17 Best Lubricants for Women Who Want to Dive Right In
Sure, a little saliva can get the job done, but when you’re in the mood, the best lubricants for women make everything better—and wetter. The only hitch? Amid a sea of seemingly endless options (’tis the Golden Age of Lube, after all), finding the right one can take even more research than what it takes to secure the best vibrator. In the interest of keeping your search as frictionless as possible, here’s everything you need to know about personal lubricant, plus 17 tried-and-true options that work every time.
What types of lubes are there?
Not all lubes are created equal. Different bases have varying pros and cons for your sexual health, your sheets, and your sex toys, not to mention the inevitable cleanup process. The big three materials are water, silicone, and oil.
Perhaps the most popular variety of personal lubricant, water-based lube is (you guessed it) made primarily with water, plus thickening agents. Most important, Good Vibrations staff sexologist Carol Queen, PhD, previously told Glamour, it’s the only option that works well with most things you might be playing with: skin, silicone sex toys, and latex condoms. It’s also much less likely to stain your clothes or sheets than other materials, and it’s easy to rinse off in water. The downside, though, is that water-based formulas tend to dry out and become tacky more quickly than other formulas, meaning you might have to reapply a few times before you climax.
Silicone-based lubricant is generally safe to use vaginally, anally, and orally; research on these options, according to a 2022 meta-analysis, has shown only that they make sex more pleasurable. Most formulas are noticeably silkier and longer-lasting than their water-based counterparts, making them ideal for combatting vaginal dryness or enjoying anal sex. Silicone is also great for shower sex, since it doesn’t wash off with water alone, Justin Lehmiller, PhD, a research fellow at the Kinsey Institute, told Glamour previously. Plenty of brands promise that their silicone lube won’t stain sheets, but it’s possible you’ll have to do some scrubbing. You shouldn’t use silicone-based lube with silicone sex toys, since the material might start to degrade over time, Queen said previously.
Finally, oil-based lubricant is another long-lasting option with many of the same benefits of silicone. It’s fine to use with silicone sex toys, as long as you thoroughly wash your G-spot vibrators and suction toys after use. Plenty of thicker oil-based options are available, and they’re great for foreplay and massage. However, oil should never be used with latex condoms, Queen previously warned; it could cause the material to break down, leading the condom to break.
On top of their material, tons of lubes market themselves with unique flavors, scents, and sensations; take a look at the options on Amazon and you’ll see a huge variety. Some are hypoallergenic for people with sensitive skin; some are numbing to make anal play more comfortable; some have ingredients that deliver a warming effect. You can go with anything that floats your boat—just read the ingredients lists and avoid glycerin if you’re prone to yeast infections, as the ingredient has been linked to the condition.
Picking a final option can be overwhelming, to say the least. But whether you want to add a little slip ’n’ slide action to your kinky sex life, make solo play even more fun, or just find a bottle that you won’t be ashamed to keep on your nightstand, there’s a great lube out there just waiting for you. These are the absolute best lubricants for women, based on reviews from their biggest fans.
Our top picks
- Best Overall Lube: Lelo Personal Moisturizer, $21
- Best Water-Based Lube: Maude Shine Organic, $25
- Best Silicone-Based Lube: Überlube, $20
- Best Oil-Based Lube: Woo More Play Coconut Love Oil, $25
- Best Aloe Lube: Dame Aloe Lube, $18
- Best Value Lube: #LubeLife Water-Based Lubricant, $10
All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
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Best Overall Lube: Lelo Personal Moisturizer
Key features: You might already be familiar with (if not a superfan of) Lelo’s sex toys, but you shouldn’t sleep on its lube. The glycerin-, fragrance-, and paraben-free formula moisturizes skin with natural ingredients like aloe, making it gentle enough even for sensitive types. And since it’s water-based, you can use it with latex condoms and vibrators.
