Choosing the Right Personal Lubricant

12 min read
Clear personal lubricant on a person's fingers

The right personal lubricant depends on how you plan to use it, which products or materials it needs to work with and how your skin responds.

Water-based lubricant is a versatile starting point for sex, condoms, menstrual cups, menstrual discs and many pelvic health products. Silicone-based lubricant tends to stay slippery for longer, while oil-based and hybrid options need a little more attention to product and condom compatibility.

There isn't one lubricant that suits everyone. Here's how to compare the different types and work out what matters for your situation.

Contents

What are the different types of personal lubricant?

Personal lubricants reduce friction during sex and can make inserting some internal period and pelvic health products more comfortable.

The main types are water-based, silicone-based and oil-based. Hybrid lubricants combine ingredients from more than one type.

Type Main advantages Things to consider
Water-based Versatile, easy to wash off and generally compatible with latex condoms May dry out or become sticky and need reapplying
Silicone-based Long-lasting, slippery and doesn't wash away easily May not be compatible with silicone toys or other silicone products
Hybrid May combine the lighter feel of a water-based lubricant with longer-lasting glide Ingredients vary. Some contain silicone and some contain oil, so check compatibility
Oil-based Can feel rich and remain slippery for longer Not compatible with latex condoms and may not suit some toys or internal products

Water-based lubricants

Water-based lubricants are a practical first choice for many people. They're easy to wash off, available in different textures and generally compatible with latex condoms.

Water-based lubricant is commonly used for:

  • vaginal or anal sex
  • sex toys, where permitted by the manufacturer
  • inserting menstrual cups and menstrual discs
  • vaginal dilators and pelvic floor trainers, where permitted by the product instructions or recommended by your healthcare professional

A possible downside is that some water-based formulas dry out or become sticky during use, so you may need to add more.

Not all water-based lubricants contain the same ingredients or feel the same on the skin. If one doesn't suit you, that doesn't necessarily mean all water-based lubricants will cause the same problem.

Silicone-based lubricants

Silicone-based lubricants tend to remain slippery for longer than water-based formulas, which can make them useful when you don't want to reapply as often.

They also don't wash away easily in water, so some people prefer them for sex in the shower or bath. The trade-off is that they can be harder to wash from the skin and may stain some fabrics.

Silicone-based lubricants are generally compatible with latex condoms. However, they may be incompatible with silicone sex toys and other silicone products.

This can also be relevant to silicone menstrual cups, menstrual discs, dilators and pelvic health devices. Because materials and manufacturer recommendations differ, check the instructions for both the lubricant and the product you're using. If compatibility isn't clear, a water-based lubricant is the safer starting point.

Hybrid lubricants

Hybrid lubricants combine a water base with other ingredients, commonly silicone and sometimes oil.

They may offer some of the easy clean-up of a water-based lubricant while providing longer-lasting glide, but there isn't one standard hybrid formula.

If a hybrid lubricant contains silicone, check whether it is suitable for silicone products. If it contains oil, don't assume it is compatible with latex condoms. Always check the product label rather than relying on the word “hybrid” alone.

Oil-based lubricants

Oil-based lubricants can feel thicker and remain slippery for longer, but they have some important limitations.

Don't use an oil-based lubricant with a latex condom. Oils can weaken latex and make a condom more likely to break.

Oil-based lubricants may also be unsuitable for some toys, diaphragms and other internal products. Check the manufacturer's instructions before using them together.

Everyday products such as coconut oil, baby oil and petroleum jelly shouldn't be assumed to work like a purpose-made personal lubricant. In particular, don't use oils or petroleum jelly with latex condoms.

How do you choose a lubricant for your needs?

Start by thinking about what you want to use the lubricant for. Then consider the products or materials it will come into contact with and how your skin responds to different formulations.

For sex and intimacy

Water-based lubricant is a flexible starting point for vaginal sex and is also the type healthdirect suggests considering for vaginal dryness during sex.

