Whether you’re new to anal or already a veteran, lube is not just something that’s nice-to-have when it comes to the act. It’s an absolute requirement when it comes to anal sex — if someone wants to do anal without it, tell them you lubri-can’t!
Everybody’s booty cavern is a little different, and in order to slide in comfortably (for both parties), you’ve got to, have to, must must must use lube — and you want to be sure to use the right lube for that particular cavern. Sometimes the anal walls need a lube that’s a little more viscous, or maybe those particular walls are sensitive and need something that will soothe and restore them while being penetrated. So, what is the best lube for anal? Follow along as we break down everything you need to know about how to choose the right types of lube for your or your partner’s butt.
What to look for in anal lube
Gone are the days where the only easily available option is KY jelly - you have plenty of choices. If you’re wondering about the best lube for anal sex; the long and short of anal lube is that it really depends on the type of sex you’re having. For example, are you using protection or not? Are you pegging (or wondering what is pegging?) and experimenting with some of the best pegging positions?
There are definitely things to look out for when it comes to what kind of lube you choose. For example, sometimes lubes are made from cheap ingredients, or with ingredients that can be harmful to the body in large quantities. The walls of the anus are very absorbent, so whatever’s in the lube, especially water-based lubes, will be absorbed into the body in some amount.
Another important note: If you’re a newbie to penetrative anal sex and you’re the receiver, for the moment stay away from desensitizing lubes. They mess with your perception of what’s actually happening during butt stuff, and it’s a far better idea to have as much sensory feedback from your bum as possible. CBD lubes can be a helpful option here, since they don’t necessarily numb you, they just mute the pain response some; for some anal enthusiasts, that’s appropriate. You’re an adult, though — do your best to make informed choices!
The lubes presented here are all non-flavored lubes, so if you plan on engaging in oral sex, you might want to do so before the lube application process. Ingesting lube overall isn’t necessarily bad (it’s going in a body anyway), but the flavor profile might not be something you’re ready to commit to.
Best water-based lubricants
Water-based lubricants have the special power of being compatible with all adult sex toys, barriers, etc. so you don’t have to pick and choose which anal toy to play with when you bring water based lube to the party.
1. Sassy Booty Gel Natural Lubricant in 4.2oz/125ml
This is completely water-based, with a thicker texture that can be quite desirable when it comes to The Great Bang that you might be planning. All Sliquid lubes are free of gluten, glycerine, glycerol, parabens, DEA (diethanolamine, not the Drug Enforcement Administration … though it could be argued that being free from that would also be great), and other harmful ingredients.
Since this lube is water-based, it’s safe for any type of protective barriers (like latex condoms), and safe for all your favorite silicone anal sex toys, butt plugs, anal beads, and strap-ons (or any sex toys, really; water can’t hurt ‘em!).
2. PinkCherry Water-Based Anal Lubricant
Friction is a mostly unwanted part of the sexual process, and reducing it is definitely the right choice, especially for anal sex. Our own water-based anal lube is happy to come to the rescue for ease and enjoyment of anal pleasures. Also appropriate for massage and vaginal sex, this lube washes off easily from skin, fabrics, and other insertable excitement items, silicone and latex included.
Best oil-based lubricants
One of the nice things about oil lubricants is that they can double as a nice soothing oil for massage. Massage is a great foreplay activity, and it’s fun to get your partner in the mood using your favorite oil (not motor oil or gun oil, though — those are not for sex), and then use that oil to be able to penetrate them as well. It’s really a win-win for everyone.
Products like almond oil, baby oil, olive oil, and coconut oil are able to act as anal lubricants, and they can certainly be a lot of fun to use, but be forewarned that the properties that make them attractive also make them complicated when it comes to getting things like your sheets clean (oil can stain both clothes and sheets). Plus you should do your homework in terms of which oil to use, since olive oil, for example, actually cause the clogging of pores in the anal tissue. According to sexologist Caitlin V Neal, “Coconut oil can feel luxurious and moisturizing. It’s tolerated best with anal sex.”
