Anal Lubrication Guide: Everything You Need To Know

When I say more enjoyable, it’s an understatement. Whether you are into butt plugs, sex toys, plain old bareback, or just want to experiment a little, you will need anal lube and lots of it. 

The anus is a region that is not naturally lubricated so you need to make sure it gets all the lube it can before any action. 

It doesn’t matter if you are a man or a woman I encourage you to try some form of anal play and see if it’s your slice of cake.

You never know what you might get out of it. The best anal lube depends on your preferences, but I am here to explain everything you need to know and help you decide on what anal lube is best for your type of anal play.

What types of anal lubes are there

types of anal lube

There are different kinds of lubes, depending on your needs. Not every lube you see in a drugstore can be used in every way – we will go into this with more details later. For now, let me take you on a tour in the world of lubricants and the variety of information you need to know about them. 

Silicone-based lubricants

pros and cons on silicone based lubrication

First, we have the silicone-based lubricants. As the name says, they are made from silicone and aren’t absorbed by your body. 

That means they last very long, usually don’t need reapplication and can be very effective in long anal play sessions. 

They are the typical “go-to” lube in most pre-lubed condoms. Other advantages of these kinds of lubes are that they are not water-soluble, which means they can be used in the shower for both anal and vaginal intercourse. 

These types of lubes last the longest out of all lubes, are hypoallergenic and can be used with all condoms and sex barriers.

The drawbacks of silicone-based lubes are that they sometimes aren’t compatible with silicone sex toys because they can degrade them and make them mushy, which can lead to throwing away your favorite toy. 

Silicone-based lubes are pretty hard to find in your typical drugstores, so you might have to check out specialist sex shops or online shops. 

They can be pretty expensive also.

Water-based lubricants

benefits of water based lubrication

Next, we have my favorite for vaginal play – the water-based lubes.

Water-based lubes are usually the bestselling and most commonly found on the sex market, due to the fact that they are cheap to produce and easy to sell. 

They mimic the body’s natural lubrication in the vaginal region. They come in a vast variety of consistencies, from thick (for anal use mostly) to thinner more liquid-like, and can be used with all sex toys, condoms, and sex barriers. 

A big drawback of water-based lubes is that they tend to dry out pretty fast. I love sex with water-based lubes, but believe me, it can get pretty dry, and you don’t want that. 

Being water-based means that your body absorbs them over time, and they need to be reapplied during intercourse. Also, they can cause irritation if you are sensitive to some of the ingredients that are found in them. 

Oil-based lubricants

benefits of oil based lubrication

Oil-based lubes are based on plant oils (coconut oil, shea butter, etc.). 

They last longer than water-based lubricants and most definitely can be used for amazing anal pleasure. 

They are not water-soluble, and most of the time they are made from natural ingredients. The only bad side is that they cannot be used with condoms and other sex barriers as they destroy latex (can be a little hard to get off the body too). 

Oil-based lubricants tend to leave stains if you don’t wash your sheets right away.

You Could Try A Hybrid lubrication

Hybrid lubes are mostly made out of a mixture of water and silicone lubes. The most popular hybrid lube on the market is Sliquid Silk which is made out of 12% silicone. 

They have properties of water-based lubricants, but don’t dry out as fast, and don’t need to be reapplied that often. Hybrid lubes are easier to clean up and are compatible with silicone sex toys. So give them a try!

You Can Also Use Household lubes (More on this at bottom of the article)

Household lubes include everything that you can find around your house when you are in a hurry. Keep in mind that this doesn’t mean everything that is slippery or oily, as safety is first. 

The vagina is very sensitive and I wouldn’t recommend using anything other than coconut oil or shea butter, because it will be absorbed into the bloodstream, and these two are not toxic or harmful in any way. 

Also, try to avoid using vaseline, and anything with sugar in it (honey, whipped cream, and that sort of stuff). 

Lubrication To Avoid

There are many things you should avoid when using lube. Everything that contains sugars, glycerine, propylene glycol, nonoxynol 9, chlorhexidine gluconate, benzocaine, and many more. 

Also, avoid petroleum oils (vaseline) because they can be a good breeding ground for bacteria which is something you definitely do not want.

The best anal lube I’ve used

water based anal lube

There is plenty of great anal lubes on the market, but for me, the best one is this anal lubricant

I know that not everyone has the same preferences as me, but this one makes me go nuts. It’s non-staining, unscented, and tasteless, so there is no problem when my boyfriend wants to switch things up with oral. 

You can find this exact lube here and if you create a LoveHoney account you get a 5$ discount. A common rule for anal sex is that you use silicone-based but to each their own. 

Try out different types and you will find what is right for you!

Using this anal lube for the first time

My boyfriend and I are quite curious and experimental about one another. We always find new things to stimulate each other and new ways of having fun in the sheets. 

One day he called and said that he found something special for me, and I couldn’t wait to see what it was. The lights were off when I came home.

My boyfriend came up from behind and whispered that I take my clothes off and lie on the bed. 

He then started petting and massaging my butt, while applying this amazing new thing all over my most sensitive parts. It didn’t feel like any lube I tried before, it felt like it was made for my butt.  

Everything was smooth, playful and erotic and led to the most intense orgasm I ever had. We experiment with different kinds from time to time, but this one is our favorite, and we always go back to it.

Different types of anal lube that are also amazing

a collection of different types of anal lube

I just wanted to list out some of our other favorite anal lubricants for you to read up on, you never know what people like and dislike so I figured I would show you everything we love.

