Types of Lube

By Finley Baker

Last Updated April 22, 2025

Types of Lube

Lube is a great tool to make sex with yourself and with others more comfortable. There are 4 main types - water-based, hybrid, silicone-based, and oil-based. Lube can play a role in overall sexual health, though more thorough research on this topic would be beneficial (Kennedy et al., 2022). Lube is commonly used by everyone, including the majority of American cis men (Reece et al., 2014) and cis women (Herbenick et al., 2014) for comfort and pleasure. In another study, most people who had anal sex used lube (98.3%), and only 41.6% of people who had vaginal sex used lube - potentially contributing to increased condom slippage with vaginal sex compared to anal sex (Orgbon, 2022). 

Lube is a particularly good choice for people with fragile tissue, which might be the case for a wide variety of reasons. 

• Thinner vaginal walls from menopause or testosterone hormone replacement therapy

• Post-surgical scars (from bottom surgery, etc.)

• Chronic condition affecting skin integrity (Ex. EDS, psoriasis)

• Chronic pain condition

• Anal tissue is always fragile

Water-Based Lube

Water-based lube is the thinnest, easiest to clean up (will not stain sheets), though it may need to be reapplied more frequently as it tends to soak into the skin. It can be used with latex barriers (including condoms, dental dams, etc.) and the non-latex versions of these same barriers. It is recommended for use of fingers, vaginal sex, and use with toys of any material. This lube is recommended for use with vaginal dilators during the healing process of vaginoplasty bottom surgery. 

There are many variations of water-based lubes, including flavored, sensation, aloe vera-containing lubes, and a variety of different thickness options (thickened with safe humectants). Humectants are ingredients that draw water into the skin to keep it hydrated. Flavored lube can be a good option if you have an adverse sensory reaction to the natural scents or flavors of body fluids. 

Hybrid Lube

Hybrid lube is primarily water-based lube, with a small percentage of silicone lube mixed together. It is slightly thicker than purely water-based lube, which can provide more cushion, but it can still be used with most silicone toys or dilators. 

If you are feeling unsure, you can do a “patch test” by putting a small amount of hybrid lube on your silicone toy and leaving it to determine if there is visible deterioration. This is very uncommon, particularly with high-quality toys. Often toys that are marked “silicone” on cheap sites are mixed with other materials like jelly that will deteriorate more quickly. 

Silicone lube

Silicone lube is suggested for any situation where you could use more cushion. This may be helpful if you sensitive tissues due to menopause, fully healed bottom surgery, pain conditions, etc. Since the anus and rectum do not self-lubricate, silicone lube is a good choice for this as well. Silicone lube is the thickest option, and lasts the longest even with small amounts since it will not absorb into the body or harm the top layer of your skin (Dezzutti et al., 2012). It can be used when playing in water, but this also means it is likely to stain any fabric (underwear, sheets, etc.). It can be used with both latex and non-latex barriers. 

It is not recommended that you use silicone toys with silicone lube, which can be remembered with the phrase “same name no game.” However if you use this combination during a session simply clean promptly and it should be ok. Another alternative is using an unlubricated condom over an insertable toy if you are committed to using silicone lube. 

Oil-Based Lube

Oil-based lube is a thicker option that is best suited to glass toys, metal toys, or sex/masturbation with only bodies (no toy). It is not suggested to be used with TPE blend toys, as they will break down quicker. If you are using oil-based lube with silicone toys, do a patch test before use with your body. Some oil-based lubes contain nut-based oils, so be aware if you have a nut allergy. 

There are thinner oil (almond oil, sunflower oil) and thicker oil (coconut oil) options. Mineral/canola oil will not kill sperm (Patterson et al., 2016). Coconut oil can be a good option for people with skin sensitivities and any other lube additives are disruptive to their bodies. If using a tub-style container of oil, take additional care not to introduce bacteria by only using clean hands, not sharing with multiple partners, or having a spoon that you use specifically for the tub. 

Oil-based lube can be used with polyurethane, nitrile or lambskin barriers. It is not safe to use with latex barriers or polyisoprene barriers, with polyisoprene being the most common non-latex option - such as Skyn brand condoms (Coconu, n.d.). 

