Anal lubes are typically a water-based lube with a small amount of silicone-based lube blended into it. This gives it the longevity of a silicone lube, without the high price tag associated with them. Hybrid lubes are usually safe to use with silicone toys because the percentage of silicone in the formula is so low, but if you’re worried about it, you can always do a “spot test” by applying some of the lube to the base of your silicone toy and leaving it on for a few minutes to see if it changes the texture of the toy.

Oil-based lube can work well for anal, because it lasts a long time and has a luxurious, smooth feel to it. It can even double as massage oil. However, it has one key flaw that’ll be relevant if you’re engaging in safer sex: “If you are using condoms, oil-based lubes should not be used, because the oil can cause the condom to rip or tear,” Bezalel says, due to how oil weakens latex.

What’s the best type of lube for anal sex?

For most people, silicone is the way to go. “Silicone-based lube is thicker and lasts longer, so I’d recommend a silicone-based lube for anal play and anal sex,” Bezalel says.

However, if you’re using silicone toys, you might prefer a water-based lube so there’ll be no risk of damaging them. Water-based lubes are also easier to wash off and won’t stain your sheets. Go with a thicker, gel-like formula, as these last longer before needing to be reapplied.

If you’re not using condoms or other safer-sex barriers made of latex or polyisoprene, an oil-based lube is a fine choice as well.

An important safety note: When shopping for anal lubes, make sure you never get one that contains a numbing agent like lidocaine or benzocaine. These are often marketed as being helpful for anal sex because they reduce or eliminate any pain or discomfort you might feel during penetration, but those sensations are crucial warning signs from your body that something is wrong and that an injury might be imminent. Not to mention, presumably you want anal play to feel pleasurable, and obviously you can’t feel pleasure if the whole area has been numbed out!

Now that you’ve got the low-down on lube, here are some of the best ones on the market for anal play.

The Best Water-Based Lubes for Anal Sex

Like all Sliquid products, this lube is specifically formulated to be hypoallergenic and non-irritating. It’s also unusually thick and long-lasting for a water-based lube. Containing just five ingredients, this lube is unscented, tasteless, and well-rated online. “This is the one to buy if you are doing anal consistently, but is great for other uses,” one Amazon reviewer wrote.

This is my personal tried-and-true favorite, not just for anal play but for any kind of penetration. It’s got a luxuriously thick glide to it and almost feels more like a hybrid or silicone lube because of how slippery and long-lasting it is. It also contains some aphrodisiac ingredients, like horny goat weed and ginseng root; I don’t know for sure whether these actually do anything, but regardless, this lube is wonderful.

LubeLife Water-Based Gel Lubricant

If you want a good lube at a great price, this one’s worth considering. It’s got a thick, gel-like consistency that outlasts thinner water-based lubes, and its smell and taste are minimal. “This is hands-down the best lube I have ever used,” an Amazon reviewer wrote. It’s best for anal rather than vaginal sex, because it contains glycerin, which has been known to cause vaginal irritation and infections.

The Best Hybrid Anal Lubes

A blend of silicone-based and water-based lubes, this formula is truly the “best of both worlds.” It’s got a creamy, cushiony texture that makes it ideal for anal sex, and will last longer than a solely water-based lube. Because it contains only about 12% silicone, it’s generally safe to use on silicone toys as well. “This is excellent. Last waaaaayyyyyyy longer than regular lube,” an Amazon reviewer wrote.

It’s hard not to love a lube with a name as ballsy as Fuck Water, and this one is worthy of its great moniker. While its label says “water-based,” it’s actually a hybrid lube, containing a small amount of silicone that makes it creamier and longer-lasting. Incidentally, its whitish hue makes it look a bit semen-esque at a glance, which could be hot if you’re into that.

The Best Silicone-Based Lubes for Anal Sex

“I would highly recommend Uberlube for anal play and anal sex because it has simple, body- and condom-friendly ingredients, is scent- and color-free, dissipates when no longer needed (so there’s no sticky residue) and is recommended by leading doctors,” Bezalel says. Since its only ingredients are silicones and skin-nourishing vitamin E, it leaves your skin feeling better than it did before, even in intimate areas. The bottle’s pump top is also super convenient, since it allows you to reapply one-handed if you need to. Just make sure not to use this lube on silicone toys, as it could damage them.

This lube was designed specifically for anal sex. It’s silicone-based, so it’s got a long-lasting, smooth glide, and it also contains jojoba extract, a moisturizing and soothing ingredient that some users say is helpful for sphincter muscle relaxation. “A little goes a long way, just a few drops,” one Amazon reviewer wrote. “This really helped my fiancée take all of me in her rear comfortably and I was able to really take her to pound town, which was rarely possible with what we had been using before, so the relaxing effect really works.”

The Best Oil-Based Lubes for Anal Sex 

Southern Butter Body Butter

Unusually for a lube, this one comes in a little pot, and is solid at room temperature because coconut oil is its main ingredient. It quickly warms up as you spread it onto your skin, though, and becomes a fabulously moisturizing lube that works well for anal as long as you’re not using condoms (oil breaks down latex).

