Beginner’s Guide to Lube:
The Different Types of Lube

What is Lube used for?

While lube can be often overlooked as a sexual aid, it really is one of the best pleasure enhancers in your sexual toy box. Here are the main reasons and benefits of using a personal lubricant.

• Lube feels amazing and helps heighten sensation during sexual play and penetration.

• Sexual lubricant also helps reduce friction during sex. Vaginal dryness affects many vulva owners, causing painful intercourse, especially over the age of menopause, so lubricants help improve wetness, thus relieving painful chafing.

• Finally, sexual lubricants add a new element of play, such as flavored lubes for oral sex, or sensation lubricants that tingle, warm, and cool to enhance sexual arousal. There is even a lube that looks like cum, for ejaculation fantasies!

How to use Lube

Whether you are ready to enjoy oral, anal, or penis-in-vagina penetrative sex (or with a sex toy during masturbation), lube makes everything wetter.

For vaginal intercourse, here are some tips on how to use lube:

• Penis owners can apply a small dab of lube to the tip of their penis and slide it down their shaft to ease penetration.

• For vagina havers, similarly apply a small dab of lubricant to the vulva, labia lips, opening of the vagina, and even inside of the vagina.

• Apply as much as you need, and if you feel you need more, add another dab.

• With water-based lube, you may need to apply more during intercourse, as it can dry out more quickly than other types of lubes.

• If using a condom, apply a small amount inside the condom to reduce friction, and on the outside, after it has been slipped over the penis (or sex toy you are using). Don’t use oil-based lubricants on condoms.

Types of Lube

There are plenty of types of lubes, each one with specific uses and properties. Here are the different kinds to help you choose the right lube for you.

Should you use an anal numbing lube?

Numbing lubes are used to lessen pain or uncomfortable sensations that some people may experience during anal sex. The problem is anal sex shouldn’t hurt if you are doing it correctly, and pain is your body’s way of telling you there is a problem.

Anal lubes containing desensitizers and numbing agents like lidocaine and benzocaine should be used with caution. While they initially may help you relax, they may also mask an injury, especially during more aggressive anal sex. An anal relaxing lube may be a better option, than one that completely numbs the anus.

When engaging in anal sex, always take your time, go slow, use lots and lots of anal lube, relax and remember to breathe. Trying different positions, and varying depth, speed, and force of thrusting can also help relieve pain during anal sex. Following those tips can make the difference between a pleasurable and an unwelcome experience.

Read our guide on How to Have Anal Sex for more advice on how to have the best anal encounter.

Lube FAQs

Got questions about what to use as lube, how much is too much, or whether you can use expired lube? We’ve got you covered, so, read on!

How much lube is too much?

Obviously, you don’t want to use a whole bottle of lube at one go around, as that would just be too much lube. Or maybe not! If you are having a Nuru massage, a whole bottle may be just enough.

When trying to decide how much lube to use, it is up to personal choice, so use as much as you like, want, or need. If you don’t use enough, you can always add more. Keep in mind that water-based lubes don’t last as long as silicone or oil-based products, so keep your bottle close to the action in case you need to reapply.

Can you have anal without lube?

We don’t recommend it. The anus does not self-lubricant, therefore a good anal lube is always essential for any type of anal penetration. It makes everything better, for a slick and smoother entry, and a more pleasurable experience. Plus, not using lubricant can cause micro-abrasions and small tears in the thin anal lining from friction, which can make you more susceptible to contracting an infection or STI.

Is water a lubricant?

No, water is not a good lubricant. Despite what people think, water can be drying during sex, so does not make a good substitute for lube.

Does lube expire?

“Does lubricant expire?” may seem like a strange question. However, if a lube is organic, then, yes it can expire. This is because all the ingredients are plant-based, which are perishable. Check your labels! Some personal lubricants need to be kept in the fridge, so they last longer.

What’s a good substitute for lube?

Most substitutes to regular sexual lubricants tend to be things you may have hanging around the house, like hand lotions, olive or coconut oils, or even Vaseline. While many people have used these types of products for sex, we don’t recommend them and neither do our experts, for many good reasons.

Read all about substitutes for lubes in our New! Alternative to Lube Guide as recommended by experts, to find the best at home lube to try and the ones to definitely avoid.