Best Lubricants: How to Choose the Right One for You
Walk into most sex shops, or scroll most sex toy websites, and the lube wall looks like a chemistry set. A dozen brands, half a dozen types, and no real explanation of why any of them are different. So people default to whatever is cheapest, or whatever they grabbed last time, and end up with something that dries out mid session, irritates their skin, or quietly ruins a silicone toy.
Here is the short version: the best lubricant is not a single product. It is whichever type matches what you are doing, what you are using it with, and how your body reacts to it. Get that match right and lube stops being an afterthought and starts doing its job properly.
This guide walks through exactly how to make that call, no product pushing, just what actually matters, plus every lubricant we stock.
Water based, silicone, or hybrid, what is the real difference
Water based lube is the safest all round choice. It works with every toy material and every condom, rinses off with water, and is the gentlest starting point if you are not sure what you need yet. Its trade off is that it can dry out during longer sessions and needs reapplying.
- Lormi Loob Water Based Lube 250ml, £7.99, our own everyday formula and the one we reach for ourselves
- Lubido Original Water Based Intimate Lubricant, from £3.99
- Durex Play Feel Water Based Lube 100ml, £9.99
- Durex Naturals Intimate Gel 100ml, £12.99
- Lovense Water Based Lube 100ml, £17.99
Silicone lube lasts far longer and holds up in water. It is the one to reach for in the shower or bath, or for sessions where you do not want to keep stopping to top up. The trade off is that it will degrade silicone toys over time, and it takes a bit more effort to wash off skin or fabric.
- Pjur Original Silicone Based Lubricant 30ml, £12.99
- Pjur Original Silicone Lubricant 100ml, £19.99
- Pjur Back Door Relaxing Anal Glide Lubricant 100ml, £19.99
Hybrid lube splits the difference. It lasts longer than water based without the full commitment of silicone, and it is easier to clean up too, though it still is not automatically safe for toys, so check the label if you are pairing it with anything silicone. Being upfront, our usual hybrid pick is out of stock as we write this, so we have left it off the list rather than link you to something you cannot actually buy. Check back, or use a water based formula in the meantime.
Oil based lube lasts the longest of all and feels the most like a proper massage product, but it comes with the biggest caveats. It breaks down latex condoms within minutes and is not safe with most toys, so it really only suits solo use or sex without a condom. We do not currently stock a dedicated oil based lubricant, mainly because the condom and toy risk makes it a poor fit for most people shopping with us.
Which one is actually right for you
The type on the label matters less than the situation you are using it in. A few common ones:
If you are using it with sex toys, stick to water based, or double check a hybrid's label specifically says it is safe for silicone toys. Silicone on silicone contact breaks down the toy's surface over time, which shortens its life and makes it harder to keep clean. If you are shopping for toys to pair with it, our body safe silicone sex toys are a good place to start.
If you have sensitive skin or are prone to irritation, water based is the gentler starting point, but the type matters less than the ingredient list. Look for something free of glycerin, added sugars, parabens, and fragrance, more on why below. A short ingredient list is usually a good sign.
If you are using condoms, water based and hybrid are both safe with condoms. Oil based lube breaks down latex within minutes and can cause a condom to fail, so it is a hard no if you are relying on condoms for protection.
If you want something that lasts through a longer session, silicone is the obvious pick, but if you are also using toys that day, keep a small bottle of water based lube around for that part.
If you are in the bath or shower, silicone is the only one of the main types that will not just wash away, which makes it the practical choice for wet environments.
If you are trying to conceive, most standard lubricants, including some marketed as natural, can interfere with sperm motility. If this applies to you, look specifically for a lubricant labelled as fertility friendly or safe for sperm, and do not assume a lube is fine just because it is water based.
Other types worth knowing about
A few lubricants are built for a specific job rather than general use.
Anal specific. Anal lubricant is thicker than standard water based lube and formulated to last longer, since the body does not produce its own lubrication there the way it does elsewhere. Using a standard thin lube for anal play usually means reapplying constantly, with a higher risk of friction and discomfort. A lube made specifically for anal use is worth it if this is a regular thing for you.
- Lubido Anal Ease Water Based Intimate Lubricant, from £3.99
- Pjur Back Door Relaxing Anal Glide Lubricant 100ml, £19.99
Flavoured. Flavoured lubricant is almost always water based and designed to be ingested, which is worth checking before you assume a regular lube is safe for oral use. Flavoured formulas often contain sugars to make them palatable, which is fine for occasional oral use but not something you would want as your everyday lube, see the ingredients section below.
- Durex Play Cherry Water Based Lubricant 100ml, £9.99
- Durex Play Strawberry Water Based Lubricant 100ml, £9.99
Warming and cooling. These work by triggering a mild sensory reaction on the skin, usually through ingredients like menthol or compounds derived from capsaicin. They can be a fun addition, but they are also the type most likely to cause irritation, so they are worth patch testing first if you have sensitive skin, and best avoided altogether if you already know fragranced or active products do not agree with you.
- Fleshlube Fire Warming Water Based Lubricant 100ml, £11.99
- Fleshlube Ice Cooling Water Based Lubricant 100ml, £9.99
Ingredients actually worth avoiding
Not all lube is created equal, and the type, water, silicone, or oil, only tells you half the story. A few ingredients are worth checking the label for regardless of type.
Glycerin and added sugars can feed yeast and throw off natural pH balance, particularly with repeated use, a common cause of recurring irritation that gets blamed on sensitivity when it is really the formula.
Parabens, used as a preservative in some cheaper lubricants, are increasingly avoided due to concerns about hormone disruption, though the research here is still evolving. If you would rather not take the risk, it is easy to find options free of parabens.
Added fragrance is one of the most common causes of irritation in intimate products generally, lube included. If you have reacted to scented products elsewhere, assume a fragranced lube will do the same.
The rule of thumb: shorter ingredient lists with recognisable ingredients are usually the safer bet, whatever the type on the front of the bottle.
Frequently asked questions
Does lube expire?
Yes, most have a shelf life of two to three years unopened, shorter once opened. Check for a change in smell, texture, or colour, and do not use it past the printed date.
Can I use coconut oil or another kitchen oil as lube?
You can, but treat it the same as any oil based lubricant, not safe with condoms, not safe for silicone toys, and it will not rinse off with water. Fine for solo use or massage, not a substitute for everyday use.
Do I need different lube for different toys?
Only silicone toys are the issue, since silicone lube degrades them. Glass, metal, and most hard plastic toys are fine with any lube type. When in doubt, water based lube works with everything.
Is more lube always better?
Not necessarily, too much can make things too slippery to feel much of anything, and increases how often you are reapplying. Start with a small amount and add more as needed, it is easier to add than take away.
The bottom line
There is not a single best lubricant, there is a best lubricant for what you are doing. Water based if you want the safest, most versatile option, especially with toys or condoms. Silicone if longevity or water resistance matters more than compatibility with toys. And whatever type you land on, the ingredient list matters as much as the category on the bottle.
That is the point of a curated range over a supermarket shelf. Fewer options, but every one of them earns its place, so you are choosing between things that are actually good rather than wading through everything to find the one that is. Ready to find yours? Browse our full lube range.
