These Are the 13 Anal Lubes Sex Experts Swear By
Having anal sex without a lubricant is like going through your day without coffee: painful and almost always unsuccessful. Thankfully, the best anal lube can make the experience very pleasurable for you and your partner. While you might be ready to dive in with any old slippery substance, we’d recommend looking into which lubes are ideal for anal—because, after all, butt play is not the same as vaginal penetration.
“The anus, unlike other parts of our body, doesn’t naturally lubricate. So, if you're skipping the lube, it's an uncomfortable situation waiting to happen,” says Emily May, PhD, an AASECT-certified sex therapist and writer at Private Sugar Club. “I always tell clients, ‘If it hurts, you're doing it wrong.’ A good, slippery lube is a must if you want things to go smoothly.”
Using lube during your sesh isn’t only about feeling good—it’s also a safety issue. Without it, “you’d be having friction on dry skin, which can lead to fissures, hemorrhoids, and anal bleeding,” Heather Shannon, LCPC, host of the podcast Ask A Sex Therapist,. tells SELF. Nobody wants that.
“The right lube for anal sex is long-lasting,” she says. “You’re going to want a heavy-duty lube.” So, how does one find this super slick stuff? To help you navigate the vast world of lube, we spoke with experts to get their top picks, plus tips on what to look for as you shop.
Our top picks
- Best Silicone-Based: Sliquid Silver Silicone Lubricant
- Best Water-Based: Good Clean Love BioNude Ultra Sensitive Personal Lubricant
- Best Oil-Based: Coconu Oil-Based Organic Lubricant
FAQs about the best lubes for anal sex
Why should you use anal lube?
“Unlike vaginas [which provide natural lubrication], anuses do not self-lubricate,” board-certified ob-gyn Jacques Moritz, MD, previously told SELF. Trying butt play without lube can cause the tissue in your anus to tear, SELF has reported, which doesn’t just hurt—it can also make you more susceptible to sexually transmitted infections (or STIs) like gonorrhea and HIV, he says.
Which kinds of lube are safe for anal sex?
There are three main types of lube: silicone-, water-, and oil-based. All are safe for anal play, but you should know their differences. Silicone-based lubricants are often recommended for anal sex because they last the longest and have a thicker consistency. But if you’re planning to use silicone sex toys in your session, don’t use them with silicone lube—it can ruin the material.
Water-based lubricants are the most common; they’re the ones you’d typically find at your local drugstore. They’re thin, slippery, and easy to wash off after sex. They also won’t leave any stains on your bed sheets, the way other kinds of lube might. But because they have a thinner texture that can dry up quickly, you might need to reapply water-based lube more often during anal play.
Oil-based lubricants are slippery and long-lasting, which is why they’re often recommended by sex experts. However, oil-based lubes can’t be used with polyisoprene or latex condoms—it can cause them to weaken and break (not good!). We do recommend using condoms for any kind of sex, so make sure you find a compatible option (made from lambskin, nitrile, or polyurethane) if you opt for an oil-based lube.
Still not sure which type is right for you? We tapped the experts for their personal favorites: Shannon says she’d pick a silicone lube, given that it’s so long-lasting (May calls it the marathon runner of lubes). Coming in at a close second are oil-based options, says Shannon. They’re also a solid choice for anal, since they have a higher viscosity, and she says coconut, jojoba, and almond oils are all safe bases to try. Still, water-based lube is the best for sensitive skin, says Shannon—she recommends options with aloe and hyaluronic acid for the best feel.
What should you consider when shopping for anal lube?
Beyond the base of the lubricant, there are other things to keep in mind as you shop. A fragrance-free, hypoallergenic lube is ideal for everyone—but if you have sensitive skin or you've had reactions to lube in the past, it’s even more important.
And make sure it’s something you’ll enjoy using a lot of: “The more lube the better. I always say you shouldn’t be thinking there can be ‘too much’ lube. You should want to be on a water slide. It just makes everything better. This applies for all kinds of sex—but is especially important during anal,” says Gigi Engle, ACS, a certified sex educator and host of Internet Sex Therapy.
Which ingredients should you avoid in an anal lube?
All of the experts we spoke to recommended steering clear of flavored or scented lubes during anal, vaginal, or oral sex—especially ones that contain glycerin, which can alter vaginal pH, as SELF previously reported. According to Engle, you should also avoid petroleum-based lubricants (like Vaseline) and anything with parabens or preservatives.
