Anal Lubes in the USA

Why do you need an anal lube?

The anal area doesn't produce its own lubrication, so anal lubricants have thicker, longer-lasting formulas than regular ones. They are essential for any safe and enjoyable anal play, including the first time. Without lube, anal sex causes micro-tears in the lining that raise the risk of infections, and penetration with a finger, toy or penis becomes uncomfortable. If you're looking for a lube for other uses, you'll find them all in lubricants.

Types of anal lubes

Most are gels, but there are also creams, sprays and formats designed for specific practices:

• Thick water-based: the most versatile option, because it works with condoms and with silicone toys. General-use ones are in water-based lubricants.
• Silicone-based: lasts longer than water-based and is the choice for long sessions, but it doesn't go with silicone toys. There are more in silicone-based lubricants.
• Anal creams: a cream texture, thicker than a gel, like Lubranal by Intimateline.
• Relaxing sprays: applied beforehand, in a small amount, to make the area more comfortable; they don't replace lube.
• Fisting gels: very thick and in large bottles, like Lubrifist by Fistan.
• Kits and single-dose: kits that combine lube and spray, and small tubes to carry with you, like those in single-dose lubricants.
• Stimulating gels: with a warming effect or flavoured, like a mint gel for rimming; the flavoured ones are also in flavoured lubricants.

Water-based or silicone anal lube

Extra-thick water-based lube is compatible with condoms and with silicone toys, although it needs reapplying. It's the ideal choice if you use anal toys, such as butt plugs or prostate massagers. Pjur Analyse Me, System JO Anal H2O and Sliquid Sassy are of this type.

Silicone-based lube isn't absorbed, doesn't need reapplying and lasts the whole session, so it's the best option for prolonged anal penetration. Don't use it with silicone toys. Pjur Back Door, the benchmark in the field, Swiss Navy Anal and Überlube belong here. You'll also find anal lubes from other specialist brands, such as Durex, Eros, Stimul8, Orgie and Joydivision.

Lubes with a relaxing effect

Relaxing lubes and sprays contain extracts that relax the sphincter, such as clove or jojoba, and they are useful if you're just starting out. What they shouldn't contain are anaesthetics such as benzocaine or lidocaine: pain is the signal that something is wrong, and numbing it is dangerous. If a product page mentions a numbing or desensitising effect, check the ingredients before buying.

What the studies say

In a diary study with 2,453 women, using water-based lube during anal sex with a penis was associated with more pleasure and more satisfaction than using none (Herbenick et al., 2011, J Sex Med).

In a trial with 283 male couples, condom breakage was associated, among other factors, with not adding lube and with using an unsuitable one (Golombok et al., 2001, AIDS).

A systematic review carried out for the WHO concludes that, although the evidence is limited, lubricants appear to be an acceptable option for improving sexual health and wellbeing (Kennedy et al., 2021, Sex Reprod Health Matters).

Safety

With latex condoms, use water-based or silicone lube: oils and petroleum jelly damage latex. On petroleum jelly, there is also an observational study of Nigerian men in which using it as an anal lube was associated with lower diversity of the rectal microbiota (Nowak et al., 2026, Sci Rep). For fisting, each person should have their own bottle: in a study of men in Germany, sharing lube was associated with recent hepatitis C infection, along with other practices involving blood exposure (Schmidt et al., 2024, HIV Med).

How to choose

• Base: water-based if you're going to use silicone toys; silicone if you want it to last without reapplying and there are no silicone toys involved. Both work with latex condoms.
• Texture: the product page says whether it's a gel, cream or spray. For penetration, choose a thick gel or a cream; a spray only prepares the area.
• Effect: neutral, relaxing or warming. Check the ingredients for anaesthetics such as benzocaine or lidocaine.
• Compatibility: when the manufacturer provides it, the product page says whether it works with condoms and with toys; check it if you use either.
• Format: a tube or bottle with a pump for home, single-dose for carrying, and 500 ml or 1 litre bottles for fisting.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use regular lube for anal sex?

Yes, although it isn't ideal. The anal area absorbs lube faster than the vaginal area, so a standard one dries out sooner and means reapplying often. If you already have a water-based one, it will do: use more than you normally would.

How much lube do you need for anal sex?

More than you think. Apply it generously on the outside, on your finger, the toy or the penis, and put a little more inside with a finger; reapply whenever it starts to feel dry. In anal sex, using too much lube isn't really possible, and using too little is the most common mistake.

Do relaxing anal lubes work?

Those with natural ingredients, such as jojoba or clove, help moderately to relax the muscles. Those containing anaesthetics such as benzocaine do work, but we don't recommend them: they numb the area and stop you feeling pain, which is your body telling you to slow down.

What lube is used for fisting?

One designed for fisting: extra-thick gels, creams or powder lubes, from brands such as Eros, Cobeco (Fist Assist) and Stimul8; you'll find them here and in lubricants. On each product page we state its base (water, silicone, hybrid or oil) and, when the manufacturer provides it, its compatibility with condoms and toys.

What is an anal cream?

An anal lube with a cream texture, thicker than a gel. You use it like any other lube: check its base on the product page to know whether it works with condoms or with your toys.

Can I use oil or petroleum jelly as an anal lube?

Better not to. With a latex condom, never: oil and petroleum jelly damage it. Without a condom they aren't the best option either; a water-based or silicone anal lube is made for this.

Does a relaxing spray replace lube?

No. The spray is applied beforehand to make the area more comfortable, but it isn't enough for penetration: you still need a lube afterwards.

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• PJUR
• EROS
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• COBECO PHARMA
• INTIMATELINE