Silicone-based lubricant may suit you if you prefer a longer-lasting glide and aren't using a product that may be incompatible with silicone lubricant.

For anal sex, using plenty of lubricant is particularly important because the rectum doesn't produce its own natural lubrication. A thicker or longer-lasting lubricant may feel more comfortable, but condom and toy compatibility still matter.

Lubricant can reduce friction, but it shouldn't be used to push through pain. If sex or insertion hurts, stop rather than simply adding more lubricant and continuing.

If pain keeps happening, speak with a GP or pelvic health physiotherapist. Our guide to painful intercourse explains some possible causes, or use our directory to find a pelvic health physiotherapist in Australia.

For condoms

Water-based and silicone-based lubricants are generally suitable for use with latex condoms. Lubricant can also reduce friction and make a condom less likely to break or slip during sex.

Avoid oil-based products with latex condoms, including products such as coconut oil, baby oil, massage oil and petroleum jelly, as oils can weaken latex.

If you're using a non-latex condom, internal condom or another barrier product, follow the instructions on its packaging because compatible lubricants can vary depending on the material.

Check hybrid lubricants too. Some contain oil, so they shouldn't automatically be assumed to be latex compatible.

What about condoms while treating thrush?

If you're using a vaginal thrush treatment, check the product leaflet or ask your pharmacist before relying on a latex condom or diaphragm. Some antifungal creams and pessaries can weaken latex and make these contraceptive methods less reliable.

For menstrual cups and menstrual discs

A small amount of water-based lubricant can make inserting a menstrual cup or menstrual disc more comfortable, particularly while you're learning.

Apply a small amount around the rim or the area being inserted. Too much can make the cup or disc slippery and harder to grip, fold or position.

Many reusable cups and discs are made from silicone. Check the manufacturer's instructions before using silicone-based or hybrid lubricant with them. Water-based lubricant is generally the simplest option when product compatibility isn't clear.

If insertion or removal still feels difficult, practising with a menstrual cup or disc before your period can help you become familiar with the process.

You can also use our menstrual cup troubleshooter or menstrual disc troubleshooter if something isn't feeling or working quite right.

For sex toys and pelvic health products

Water-based lubricant is usually a practical starting point for sex toys, vaginal dilators and pelvic floor trainers.

Silicone-based lubricants may not be compatible with silicone products, while oil-based products can be unsuitable for some materials. Always check the instructions for the product you're using.

If you're using vaginal dilators as part of treatment, follow the advice of your pelvic health physiotherapist or other healthcare professional. Some hospital guidance recommends a plain, fragrance-free lubricant and advises against pushing through pain.

If using a dilator causes bleeding, increased pain or soreness that lasts after use, stop and speak with the healthcare professional overseeing your treatment.

Our period care and pelvic health guides cover pelvic health products and their use in more detail.

What ingredients should you look for in a personal lubricant?

There isn't a single ingredient list that will suit every body. If you're prone to irritation, a simple, fragrance-free formula can be a sensible place to start.

Terms such as “natural” or “hypoallergenic” don't guarantee that a lubricant won't irritate you. How your body responds matters more than the marketing description.

A few things you may want to consider include:

  • Fragrances and flavourings: these can irritate sensitive vulval or vaginal tissue in some people. If a lubricant is flavoured, check whether the manufacturer says it is suitable for vaginal or anal use rather than assuming it is.
  • Warming and cooling ingredients: some people enjoy the sensation while others find these products sting or irritate sensitive tissue.
  • Glycerin: glycerin is a humectant used to help retain moisture in many water-based products. Some sexual health services advise people who experience recurrent thrush to consider a glycerin-free lubricant. Evidence about how much glycerin contributes to thrush in everyday use is limited, so it is better viewed as something you can experiment with rather than an ingredient everyone needs to avoid.
  • Preservatives: preservatives help keep water-containing products safe from microbial growth. Some people may be sensitive to particular ingredients, but the presence of a preservative doesn't automatically make a lubricant unsuitable.
  • pH and osmolality: these are properties of water-containing lubricants. Products with very high osmolality have caused cell damage in laboratory research, while pH can matter when a product is intended for vaginal use. These properties are useful considerations, but they don't tell you on their own whether a particular product will suit your body.

