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One of the pros of living in the 21st century is how much we’ve opened up about sexuality. That said, this progress doesn’t come without its downsides. With the boom in sexual wellness, shopping personal lubricants can be rather overwhelming. That’s why we talked to two sex experts and asked about their recommendations for the best water-based lubes.
Knowing what you’re looking for and what questions to ask can help you feel a little less anxious when you’re shopping. For instance, how do you know if a lubricant is water-, silicone-, or oil-based? What ingredients should you look for, and which should you avoid? When can’t you use a lubricant internally? The answer to these questions will provide insight that empowers you to make the best decisions for your pleasure and sexual health.
Below, sexuality educator Cindy Luquin, AASECT, and sexologist Carol Queen, PhD, provide their favorite water-based lubes, share what to know about shopping for one, and leave us with final considerations.
Best Water-Based Lubes, According to Experts, at a Glance
Best Overall: Bloomi Smooth Water-Based Personal Lubricant
Best Hydrating: Maude Shine Organic Aloe- and Water-Based Lubricant
Best for Sensitive Skin: Pjur Woman Aqua
Best Wellness: Playground Love Sesh
Best Gel: Smile Makers Generous Gel
Best Antimicrobial: Coconu Water-Based Personal Lubricant
Best on Amazon: #LubeLife Water-Based Lubricant
Best for Vaginal Dryness: Lola Personal Lubricant
Best Flavored: Wicked Simply Passion Fruit
Most Like Body Fluids: Personal Fav Whet
Thickest Consistency: Good Vibes Good Lube Gel Lubricant
Best Organic: Good Clean Love Almost Naked Personal Lubricant
What Is Water-Based Lube Best For?
According to Luquin, you can reach for a water-based lube whenever you’re considering having sex, and not necessarily just partnered or penetrative. The entire point of a lube—water-based or otherwise—is to reduce friction. “This makes it more pleasurable and facilitates sexual experiences,” Luquin adds.
Dr. Queen adds that using a water-based lube is a must when your sexual activities include latex or silicone. You see, oil-based lubes will “eat holes” in latex and damage silicone or latex toys. Plus, “Many users feel that water-based lubes feel more like bodily fluids,” says Dr. Queen. If you’re looking for something that feels natural and is safe for your body, condoms, and toys, water-based lubes are your best bet.
What Ingredients to Look for in Water-Based Lube
“Really the main thing you want is water,” says Dr. Queen. She adds that you also want “a molecule or substance that makes it slippery, and something that acts as a preservative.” Vegan folks or people with sensitive skin might also want to opt for plant-based lubes.
If you’re experiencing vaginal dryness or notice that you’re a little raw post-coitus, Luquin says it’s also a good idea to look for aloe vera in the lube formulations. “Think about when you get a sunburn. You put aloe on it because it’s very cooling and soothing to the skin. It’s kind of the same idea here,” she says.
Even when the ingredients list looks right, it may take some trial and error to figure out which lube works best for you and your partner. Consider things like:
Texture: “You might like it light and slick, or thicker and more cushy,” Dr. Queen says.
Scent and taste: Think about whether you want it to even smell or taste like anything in the first place
Duration: “Water-based lubes dry out eventually,” says Dr. Queen. Check the label on the lube you want before committing. Worst case, Dr. Queen says you can “rehydrate” the lube by flicking some water onto it.
pH balance: “Lubes that are pH-balanced are an especially good idea if you find you have issues with vaginal health. For some, simply throwing off the pH is enough to give you trouble,” says Dr. Queen.
What Ingredients to Avoid in Water-Based Lube
Both Dr. Queen and Luquin agree that there are a handful of ingredients you should avoid at all costs. Luquin, for one, cautions against lubes that contain parabens and alcohol. “You want things that are a little bit more sensitive for that delicate area so you can be healthy overall,” she says.
