If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, SheKnows may receive an affiliate commission. One of the pros of living in the 21st century is how much we’ve opened up about sexuality. That said, this progress doesn’t come without its downsides. With the boom in sexual wellness, shopping personal lubricants can be rather overwhelming. That’s why we talked to two sex experts and asked about their recommendations for the best water-based lubes. Knowing what you’re looking for and what questions to ask can help you feel a little less anxious when you’re shopping. For instance, how do you know if a lubricant is water-, silicone-, or oil-based? What ingredients should you look for, and which should you avoid? When can’t you use a lubricant internally? The answer to these questions will provide insight that empowers you to make the best decisions for your pleasure and sexual health.
Related story I’m a Beauty Writer Who Adores Luxe Skincare, But This Affordable Moisturizer Is Just as Good as My Pricey Holy Grails Below, sexuality educator Cindy Luquin, AASECT, and sexologist Carol Queen, PhD, provide their favorite water-based lubes, share what to know about shopping for one, and leave us with final considerations.
Best Water-Based Lubes, According to Experts, at a Glance
- Best Overall: Bloomi Smooth Water-Based Personal Lubricant
- Best Hydrating: Maude Shine Organic Aloe- and Water-Based Lubricant
- Best for Sensitive Skin: Pjur Woman Aqua
- Best Wellness: Playground Love Sesh
- Best Gel: Smile Makers Generous Gel
- Best Antimicrobial: Coconu Water-Based Personal Lubricant
- Best on Amazon: #LubeLife Water-Based Lubricant
- Best for Vaginal Dryness: Lola Personal Lubricant
- Best Flavored: Wicked Simply Passion Fruit
- Most Like Body Fluids: Personal Fav Whet
- Thickest Consistency: Good Vibes Good Lube Gel Lubricant
- Best Organic: Good Clean Love Almost Naked Personal Lubricant
What Is Water-Based Lube Best For?
According to Luquin, you can reach for a water-based lube whenever you’re considering having sex, and not necessarily just partnered or penetrative. The entire point of a lube—water-based or otherwise—is to reduce friction. “This makes it more pleasurable and facilitates sexual experiences,” Luquin adds. Dr. Queen adds that using a water-based lube is a must when your sexual activities include latex or silicone. You see, oil-based lubes will “eat holes” in latex and damage silicone or latex toys. Plus, “Many users feel that water-based lubes feel more like bodily fluids,” says Dr. Queen. If you’re looking for something that feels natural and is safe for your body, condoms, and toys, water-based lubes are your best bet.
What Ingredients to Look for in Water-Based Lube
“Really the main thing you want is water,” says Dr. Queen. She adds that you also want “a molecule or substance that makes it slippery, and something that acts as a preservative.” Vegan folks or people with sensitive skin might also want to opt for plant-based lubes. If you’re experiencing vaginal dryness or notice that you’re a little raw post-coitus, Luquin says it’s also a good idea to look for aloe vera in the lube formulations. “Think about when you get a sunburn. You put aloe on it because it’s very cooling and soothing to the skin. It’s kind of the same idea here,” she says.
Even when the ingredients list looks right, it may take some trial and error to figure out which lube works best for you and your partner. Consider things like:
- Texture: “You might like it light and slick, or thicker and more cushy,” Dr. Queen says.
- Scent and taste: Think about whether you want it to even smell or taste like anything in the first place
- Duration: “Water-based lubes dry out eventually,” says Dr. Queen. Check the label on the lube you want before committing. Worst case, Dr. Queen says you can “rehydrate” the lube by flicking some water onto it.
- pH balance: “Lubes that are pH-balanced are an especially good idea if you find you have issues with vaginal health. For some, simply throwing off the pH is enough to give you trouble,” says Dr. Queen.