Ingredients to Avoid

• Glycerin BV, yeast infections

  • Several popular brands (including Astroglide and KY Jelly) contain glycerin, and have been shown to degrade tissue structures in lab settings (Patterson et al., 2016). There has been some evidence that glycerin can increase risk of bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections due to the sugar content of glycerin, but less evidence is available in human subjects (Dezzutti et al., 2012). 

• Nonoxynol-9 spermicide (tissue breakdown, BV)

  • There is more concrete evidence that spermicide causes tissue breakdown and increases risk of bacterial vaginosis. 

• Parabens (carcinogen)

  • Parabens may impair sperm motility (Samarasinghe et al., 2018)

  • The Federal Drug Administration (2022) has not yet restricted usage of parabens in cosmetics, though they are commonly regarded as a potential carcinogen due to their estrogen-like properties. This may or may not have a significant health effect in humans (Engeli et al., 2017). 

• Fragrances (allergies)

• Petroleum jelly

  • In one study, people who used petroleum jelly as lube were 2.2 more likely to develop bacterial vaginosis, also known as BV (Brown et al., 2013). It is also incompatible with latex condoms (Planned Parenthood, 2024)

Specifics of Lube Ingredients

Water-based lube can be qualified by two measurements - osmolality and pH. You want these factors in your lube to match your body as much as possible to prevent your lube from transferring chemicals to your tissues or damaging your cells. Osmolality is essentially a measure of how much your body would uptake the particles in your lube. A higher osmolality will dry out your tissues (Good Clean Love, 2020). Though a maximum osmolality of 380 mOsm/kg would be ideal, practically this is difficult to create in a commercial lube, so the World Health Organization (WHO) has set a recommended limit of 1200 mOsm/kg for now. 

• Normal osmolality of cis female vaginal secretions is 260-290 mOsm/kg (WHO, 2012)

• Normal osmolality of semen is 250–380 mOsm/kg (WHO, 2012)

pH represents how acidic your lube is, with a 0-14 scale with 0 being most acidic, 7 being neutral and 14 being most basic. 

• Vaginal lubricant should have a pH of ~4.5 (WHO, 2012)

• Rectal lubricant should have a pH of 5.5 to 7 (WHO, 2012)

• If fertility is a component: optimum pH for sperm is 7.2-8.5 and sperm is damaged significantly below a pH of 6 (Potter & Panay, 2021)

Osmolalities and pHs of common lube brands:

• WHO brief: Use and procurement of additional lubricants for male and female condoms: WHO/UNFPA/FHI360 

• Pelvic Health PT perspective: https://pelvicpainrehab.com/blog/truth-and-friction/ 

Note: Silicone and oil-based lubes do not contain water and therefore cannot be measured via osmolality and pH. 

Accessible Lube Application Options - for Occupational Therapists

Bottle with pump built-in (Included in price of lube)

Most easily accessible, many lubes come in bottles that already have a push pump that can be activated with a flat hand or fist if the lube bottle is on a smooth surface. If the bottle likes to slip around too much, try some non-slip material (ex. Dycem). Brands that have a built-in pump include: Uberlube, Wicked sensual care, and Sensuva. 

Laboratory bottle (~$10 USD)

This is a feasible option for those with difficulty with precision and dexterity, but a strong cylindrical gross grasp or pinch strength. Could be squeezed between two arms or thighs, as precision is not required. Requires less strength if the right-angled tubing is cut shorter. Double check that the straw at the bottom of the bottle is cut at an angle. It is cheaply available online, sanitary, requires minimal set-up, and dispenses precisely. It is available in sizes more similar to common lube bottle sizes (2-6 oz). It will continue to operate when there is a small amount of liquid present. Functions better with thinner lubes. 

Sauce container (~$10 USD)

This option was considered and ultimately disregarded. The smallest available container was 16 oz, and it was very difficult to squeeze to dispense a medium thickness water-based lube. It was not effective with ~2 oz of lube in the container, as none would come out. Once lube was watered-down, the stream was unpredictable. It would remain sanitary without a cap to deal with, and could be knocked over/stored on it’s side. 

Motion sensor hand soap dispenser (~$20 USD)

This option was considered and ultimately disregarded. With the high cost of lube, it would be risky to have the motion sensor go off at random times. This would prompt frequent clean up and/or require turning the sensor on and off with a button that would require excellent dexterity to operate. 