What customers say: “It utterly surpassed all my expectations and really added to the experience. It feels totally natural—silky, not at all gunky, and it lives up to the claim of being scent-free. Best of all, my skin still feels great—no itching, dryness, or any other problems us folk with sensitive skin can suffer at the drop of a hat.” —Kim, Lelo customerSave when you shop for the best lubricants for women with these Lelo promo codes.
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Best Water-Based Lube: Maude Shine Organic
Key features: An aloe-vera-infused option from women-led sex toy company Maude, this long-lasting lube is glycerin-, paraben-, and fragrance-free—just right for anyone with a vulva. The hydrating plant-based formula is safe to use when trying to conceive (and also fine to leave out on your nightstand without raising any eyebrows). And better yet, the pump-top container dispenses just the right amount of lubricant without the mess of a squeeze bottle.
What customers say: “This is my holy grail lube. It’s not too sticky, not too thick, and doesn’t leave an icky feeling afterward. Plus it has NO SMELL, which a lot of other natural lubricants do (even if they say they don’t). The pump is super easy to use when you're getting it on and want to grab some quick. Plus, I leave it on my nightstand all the time; it looks just like a fancy moisturizer.” —Sarah, Maude customer
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Best Silicone-Based Lube: Überlube
Key features: Some lubes require a ton of towels to clean up—but not this one, which includes nonstaining silicone and moisturizing vitamin E. Überlube is designed to heighten sensation while reducing friction, instead of just getting everything slippery, and it’s great for glass dildos, anal play, and shower sex too.
What customers say: “Überlube is everything it promises to be: It is colorless, odorless, tasteless, temperature neutral—and will last as long as you do. There is no residue—no feeling of having something there that needs to be washed off. It far exceeds anything else we have ever tried—so much so that we are confident that we could not possibly find anything better.” —William, Amazon customer
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Best Oil-Based Lube: Woo More Play Coconut Love Oil
Key features: Woo’s luxe, coconut oil-based formula is a two-for-one deal: First, it’s a silky-smooth massage oil that gently nourishes skin. And when you’re ready to move from foreplay to the main event, it becomes a slick lubricant that only heightens your pleasure. It’s pricier than some of the other lubes on this list, but with plenty of reviews to back it up, it's worth it.
What customers say: “I never really thought this was a product I needed; how wrong I was. Woo makes everything better. I’m obsessed.” —Pola, Anthropologie customer - Courtesy of brand5/17
Best Aloe Lube: Dame Aloe Lube
Key features: If you’re into natural lubricants, this one (previously known as Alu) is your best bet: It was designed to match your vagina’s natural pH balance, and it’s free of glycerin, sugars, and parabens. Plus, its nightstand-friendly packaging doesn’t scream “This is personal lube!” And we especially love its silicone koozie, which keeps the bottle from slipping out of your hands in the heat of the moment.
What customers say: “My partner and I use this around my period, and it really helps to keep me comfortable! And apparently the consistency helps him feel much more when he’s in there. The packaging makes it easy to keep on our bedside table at all times, and I can always trust the ingredients from this company won’t irritate me.” —Malindi, Dame customer
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Best Value Lube: #LubeLife Water-Based Lubricant
Key features: This Amazon bestseller is one of the mega-retailer’s most popular sex lubes, and it’s easy to see why. Each generously sized bottle comes in at less than $9, and the lubricant itself provides the right amount of slip for toys, fingers, and partners without taking away any sensation. And beyond the water-based original, you can also opt for cooling and warming formulas, two-in-one massage oil, and toy-optimized lube. (You can even pick up a literal barrel of the stuff for just shy of $1,000, should you so desire.)
