The 9 Best Water-Based Lubes for Your Sex Life, 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 after all! 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.
Our top picks:
"Water-based lubricants are usually nice and simple,” Dr. Greves notes. They can be used by all types of people for all types of sex, whether it's with a partner wearing a condom or going solo with a sex toy. Formulated with aloe vera, glycerin and other FDA-approved ingredients, water-based products help minimize discomfort, increase pleasure, and 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).
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.
Additional research by Jake Smith and Hannah Jeon.
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.
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.
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