy adding a sensual unguent into the mix. This is a great option for people with sensitive skin, plus the pump action plunger makes application a breeze.
Type: Water-based lube
Best for: Solo and partnered sex
Lubido Water-based lubricant
Lubido Water-based lubricant
If you have a big night planned but you suffer from sensitivity and chafing, this brilliant lube comes with the skin-safe benefits of a water-based lubricant, but it's slightly thicker for extra staying power and extended pleasure sessions. Slather it on and enjoy yourself tonight, you deserve it.
Type: Water-based lube
Best for: Solo and partnered sex
Smile Makers Generous Gel Vaginal Lubricant Gel
Smile Makers Generous Gel Vaginal Lubricant Gel
This silky smooth water-based gel from Swedish sexual wellness brand Smile Makers is designed to be compatible with the brand's excellent sex toy offering (The French Lover tickles our boxes) and thanks to its thicker texture it's also well suited to women who experience discomfort during penetrative sex.
Type: Water-based lube
Best for: Penetrative solo or partnered sex
Sliquid Sassy Water-Based Anal Lubricant
Sliquid Sassy Water-Based Anal Lubricant
In the mood for anal sex? No judgement here, we just want you to have a good time. However, it's worth noting that your back door does not produce natural secretions, so you will need to come prepared and apply lashings of anal lube to the area. Fortunately this brilliant water-based lubricant uses plant cellulose as a thickening agent, so it's extra glossy and luxuriant for derriere adventures. Bend over baby, you're in for a wild night.
Type: Water-based lube
Best for: Anal sex
DeoDoc Intimate Lubricant Drops
DeoDoc Intimate Lubricant Drops
Plagued by yeast infections down there? We have good news for you. This clever lubricant was created by an all-female team of doctors for this exact purpose. It's been designed to work in tandem with your vagina’s delicate pH balance to sidestep candida and combat dryness to boot. It's also FDA-approved and hypoallergenic, so good for your skin too.
Type: Silicone-based lube
Best for: Solo and partnered sex
Momotaro Apotheca Salve
Momotaro Apotheca Salve
This luxurious salve from cult US brand Momotaro Apotheca is not technically lube, but thanks to a fruity mix of natural ingredients including coconut and jojoba oil it will combat vulval dryness and leave your foof feeling delightfully nourished and sex-ready. Apply a pea-sized blob daily to combat yeast infections and pamper your lady garden the way it deserves. Or if your vulva needs a serious moisture boost, the brand does a great Thirst Trap Bundle that includes salves, probiotics and suppositories to keep your undercarriage in tip-top condition.
Type: Vaginal salve
Best for: Self care and solo sex
Bondara Anal Relax Lubricant
We're going to level with you: provided you are relaxed and lubed up anal sex is perfectly safe, but it can still be uncomfortable for all parties involved. To get the best from backdoor pleasure and take the sting out of anal sex, this relaxing lube is the solution to bum fun. It's made using a gentle numbing formula that will help ease a penis or a sex toy into your tight orifice with minimal discomfort, but not so much that you don't still enjoy the ride.
Type: Anal lube
Best for: Solo and partnered sex
LELO Personal Moisturizer
LELO Personal Moisturizer
Self-care is important for so many reasons, not least because it makes you feel good. So if you're in the mood for some me-time, this classic lube from Swedish sex tech pioneers LELO will be just the ticket. It's glycerine and paraben-free and unscented, so it's ideal for sensitive skin. And it's designed to pair with the brand's exquisite sex toys, so squeeze a couple of drops onto a Sila Cruise and enjoy the ride...
Type: Water-based lube
Best for: Solo and partnered sex
YES Oil-Based Organic Lubricant
YES Oil-Based Organic Lubricant
Sex can get sticky, and that's all part of the fun. But if you're in the mood for more of a sensual experience, oil-based lubes tend to feel more luxurious. This deliciously moisturising lube is made from shea butter and almond oil and promises to naturally warm up to your body temperature too.
Type: Oil-based lube
Best for: Partnered sex
Pjur Original Silicone Lubricant
Pjur Original Silicone Lubricant
Hoping for a long night of unadulterated pleasure? This silicone-based lube from Luxembourg sexual wellness brand Pjur is super-concentrated and long-lasting. So, you can use it sparingly and it won't disturb your night of passion, plus it's condom and latex-safe too. Get ready for a long night to remember...
Type: Silicone-based lube
Best for: Partnered sex
Oomf CBD All Natural Water-based Lubricant
Oomf CBD All Natural Water-based Lubricant
CBD is big news in wellness circles, with good reason. Research has found that Cannabidiol aids relaxation and increases sensual pleasure during solo or partnered sexual encounters. So adding a glob of this CBD-infused lube from new UK-based sexual wellness brand Quanna to your sensitive bits at bedtime will benefit you all round.
Type: Water-based lube
Best for: Solo and partnered sex
Woowoo Arousal Boosting Lubricant
Woowoo Arousal Boosting Lubricant
This saucy little lube is packed with natural ingredients including macadamia oil, aloe vera, and Japanese honeysuckle to boost your senses. And if you get carried away, geranium oil will reduce inflammation and irritation. The party starts here.
Type: Water-based lube
Best for: Partnered sex
Fair Squared Lubricant & Massage Gel
Fair Squared Lubricant & Massage Gel
This green tea infused water-soluble lubricant doubles up as a relaxing body massage gel, so you can use it anywhere on your body for a delightfully pliant encounter. It's also designed to maintain your body's natural pH balance, which is good news for candida sufferers.
Type: Hybrid lube
Best for: Solo and partnered sex
Satisfyer Gentle Classic
Satisfyer Gentle Classic
This classic water-based lubricant from German sexual wellness brand Satisfyer is made using an oil and grease-free formula, so it's ideal for friction-free sex. Or if you're flying solo tonight, thanks to its gentle water-based formulation, it works equally well with sex toys too (we recommend the Power Bullet).
Type: Water-based lube
Best for: Solo sex
Natural Lubricant
Natural Lubricant
Eco-warriors need love too! So, if you're looking for a guilt-free lube that doesn't screw the planet, you will approve of this all-natural sex jelly. It's organic, vegan, not tested on animals and made from completely natural ingredients, so whatever naughtiness you get up to tonight, at least you know your lube conscience is clear.
Type: Water-based lube
Best for: Solo and partnered sex
Liquid Silk Water-based sensual lubricant
Liquid Silk Water-based sensual lubricant
If you're in the mood for an extended self-love session, this lovely water-based lube comes in a handy pump bottle, so you can reapply it easily at your leisure! It's also super-smooth and non-tacky, so it will work well with your favourite sex toy – ours is currently the Womanizer Pro40 Clitoral Stimulator, what's yours?
Type: Water-based lube
Best for: Solo sex
Unbound Jelly
Unbound Jelly
Are you ready for this jelly? This 95% organic sex lube is vanilla and lemon flavoured to tantalise all of your senses, plus it's paraben-free and safe to use during pregnancy.
Type: Water-based lube
Best for: Solo and partnered sex
Boots Pleasure lubricant
Boots Pleasure lubricant
It's a little known fact that strawberries are an aphrodisiac, so slide this scented and flavoured lube in/onto your lover for an extrasensory night to remember!
Type: Water-based lube
Best for: Solo and partnered sex
Slip N’ Slide Silky Water-Based Lubricant
Slip N’ Slide Silky Water-Based Lubricant
This delightfully silky lube from sex toy brand Bondara is designed to combat tackiness, so it's ideal for extended sessions with your lover, or just getting to know yourself a little better...
Type: Water-based lube
Best for: Solo and partnered sex
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