Golden Girl Anal Jelly

tub of anal jelly

This anal lube is a thick, oil-based lubricant. Whether you are a beginner or an expert anal player, this lube will let you enjoy slick and comfortable anal play. 

It is a specially formulated jelly with long-lasting slipperiness for both toys and the real stuff. It doesn’t need reapplication. The only downside is it is oil-based, so it doesn’t work with condoms. 

Desensitising Lube

desensitising lube

This silicone-based desensitizing anal lube is a thick and slick formula that features a soothing Lidocaine anesthetic for extra comfort. Apply it as much as you like, but a little drop is enough for great anal pleasure. It comes in an easy-to-use pump bottle and is great for solo play or with a partner. It isn’t condom safe, though, so keep that in mind.

Silicone Anal Lubricant

silicone anal lube

This hybrid lubricant has been specifically designed for the best anal pleasure. It is said to be the best of both worlds being made from both water-based and silicone-based lubes. It is compatible with both toys and condoms and even contains clove and spilanthes extract to help your muscles relax during your anal adventures. 

The thick formula provides plenty of cushioning for greater comfort, and its long-lasting abilities will make you forget when you put it on. 

Easy dispensing with a simple flip-top lid. It seems that there is nothing you can’t do with this lube!

Flavored anal lube

set of flavored anal lube

Personally, I haven’t had much experience in oral sex with lube, but for you guys, I did some research. It appears that this flavored anal lube is the way to go if you are down for oral sex with your partner. Other types of lube like oil-based and silicone-based can lead to a bad feeling in your mouth, so try to avoid them. 

Water-based is better in this field, but still being unscented or tasteless can feel a bit awkward. Get yourself a flavored anal lube and you can’t go wrong when going down on your partner, it’ll taste amazing and leave you sucking up every last drop.

Organic lube

organic anal lube

This natural gel lubricant from Sliquid is blended with botanical extracts, hypoallergenic, and organic. Created from all-natural ingredients, it is non-staining and has the equivalent thickness of the Sliquid Sassy. 

The formula with skin-nourishing ingredients including flax, green tea, and sunflower seeds repair your skin after any desired activity. It is both gentle enough for sensitive skin and thick enough for great anal pleasure. 

The aloe base in it makes it perfect for all condoms and sex toys. It is petroleum and cruelty-free and is a good option for vegans. 

Oil-based anal lube

oil-based anal lube

This oil-based lube is specifically designed to let you enjoy your anal play to the highest possible sensation. Its thick viscosity and antibacterial numbing properties will ensure excellent anal play.

Apply it as much as you like before or during any sexual activity. This anal sex lube comes in a handy pump dispenser that will let you apply it with no wastage. 

Keep in mind that it is not suitable for latex toys or condoms. Silicone toys should do fine.

Water-based anal lube

water-based lube

Coming in a handy pump-bottle dispenser this great long-lasting lube is excellent for anal sex as well as sex toys and condoms. I love this lube, it lasts a long time, a small squirt goes a long way and it’s really great value for money.

Homemade Anal Lube

diy anal lube ideas

Can You Use Vaseline As Anal Lube?

Petroleum jelly, better known as Vaseline, can make you think it is great as anal lube, but there are much better choices. Vaseline is soft, smooth, sticky, and can warm up in your hands easily, but there are a few downsides. It can be hard to take off from your body, can leave stains or greasy spots on your sheets, and doesn’t do well with condoms. Most importantly it can lead to infections, so it should be used only if you have nothing better at hand.

Olive Oil As Anal Lube?

There are practically no downsides to using olive oil as a lubricant. It is oil-based which means it stays slippery longer and it shouldn’t give you any health problems (irritation or infection). But it does destroy latex (condoms), so if you are relying on condoms to prevent STIs or pregnancy, olive oil may not be the best choice.

Lotion As Anal Lube?

Definitely a big no-no. A lotion may seem like a good idea at first, but trust me, don’t do it. It’s better to go for olive oil or even vaseline at this point. Lotion can be good for external play on your skin but don’t use it for penetration or it can lead to infections or even blisters in some areas. 

Coconut Oil As Anal Lube?

The good news is that coconut oil is pretty safe to use during anal sex, though no scientific studies can support this. It has no added chemicals or toxins which makes it safe for the anus and surrounding region even for people prone to allergies or that have sensitive skin. There are potential risks of course, and those include weakening latex condoms vaginal infections(rare), and allergic reactions (also pretty rare).

Tips for anal play

cartoons in sex positions

Last but not least I have some tips for your anal experience, this is my full guide on anal training that will show you how to have pain-free anal sex. 

Start slowly and relax. It is really important to not rush things when it comes to anal sex. Anal sex should never hurt, and if it does you should stop and try to ease the region before going in again.

Warm-up is imperative. Use your fingers and lots of lube before going in with anything bigger, you can try one of these butt plugs to stretch your butt a little before play.

Have a few orgasms before going in the backdoor. Try to be aroused as much as you can because that will make you more relaxed and thus easier to penetrate the anus. 

Try to keep it clean. Keep a towel or a sheet at hand if things get messy. Also, never go ass to pussy (it may lead to infections) the other way around is ok.

Always thrust slowly! It is a very sensitive region and any sudden moves can cause pain or even damage the anus.

There you go, ladies and gents. I hope this guide helps you pick the right anal lube for your and your partner’s pleasure!

Which anal lube is not condom safe?

Any anal lube that contains oil-based ingredients is not condom safe. It will destroy latex and cause rips in condoms that can lead to unwanted pregnancy or STDs, and you certainly don’t want any of that.

If you want to know more about which condoms are best for anal sex, we did this guide on it.

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