That said, oil-based lubes have been around for thousands of years and were a part of ancient cultures to allow for some holistic booty joy. Your mileage may vary from this particular category, but if you’re willing to forgo the barrier-degrading aspects and the potential bacteria/pore-clogging aspects, here are some oil-based lubes to test:
3. Anal Lube in Natural
The slippery, thick feel of this lube is one of its finest features, as well as the fact that it provides long-lasting coverage (it can be a little annoying to constantly have to keep pouring on the lube). It also comes in a nice convenient pump bottle, so it’s easy to get the right amount when you go to reapply (and you can do so with one hand, which is really nice! This is a good skin-to-skin lube, but since it’s oil-based it’s not right for you if you’re using condoms.
4. Golden Girl Anal Jelly Lubricant
This anal lube is not intended for vaginal use. The anus and vagina have different pH balances, and it’s best to have two separate lubes for each orifice.
Doc Johnson’s Anal Lube can fit right in that first anal-penetrating category with some comfy thick slipperiness. This one won’t dry out as fast as some other water based lube options, and is ideal for solo play or partnered sex. As an oil-based product, this Anal Lube will degrade your latex condom barriers, so be mindful of that!
5. Joy Buzzer Arousal Balm
If you’re looking for a lube with a little desensitizing agent, this might be the right choice for you. It’s a slick, long-lasting, oil based lube, perfect for some exciting backdoor action. Do note that this product is not ideal for use with latex condoms, though it is safe for use with silicone toys like anal beads.
Best silicone-based lubricants
Silicone lubes don’t react with the body, meaning you don’t need to worry about pH levels because there’s no water in the product. They go on and stay on slick and slidey, likely last the whole sex session, and are appropriate for both anal and vaginal use.
6. Pjur BACKDOOR Silicone Based Anal Lubricant
Looking for a silicone lubricant that allows for some slippery joy? Pjur (pronounced “pure”) Backdoor does the job with its ultra-slick silicone based lube, perfect for areas that don’t self-lubricate (hello, anus). This product does not have any desensitizing properties but does include jojoba, a skin-soothing and moisturizing ingredient to help that bottom relax and ease into the anal sex experience. Again, despite the “relaxing” title, this product doesn’t contain any numbing agents. It’s also silicone-based, so it’s safe for use with condoms, but not so safe for use with silicone toys.
7. Analyse Me! Silicone Based Anal Lubricant
If you want to be able to go the whole sexual encounter without having to reapply, this may be your winner. Its super slick texture is long-lasting, made of a combination of premium silicone. You can also use it in water, so shower sex is on the table! Whether you’re engaging in solo play or partnered sex, you’ll be able to go for a long time without having it dissolve or wash away.
8. Sliquid Silver Silicone Intimate Lubricant
Sliquid’s line of silicone-based lubes comes to the rescue for those of use who prefer the silicone feel over water-based options. Body safe quality ingredients go into this salacious silicone slip’n’slide sex wonder. Can double as a massage product.
As with all silicone lubes, this one isn’t suitable for play with silicone toys, and is safe for condoms and other protective barriers.
Best hybrid lubricants
Hybrid lubes bring together the best experiences of water-based lubes and silicone lubes. Easy to apply, long lasting, and easy to wash off. They do still integrate the drawbacks of silicone-on-silicone toy, which mainly affect toys of lower quality. A good test is to put a small drop of lube on the toy base and leave it for an hour, come back afterwards and see if there’s a reaction.
9. F**k Sauce Splatter Matters Unscented Hybrid Lube
F**k Sauce Splatter Matters Unscented Hybrid Lube offers a thick and slippery formula that easily spreads for oodles of fun. This hybrid lubricant is safe to use with most sex toy materials, it’s still got silicone though, so not ideal for use with silicone toys of lesser quality. Plus it works with latex condoms!
10. Organics Silk Hybrid Lubricant
Sliquid’s Hybrid lube is a long-lasting silicone- and water-based lube with the slidey yumminess of a silicone lube and the easy cleanup of water based lubricant. This hybrid creates a natural feeling friction-protective layer to help that easy glide-in, glide-out feeling. Appropriate for both orifice and external use, this lube can also be a massage option. Since it contains no paraben or oils, it’s compatible with most sex toy materials besides silicone, and safe for condom and barrier use.
Best lubes for those sensitive skin
Anything from the Sliquid line is a good fit for anyone with sensitive skin. Their products are made with the highest-grade materials. Additionally, Sliquid has a Sliquid Natural line that is made from organic ingredients complete with aloe vera for additional fun, sexy restoration.