Everything You Need to Know About Natural Lube

A quick look at the best natural lubes

• Best overall: Aloe Cadabra
• Best organic formula: Sliquid Organics Natural Lubricating Gel
• Best value: Good Clean Love Almost Naked
• Best dual purpose: AH! YES Organic Lubricant
• Best for use with condoms: Sylk Personal Lubricant
• Best splurge: Überlube Luxury Lubricant

What exactly is ‘natural’?

Some people use natural lube to avoid using harsh or potentially unsafe substances to sensitive areas.

It is possible to interpret what counts as a natural lubricant. You might want to avoid certain chemicals and toxins when searching for a lubricant, as well as in other products.

“If you don’t know how to pronounce an ingredient, your body may not know how to process it.”

Many experts recommend avoiding lubricants that contain sugars.

If a product has a small number of ingredients and you can say most of them, it is a good sign that it is natural.

Is it the same thing as ‘organic’?

There is a debate about whether natural also qualifies as organic.

Organic ingredients are generally understood to be free of additives like synthetic chemicals, artificial fertilizers, and hormones.

It is possible to find a lube with coconut oil, which is natural in the sense that it comes from fruit found in nature rather than being created in a lab.

That coconut oil may not be organic. It could be made from coconuts that are grown and processed.

If you’re looking specifically for a lube that’s natural and organic, you may want to take the extra step of looking into how the ingredients are sourced.

How we chose

We considered plenty of natural lubricants before creating our final list of recommendations. Here’s how we decided which ones to include:

• Price. Our list includes products at various price points to suit most people’s budgets.
• Ingredients. The products that made the grade use safe, natural ingredients with no refined oils or chemicals. We prioritized products that are unlikely to irritate the skin.
• Reviews. We thoroughly read the reviews to see what real users thought of the products, not just the brand itself. We only included lubes that had the best feedback.
• Quality brands. We stuck to well-known brands that are committed to creating quality products. They also needed a history of great customer service and business practices.

Pricing guide

• $ = under $20
• $$ = $20–$25
• $$$ = over $25

Healthline’s picks for the best natural lubes

Some companies are making natural options for you to buy online or over the counter.

There are some options to consider.

Best overall

Aloe Cadabra

• Price: $

95 percent of the organicAloe Vera is used in the product.

It is safe to use condoms and dental dams if you are trying to prevent pregnancies and protect against sexually transmitted infections.

Best organic formula

Sliquid Organics Natural Lubricating Gel

• Price: $

The Natural Lubricating Gel is made with only five simple ingredients.

It has no taste or smell, so you don’t have to worry about unpalatability or irritants like fragrances.

You can also buy condoms that are water-based.

Best value

Good Clean Love Almost Naked

• Price: $

“Almost Naked doesn’t have any synthetic fragrances or glycerin. It is safe to use with latex condoms.”

It has a lemon and vanilla scent that is almost invisible, so if you want something completely un-hygenic, pass on this one.

Best dual purpose

AH! YES Organic Lubricant

• Price: $$

All good! The YES products are certified organic using ingredients like vitamins E andAloe Vera.

These are not gasoline-based options. If you use condoms, you should use water-based lube because it is not compatible with oil-based lube.

Best for use with condoms

Sylk Personal Lubricant

• Price: $$

Sylk is slippery and smooth, but not sticky.

“It doesn’t have any harsh chemicals or synthetic fragrances, and it was made from a vine.”

It is compatible with latex condoms and toys.

Best splurge

Überlube Luxury Lubricant

• Price: $$$

Are you looking for some luxury with your lubricant? berlube is a luxury brand of lube.

It’s more expensive than the other options, but if you have allergies or you’re prone to irritation, this might be your best bet for avoiding an uncomfortable reaction.

It is not safe for use with Silicone toys.

DIY alternatives to consider

“You might already have some options at home, so you don’t have to go shopping to get a natural lube.”

It is important to note that oil-based lubricants can be comedogenic, meaning they can cause problems with your skin type.

Some household items might work better for you than others.

Sweet almond oil

Almond oil is good for sensitive skin.

It is safe to eat and smells great, so it is a good choice for oral and anal sex.

“This oil has staying power, so you won’t have to worry about it being re-used too often.”

“Almond oil shouldn’t be used with condoms. The oils can cause condoms to break.”

If this sounds like a good fit, consider Viva Naturals Sweet Almond Oil.

Virgin coconut oil

Coconut oil is a popular DIY lube choice for good reason.

“It is great for hydration, and will absorb into your skin, so you won’t be left with a mess on your body after using it.”

Coconut oil is an all-natural choice. It is the least processed form of coconut oil.

Coconut oil can stain your clothes. You should not use coconut oil with condoms.

If this sounds like the right choice for you, Dr. Bronner’s Organic Virgin Coconut Oil is a popular product.

Avocado oil

Are you getting hungry yet? It is possible to make the leap from your pantry to your bedroom with the help of avocab oil.

It has no smell or taste, which makes it a good choice for oral play.

Some people think that the use of avocado oil is not as effective as other oils.

“If you are using condoms, you shouldn’t use this oil.”

If you want to give it a try, look to La Tourangelle for quality avocado oil.

Aloe vera

If you’ve ever used aloe vera on a sunburn, then you know how soothing it can be.

As a lubricant, it adds hydration and reduces skin irritation.

Aloe vera is water-based, so unlike the oils, it’s “It’s safe to use condoms.”.

Add alcohol to products with the name “alcho-based” and you\’ll get something.

If you already love aloe for sun care and want to see how it works as a lube, opt for a pure aloe vera product like Seven Minerals.

Ghee

Ghee is a type of clarified butter that’s most often used in South Asian cooking.

It is gaining popularity as an alternative to butter because of its healing properties.

“It’s a good option for sensitive areas of your body because it can provide healthy fatty acids.”

It is ideal for oral sex because it tastes great.

It could cause a condom to break. Ghee is a dairy product, so it is not the best choice for long lasting play.

Ghee is a butter that has the milk solids removed and is safe to leave un refrigerated for a while.

It is a good idea to wash it off immediately, as it could turn rancid and ruin your body.

Nagaimo

In China, Japan, and Vietnam, Nagaimo is a type of yam.

It has a slimy texture that can reduce irritation and make it less slippery if used as lube.

“You will need to mix it with coconut oil to get enough to play with. Make sure you don’t use it with condoms.”

Olive oil

Olive oil is a popular alternative you can find in your kitchen.

Olive oil can be used to add hydration and reduce friction.

“If you don’t wash it off immediately, your skin won’t absorb it, so it can cause problems.”

You should not use olive oil with condoms or latex products.

If this works best for you, California Olive Ranch makes a great extra virgin olive oil.

DIY alternatives to avoid

You should know that some items should be avoided at all costs before you start rummaging through your house for lube.

Baby oil

When it comes to lube, you’ll want to avoid anything with petroleum or mineral oil as a base. This includes baby oil.

If you’re using it vaginally, baby oil can increase the chances of getting an infection like bacterial vaginosis.

It is hard to wash off. This is inconvenient, but it can be dangerous. If baby oil comes in contact with a condom, it can cause a problem.

Petroleum jelly

If you have ever used a product like Vaseline or another product like petroleum jelly as a skin care product, you know it can leave your skin feeling soft and smooth.

“That doesn’t mean it makes a great lube.”

For one thing, petroleum jelly is greasy. It sticks around on your clothing and sheets.

It isn’t “It’s safe to use condoms.”, either.

One study also showed that people who used petroleum jelly intravaginally were 2.2 times more likely to develop bacterial vaginosis.

Vegetable, canola, and other refined oils

“You can’t just grab some oil from the kitchen and use it as lube.”

Vegetable oil and canola oil are processed very hard.

This usually includes heating and other treatments.

That is why healthy cooking tips tend to recommend oils that are not refined.

This is a good tip when choosing products to use on your body.

What about essential oils?

Adding an essential oil to your lube is a suggestion that some people think is good.

But this means you’re applying essential oils internally because your body ingests and absorbs substances applied to areas like the mouth, vagina, and anus.

It is not consistent that essential oils are regulated enough for internal use.

“Unless you have undergone advanced training or are acting under the guidance of a trained professional, you shouldn’t use essential oils internally.”

Follow a trained professional’s advice closely, and make sure you always dilute essential oils by mixing them with a carrier oil such as coconut.

A little goes a long way, and it’s easy to overdo it if you’re not paying attention. Make sure the essential oil is less than 4 percent of your mixture.

When to stop use and see a doctor

Natural products are not always safe for you.

If you have allergies to ingredients, make sure you avoid them.

If you are unsure, try this patch test before you use a new lube.

1. Unscented soap is good for washing your arm. Pat dry.
2. You can put a few drops of the lube on a small patch of skin.
3. Place a bandage on the area.
4. Wait 24 hours and then remove the bandage.

“If you notice a reaction on your skin patch, don’t use the lube.”

If you start having a reaction before the 24 hours have passed, wash the area with soap and warm water.

If you use the lube, keep an eye out for any symptoms.

If you have any of the following, you should see a healthcare professional.

• Difficult breathing
• “It’s swelling of the tongue, throat, or face.”
• There are bees.
• There is a rash.
• It was itching.

You should also see a doctor if you develop symptoms of a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis.

The bottom line

You probably consider what you put into your body when you use food, so why not consider what you put into the lubricant?

By looking for natural, minimally processed, and sustainable ingredients, you can look out for your health, pleasure, and the planet at the same time.

Maisha Z. Johnson is a writer and advocate for survivors of violence, people of color, and LGBTQ+ communities. She lives with chronic illness and believes in honoring each person’s unique path to healing. Find Maisha on her website, Facebook, and Twitter.