References

Brown, J. M., Hess, K. L., Brown, S., Murphy, C., Waldman, A. L., & Hezareh, M. (2013). Intravaginal practices and risk of bacterial vaginosis and candidiasis infection among a cohort of women in the United States. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 121(4), 773–780. https://doi.org/10.1097/aog.0b013e31828786f8 

Coconu. (n.d.). Which condoms work best with coconut oil lube? https://coconu.com/blogs/cu/coconut-oil-condoms?srsltid=AfmBOoqk7o498D_kZX92z9Gu7guQ2pd7FQRSNBNgJYAbdOy7QRMiHRvK#why-is-coconut-oil-incompatible 

Dezzutti, C. S., Brown, E. R., Moncla, B., Russo, J., Cost, M., Wang, L., Uranker, K., Kunjara Na Ayudhya, R. P., Pryke, K., Pickett, J., LeBlanc, M.-A., & Rohan, L. C. (2012). Is Wetter Better? An Evaluation of Over-the-Counter Personal Lubricants for Safety and Anti-HIV-1 Activity. PLoS ONE, 7(11), e48328. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0048328

Engeli, R., Rohrer, S., Vuorinen, A., Herdlinger, S., Kaserer, T., Leugger, S., Schuster, D., & Odermatt, A. (2017). Interference of paraben compounds with estrogen metabolism by inhibition of 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 18(9), 2007. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms18092007 

Federal Drug Administration. (2022, February 25). Parabens in cosmetics. https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredients/parabens-cosmetics#are_parabens_safe

Fontaine, M. (2020, March 5). Truth and friction: Is your vaginal lubricant helping or hurting your pelvic health? Pelvic Health & Rehabilitation Center. https://pelvicpainrehab.com/blog/truth-and-friction/ 

Good Clean Love. (2020, August 20). What is osmolality and how does it affect your vaginal tissues? https://goodcleanlove.com/blogs/making-love-sustainable/what-is-osmolality-and-how-does-it-affect-your-vaginal-tissues#:~:text=Personal%20lubricants%20come%20in%20a,new%20substance%20like%20a%20lubricant. 

Herbenick, D., Reece, M., Schick, V., Sanders, S. A., & Fortenberry, J. D. (2014). Women’s use and perceptions of commercial lubricants: Prevalence and characteristics in a nationally representative sample of American adults. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 11(3), 642–652. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsm.12427 

Kennedy, C. E., Yeh, P. T., Li, J., Gonsalves, L., & Narasimhan, M. (2022). Lubricants for the promotion of sexual health and well-being: A systematic review. Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters, 29(3). https://doi.org/10.1080/26410397.2022.2044198 

Orgbon, C. (2022, March 11). Finally! A condom approved for anal sex. San Francisco AIDS Foundation. https://www.sfaf.org/collections/beta/finally-a-condom-approved-for-anal-sex/ 

Patterson, J., Millheiser, L., & Krychman, M. L. (2016). Moisturizers, lubricants, and vulvar hygiene products: Issues, answers, and clinical implications. Current Sexual Health Reports, 8(4), 213–221. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11930-016-0091-0 

Planned Parenthood. (2024, May 1). Why can’t you use baby oil with a condom? https://www.plannedparenthood.org/blog/why-cant-you-use-baby-oil-with-a-condom 

Potter, N., & Panay, N. (2020). Vaginal lubricants and moisturizers: a review into use, efficacy, and safety. Climacteric, 24(1), 19–24. https://doi.org/10.1080/13697137.2020.1820478

Reece, M., Herbenick, D., Schick, V., Sanders, S. A., & Dennis Fortenberry, J. (2014). Men’s use and perceptions of commercial lubricants: Prevalence and characteristics in a nationally representative sample of American adults. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 11(5), 1125–1135. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsm.12480 

World Health Organization. (2012). Use and procurement of additional lubricants for male and female condoms: WHO/UNFPA/FHI360. https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/76580/WHO_RHR_12.33_eng.pdf;jsessionid=74F22BDFED47EAA4B13F2D3CFEB24FE7?sequence=1 

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Suggested APA 7 Citation

Baker, F. (2025, April 22). Types of lube. Disabled & trans sexual health. https://sites.google.com/view/disabled-trans-sexual-health/sex-ed-postcards/types-of-lube