Fully organic and hypoallergenic, this oil-based lube lasts a long time and moisturizes your skin with coconut oil, sunflower seed oil, beeswax, shea butter, and more. Like all oil-based lubes, it’s not safe to use with condoms, but it makes up for that by doubling as a lovely massage oil!

 

Can You Use Olive Oil During Sex? 5 Things To Know About Lube

Lube makes sex more comfortable. Do you know your lubrication facts? (Illustration: Sara Pinsonault for Yahoo)

Fun fact: K-Y Jelly, one of the most popular lubricant brands on the market, was created in 1904 and used not for sex, but as a surgical aid. When people did catch on that this jelly could be used in sex, it was sold in pharmacies — by prescription only. That changed in 1980, and since then, tons of other brands of lubricant have flooded the market.

Many people having sex (including solo sex) know that lube is a must-have in their pleasure tool kit. Lube can make sex less likely to cause uncomfortable friction, which can result in pain or injury. After all, people with vaginas don’t always make enough natural lubrication, even when they are turned on. For those having anal sex, lubricant is vital as the anus does not make its own natural lubrication.

“A myth surrounding lube is that people only use lube when something is not quite working correctly,” says Dr. Laura Purdy, chief medical officer at Wisp. “This couldn’t be further from the truth. Many people use lube to make things feel more natural, and lube can be your best friend during sex.”

Yet while lube may be something you think about when it comes to sex, you may not know everything about this important product. Here are five facts everyone should know about lube.

You should use lube with condoms and sex toys — but make sure it’s the right lube

Not all lubes are created equal. According to women’s health expert Dr. Jennifer Wider, “oil-based lubricants can destroy the integrity of latex condoms.” That includes anything with oil in it, such as lotion or petroleum jelly. Fortunately, water-based or silicone lube is perfectly fine to use with condoms — which is important since condoms are the only contraceptive that helps protect against both sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy.

It’s also a good idea to use lube while playing with sex toys, says Wider, as it “helps lower friction.” However, you want to check what your toys are made of prior to lubing up. (Let’s be real: Good sex toys don’t exactly come cheap.)

For example, you shouldn’t use silicone-based lube with silicone sex toys, explains Purdy, because “silicone dissolves silicone so silicone-based lubes will ruin your toys.” Water-based lubes are also very popular, she says, “because they work with condoms and sex toys and are mess-free.”

You can find lube in your kitchen — but be cautious.

Another fun fact: Before lube hit the market, people often used Crisco, olive oil or Vaseline in its place, notes Wider. Though plenty of lubes are available now, Purdy says, it’s still possible to use natural oils such as coconut and olive oil instead.

However, keep in mind that these oils can damage condoms, and there is some evidence that suggests using oil-based lubricants may be more difficult for one’s vagina to clean out naturally, disrupting pH balance and possibly leading to an infection (not to mention potentially staining your sheets).

“Natural oils should not be used as a lubricant if you are prone to vaginal infections, including yeast infections,” explains Dr. Brian Levine, a reproductive endocrinologist and founding partner and practice director of CCRM Fertility of New York. “The exact reason why some individuals are more susceptible to infections remains unclear, but it is important to take precautions if you fall into this category.”

It’s also important to ensure that you do not have any skin irritation issues with your chosen natural lube.

“If you really want to use an organic product such as coconut or olive oil, you should do a patch test somewhere on your skin, such as your forearm, to ensure the product does not cause irritation, itching or any other type of reaction,” suggests Purdy.

You can use lube while trying to conceive

Purdy says that the use of lube doesn’t have an impact on one’s ability to conceive. However, it is possible for some lubricants — including just saliva — to slow down sperm movement, according to the Mayo Clinic. One way to avoid this is to use lube that is hydroxyethyl cellulose-based, which is the most similar in consistency and viscosity to natural vaginal mucus. You can also use lubes labeled “fertility-friendly” or “sperm-friendly,” which have been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

“These lubricants must undergo extensive testing to ensure their safety for sperm, eggs and embryos in order to obtain FDA clearance,” notes Levine. “Furthermore, the manufacturer of a fertility lubricant is obligated to test each batch of their product to confirm that it does not compromise sperm motility, survival or integrity.”

It’s important to note that some lubes contain spermicide, which is intended as a defense against pregnancy. These lubricants are specifically marketed for this purpose, however.

Lube doesn’t last forever

That old bottle of lube in your drawer may need refreshing, says Wider, who notes that lube “can and does expire,” so make sure to check the date on your bottle.

“It is not as effective if expired and could possibly cause irritation,” she explains.

This is especially important if you are using lubricant that has antisperm properties. Nonoxynol-9 and other kinds of spermicide would be less potent after an expiration date, which could lead to unwanted pregnancy.

Lube also has some unusual uses outside the bedroom

“Lube’s purpose is to make things more slippery and have less friction, so there are some unconventional uses for lube as well,” says Purdy. “I’ve heard of people using it to loosen rings off their fingers or loosen a tight doorknob. I’ve also heard some people use lube to prevent chafing or blistering, such as when running for long distances or breaking in new shoes.”

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