There are many reasons to consider a personal lubricant. Vaginal dryness due to hormonal changes or breastfeeding and a need for lubrication during anal sex are the most common. Given the number of products and options available, finding the best personal lubricant can be very difficult. With so much confusion surrounding personal lubricants, why should you bother?
According to Debby Herbenick, PhD, the author of Because It Feels Good: A Woman’s Guide to Sexual Pleasure and Satisfaction, ”We found in our research that lubricants were associated with more pleasurable and satisfying masturbation and intercourse as compared to sex without lubricant.” Who doesn’t want to have the most pleasure and satisfaction possible from each encounter? To clear some of the confusion and help you find the best personal lubricant for your needs, we are going to outline the three major type of lubricants, then five of the top products available.
Ultimate Guide to the Best Personal Lubricant
| Name | Type | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Type | Price | |
K-Y UltraGel | Water Based | $$ | Click here to see prices on Amazon.com |
Wet Original Lubricant | Water Based | $$ | Click here to see prices on Amazon.com |
Nooky Lube | Water Based | $$ | Click here to see prices on Amazon.com |
Astroglide Personal Lubricant | Water Based | $$ | Click here to see prices on Amazon.com |
Carrageenan All Natural | Water Based | $$ | Click here to see prices on Amazon.com |
The Different Types of Personal Lubricant
Water based lubricants are easily absorbed by your body, so they are less apt to cause skin irritation. The majority of them avoid petrochemicals, parabens, and glycerin, which are all known to promote the growth of yeast. Additionally, water based lubes can be used with sex toys and most condoms. They can not be used in a wet environment like a hot tub or in the shower.
Silicone based lubes provide a long lasting slipperiness than can not be topped by the other classes of lubricant. The base material is not readily absorbed by your body, so one application is usually all you need during a single encounter. Silicone will degrade most toys and it should never be used with latex condoms. It is more difficult to clean up than water based lubes.
Oil based lubes often use natural oils to provide the moisture and glide they are known for. Many of these oils are not readily absorbed by your body and oil based lubes are often thicker than either of the other two lube bases. That can make them hard to clean up, leaving you with a ”gummy” feeling after sex.
Review of our Best Personal Lubricant
K-Y UltraGel
K-Y brand products are universally recognized. K-Y is the brand most often recommend by physicians to treat vaginal dryness and chafing during sex. This is a water based lube, so it can be used with condoms or on toys. It does not contain glycerin or parabens, so it will not stain your fabrics and should not irritate your skin. It also has the added advantage of being available at most pharmacies and department stores for your convenience.
Being water based, K-Y UltraGel is going to be absorbed by your body, requiring reapplication during most encounters or while masturbating. This is a bit frustrating, but is offset by the low incidence of yeast infections and ready availability.
Wet Original Lubricant
Wet is perhaps as well known as K-Y. It has a wider following among women who have more experience with lubes, because it provide a superior glide compared to other water based lubes. It is also longer lasting than K-Y UltraGel. It is toy and condom compatible. All of these qualities make it a very versatile lube for all day play.
On the downside, the superior glide is provided by a small amount of glycerin. Women who are not susceptible to yeast infections or prefer anal play, yet prefer a water based lube, may find this to be the best personal lubricant for them.
Nooky Lube
Nooky Lube is perhaps the most body-friendly water based lube on the market today. It does not contain any type of petrochemical, glycerin, parabens, or sugar, effectively eliminating the threat of a yeast infection related to your lube choice. Nooky Lube also has the added benefit of being tasteless, so oral sex is not off the table just because you have applied your lubricant.
As with all water based lubricants, Nooky Lube is going to be absorbed by your body. Even with that in mind, you may be surprised by how quickly this lube needs to be reapplied. Users frequently find that it needs to be applied more often that other water based lubes they have used.
Astroglide Personal Lubricant
As with K-Y, Astroglide is synonymous with sex and lubrication. It is readily available in the personal health section of many retail outlets. Many people think that Astroglide is a superior product when compared to K-Y because it offers a slipperier, longer lasting lubrication. Astroglide is a great anal lube, especially if you are looking for easy clean up.
Unfortunately, the superior lubrication from Astroglide is provided by glycerin. The company has counteracted that by making the formula somewhat acidic to discourage the proliferation of yeast and by offering a second product. Instead of the distinctive purple bottle, the glycerin-free version is marketed in a green bottle. By using xylitol instead of glycerin, it reduces the propagation of yeast.
The Natural
The Natural is a water based lubricant that adds carrageenan for added lubrication so that it will not harm vaginal tissue. It actually leaves a moisturizing ”film” where ever it is applied. This is an all natural product that is odorless, colorless, and tasteless. It is easy to clean up, does not stain, and can be used with toys and condoms, while alone or with a partner. You may want to apply it internally and on his penis to ensure that you do not have to reapply during intercourse, especially if you are using condoms. The handy pump helps you do avoid the spills that can occur with flip-top caps. The company that manufactures The Natural offers a money-back guarantee, something that is almost unheard of in the sex industry.
While this product sounds perfect, its major drawback was hinted at. It drys quickly, so needs to be reapplied quite frequently. That is why you may want to apply it internally and put some directly on him or your toy. Still, this may be the best personal lubricant for women with very sensitive skin.