Sex
Woman trying a new lubricant in bed.
The Best Lubricants Under $25 To Keep In Your Bedside Drawer

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When it comes to sexytime, lube makes everything better! In fact, “use more lube” is the #1 piece of advice that sex educators give. Lube can reduce uncomfortable friction during everything from handjobs to penetrative sex, making sex more pleasurable and safe. Why safer? Too much friction can create micro-tears in delicate tissues, and those openings make it more likely that bacteria or viruses will be transmitted. Too much friction can also make condoms more likely to tear.

Unfortunately, lube carries a bit of stigma for some people; there’s a common misconception that if you’re “aroused enough,” lube isn’t necessary, and some partners consider it a blow to their ego to use lube, but that’s simply not true. There’s no shame in adding it to your routine. Even for people whose bodies naturally lubricate with arousal, more lube is usually better. And for some activities, such as anal sex, lube is an absolute must.

Not all lubes are created equally, so it’s important to be selective when choosing one for yourself or your partner. There are several common ingredients found in lube that can cause irritation, like glycerin, which may cause yeast infections, and nonoxynol-9, a spermicide often found on pre-lubricated condoms. Other ingredients like petroleum, propylene glycol, parabens, chlorhexidine gluconate, and benzocaine are also important to watch out for because they can lead to imbalances, irritation, infections, and worse.

Pro tip: The more sensations a lube claims to cause — such as warming, cooling, tingling, or even tasting like dessert — the more likely it is to have ingredients that may rub you the wrong way.

If you don’t own lube yet and you’re looking for it on a whim, you should also avoid reaching for products you may have around the house that aren’t intended to be sexual lubricants. Common items like Vaseline or baby oil are made of petroleum, which is on the no-go list above. Petroleum lingers on the skin, can contribute to infections, and also damages condoms. Another household item to leave in the kitchen is coconut oil. Like other oils, coconut oil will break down latex condoms, stain your sheets, and may contribute to yeast infections.

Personal taste (no pun intended) also comes into play when choosing a lubricant. You can find lubes that are vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, and even Kosher. Read on for a list of body-safe lubes that will help you maximize pleasure in the bedroom.

We at Elite Daily only include products that have been independently selected by our editors. We may receive a portion of sales if you purchase a product through a link in this article.

Good Clean Love Almost Naked Organic Personal Lubricant

Good Clean Love is a reliable lube maker, and this is their cornerstone product. In fact, 83% of buyers would recommend this lube to a friend!

Sliquid Sea Natural Lubricant

Thanks to the addition of seaweed extracts, this lube is thicker and silkier than other water-based lubes. The product is unflavored, unscented, non-staining, and long-lasting — perfect for when you want a silky-smooth feel.

Sliquid Organics Natural

This lube always lives on my nightstand. Sliquid is my personal favorite brand of lube, and this is my favorite of their products. I love a water-based lube because it can be used for every activity, and the ingredients in this lube are the most natural and body-friendly of the whole line.

Sliquid Sassy Formula

A user favorite, this vegan, gluten-free lube is hailed by one reviewer as “absolutely indispensable, as important to me as my Hitachi, if that says anything.”

Sliquid Oceanics

This lube contains carrageenan, an extract from red seaweed that some studies have shown to reduce the spread of HPV. The vegan, water-based formula is also incredibly versatile and includes skin soothing ingredients. One happy reviewer says, “It has a nice thick consistency because of the high aloe content, which is what also makes it super moisturizing even after use!”

Hathor Aphrodisia Lubricant Pure

It likely comes as no surprise that this lube’s special ingredient, horny goat weed, is believed to have aphrodisiac powers. But even without arousal properties, this gel-like formula is ideal for people who like a thicker lube.

Sliquid Organics Natural Lubricating Gel

With over 1,600 reviews and a 4+ star rating, this gel formula is a great option. One Amazon reviewer hails it as the “best all-purpose lube!”

Sliquid Intimate Lubricant H20, Glycerine Free

An all-around favorite, this popular lube from Sliquid has 5,000 reviews with an average rating of 4.5 to 5 stars. Sliquid H2O is a great lube to try if you’re new to lubes in general or into water-based lubes in particular — especially at such a great price.

Sliquid Silver

You can’t go wrong with Sliquid Silver, aka silicone offering from my favorite brand. 100% of reviewers said they’d recommend it to a friend!

SKYN All Night Long Silicone-Based Lubricant

Best known for their latex-free condoms, the SKYN brand silicone lube is a great value at just $7.27 for an airline-friendly 2.7-ounce bottle.

Sliquid Satin

This water-based lube is specially formulated for people who want long-lasting moisture. One reviewer calls it an excellent lube, saying, “It provides long-lasting lubrication that doesn't become tacky as it dries.”

Sliquid Swirl Green Apple

If you’re looking for a little extra something, flavored lubes might be for you. Just be aware that most flavored lubes contain glycerin for sweetness, which isn’t great for your body. Luckily, Sliquid has a line of flavored lubes that don’t contain the troublesome ingredient. For a classic hard candy taste, check out this green apple-flavored lube. In addition to being glycerin-free (like all their lubes), it’s also gluten-free.

Lube Tube

If you want to make sure you’re fully lubed and ready to go for anal sex, this lube tube helps you get lubrication right where you need it.

Sliquid Lip Lickers Flavored Lube Cube Pack

Can’t decide which flavored lube you want to try? Check out this variety pack! It’s also perfectly sized to be a sexy gift for someone you want to explore new tastes with.

Good Clean Love Spicy Citrus Massage Candle

For use on the body, not the genitals, this massage candle will help set the mood. Thanks to organic essential oils, your room will smell delicious while your body gets smooth. Pair it with the lube cube pack for a sexy gift package!

Überlube Silicone Lubricant Travel Tube

I can tell you from personal experience that you do not want to deal with a silicone lube spill in your luggage. This travel tube from Überlube is cute, discreet, and will fit right in with your cosmetics.

With all these options, there’s truly a lube for every occasion. Whether you choose an all-purpose lube to be your new favorite or order a different lube for every mood, you’ll discover the benefits of extra moisture in your playtime. No one wants to go down a dry slip-and-slide!