Natural lubricant products can contain fewer ingredients than traditional chemical-containing lubricants. Some products may contain only vegan or organic ingredients.
Some people opt for natural lube to avoid applying harsh or potentially unsafe substances to sensitive areas like their vaginal or anal lining.
What counts as a natural lubricant is somewhat open to interpretation. When searching for a lubricant, you might want to avoid certain chemicals and toxins that you also avoid in food, makeup, and hair products.
If a product has a small number of ingredients, it’s a good sign that the product is natural.
Is it the same thing as ‘organic’?
There’s some debate about whether “natural” also counts as “organic.”
Organic ingredients are generally understood to be free of additives like synthetic chemicals, artificial fertilizers, and hormones.
You might find a lube with an ingredient like coconut oil, which is natural in the sense that it comes from fruit found in nature rather than being created in a lab.
But that coconut oil may not be organic. It could be made from coconuts grown and processed using chemicals like pesticides.
If you’re looking specifically for a lube that’s natural and organic, you may want to take the extra step of looking into how the ingredients are sourced.
Many experts recommend avoiding lubricants that contain parabens, petroleum, and glycerin and other sugars.
Pricing guide
- $ = under $20
- $$ = $20 to $25
- $$$ = over $25
As natural lube becomes more popular, some companies are creating natural options for you to buy online or over the counter.
We considered plenty of natural lubricants before creating our final list of recommendations. Here’s how we decided which ones to include:
- Price: Our list includes products at various price points to suit most people’s budgets.
- Ingredients: The products use safe, natural ingredients with no refined oils or chemicals. We prioritized products that are unlikely to irritate the skin.
- Reviews: We thoroughly read the reviews to see what real users thought of the products, not just the brand itself. We only included lubes that had the best feedback.
- Quality brands: We stuck to well-known brands that are committed to creating quality products. They also needed a history of great customer service and business practices.
Here’s our top picks for the best natural lube alternatives:
| Type | Price | Ingredients | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aloe Cadabra | water-based | $26.14 | Organic aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Vitamin E oil (mixed tocopherols), Xanthan gum, Citric acid, Food grade sodium benzoate, Food grade potassium sorbate, Organic vanilla flavor oil |
| Good Clean Love | water-based | $23.64 | Organic aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Xanthan gum, Lactic acid, Natural flavor, Potassium sorbate, and Sodium benzoate |
| AH! YES | oil-based | $28.99 | Organic helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, Organic butyrospermum parkii (shea butter), Organic prunus dulcis (sweet almond oil), Organic cera alba (bees wax), Organic theobroma cacao (cocoa) seed butter, Tocopherol (vitamin E) |
| Überlube | silicone-based | $23.65 | Dimethicone, Dimethiconol, Cyclomethicone, Tocopherol acetate (citamin E) |
There are many things to consider when choosing a natural lube, including what type of lubricant you’d prefer. These are some of the most common types of lube:
- Water-based lube: These lubes tend to be versatile, hydrating, and good for use with condoms. They are also easy to clean. Be aware of additional ingredients added to water-based lube that may irritate skin or cause potential infections.
- Oil-based lube: While many oils are moisturizing and can be a long-lasting natural lube alternative, you should avoid using them with latex products.
- Silicone-based lube: Silicone lubes may be suitable for all types of condoms. But avoid using them with silicone toys.
There’s a chance you don’t even have to go shopping to get a natural lube — you might already have some options at home.
Some household items might work better for you than others, so read on for your DIY options.
Oils
Oil-based lubricants may be good for adding more moisture and reducing friction. However, it’s important to note that oil-based lubricants may be comedogenic, meaning they can clog pores, which you may want to consider depending on your skin type. You should also avoid using most oils with latex products, such as condoms, as they may damage the material and make them less effective.
There are several natural oils you can use as a lube alternative, including:
- Sweet almond oil: As well as being moisturizing, this oil
may soothe sensitive, dry skin. Almond oil is safe to eat, so it could be a good option for oral and anal sex. - Virgin coconut oil: Unrefined, or virgin, coconut oil may be your best bet for an all-natural choice. It’s the least processed form and isn’t bleached like refined coconut oil is. Your skin will absorb coconut oil, so you won’t be left with a mess on your body afterward. Coconut oil may have
antimicrobial , antiviral, andantifungal properties suggesting it could prevent infections and support immunity. But be aware that coconut oil may stain your sheets and clothing. - Avocado oil: This option is smooth, can last a while, and has no taste or smell, which means it can come in handy for oral play. When it comes to functionality, though, some people find that avocado oil is not quite as effective as more popular choices like sweet almond and coconut oils.
- Olive oil: This is another popular option you’ll find in your kitchen that offers moisture and less friction. But your skin will not absorb olive oil, so it can clog your pores if you don’t wash it off right away.
- Hemp seed oil: This oil is becoming more popular for its high nutritional content and skin-protecting abilities. It may have anti-inflammatory properties and high fatty acid content which may make it suitable for sensitive skin.
People with allergies, such as a nut or tree nut allergy, should avoid almond oil and coconut oil. If you’re unsure what to use, consider discussing your options with a medical professional.
Aloe vera
If you’ve ever used aloe vera on a sunburn, then you know how soothing it can be. According to a 2020 review, aloe vera may have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and wound-healing abilities.
As a lubricant, it may add hydration and reduce skin irritation.
Aloe vera is water-based, so unlike the oils, it’s safe to use with condoms. But watch out for aloe-based products with added ingredients like alcohol.
Ghee
Ghee is a type of clarified butter that’s most often used in South Asian cooking.
