The 9 Best Water-Based Lubes for Better Sex, According to Experts and Reviewers
These simple, mess-free lubricants are perfect for sensitive skin.
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If you’ve ever found yourself in the mood but frustrated by a lack of lubrication down there, don’t fret—you’re certainly not alone. Experiencing vaginal dryness or needing a little extra slipperiness during sex is totally normal. That’s why water-based lubes were created. Compared to silicone, oil-based, and other varieties of lube, water-based formulas are incredibly versatile, gentle, and long-lasting, helping keep things nice and moisturized without much need for reapplication—and more importantly, without irritating sensitive skin.
Meet the experts: Christine Greves, M.D., a board-certified ob/gyn at the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies; Sherry Ross, M.D., women’s sexual health expert and author of she-ology and the she-quel; Jessica Shepherd, M.D., an ob/gyn in Texas; and Lauren Streicher, M.D., a professor of clinical obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago.
“Water-based lubricants are usually nice and simple,” Christine Greves, M.D., a board-certified ob/gyn at the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies, notes. They can be used by all types of people for all types of sex, whether with a partner wearing a condom or going solo with a sex toy. Formulated with aloe vera, glycerin, and other ingredients, water-based products help minimize discomfort, increase pleasure, and may even intensify orgasms. Another plus: most products are safe to use with all condom types and sex toy materials (though you should always double-check each product).
Our top picks:
Below, find our expert-approved picks for the best water-based lubes for every need, including those for sensitive skin, lubes for anal play, and formulas that last the longest.
Sarah Maberry is a commerce writer for Hearst Magazines, where she covers fashion, beauty and pop culture. A seasoned trend forecaster and fashion historian, she analyzes viral products and trends on a deeper level. When she’s not writing for Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Harper’s BAZAAR, House Beautiful, Town & Country, Delish and other publications, she can be found roaming the Museum at FIT (her alma matter) or sewing her own couture while she binge-watches reality TV.
Madeleine, Prevention’s assistant editor, has a history with health writing from her experience as an editorial assistant at WebMD, and from her personal research at university. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in biopsychology, cognition, and neuroscience—and she helps strategize for success across Prevention’s social media platforms.
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