If you use a lube with numbing agents that gives you “tingly” sensations during vaginal sex, consider skipping it for anal play, suggests May. Given that backdoor penetration can be painful, you want to be able to feel any discomfort so you can pause and reevaluate whether you want to continue and/or try something different (like a new position, slower pace, or more lube) before hurting yourself. Tingly lubes can also contain ingredients like peppermint oil, which may be irritating, notes Shannon.
Most importantly, avoid any ingredients you're sensitive to. While that might seem obvious, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by your choices and pick up the first lube you find. Anything that’s caused even minor itching, redness, swelling, burning, or other discomfort in the past should definitely be avoided in the future. (It’s worth finding a lube that feels straight-up amazing!)
Shop the best anal lube
It’s never a bad idea to find new products for your nightstand that could amp up your next roll in the hay. Below, find our easy-to-use picks for the best anal lubes.
Silicone-based lubes
Sliquid Silver Silicone Lubricant
Pros
- Long-lasting
- Latex compatible
- Fragrance-free
Cons
- Can’t be used with silicone toys
May recommends Sliquid’s Silver lube for a silicone-based option. Beyond its low price point, it’s also easy to use—and a little goes a long way, according to Amazon reviewers. The super slick consistency also makes it great for masturbation and hand jobs.
Product specs
Size: 8.5 fl oz. | Other notable ingredients: Moisturizing dimethicone
Astroglide X Premium Silicone Gel
Pros
- Thick texture
- Fragrance-free
- Doesn’t drip or dry up quickly
Cons
- Can’t be used with silicone toys
“This thick, silicone-based gel is long-lasting, which is a great feature to have in an anal lube, especially if you’re new,” May says. “Having a thick lube like this also allows you to control where you apply it better, as opposed to thin lubes that drip everywhere.”
Reviewers specifically call out that it works well for butt stuff. “I like how this works for anal intercourse. A small amount goes a long way and I’ve heard no complaints from the bottom partners who I top,” wrote one Amazon shopper. “Works as described and works wonderful in the water,” another added.
Product specs
Size: 3 fl oz. | Other notable ingredients: Moisturizing coconut oil and dimethicone
Uberlube Luxury Lubricant
Pros
- Thick, but not sticky
- Fragrance-free
- Latex compatible
- Can be used in water
Cons
- Can’t be used with silicone toys
- Small bottle
“Uberlube is an industry favorite,” Engle says. “It’s so gentle on skin, you can even use it to remove your makeup. It’s light to the touch and has a slick, slippery feel.” Additional hydrating ingredients in this silky lube will leave your skin feeling softer too. And if you need more convincing, just look at the packaging: It’s beautiful enough to keep on your nightstand.
Product specs
Size: 1.86 fl oz. | Other notable ingredients: Moisturizing vitamin E and dimethicone
Maude Shine Silicone
Pros
- Long-lasting
- Fragrance-free
- Easy, mess-free pump bottle
Cons
- Can’t be used with silicone toys
Here at SELF, we love Maude’s intimacy products. As far as the brand’s lube goes, you can choose from a hydrating aloe vera and water-based formula or a silicone-based one, which we’ve included here because it’s longer-lasting for anal sex. It’s FDA-approved, hypoallergenic—and since it's silicone-based, you can use it for shower sex or any other kind of underwater intimacy (get creative!).
Product specs
Size: 8 fl oz. | Other notable ingredients: Moisturizing dimethicone
Pjur Back Door Silicone Anal Lubricant
Pros
- Added hydrating ingredients
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Can’t be used with silicone toys
This latex-safe option from Pjur has a thinner consistency than other silicone-based lubes on this list, if that’s more comfortable for you. Because of the formula, it won’t dry up and it doesn’t leave much residue after sex; “it stays put, which is exactly what you want when you’re in the moment,” May says.
Product specs
Size: 3.4 fl oz. | Other notable ingredients: Anti-inflammatory jojoba oil
Lube Life Ultra Slick Thick Silicone-Based Lubricant
Pros
- Simple formula
- Water-resistant
- Long-lasting
- Latex-safe
Cons
- Not compatible with silicone toys
“This is designed for anal play and to be long-lasting,” says Shannon. “And it only has two ingredients, which I love.” Plus the thick consistency will help it stay where you want it. “Your back door and your toy will thank you for using a few drops of this. I have tested many lubricants, and this one is by far the best bang for the buck,” wrote one Amazon reviewer.
