Personal lubricant

Water-based

Water-based personal lubricants have water-based formulas, are water-soluble, and are the most popular type of personal lubricants as of 2025.^[2] The earliest water-based lubricants were composed of cellulose ether or glycerin solutions. Modern water-based lubes may have various agents added for even dispersal, moisture retention, and resistance to contamination. The viscosity of these products can be altered by adjusting their water content and concentration of cellulose or other gel-forming hydrophilic ingredient.

Because water-based personal lubricants absorb into the skin and evaporate, most water-based lubricants have a tendency to dry out during use, but reapplying lubricant or applying water is usually sufficient to reactivate them. When the lubricant eventually dries out, its other ingredients and agents may leave behind a residue, which can be removed with water.

Typical water-based lubricants may be (and are recommended for) use in safer sex, as their water-based chemical composition do not damage latex or other polymer-based condoms.^[1] However, these same lubes may be incompatible with sexual acts occurring in water (such as in a pool or shower), as their water-solubility means they can easily dissolve and fail to lubricate.^[3]

In a 2011 study, the Population Council tested commercially available water-based sexual lubricants and found that many of the lubricants damaged human rectal cells, with lubes specifically containing polyquaternium-15 appearing to actively increase HIV replication in cell cultures, theoretically increasing risk of HIV transmission. However, researchers concluded that "[s]ince it is the condom that is protecting users from HIV rather than the lube, condom users should still be encouraged to use water-based lubes” due to a higher risk of condoms breaking when no lube is used. The researchers also cited silicone-based lubricants as a potential alternative, although they did not test any silicone lubes in their study.^[4]

A later study published by PLOS One in 2012^[5] validated the findings of the Population Council study for the hyper-osmolality of some water-based products to cause damage to some human cells, and better bio-compatibility with low-osmolality water-based products and silicone-based products. However, the study failed to corroborate polyquaternium-15 having a role in the binding of HIV to rectal cells or increases in HIV replication.^[6]

Oil-based

Oil-based lubricants are based on petroleum or plant oils, and includes petroleum jelly & lotions. Oil-based lubes are generally considered incompatible with latex condoms,^[7] as the oils weaken latex and can increase the likelihood of breakage or slipping.^[8] Oil-based lubricants may therefore be considered desirable for people who are in relationships not requiring condom use, use it for external stimulation, or for use in sexual acts under water.^[9][1]

Silicone-based

Silicone-based lubricants have a silicone polymer-based formula.^[10] Silicone-based lubricants are not absorbed by skin or mucous membranes, and consequently last longer on the skin than water-based lubricants. Silicone-based lubricants are considered safe for use with all types of condoms,^[3] though they are generally recognized to damage other silicone-based objects such as sex toys as it dissolves the surface, making it sticky to the touch and causing disintegration of the item over time.^[11] Silicone-based lubes have also been shown to perform better that many water-based lubes at mitigating risk of HIV transmission during anal intercourse.^[4][11]

Silicone-based lubricant are the most common type of lube used in the manufacture of pre-lubricated condoms, due to its latex compatibility and increased shelf life.^[12][13]

Vaginal lubricants

Vaginal lubricants are used to augment vaginal lubrication and reduce vaginal dryness and pain during intercourse, and by couples trying to conceive. During fertility interventions, the use of a lubricant eases sperm specimen collection by masturbation. The most commercially available vaginal lubricants are water or hydroxyethylcellulose-based.^[14]

Human saliva and olive oil have been found to be detrimental to sperm function.^[15][16][14] Certain commonly used commercial lubricants, although labeled as non-spermicidal or spermicidal agent-free, have been found to impair sperm function,^{[16][17][18][19][20]} with several of these lubricants being as toxic to sperm in vitro as contraceptive gels.^[21] Sperm motility and viability were found to be disrupted shortly after direct contact between sperm and those lubricants or in saliva.^{[16][17][22][23]} Sperm function could be compromised following lubricant contact, due to the specific ingredients in the lubricant or due to the chemical properties of the lubricant, such as highly raised osmolarity or low pH.^[20][24] Such lubricants are therefore unsafe for use during fertility procedures such as semen collection^{[16][17][18][21]} or by couples trying to conceive by natural or assisted reproduction.^{[16][17][22][23]}

Vaginal lubricants such as mineral oil, canola oil, or hydroxyethylcellulose-based lubricants are recommended for use by couples attempting conception by The Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.^{[14][15][16][21][20][24][25][26][19]}

Anal-specific lubricants

Many lubricants are safe for anal sex, however there are also lubricant products specifically marketed or designed to enhance enjoyment of anal sex. These lubes are often a thicker gel version of existing lubricants, as the consistency is preferable for keeping it stictioned onto the anus.

Some anal lubricants contain numbing agents to relieve discomfort during anal sex although their use is generally inadvisable, due to the lack of sensation making accidental injury more likely and risk of accidentally numbing another part of the body. Additionally, a common agent in these type of lubes is benzocaine, which can cause an allergic reaction in those with an allergy to PABA (4-aminobenzoic acid). As such, many of these products have been pulled from the market due to FDA Medical Device Requirements.^[27]

Masturbation

While most males and females produce varying amounts of their own lubrication, extra lubrication is sometimes sought when needed. There are specific lubricants which may be used in male masturbation, often called "masturbation creams", but are not suitable for vaginal or anal use or for use with condoms.^[33] Many men in Japan use lubricant created specifically for onaholes such as the Tenga Egg.^[34] Lubricant that is safe for sexual intercourse is also safe for masturbation.^{[citation needed]}

Hand lotion is often used for recreational masturbation, and popularly seen as an alternative to lubricants created specifically for sexual intercourse.^[35]