Dr. Queen adds that you don’t want your lube to contain sugar, especially if you’re going to use it internally. Another thing she notes is that some people might want to avoid glycerin even though not everyone has a bad reaction to it. “It’s one of the agents that can make a lube slick,” says Dr. Queen, but it’s not the only one and, as such, isn’t worth the risk of discomfort.
The 12 Best Water-Based Lubes
BEST OVERALL
Bloomi Smooth Water-Based Personal Lubricant
Luquin’s favorite thing about Bloomi is that the brand is as clean as it gets, meaning that their products are all formulated with the least amount of harmful products. “They really did a great job at making sure that it’s healthier and that it’s going to not throw off your pH balance,” says Luquin. And since it’s water-based, it’s also compatible with most condoms and sex toys.
I’ve used Bloomi for myself and I love that it feels luxurious while having an affordable price point. This lube does its job of keeping you slippery and doesn’t get tacky. Additionally, the brand is founded by a sexologist—which means that it has a sex-positive ethos, and we can certainly get behind that.
Key ingredients: Water, sunflower seed extract, and green tea extract
Size: 3 oz.
Flavored/Scented: No
Pros:
TSA friendly
Affordable and widely available
Doesn’t throw off your pH balance
The brand is founded by a sexologist
Formulated with good-for-you ingredients
Cons:
Only comes in one size
There is no pump dispenser
BEST HYDRATING
Maude Shine Organic Aloe- and Water-Based Lubricant
Maude’s Shine Organic is truly one of the best water-based lubes you’ll ever find. Aside from gliding on ever so smoothly, it helps keep your vulva in good shape. “The nice thing about having an aloe-based lube is that it’s going to be more hydrating,” says Luquin. “It’s going to make sure the skin is still healthy, moist, and lubricated—even after you wipe away.”
We love that this product is available in two, four, and eight ounces and that it’s free of parabens, fragrances, and glycerin. It’s also vegan, cruelty-free, and pH balanced. Unlike products that come in a tube, this bottle’s dispenser makes it easy to get even the very last drop of lube.
Key ingredients: Water, aloe extract
Size: 2, 4, or 8 oz.
Flavored/Scented: No
Pros:
Pump dispenser
Comes in three different sizes
Aloe in formula is very hydrating
Doesn’t throw off your pH balance
Cons:
Not safe for ingestion in large amounts
BEST FOR SENSITIVE SKIN
Pjur Woman Aqua
This earned the Best for Sensitive Skin award because it’s one of the few lubes that’s undergone the rigorous process of dermatological testing. “They’ve actually done the testing to make sure that there’s no irritation to the skin,” says Luquin. “This has proven to be moisturizing and makes it easier and more fun to play around.”
Key ingredients: Water, glycerin
Size: 3.4 oz.
Flavored/Scented: No
Pros:
Hypoallergenic
Dermatologically tested
Lubricates and moisturizes
Cons:
Not widely available in stores
BEST WELLNESS
Playground Love Sesh
In case you didn’t know, Playground is a sexual wellness brand that’s backed by pop superstar Christina Aguilera. “This is almost like a sexual skincare brand and it’s been clinically tested,” says Luquin. “This lube includes adaptogens, which are herbs that enhance pleasure.”
The star ingredients are Ashwagandha, which is fabulous for de-stressing and easing your nervous system; black cohosh, “which decreases vaginal dryness,” says Luquin; and horny goat weed, which is pretty self-explanatory. “I don’t think I’ve seen any other brand include those types of things into a lubricant,” Luquin shares. There are also skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and fermented bamboo extract.
Key ingredients: Ashwagandha, black cohosh, horny goat weed, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and fermented bamboo extract
Size: 3.7 oz.