Product specs
Size: 4 fl oz. | Other notable ingredients: Moisturizing dimethicone
Best water-based
Good Clean Love BioNude Ultra Sensitive Personal Lubricant
Pros
- Great for sensitive skin
- Mimics natural lubrication
- Can be used with all toys and latex
Cons
- May require reapplication, like most water-based lubes
This one comes highly recommended by Shannon, particularly for anyone who’s been sensitive to lubes in the past. “It checks all the boxes for healthy ingredients, healthy PH levels, and healthy osmolality levels, which makes it a safe bet for sensitive skin,” she says. (Osmolality refers to how concentrated the molecules are in a product. In general, you want a lube with an osmolality that matches the vagina—something that’s at least below 1200 mOsm/kg, per the WHO—so that it doesn’t dry out your skin.)
“I have IBS and so I’ve been looking for a lube that doesn’t make my anal tissues feel uncomfortable or burn. This is the first lube I have ever used that didn’t make me uncomfortable in the slightest,” wrote one Amazon reviewer. “No tingling, no burning, no weird friction, nothing.”
Product specs
Size: 3 fl oz. | Other notable ingredients: Hydrating, anti-inflammatory carrageenan
Desert Harvest Bum-Bumz Intimate Arousal Gel
Pros
- Healthy osmolality
- Can be used with toys and latex
- Mess-free pump bottle
Cons
- May dry out quickly
This lube is made specifically for butts, with a thick, non-sticky consistency that will add plenty of slipperiness to your sesh. You can also purchase applicators with the lube, which may help you get the product up in there better (rather than putting it on a toy, penis, or the outside of the anus only).
Product specs
Size: 8 fl oz. | Other notable ingredients: Soothing organic aloe vera
Slippery Stuff Gel Lube
Pros
- Works with all toy materials and latex
- Thick
- Comes in lots of sizes
Cons
- Some Good Vibes reviewers say it gets sticky and dries up too fast
- Ethlyhexylglycerin may cause irritation
Originally used as a lubricant to help divers and surfers put on their rubber suits, this water-based gel lube has evolved to make it ideal for diving…into butts. Reviewers note that it has the thicker consistency of a silicone-based lube, but with the compatibility you want from a water-based lube.
Product specs
Size: 2, 4, 8, or 16 fl oz. | Other notable ingredients: Moisturizing ethylhexylglycerin
Best oil-based
Coconu Oil-Based Organic Lubricant
Pros
- Long-lasting
- Fragrance-free
- Added hydrating ingredients
Cons
- May stain bed sheets/clothes
- Pricey
- Not safe to use with latex condoms
This popular coconut oil-based lubricant comes recommended by May. The edible formula lasts a long time during anal or vaginal sex and features a number of super moisturizing, skin-soothing oils.
Product specs
Size: 3 fl oz. | Other notable ingredients: Sunflower seed oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, almond oil, sea buckthorn oil, skin-barrier-strengthening squalane
The Butters Palm Grease Lube
Pros
- Thick
- Long-lasting
- Moisturizing
Cons
- May stain fabrics
- Not safe to use with latex condoms
With a palm-oil based formula, Palm Grease is a high-viscosity lube, meaning it has a very thick consistency and stays in place better than some other lubes. It comes in a solidified form (think coconut oil from the grocery store) and melts into a liquid as you use it. The velvety, nourishing formula makes it a great massage oil too.
Product specs
Size: 0.5, 4, 5, 8, or 16 fl oz. | Other notable ingredients: Moisturizing grape seed oil and vitamin E
Foria Booty Melts
Pros
- Easier to get in your butt than liquid lube
- May relax muscles
Cons
- Still need lube for the anal opening
These suppositories could totally change your relationship with anal sex—you put them in before anything else, and they melt down to create internal lubrication. They contain 150 mg of broad-spectrum CBD, which may help relax the muscles in the area and help with any discomfort.
Shannon is a fan: “I like that you can put these in 20 minutes prior to anal penetration in a solid form. It can be hard to get a liquid lube inside your anus to properly protect you from tears or hemorrhoids—though, personally, I’d still use a lube at the anal opening, too,” she says. “My philosophy with anal sex is ‘lube, lube, and more lube!’”
Product specs
Size: 0.23 oz. | Other notable ingredients: Hydrating cocoa butter
Foria Intimacy Sex Oil with CBD
Pros
- Only two ingredients
- Pump is easy to use
Cons
- Pricey
- May irritate those sensitive to tree nuts
- Not latex compatible
Looking for a liquid lube with CBD? This one’s for you. This coconut-oil-based lubricant won praise from Megan Fleming, PhD, a psychologist and AASECT-certified sex therapist, for its super simple formula: It only contains organic coconut oil and CBD. Customers appreciate that it’s long-lasting and works as a luxe massage oil too.
Product specs
Size: 3.8 oz. | Other notable ingredients: Moisturizing coconut oil
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