It’s gaining popularity as an alternative to traditional butter, in part because of its possible healing properties, such as its potential to manage skin conditions.
Ghee can moisturize and soothe your skin and provide healthy fatty acids, which makes it a good option for sensitive areas of your body.
It also tastes great, so it’s ideal for oral sex.
It could cause a condom to break, though. And because ghee is a dairy product, it’s probably not the best choice for long-lasting play.
Because ghee is a form of butter that has the milk solids removed, it does not turn rancid as fast as butter and is safe to leave unrefrigerated for a time.
Nagaimo
Nagaimo is a type of yam that’s popular in China, Japan, and Vietnam. This ingredient may have several benefits for the body, including antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties.
It’s known for its slippery, slimy texture, a quality that can reduce friction and irritation if you use it as lube.
You’ll probably need to mix it with something else, like coconut oil, to get enough of a substance to last for your play. In that case, make sure you avoid using it with condoms.
While household items may be effective as a natural lube, it’s important to note many of these options lack clinical studies into their use as a lubricant for use in intimate areas. It’s best to use them cautiously and stop use if any irritation occurs.
Before you get too excited about rummaging through your household items for DIY lube, you should know that you should avoid some items.
Baby oil
When it comes to lube, you’ll want to avoid anything with petroleum or mineral oil as a base. This includes baby oil.
If you’re using it vaginally, baby oil can increase the chances of getting an infection like bacterial vaginosis. Moreover, one small study found higher rates of rectal infection when people used baby oil as a lubricant.
Plus, it’s hard to wash off. If baby oil comes in contact with a condom or a sex toy, it can degrade the material, too.
Petroleum jelly
If you’ve ever used Vaseline or another petroleum jelly as a moisturizer, then you know it can leave your skin feeling soft and smooth.
However, that doesn’t mean it makes a great lube.
For one thing, petroleum jelly is greasy rather than slippery. This means it sticks around on your body, sheets, and clothing.
It isn’t safe for use with condoms, either.
A different smaller study showed that people who used petroleum jelly intra-vaginally were 2.2 times more likely to develop bacterial vaginosis. The research noted that these results were based on a multi-variable analysis.
Vegetable, canola, and other refined oils
You can’t just grab any oil from your kitchen to use as lube.
Refined and hydrogenated cooking oils, such as vegetable oil and canola oil, go through heavy processing.
This usually includes heating, bleaching, and chemical treatments.
That’s why healthy cooking tips tend to recommend unrefined oils, such as extra virgin olive oil, instead.
This is a good tip when deciding on products to use on your body as well.
While you may consider adding essential oils to your DIY lube, it’s best to be cautious.
When you apply essential oils internally, such as to areas like the mouth, vagina, and anus, your body ingests and absorbs these substances.
Essential oils aren’t consistently regulated enough for internal use. In fact, some essential oils could cause a rash or may be poisonous if someone swallows them or absorbs them through the skin.
According to the International Federation of Aromatherapists, some essential oils are oral toxins and may damage the kidneys or liver, causing internal irritation.
So it’s important to practice safe use of essential oils and avoid ingestion or use on areas like the mouth, vagina, or anus.
If you’re using essential oils externally, ensure you always dilute the oils by mixing them with a carrier oil such as coconut. A little goes a long way, and it’s easy to overdo it if you’re not paying attention. Make sure the essential oil is between 1% and 4% of your mixture. This concentration may vary depending on the type of extract.
You shouldn’t use essential oils internally unless you’ve undergone advanced training and certification or are acting under the guidance of a trained professional.
Just because a product is natural does not mean it’s safe.
Make sure you avoid ingredients if you or your partner have allergies to them.
If you’re not sure, try this simple patch test before you use a new lube for play:
- Wash your arm with unscented soap. Pat dry.
- Put a few drops of the lube onto a small patch of skin like inside the crook of your elbow.
- Cover the area with a bandage.
- Wait 24 hours, and then remove the bandage.
Do not use the lube if you notice a reaction like redness or discoloration, swelling, itching, or blistering on your skin patch.
If you start having a reaction before 24 hours have passed, immediately wash the area with soap and warm water.
Contact a healthcare professional if you experience any of the following:
- difficulty breathing
- swelling, especially of the tongue, throat, or face
- hives
- rash
- itching
You may also consider contacting a doctor if you develop symptoms of a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis.
The best natural lube depends on what you’re looking for. Some people may prefer a water-based formula for more versatility, while others might prefer a silicone formula like Überlube, which is great for water play. Aloe Cadabra is our best overall natural lube as it uses organic ingredients, is suitable for use with most condoms, and is free from various chemicals.
Aloe vera is a good water-based substitute that may act as a natural lube, and you can use it with condoms. Oil-based alternatives, such as unrefined coconut oil or olive oil, may work too, but some of these may stain clothing and might not be suitable for use with condoms.
Unrefined coconut oil may work as a natural lube for some people as it has some moisturizing properties. However, it’s important to note that there is a lack of research on using coconut oil as a personal lubricant. It may also have some potential downsides, including:
- causing an allergic reaction in some people
- staining clothing and sheets
- increasing the chance of vaginal infections due to having a high pH
- not being compatible with condoms
You probably consider what you’re putting into your body when it comes to food, so why not extend that consideration to the lubricant you’re using?
By seeking out natural, minimally processed, and sustainably sourced ingredients, you can look out for your health, your pleasure, and the planet, all at once.
Maisha Z. Johnson is a writer and advocate for survivors of violence, people of color, and LGBTQ+ communities. She lives with chronic illness and believes in honoring each person’s unique path to healing. Find Maisha on her website, Facebook, and Twitter.