Flavored/scented: No
Pros:
Plant-based
FDA approved
Fragrance-free
Woman-owned and founded
Formulated with good-for-you herbs and adaptogens
Contains horny goat weed and other natural ingredients
Cons:
Doesn’t have a dispenser
BEST GEL
Smile Makers Generous Gel
Since they’re water-based, most of the lubes we tried had a rather liquidy consistency. However, that can get a little too slippery—making it difficult to stay on hands or body parts. That’s why we love Smile Makers Generous Gel, which is fragrance-free, cruelty-free, vegan, and formulated without parabens.
This lube is silky, sensual, and long-lasting. In fact, one of my former partners dubbed this his favorite lube ( I have more than a dozen) and commented on how slick this stays. Needless to say, this pick remains in my nightstand.
Dipotassium glycyrrhizate and methyl propanediol—the key ingredients here—respectively work to regenerate the skin and maintain that silky feeling.
Key ingredients: Dipotassium glycyrrhizate, methyl propanediol
Size: 1 oz.
Flavored/Scented: No
Pros:
Hydrating
Fragrance-free
Widely available
Thick consistency
Remains silky and doesn’t get sticky
Cons:
Only one small size available
BEST ANTIMICROBIAL
Coconu Water-Based Personal Lubricant
Coconu is one of the best personal lubricant brands around and offers water- and oil-based options, so make sure you’re grabbing the option with the all-white packaging. (The light blue box is oil-based and not what we tested for this article.) As you might’ve guessed from the name, Coconu uses coconut water as its base.
“Fans of drinking coconut water for its nutrients, electrolyte content, and antimicrobial and antioxidant potential may be enthusiastic about trying it in lube form,” says Dr. Queen. Since it’s applied topically, it may not deliver the nutrients or electrolytes in the same way as ingesting it. But it’s still good as an antimicrobial. Plus, “This brand pH-balances their product, too,” Dr. Queen adds.
Key ingredients: Coconut water
Size: 3 oz.
Flavored/Scented: No
Pros:
A little goes a long way
Contains antimicrobial properties
Doesn’t throw off your pH balance
Free of dyes, fragrances, and parabens
Cons:
Doesn’t have a dispenser
BEST ON AMAZON
LubeLife Water-Based Lubricant
Talk about bang for your buck—pun absolutely intended. While most of the lubes on this list are around three ounces, the #LubeLife water-based lube comes in a whopping five different sizes. You can get a 2-, 4-, 8-, 12-, or 32-ounce bottle of this Amazon best seller. Sadly, only the biggest size comes with a dispenser, so you’ll have to squeeze the last drop out of other bottles. We love that this product isn’t formulated with parabens, glycerin, or silicone. If you won’t take our word for it, perhaps you’ll trust the more than 150,000 people who’ve awarded this 4.5 stars.
Key ingredients: Water
Size: 2, 4, 8, 12, or 32 oz.
Flavored/Scented: No
Pros:
Vegan
Affordable
Several size options
Long-lasting and non-sticky
Free of parabens, glycerin, and silicone
Cons:
Only biggest size has a dispenser
BEST FOR VAGINAL DRYNESS
Lola Personal Lubricant
There is a lot to love about this lube, especially that it’s hydrating and moisturizing without containing additives. The formula doesn’t have any synthetic flavors or fragrances, and it’s pH-balanced so as to not cause a reaction in your genital area. I’ve used this lube during my solo love sessions and noticed that it absorbs easily and leaves my vulva and vagina feeling like they just drank the most refreshing glass of water.
Key ingredients: Water
Size: 1.7 oz.
Flavored/Scented: No
Pros:
Hypoallergenic
Gynecologist-approved
One-handed pump dispenser
Very hydrating and moisturizing
Doesn’t throw off your pH balance
Cons:
Only one small size available
BEST FLAVORED
Wicked Simply Passion Fruit
This is Dr. Queen’s favorite flavored lube. “It’s delicious—like, I-would-flavor-my-water-with-it delicious,” she laughs. “Sorbitol and stevia add sweetness, and it’s enhanced with olive leaf extract, which may have an antimicrobial effect.”
