Some water based lubes are a great answer for everyday vaginal dryness, others work wonders when applied topically, and others will work best during sex. However many do not offer all of the benefits that you want in a lube; forcing you to find a different water based lube for different situations. Let’s have a look at the qualities of water based lubes, then we will review the seven best water based lubes on the market today.
Ultimate Guide to the Best Water Based Lubes
| Name | Type | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Type | Price | |
Nooky Lube | Water Based | $$ | Click here to see prices on Amazon.com |
Passion Lubes | Water Based | $$ | Click here to see prices on Amazon.com |
Astroglide | Water Based | $$ | Click here to see prices on Amazon.com |
Pink Water | Water Based | $$ | Click here to see prices on Amazon.com |
Liquid Silk | Water Based | $$ | Click here to see prices on Amazon.com |
I-D Glide | Water Based | $$ | Click here to see prices on Amazon.com |
Ocean Sensuals The Natural Personal Lubricant | Water Based | $$ | Click here to see prices on Amazon.com |
Characteristics of water based lubricants
Water based lubes are more compatible with your bodies natural environment. The tissue in and around your vagina and anus can readily absorb the base ingredients, usually without causing irritation or leading to a yeast infection. Water based lubes can be used with any toy and latex condoms. On the downside, water based lubes are absorbed by the body quickly enough that reapplication every five to ten minutes is common. In order to insure that you are using the best water based lube, you need to look for one that is:
- glycerin free
- does not contain sugar
- does not have a bitter flavor
- pigment free
- and does not feel ”gummy” during and after use
You will find that even the best water based lubricant may fail in one area or another. To help you find one that meets the majority of the criteria listed above, here are reviews of six of the top water based lubes available.
Review of the best water based lubricants
Passion Lubes
Passion Lubes hits on nearly every criteria mentioned above. It is glycerin and pigment free, so it will not stain your fabrics. It does not contain any type of sugar or chemicals that are known to promote yeast infections. Those qualifications alone are enough to make Passion Lubes a candidate for the best water based lube for sex: vaginal or anal.
Passion Lubes does have a few drawbacks to consider. There is a definite bitter taste to the lube and it can feel gummy after sex. The gummy feeling increases with multiple applications during the same encounter.
Astroglide
Astroglide and K-Y dominate the personal lubricant industry. Astroglide has been helping couples have more satisfying sex since 1977. That is nearly four decades of slippery fun! While, length of production does not necessarily make it the best lube, many of its qualities do. Astroglide does not contain sugars or petroleum, yet it lasts longer than many of the other water based lubes available. It is easy to clean up and defies the gummy feeling that you can get with other lubes.
Where Astroglide stumbles is that it contains glycerin, which has been linked to the promotion of yeast infections. To combat that, the product is slightly acidic. Astroglide has also introduced a new product that uses xylitol instead of glycerin. The new product is in a green bottle so it can be easily recognized.
Nooky Lube
Nooky Lube makes its case as one of the best water based lubricants because it is does not contain petrochemicals, glycerin, parabens, or sugars: effectively eliminating everything known to promote the growth of yeast. On top of that, the lube is tasteless. Add the handy no-mess pump and you have a great all around lube for toys or with a partner.
On the downside, this lube drys quickly. While that is a common issue with water based lubes, Nooky Lube tends to dry more quickly than you may anticipate.
Pink Water
Pink Water offers some great perks: it is glycerin and pigment free, so it will never stain your fabrics and is not known to promote the growth of yeast. Perhaps the biggest advantage Pink Water offers, and why it made our list, is that it is fortified with Aloe Vera. Who doesn’t want the greatest protection possible for their most sensitive areas?
The biggest issue with Pink Water is that as it drys, the Aloe can leave a gummy residue, leaving you feeling unclean after sex. That is not much of an issue when you are at home and can quickly get to some warm water and soap, but if you are trysting in an adventurous location, it can be another story.
Liquid Silk
Liquid Silk…the name says it all. This product is known for its intense slippery wetness and drying slowly. It is glycerin and pigment free. Liquid Silk is frequently recommended by doctors as a remedy for vaginal dryness to breastfeeding mothers and post-menopausal women, so you can rest assured that it is one of the best water based lubes on the market.
Liquid Silk does have one of the worst tastes imaginable. It is so bitter that no one in their right mind would want it anywhere near their mouth. If you want to indulge in oral sex, you may want to find a flavored topical lube, then switch to Liquid Silk for intercourse. Flavored topical lubes usually contain sugar, so use them on your nipples and clitoris only.
I-D Glide
I-D Glide is a versatile lube. It can be used for toys, foreplay, as well as during sex, making it a candidate for best water based lube. It offers a medium consistency: some where between the consistency of Astroglide and that of a silicone based lube, making it best suited for toys and anal intercourse. The consistency allows it to offer a long lasting silky lubrication for uninterrupted play.
On the downside, I-D contains glycerin and parabens. The glycerin is part of the reason that I-D is able to provide such a long lasting lubrication with just one application. Glycerin is know to promote the growth of yeast, so women who are susceptible to yeast infections may want to avoid this product. Also, if you have sensitivity issues, the parabens may cause skin irritation. Both of these issues make this a better lube for anal play than vaginal.
