The Ultimate Guide to Lube: Type, Taste, Toys, and the Whole Slippery Truth

You know how every great meal starts with a little butter? Sex is no different. Lubrication turns friction into glide and awkwardness into “oh, wow.” Because we know a thing or two about lubes, we thought we’d share that not all lubes are created equal. Some are made for marathon toy sessions, others for oral adventures, and a few are secretly sabotaging your favorite silicone friend.

Let’s get you matched with your perfect glide partner.

1. Types of Lube (And How to Pick Yours)

Water-Based: The Reliable Classic

This is the universal adapter of lube. Works with all condoms and toys, rinses off easily, and mimics your body’s natural feel. 

The trade off? It can dry out faster. Be prepared for a little “needs a quick mid-game reapplication.” 

Choose a formula with glycerin-free and paraben-free labels if you’re prone to yeast infections or irritation. We love ID Totally Naked Lubricant for this. 

Silicone-Based: The Long Haul Hero

Silky, unrelenting, and excellent for shower sex. It lasts forever (okay, close), and doesn’t need a refresh every five minutes. 

Downside? It can break down silicone toys. Keep it away from your expensive rabbit or suction cup dildo. Pair it with glass, metal, or hard plastic toys instead.

Our most popular silicone-based lube is popular for a reason.

Oil-Based: The Luxe Rebel

Coconut oil, shea butter, or specially formulated oils can feel incredible. Do you like things that are warm, nourishing, and have a natural feel?

Let’s talk fine print, though. Oil and latex condoms do not mix. It can weaken latex and lead to breaks. Reserve oil-based lubes for partner play without condoms or for solo sessions.

Our recommendation is coconutty, slippery, and warm. Hope you like it. 

2. Different Flavors of Lube. Tasty, or Just Marketing?

Flavored lubes are basically dessert with a job to do. Great for oral sex, useless for penetrative play (the sugar and additives can mess with your pH).

The good: vegan, glycerin-free, and made with food grade flavoring. Think mint, vanilla, or berry done right.

The bad: anything that tastes like cough syrup or smells like a Bath & Body Works candle named Teen Spirit.

Rule of thumb: if you wouldn’t put it in your smoothie, don’t put it in your body. Common sense comes in strong, here.

Pro move? Try a flavor you actually eat in real life. Start with something like vanilla, strawberry, or even caramel. Your mouth will thank you. We really love this little sampler pack as a starter kit. 

3. Toys & Compatibility: Don’t Melt Your Favorite

Lube + toy chemistry matters more than you think.

• Silicone toys: Stick to water-based lube. Silicone on silicone creates a gummy mess that ruins texture.

• Glass, metal, or hard plastic toys: Silicone lube = yes, please. The extra slip makes these toys feel luxurious.

• Porous materials (like jelly or rubber): always use a condom barrier and stick with gentle, unscented water-based options.
  
  

When in doubt, test a drop of lube on the toy’s base and wait an hour. If it gets tacky, cloudy, or sticky, skip that combo. It’s like a sexy science fair experiment.

4. Purpose-Driven Lube: “Just Wet” Isn’t a Personality

• For sensitive skin: look for aloe-based, hypoallergenic, or organic water lubes. Staff Pick: Wicked Lube. 

• For anal play: thicker silicone or hybrid lubes (a silicone-water blend) offer cushion and endurance. Staff Pick: Skins Hybrid. 

• For menopausal dryness: try oil-based or glycerin-free, pH-balanced formulas. Staff Pick: Blush Lube.

• For oral play: flavored, but only your favorite ones. Staff Pick: Swiss Navy Strawberry Kiwi Lube.

• For shower sex: silicone only. Water-based will rinse right off mid-thrust and ruin the magic. Staff Pick: Pjur Infinity Lube.

5. The Taste Test (Yes, Literally)

Lube marketing can be chaotic, so trust your tongue:

1. Put a dab on your wrist and taste it.

2. If it’s bitter or leaves a film, toss it.

3. If it’s subtle or sweet without being sticky then you’ve found a keeper.
   
   

Bonus points if it doesn’t make your tongue go numb (seriously, that happens). Unless you’re into that kind of thing. 

6. Clean-Up Crew: How to Not Feel Like a Grease-Coated Pancake

• Water-based lubes rinse off with just water.

• Silicone-based needs a little soap or a gentle body wash.

• Oil-based might require a shower loofah and a podcast episode’s worth of scrubbing.

If you get it on your sheets, no big deal. Wash with cold water first as heat will set stains faster than regret.

7. The Final Word

Good lube is essential. It’s self-care, foreplay, and insurance against friction burns all at once. 

Experiment until you find your holy grail combo. Maybe it’s a thick silicone for solo days, a flavored water-based for date nights, and a gentle oil for lazy Sundays. Switch it out whenever you want. That’s what makes lube so much fun. It’s an inexpensive way to add something extra to your sex life.