There are a couple of things to point out here. For one, Wicked says folks can use this lube internally. “I never recommend flavored lube use in the vagina or anus,” says Dr. Queen. “In my opinion, it should be kept to oral play.” Also, while Dr. Queen thinks that this has a really nice flavor, she points out that some people may find it too sweet.
Key ingredients: Water, olive leaf extract, and stevia
Size: 2.3 and 4 oz.
Flavored/Scented: Flavored
Pros:
Vegan
Great taste
Doesn’t throw off your pH balance
Free of glycerin, parabens, and propylene glycol
Cons:
Shouldn’t be used internally
MOST LIKE BODY FLUIDS
Personal Fav Whet
Though I’ve tried dozens of lubricants, I’d never heard of Personal Fave. In testing it for this article, I was really impressed with how life-like it is. This plant-based sex serum, as Personal Fav branded the product, contains horny goat weed and hemp. It also comes in a chic, matte black bottle with sky blue font on it. It has a single-hand dispenser, which makes it so easy to use, and hydrating aloe to soothe any friction you feel. I used this with a wand vibrator and didn’t notice any damage to it—but I did notice how sultry this lube felt.
Key ingredients: Aloe vera, chamomile, horny goat weed, ginseng, and hemp
Size: 1 oz.
Flavored/Scented: No
Pros:
Plant-based
Chic packaging
Feels really silky
Formulated with skin-loving ingredients
Cons:
Only one small size available
THICKEST CONSISTENCY
Good Vibes Good Lube Gel Lubricant
“Our Good Lube Gel is thicker than most lubricants, and we tested it to be as safe for sensitive individuals as possible,” says Dr. Queen, adding that this pick is also pH-balanced. Because it’s a thicker consistency, you feel more cushion, so to speak. According to Dr. Queen, this water-based lube would work especially well for anal play. This formula doesn’t contain glycerin, flavors, or fragrances, which makes it perfect for those who have sensitivities. One thing about this, though, is that the squeeze top isn’t ideal—especially since this has a thicker consistency. If you have trouble squeezing the product out, take the top off and try that way.
Key ingredients: Water, plant cellulose
Size: 2 and 8.5 oz.
Flavored/Scented: No
Pros:
Two ideal sizes
Thick enough for anal play
Free of glycerin, parabens, and propylene glycol
Cons:
Doesn’t have a dispenser
BEST ORGANIC
Good Clean Love Almost Naked Personal Lubricant
Dr. Queen likes the Good Clean Love Almost Naked water-based lube because it’s “really comfortable to use.” It’s also pH-balanced, organic, non-sticky, good for those with sensitivities, and lightly flavored. Since it does have a slight taste, you might not want to grab this if you’re looking for something more straightforward. This is the best organic pick because it’s 95 percent certified organic ingredients and free of petrochemicals, parabens, glycerin, and artificial fragrances. I tried this for myself and found that it was a bit too sticky for my liking, but there are troves of others who swear by this natural lube.
Key ingredients: Aloe, agar
Size: 4 oz.
Flavored/Scented: Light flavor
Pros:
Vegan
95 percent organic
Feels similar to natural lubrication
Free of glycerin, parabens, and petrochemicals
Cons:
Doesn’t have a dispenser
Final Thoughts
In addition to being aware of the ingredients in a lube, you should also be mindful of whether or not it’s still good. “If you’ve had a bottle of lube sitting there for a while, just smell it before you use it,” says Luquin. “Make sure that there’s no foul scent. If there is, it’s probably expired and you need to go buy a new one.”
Also, whenever you try a new lube, Dr. Queen advises to keep an eye out for any reaction—like itchiness or soreness. “This can happen with a latex sensitivity, too, so figure out what’s going on, if you can, to protect yourself from repeated irritant exposure.”
And in case you couldn’t tell from our tone in this article, using lube—out of necessity or recreationally—is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of.
Before you go, check out our slideshow below: