Which is the Best Lube?

15 February 2011

People who use lubricant have better sex. It eases penetration and makes playing, with or without sex toys, so much more enjoyable. It’s the easiest and cheapest way to make every sexual experience you have smoother and more pleasurable

Even if you feel that your body is doing a great job without any assistance, you might be missing out on reams of extra pleasure without knowing it - over 70% of women find sexual experiences more satisfying with lube.

Whether you just want a water-based lube or if you're feeling more experimental and keen to try other types such as flavoured lube or silicone lube, this guide will help you to find the perfect sexual enhancement for any occasion.

Different Types of Lube Explained

You may be familiar with well-known lube brands such as Durex, and KY Jelly, all of which are favourites with fans of slippery and pleasurable sex. Take some time to explore Lovehoney's wide selection of lube products and you'll be introduced to other new and exciting lubes with some very special properties.

Best All-Rounder: Water-Based Lubricant

Water-based lubes such as our best-selling Tracey Cox Supersex Love Lube (£5.99) have a light, natural feel which is perfect for vaginal play, and they won't rot your condom. Nor will they stain your bedsheets, mess with your barrier contraception or - and this is of great importance - warp the surface of your faithful vibrator.

The only downside with water-based lubes is that you may need to use quite a lot during prolonged sessions as it can dry out easily and be absorbed into the skin.

See Water-Based Lubes

Best Long-Lasting Lube: Silicone Lubricant

Silicone-based lubes give us the best of both worlds: the highly-arousing, slick feel of oil plus the safety-first advantages of water-based lube.

Silicone lube is generally more expensive, but the long-lasting properties mean you won’t need to keep topping up your lubrication and you’ll probably need less of it too. Silicone lube is even waterproof, making slippery sex in the shower or bath a possibility.

Silicone will not harm condoms and is perfectly safe as silicone molecules are too big to enter the body, but one note of caution: do not use silicone lube with silicone sex toys.

See Silicone Lubricants

Best for Oral Sex: Flavoured Lube

Wonderful for oral sex, flavoured lube makes foreplay great fun and tasty, too. Our best-selling flavoured lubricants are from Durex and in delicious flavours including cherry, strawberry and pina colada.

We think that the Sliquid Swirl lubes taste much better, and they don't contain any glycerin or sugar-derivatives that can meddle with vaginal pH. Sliquid's delicious flavours include strawberry pomegrante, pink lemonade, blue raspberry, green apple and cherry vanilla.

Flavoured lubricants are equally as suitable for penetrative sex, so oral sex doesn't have to be the main agenda when using these delicious treats.

See Flavoured Lubes

Best for Anal Play: Anal Lube

The consistency of anal lubes is much thicker than that of ordinary lubes. This extra thickness helps protect the sensitive skin of the anus and many also offer a moisturising effect to. When using anal lube, apply it both to your anus and your sex toys or partner. Although it might be difficult to achieve penetration at first, you'll appreciate the ultra slick feel once you get into the swing of things.

Maximus Anal Lubricant (£9.99) and Tracey Cox Supersex Anal Lubricant (£8.99) are both best-sellers and designed to stay slippery for longer to enable safe and enjoyable anal play.

See Anal Lubes

Best for Indulgence: Organic Lube

An increasingly popular choice for those concerned with the environment and sensitivity, organic lubes such as Sliquid Organics Natural Gel Lube (£10.99) are often fortified with beneficial ingredients and soothing botanical extracts. Using plant-based cellulose for thickness, these lubes are safe to use and ideal for those investing in a healthy lifestyle and clear conscience.

All Yes Organic Lubes meet the Soil Association Organic Standard, are Vegetarian Society approved and made from all-natural ingredients, including hypoallergenic aloe vera, with oil-based or water-based lubes available from the range.

See Organic Lubricants

Best for New Sensation: Warming and Cooling Lube

Fast becoming a must-have in every bedside cabinet, warming and cooling lubes are a fun and easy way to spice up your sex life. They're water-based lubes that contain special ingredients that feel warm or cool on the skin - and react when you start rubbing or blowing. There are a variety of stimulating lubricants and gels available, designed to stimulate, increase desire and introduce women to intense orgasms.

Designed for both solo play or as an accessory for better sex with your partner, stimulating lubes have are designed to add a little extra orgasmic zing to your sex life.

See Warming and Cooling Lubes

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