What customers say: “My husband and I tried it the night that we got it. We have a 1- and 2-year-old, so most nights there’s not time for foreplay, and we have to get creative while still being intimate. I have to say, I really love this stuff. Other lubes that we’ve tried have felt sticky and really unpleasant. Not only is it not sticky, but there isn’t a gross taste either, if you get what I’m saying.” —Antonia, Amazon customer
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Best Warming Lube: Unbound Jolt Gel
Key features: When regular-schmegular lube isn’t revving your engine like you need, break out this stimulating gel from beloved sex toy brand Unbound. It’s packed with botanicals that’ll give you a pleasant tingling warmth (without tipping into burning or stinging) wherever you apply it, making your orgasm all the more intense. And because it’s water-based, it’s a good companion for using with both toys and partners.
What customers say: “This gives that special time the perfect level of spice—kicks it up a notch for both of us. Couldn’t be more pleased. It really is just a ‘jolt,’ a little kickstart, and wears off fairly soon, so it doesn’t become distracting or unpleasant at all!” —Cerys, Unbound customer
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Best Hypoallergenic Lube: Shibari Personal Lubricant
Key features: Nothing puts a damper on a night of fun quite like a morning of washing stained sheets, but you don’t have to worry about that with Shibari’s lube. This nonstaining formula is ideal for people with sensitive vaginas, since it’s hypoallergenic and free of perfumes and preservatives. And because it’s water-based, it’s compatible with sex toys for men and condoms.
What customers say: “This is a good and reasonably priced water-based lubricant. If you’re not satisfied with what you have tried before, give this a whirl. Pros: Clean, clear, light feeling; lubes nicely with a greasy feel; taste and smell are pleasant and very mild; lasts as long as any water-based lube I have tested; can be used for massage, masturbation or penetration—one product for all; easy to apply and spread; and safe for all toys.” —Dutton, Amazon customer
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Best Lube for Sex: Sliquid Silver
Key features: If your choice of lube has left you drier (and stickier) than you were before you applied it, try Sliquid. It’s a long-lasting, silicone-based lube that’s perfect for sex of any kind. And since it’s not oil-based, it’s also safe to use with condoms.
What customers say: “Very nice personal lubricant. Lasts a long time. Doesn’t stain. Leaves skin soft and nourished.” —Michael, Amazon customer - Courtesy of brand10/17
Best Lube for Masturbation: #LubeLife Water-Based Gel Lubricant
Key features: Another #LubeLife gem, this newly released gel is a thicker version of the brand’s aforementioned lube. Water-based formulas work with sex toys of all stripes, and this one is an especially great lube for masturbation because it’s thick enough for both vaginal and oral play and won’t dry out in minutes. And when you’re done, it’s super easy to rinse off.
What customers say: “I like the gel because it’s not runny or oily-feeling. Beware: You will be slipping and sliding with this, and it lasted a long time!” —Jessica, Amazon customer
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Best Anal Lube: Hello Cake Tush Cush
Key features: Combining the best of water-based and silicone-based options, this anal lube is designed specifically for backdoor play. It’s got just the right consistency for anal sex—neither too thin nor too thick—and it’ll last forever without taking away too much friction, compromising latex condoms, or staining your sheets. And unlike so many other rear-end formulas, it doesn’t contain any desensitizers.
What customers say: “This stuff has to be black magic. … We are both incredibly happy with how amazingly this lube outperforms every other lube. We’ve recommended it to everyone we know. If you are looking for anal lube, this is without a doubt the only option. Completely transformed anal for both of us. Buy it.” —J. Guy, Amazon customer - Courtesy of brand12/17
Best Natural Lube: Good Clean Love Almost Naked
Key features: Vegan, cruelty-free, and formulated without proplylene glycol, parabens, or synthetic fragrances, Good Clean Love’s aloe-based lube is about the most natural, sensitive-skin-friendly option you’ll find anywhere. It’s packed with 95% organic ingredients, so you don’t have to compromise your values to get slick. Plus, it’s pH-balanced for more comfortable sex, and it’s got a slightly sweet taste that’s great for oral sex.
