11 Best Warming Lubes for Turnin' Up the Heat
Warm, tingly sensations right this way.
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Chances are you've seen lubes advertised as "warming" or "tingling" before...but what exactly does that mean (and better yet, why should you want it)? Aside from the potential "no thanks" of ice-cold lube hitting your skin as you’re getting it in, warming lube can increase blood flow to the area, waking up nerve endings and making you more responsive to touch, which = better, intenser sex for you. Hurrah! Ofc, not all warming lubes are created equal, and if you want to avoid painful, burning sensations, here's what you should know before using one.
As board-certified OBGYN Dr. Brandye Wilson-Manigat tells Cosmo, anyone who's sensitive to lubes or who has vulvar vestibulitis or vaginismus may want to avoid warming lubes altogether. Likewise, if you know you're allergic or sensitive to certain ingredients (such as cinnamon, which is often found in warming lubricants), then take a close look at the label so you know what you're getting yourself into. And like with any new lube, be sure to test it out on a non-genital area first (like your nipples or lips) and have a game plan if things get too hot. (Side note: Water-based lubes are a beginner's best bet, since they wash off easily.) With those caveats outta the way, let's move on to the fun stuff!
Our top picks for the best warming lubes of 2024:
Ahead, check out our fave warming lube options, including water-based, silicone-based, and oil-based selects (and be sure to take a peek at our body-safe flavored lubes for more fun).
Corinne Sullivan is an Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers a variety of beats, including lifestyle, entertainment, relationships, shopping, and more. She can tell you everything you need to know about the love lives of A-listers, the coziest bedsheets, and the sex toys actually worth your $$$. She is also the author of the 2018 novel Indecent. Follow her on Instagram for cute pics of her pup and bébé.
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