If a lubricant causes burning, itching, swelling or other irritation, stop using it.

See a GP or pharmacist if symptoms persist, repeatedly return or occur with unusual discharge or bleeding. Call triple zero (000) if you develop symptoms of a severe allergic reaction such as difficulty breathing or swelling of your face, lips or tongue.

Is personal lubricant the same as a vaginal moisturiser?

No. Lubricants and vaginal moisturisers can both help with dryness, but they are used differently.

A personal lubricant gives temporary slipperiness to reduce friction, usually during sex or when inserting a product.

A vaginal moisturiser is designed to provide moisture between activities and is generally used regularly according to the product instructions.

Healthdirect suggests that people experiencing vaginal dryness may consider using a vaginal moisturiser 2 to 3 times a week alongside a water-based lubricant during sex.

Vaginal dryness is particularly common around and after menopause, but it can also occur after some cancer treatments, after surgery to remove the ovaries, around breastfeeding and with some medicines.

Our guides to how to deal with vaginal dryness and vaginal health in perimenopause explain these changes in more detail.

You can also browse our range of vaginal moisturisers.

See a GP if vaginal dryness continues despite self-care, affects your everyday life or occurs with unusual discharge, bleeding after sex or bleeding between periods.

Common questions about personal lubricants

Can you use coconut oil as a lubricant?

Coconut oil shouldn't be used with latex condoms because oils can weaken latex and increase the chance of the condom breaking. Compatibility with toys and other products also varies, so check the manufacturer's instructions before using an oil with them.

Can you use lubricant with a menstrual cup?

Yes. A small amount of water-based lubricant can make menstrual cup insertion easier. Check the cup manufacturer's instructions before using silicone-based, oil-based or hybrid lubricants with it.

Can you use lubricant with a menstrual disc?

Yes. A small amount of water-based lubricant around the rim can make insertion more comfortable. Use only a small amount so the disc remains easy to grip and position, and always check the manufacturer's instructions.

How much lubricant should you use?

Start with a small amount and add more if you need it. Water-based lubricants often need reapplying sooner than silicone-based formulas.

Can lubricant cause irritation?

It can. Individual reactions vary, and fragrances, flavourings, warming or cooling ingredients and other components can irritate sensitive skin or mucosal tissue in some people. Stop using a product if it causes discomfort and seek healthcare advice if symptoms don't settle.

Can you use lubricant and condoms while treating thrush?

The lubricant itself isn't necessarily the problem, but some antifungal creams and pessaries used to treat thrush can damage latex condoms and diaphragms. Check the treatment leaflet or ask your pharmacist about how long this precaution applies.

Do you need lubricant if you already have natural lubrication?

No, but you can still use it if you want to. Lubricant can provide extra comfort, reduce friction or make inserting an internal product easier regardless of how much natural lubrication your body produces.

Finding a lubricant that works for you

A useful starting point is to match the lubricant to what you're going to use it for.

Water-based lubricant is versatile and often works well when you're using condoms, menstrual cups, menstrual discs or pelvic health products. Silicone-based formulas can provide longer-lasting glide, while oil-based and hybrid lubricants need a little more attention to material and condom compatibility.

Texture and ingredients matter too. One lubricant may feel great to one person and sticky or irritating to another, so finding one you like can involve a little trial and error.

If you'd rather try a smaller quantity first, our lubricant sample sachets can be a practical way to test different formulas before buying a larger bottle.

Explore our range of personal lubricants and always check the lubricant and product instructions before use.

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Sources and further reading

This article provides general information and isn't a substitute for individual medical advice. Speak with a qualified healthcare professional if you have ongoing pain, vaginal irritation, dryness or other symptoms that concern you.