What customers say: “I'm prone to UTIs, so this oil-free product is a must in our bedroom. It provides just enough lubrication without being messy. If it gets on your hands and sheets and clothes, it’s no big deal since it’s oil-free. Try it. It will increase your pleasure in the bedroom, women.” —ETG, Amazon customer
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Best Long-Lasting Lube: Gun Oil
Key features: Yes, the packaging is a little aggressive, but Gun Oil is actually a gentle silicone lubricant. The hypoallergenic formula (complete with vitamin E for added moisture) is slippery and latex-condom-friendly, although you shouldn’t use it with any silicone toys. The best part? This lube is so concentrated and long-lasting that you can use it during marathon bedroom sessions, shower sex, and backdoor encounters without worrying about it drying out.
What customers say: “It’s very silky, easily washes with soap and water, lasts a long time, has no odor ... in short, it’s perfect. Leaves the skin nice and smooth, thanks to the inclusion of aloe and vitamin E in the formula. This is splendid for all forms of sexual play, even anal. I can’t say enough good things about Gun Oil.” —Uncle Squinty, Amazon customer - Courtesy of brand14/17
Best Nonsticky Lube: Astroglide Water-Based Liquid
Key features: Time-honored favorite Astroglide is a long-lasting, water-based lube that has just four ingredients. It washes off clean with water, doubles as a vaginal moisturizer, and minimizes irritation, making for an all-around comfortable experience. No surprise there, since it was invented by a rocket scientist looking to create a super-slick lubricant.
What customers say: “This is simply perfect. Has the BEST natural feel to it. Feels just like a woman’s natural production. I was worried about the reviews that said it got tacky and I didn’t experience that at all during sex. It lasted the entire duration, kept a very comfortable slip the entire time, and then rinsed clean afterward without any weird residue. Will update if any reactions pop up since I’m prone to sensitivity but so far, I adore this stuff and will stock up.” —Toast, Amazon customer
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Best Flavored Lube: Aloe Cadabra Piña Colada Personal Lubricant
Key features: In the market for a clean, super-hydrating lubricant that also happens to taste delicious? Meet this piña-colada-flavored option. With a thicker consistency than other options, Aloe Cadabra’s water-based formula ensures that sex (especially oral) will taste just as good as it feels.
What customers say: “The older I get, the more important it is to me that the lubricant be as natural and organic as possible, without causing UTIs. (I’m 60, a post-menopausal female). This was by far the best lube I have ever used. It comes out of the tube at normal body temperature—it is NEVER ice-cold. It is super slippery, and lasts a long time. It doesn’t become sticky. I have the non-scented kind, which is indeed completely unscented. And it feels 100% like what my own body creates on its own—just gives me lots more of it.” —Marilyn, Amazon customer - Courtesy of brand16/17
Best Scented Lube: Playground After Hours
Key features: When you’re ready to add a whole new layer of pleasure to sex, reach for this scented, water-based lube. The subtle musk and oud fragrance is just present enough to drive your senses wild. Plus, the pH-balanced formula comes complete with vitamin E and hyaluronic acid, two ingredients that’ll keep you moisturized long after playtime is over.
What customers say: “This is a game changer! Playground has such a natural feel and is really comfortable, without that sticky and tacky feel. … After Hours is so sexy and sensual! I love the personal confidence the fragrance gives me, knowing it will create a pleasant experience for me personally or the person I’m with.” —Stephanie, Playground customer - Courtesy of brand17/17
Best Moisturizing Lube: Stripes Oh My Glide
Key features: This beautifully packaged lubricant from Naomi Watts’s menopause-focused brand Stripes is formulated specifically to alleviate vaginal dryness. The formula features squalene, bisabolol, and coconut and avocado oils to rebuild your body’s moisture without causing irritation.
What customers say: “I was skeptical at first because other lubricants have helped a bit, but not enough to eliminate some physical pain I’d started to experience since hitting menopause. Not so with Oh My Glide—this instantly felt soft, moisturizing, and so smooth that there was not so much as a wince of discomfort on my part. I’m an instant convert.” —Lady V, Stripes customer
