Ever Wondered What’s the Best Anal Lube? We’ve Got You Covered!

Things to Know Before Shopping for Lube for Anal Sex

Anal Lube Is a Necessity, Not an Option

As I’m sure you’ve noticed by now, the anus doesn’t self-lubricate as vaginas do. This means you and your partner will have to slather up in order to ease the process along. This will help you both minimize the possibility of pain, injury, and infection, which I guarantee is worth the extra effort. Problems like anal tearing can reeeeally spoil the fun!

Not All Retailers Are Trustworthy

The adult-product industry is largely unregulated. You can’t expect a high standard of quality in a lube just because it’s available for sale. Some distributors are known to use toxic ingredients like parabens, which can be harmful to the body. Luckily, there are plenty of reputable companies out there that have cornered the market on body-friendly sex products. More on that in a bit!

Ingredients Matter

There are three main types of lube bases: water, oil, and silicone. There are also hybrid blends, which are usually a combination of water and silicone.

Water-based lubes tend to be easy to clean and compatible with all types of condoms and sex toys. Because they wash off easily, bacteria unleashed during anal play is easily removed from the body, decreasing the chances of infection and vaginal pH disturbances.

However, because water-based lube washes off easily, it can’t be used for fun in your tub or shower. It also dries out more quickly than oil or silicone-based lubes, making it less than ideal for anal, which takes a fair investment of time when done right.

Oil-based lubes are slippery and long-lasting. However, they’re known to break down the material in condoms, diaphragms, and some sex toys. They’re also difficult to wash off and can trap bacteria against the body, increasing the likelihood of vaginal pH imbalances and other problems.

Silicone-based lubes tend to be super viscous, hypoallergenic, long-lasting, waterproof, compatible with most condoms, and less likely to harbor harmful bacteria than oil-based products. But like oil-based lube, silicone is messy and difficult to clean. It could stain your sheets permanently. It’s also incompatible with silicone sex toys.

Ultimately, water-based lube is more likely to be safe for your body, sex toy collection, and STI/pregnancy protection method than other types. However, silicone-based lube is traditionally a popular favorite for anal play due to its silky feeling and long-lasting power.

On top of all this, there are also folks who have allergies to certain lubes. Always check the ingredients of the product you’re considering and test a small amount on your skin before slathering it all over your precious genitals!

Your Lube May Affect Your Fertility

We can’t be 100% sure about this yet, as studies have produced a variety of results. Some researchers claim that the pH of most lubricants is too acidic to be sperm friendly. Additionally, the thick viscosity of lube can make it harder for sperm to travel to the uterus, and the water content can damage sperm by causing them to absorb water.

Now, I’ll take the liberty of assuming your intention for having anal sex isn’t to get pregnant. (If it is, we have a LOT more to talk about here than lube!) If you are trying to conceive and want to buy a lube you can use for both anal and vaginal sex, shop for a product that’s specifically been created to be sperm friendly.

Different Brands Have Different Consistencies

You might wonder whether there could really be much of a difference between, say, two varieties of a silicone-based product. It’s all lube, so it all must feel the same, right? Wrong!

Every unique formula you try will have its own consistency, which may change over time during use. Some lubes end up feeling sticky, gummy, or goopy after a few minutes. This isn’t what you want, especially for anal. Aim for a product with a smooth, silky, natural texture, just like the real thing!

Some Lubes Come with Special Effects

Humans are an especially creative species. Thanks to that, we now have lubes that can warm, cool, or even desensitize the skin. Some anal-play enthusiasts love products with a numbing or soothing effect, as the process can be painful when handled without proper caution and warm-up.

I wouldn’t personally ever use a lube with desensitizing effects. Pain can feel pleasurable in some cases, but when it comes to anal, it’s a big flashing sign of danger. It’s important to pay attention to the body’s signals in order to avoid injury.

Feel free to check our guide on anal sex!