Top 3 Water-Based Lubricants 2023
Choosing a high-quality personal lubricant can be tricky, because there are so many sex lubes to shop for! Choosing the best lube for your lifestyle can make or break your experience, whether you’re using lube for masturbation or with your partner during foreplay or intercourse. From arousal lubes to flavored lubes, there is a lubricant formula for every body.
Water-based lubes are a popular choice for many people because they are generally considered to be more body-safe and hygienic, and less likely to cause skin irritation. Another primary reason that people choose water-based lubes is because they are compatible with all sex toys! Meaning there is no guessing when it comes to sex toy safety, or longevity. You will get the most time out of your sex toys with water-based lube.
Where to start? This lubricant guide breaks down the differences between water-based and silicone lube, and features our top 3 picks for best water-based lubes.
Water Based V. Silicone Based Lube
Water-Based Lubricants
Many water-based lubes also tend to have fewer harsh ingredients compared to other lubes, making natural water-based lubricants suitable for those who are looking for a skin-safe option. (Make sure to shop for lubes without parabens, glycerin, and other additives. Always read the label!) Water-based lubricants are also often seen as more environmentally-friendly than their silicone and petroleum-based counterparts due to their lack of synthetic ingredients.
Compatible with: all sex toy materials
Silicone Lubricants
Silicone-based lubricants are designed for more long-lasting pleasure during sexual activity by providing increased friction, slip resistance, and by helping to prevent skin dryness. Because silicone-based lubes don’t contain water, they are pH-neutral and won’t interfere with the vaginal pH. Silicone lube comes in a variety of flavors and textures that can be used alone, or combined for an even more intense experience. Silicone does not break down like water-based or oil-based lubricants, so they require less re-application. Many people prefer silicone lube for anal sex because it provides a thicker texture that adds a light “cushion” for penetration. Always remember that silicone lube can degrade the quality and longevity of sex toys over time. One thing to keep in mind when you use silicone lube is that they are best paired with hard sex toy materials.
Compatible with: glass, stainless steel, wood, plastic, ceramic
How to read a personal lubricant label
Depending on your preference and body, here are some things to look for on your lube label. This is a non-exhaustive list, so be sure to do your research and check other reputable sexual health resources.
General lube features to look for:
- pH-friendly: the World Health Organization recommends using a lubricant with a pH of 4.5. (The pH of an anal lube should be between 5.5 and 7. Most pH-balanced lubricants are in the 3.8 – 4.5 range.)
- Osmolality below 1200 mOsm/kg
- Vegan
- Plant-based
- Latex friendly
- Hypoallergenic
- Isotonic
Ingredients generally considered safe:
- Hydroxyethylcellulose
- Aloe vera
- Carrageenan / seaweed extracts
- Xanthan Gum
- Plant glycerin
- Sunflower seed oil, avocado oil, grapeseed oil
Again, please research depending on how you are using your lubricant! For example, some ingredients are condom-safe, while some are not, depending on the material.
Consider avoiding these ingredients:
- Benzyl alcohol
- Preservatives
- Parabens
- Nonoxynol-9 (spermicides)
- Chlorhexidine gluconate
- Benzocaine (numbing)
- Propylene glycol + polyethylene glycol
- Sodium hydroxide
- Petroleum/petroleum-based ingredients
- EDTA
Best Water-Based Lubricants
1: Best water-based organic lube for everyday play: Aloe Cadabra Organic Lube, Natural Aloe
Aloe Cadabra is an organic lube brand that was created by a husband-wife team, because they wanted to make a lubricant that suited their lifestyle. Every lubricant by Aloe Cadabra is made with natural and organic ingredients, including coconut oil, shea butter, jojoba seed oil, argan oil, rosehip oil, vitamin E, glycerin, sodium borate, potassium sorbate, and essential oils. Aloe Cadabra Sex Lube is paraben-free, cruelty free, vegan friendly, and made in the USA. Aloe Cadabra’s line of lubes are well-known for being ideal for those with skin sensitivities, as well as safe for conception, postpartum individuals, chemo-induced skin dehydration, during perimenopause and postmenopause.
- Made from 95% food grade organic aloe vera
- Stain-free and pH-balanced
- Vegan + edible
- Safe for all sex toys and condoms
- Can help soothe painful intercourse, vaginal dryness, and as a daily vaginal moisturizer
- Non-toxic, non-staining
- No additives or chemicals: paraben free, petroleum (mineral oil) free, glycerin free and hormone free.
2: Best natural water-based lube for sensitive skin: Pjur Med Natural Glide
Pjur lubes are made in Germany, and are designed to provide the most pleasurable experience, while being free from harmful chemicals or additives. PJUR’s formulation team includes scientists, engineers and chemists who incorporate customer feedback to help develop new lubricants that are tailored specifically for different bodies and sensitivities. All PJUR® Lubes have been tested and approved by dermatologists.
If you have experienced burning with lubricants in the past, Pjur Med is a safe bet, and is trusted by many customers. This naturally-formulated, water-based lubricant contains pure herbal glycerine, which provides additional moisture and guarantees long lasting lubrication. It also protects dry, stressed skin. Pjur med Natural Glide is dermatologically tested for hyper-sensitive skin, latex condom safe, and 100% vegan.
- Gently moisturizing through glycerine extracted from plants
- Perfect for all skin types and recommended for hypersensitive skin
- Protects and soothes dry and/or irritated skin
- Long-term lubricating effect
- Nature-identical preservative substances
- Safe for daily use during pleasure or as a vaginal moisturizer
3: Best water-based flavored lube: Sliquid Swirl Blue Raspberry
Many people prefer to keep a flavored lubricant stocked in the nightstand, whether they are using it for masturbation or partner play. Flavored lubricants are considered a ‘safe bet’ when it comes to being prepared for any type of pleasure. They can also enhance pleasure between partners by adding an extra element of sensory stimulation. Some may be more willing to use lube during oral sex because it can help alleviate dry mouth! Sliquid Swirl is a line of flavored, water-based lubes that are lightly flavored, without tasting extra artificial. Highly-flavored lubes can be distracting if the taste is off-putting! Sweetened with aspartame, there is no glycerin (sugar) in this lube which helps avoid disrupting your body’s pH levels. The texture of this lubricant does a great job of enhancing the body’s natural lubrication production – and the formulas are body-safe and toy safe.
- Subtle sweetness/flavor
- Suitable for oral, vaginal & anal sex
- Formulated to enhance your taste, not disguise it
- 100% Vegan friendly. Lightly flavored to enhance taste
- Glycerin free and paraben free
- Hypoallergenic and non-toxic
- Non-staining and lightly scented
- pH balanced neutral
Lube ingredients matter! Just like the food we eat, certain lubricants can cause adverse reactions, because all bodies are different. Our rule of thumb: water-based is usually always safe!