What Ingredients to Avoid in Water-Based Lube
Both Dr. Queen and Luquin agree that there are a handful of ingredients you should avoid at all costs. Luquin, for one, cautions against lubes that contain parabens and alcohol. “You want things that are a little bit more sensitive for that delicate area so you can be healthy overall,” she says. Dr. Queen adds that you don’t want your lube to contain sugar, especially if you’re going to use it internally. Another thing she notes is that some people might want to avoid glycerin even though not everyone has a bad reaction to it. “It’s one of the agents that can make a lube slick,” says Dr. Queen, but it’s not the only one and, as such, isn’t worth the risk of discomfort.
The 12 Best Water-Based Lubes
Bloomi Best Overall Bloomi Smooth Water-Based Personal Lubricant Luquin’s favorite thing about Bloomi is that the brand is as clean as it gets, meaning that their products are all formulated with the least amount of harmful products. “They really did a great job at making sure that it’s healthier and that it’s going to not throw off your pH balance,” says Luquin. And since it’s water-based, it’s also compatible with most condoms and sex toys. I’ve used Bloomi for myself and I love that it feels luxurious while having an affordable price point. This lube does its job of keeping you slippery and doesn’t get tacky. Additionally, the brand is founded by a sexologist—which means that it has a sex-positive ethos, and we can certainly get behind that. Key ingredients: Water, sunflower seed extract, and green tea extract Size: 3 oz. Flavored/Scented: No Pros: TSA friendly Affordable and widely available Doesn’t throw off your pH balance The brand is founded by a sexologist Formulated with good-for-you ingredients Cons: Only comes in one size There is no pump dispenser
Maude Best Hydrating Maude Shine Organic Aloe- and Water-Based Lubricant Maude’s Shine Organic is truly one of the best water-based lubes you’ll ever find. Aside from gliding on ever so smoothly, it helps keep your vulva in good shape. “The nice thing about having an aloe-based lube is that it’s going to be more hydrating,” says Luquin. “It’s going to make sure the skin is still healthy, moist, and lubricated—even after you wipe away.” We love that this product is available in two, four, and eight ounces and that it’s free of parabens, fragrances, and glycerin. It’s also vegan, cruelty-free, and pH balanced. Unlike products that come in a tube, this bottle’s dispenser makes it easy to get even the very last drop of lube. Key ingredients: Water, aloe extract Size: 2, 4, or 8 oz. Flavored/Scented: No Pros: Pump dispenser Comes in three different sizes Aloe in formula is very hydrating Doesn’t throw off your pH balance Cons: Not safe for ingestion in large amounts
Pjur Woman Aqua This earned the Best for Sensitive Skin award because it’s one of the few lubes that’s undergone the rigorous process of dermatological testing. “They’ve actually done the testing to make sure that there’s no irritation to the skin,” says Luquin. “This has proven to be moisturizing and makes it easier and more fun to play around.” Pjur Aqua, admittedly, may not have the most chic packaging, but you’ll easily look past that when you see its star-studded ingredients list. Key ingredients: Water, glycerin Size: 3.4 oz. Flavored/Scented: No Pros: Hypoallergenic Dermatologically tested Lubricates and moisturizes Cons: Not widely available in stores
Playground Best Wellness Playground Love Sesh In case you didn’t know, Playground is a sexual wellness brand that’s backed by pop superstar Christina Aguilera. “This is almost like a sexual skincare brand and it’s been clinically tested,” says Luquin. “This lube includes adaptogens, which are herbs that enhance pleasure.” The star ingredients are Ashwagandha, which is fabulous for de-stressing and easing your nervous system; black cohosh, “which decreases vaginal dryness,” says Luquin; and horny goat weed, which is pretty self-explanatory. “I don’t think I’ve seen any other brand include those types of things into a lubricant,” Luquin shares. There are also skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and fermented bamboo extract. Key ingredients: Ashwagandha, black cohosh, horny goat weed, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and fermented bamboo extract Size: 3.7 oz. Flavored/scented: No Pros: Plant-based FDA approved Fragrance-free Woman-owned
