Water Based Lubes in the USA

What are water based lubes?

It is a gel or liquid made mostly of water. Its texture mimics the body's natural lubrication, it washes off with lukewarm water and does not stain, so cleaning your skin and your toys is easy. It is the lubricant most often recommended as a first choice, to use solo or with a partner, with or without toys.

What is water based lube compatible with?

If it is purely water based, with everything, and that is its big advantage. It works with toys of any material (silicone, TPE, cyberskin, glass or metal), with all types of condom (latex, polyurethane and polyisoprene) and with all practices: vaginal, anal and oral.

This page only has water based lubricants. The water and silicone hybrids, such as Lubrax by Intimateline, the Lube Tube Anal by Orgie, the ID Silk Natural Feel or the Hybride by Eros, are in hybrid lubricants, and the oil-based products that are not suitable with latex condoms, such as the Brazilian Balls by Secret Play or the 125 ml BIOglide by Joydivision, which is both a lubricant and a massage oil, are not here either. Even so, it is worth checking two things in the ingredients on the product page. The Pjur Power Premium cream and the Easy Anal by Joydivision contain dimethicone, a silicone, as well as water: if you plan to use them with a silicone toy, test them first on a small area. And some add a plant oil to the water base, such as INTT Vegan Coconut, with coconut oil, or Cobeco with cannabis oil; their manufacturers state they are compatible with condoms. If you want something that lasts longer or holds up in the shower, take a look at silicone-based lubricants.

Types of water based lubes

It is the widest lubricant category. There are thick and thin ones, with aloe vera or fragrance-free, neutral or with an effect. What changes is the texture and what is added to the water.

The reference brands include Pjur Aqua, at the premium end, and Durex Naturals, the most affordable. Other reference brands are System JO H2O, with a wide range, Sliquid, organic and glycerin-free, and Swiss Navy Water.

• Without additives: the basic one, with water, cellulose and preservative, for anyone who wants to lubricate without any effect.
• With aloe vera or hyaluronic acid: they hydrate and care for the mucous membrane. They are the best suited to sensitive skin or vaginal dryness.
• With a warming or cooling effect: the warming one gives a warm sensation that is activated by friction. There are also cooling ones.
• Flavoured: for protected oral sex. You will find more in flavoured lubricants.
• Extra thick: more viscous, the most suitable for anal sex and for fisting.
• Powder: mixed with water to become a gel.
• Single-use sachets and large bottles: from 10 ml to carry with you up to 1000 ml for home. Individual sachets are in single-use lubricants.

What the studies say

In a representative sample of adults in the United States, 65.5% of women had used lubricant at some point and 20% had used it in the previous 30 days (Herbenick et al., 2014, J Sex Med).

In a five-week diary study with 2,453 women, water based lubricants were associated with fewer genital symptoms than silicone ones. Both types were associated with more pleasure and sexual satisfaction. This is an association and does not prove cause and effect (Herbenick et al., 2011, J Sex Med).

In a randomised trial with 116 postmenopausal women who had pain during intercourse, those who used a lubricating gel before sex improved their sexual function (except orgasm). Pain also improved, to a degree comparable to vaginal estriol (de Paula et al., 2025, Menopause).

How to choose

• Texture: “liquid” or “thin” for vaginal sex and masturbation; “gel”, “thick” or “extra thick” for anal sex and thicker toys.
• Ingredients: the product page tells you whether it contains aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, glycerin or fragrance. With sensitive skin, a simple formula is best.
• Effect: neutral, warming, cooling or flavoured. For a first time, a neutral one is best.
• Base: look for “water based”. If it says “hybrid” or contains oil, check that it is suitable for latex and for silicone toys.
• Size: if you do not yet know which texture you like, start with a small bottle or a single-use sachet.

Water Based Lubes: frequently asked questions

Can I use water based lube with silicone toys?

Yes. It is the only base recommended for silicone toys, because with use silicone-based lubricants degrade them. Water based lube works with all materials; what you need to check is that the bottle is purely water based. Silicone hybrids, such as Lubrax, ID Silk or the Hybride by Eros, are not on this page but in hybrid lubricants, but the Pjur Power Premium cream and the Easy Anal by Joydivision contain dimethicone, a silicone, among their ingredients.

Why does water based lube dry out?

Because the body absorbs the water, and it is its only disadvantage compared with silicone. Reapply it when you notice dryness. You can also add a few drops of water, with wet fingers or a spray, to reactivate it without using more product.

Which is better, water based or silicone lube?

It depends on the use. Water based lube is compatible with everything, cleans easily and is the best choice for toys and vaginal use. Silicone-based lube does not dry out and works very well for anal sex and the shower, but it cannot be used with silicone toys. If you are only going to buy one, choose water based: it is the most versatile.

Can you use water-based lubricant with a condom?

Yes. It is compatible with latex, polyurethane and polyisoprene condoms. Oil-based products whose manufacturers warn that they are not suitable with latex condoms, such as the Brazilian Balls by Secret Play and the 125 ml BIOglide, which is also a massage oil, are not on this page. Here, those that add a plant oil to the water base, such as INTT Vegan Coconut or Cobeco with cannabis oil, are declared compatible with condoms; if you are unsure about a particular one, check its product page. A properly used condom reduces the risk of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, and with lubricant it is more comfortable.

Which water based lubricant should I choose if I have dryness?

One with aloe vera or hyaluronic acid, which hydrate and are designed for sensitive skin and vaginal dryness. If the dryness does not go away or there is pain, talk to your gynaecologist.

Is water based lube suitable for anal sex?

Yes, preferably a thick or extra thick one. The anus does not lubricate on its own and a dense texture holds up better. You will find more options in anal lubricants.

Can you use water-based lubricant in the shower?

You can, but the water washes it away quickly. For the shower or bath, a silicone-based one lasts longer.

Can I use it if we are trying for a baby?

Preferably one whose product page says it is fertility-friendly or sperm-friendly. Not all of them have been studied: a review of 24 articles on 35 lubricants concluded that data are still lacking for guidance on which are safe for sperm (Gumerova et al., 2024, Hum Fertil).

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