The 9 Absolute Best Water-Based Lubes for Better Sex, According to Ob/gyns

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If you’ve ever found yourself in the mood but frustrated by a lack of lubrication down there, don’t fret—you’re certainly not alone. Experiencing vaginal dryness or needing a little extra slipperiness during sex is totally normal. That’s why water-based lubes were created. Compared to silicone, oil-based, and other varieties of lube, water-based formulas are incredibly versatile, gentle, and long-lasting, helping keep things nice and moisturized without much need for reapplication—and more importantly, without irritating sensitive skin.

Meet the experts: Christine Greves, M.D., a board-certified ob/gyn at the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies; Sherry Ross, M.D., women’s sexual health expert and author of she-ology and the she-quel; Jessica Shepherd, M.D., an ob/gyn in Texas; and Lauren Streicher, M.D., a professor of clinical obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago.

“Water-based lubricants are usually nice and simple,” Christine Greves, M.D., a board-certified ob/gyn at the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies, notes. They can be used by all types of people for all types of sex, whether with a partner wearing a condom or going solo with a sex toy. Formulated with aloe vera, glycerin, and other ingredients, water-based products help minimize discomfort, increase pleasure, and may even intensify orgasms. Another plus: most products are safe to use with all condom types and sex toy materials (though you should always double-check each product).

Our top picks:

Below, find our expert-approved picks for the best water-based lubes for every need, including those for sensitive skin, lubes for anal play, and formulas that last the longest.

H2O Personal Lubricant

A water-based lube that’s made from palm oil-based glycerin, JO H2O is top-rated because of its long-lasting formula and silky feel. It has no artificial ingredients and has an incredibly low osmolality of 61 mOsm/kg (high osmolality lubricants have a bigger number of dissolved particles per unit of water, which can dry you out over time). Plus, it’s safe for use with most condoms and sex toys.

Formulation: Lotion

Key ingredient: Glycerin

What the reviews say: “We use this for everything in the bedroom and it doesn't dry up. Out of all lubricants, this is the one that we find the best, and the value is amazing!” one reviewer wrote.

Date Night Water-Based Personal Lubricant

Prefer scented lubes? Playground’s water-based lubricants are just the product to reach for. The plant-based formula contains hyaluronic acid and vitamin E for long-lasting hydration and libido-enhancing adaptogens like ashwagandha, black cohosh, and horny goat weed. It’s offered in three subtle, all-natural scents that help set the mood.

Note: Using scented products in the vagina may disrupt your pH.

Formulation: Liquid

Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid and vitamin E

What the reviews say: “I love that the bottle looks high-end and aesthetically pleasing. The fragrance is lovely, not too strong or overpowering. The best part is that it’s super slippery and slick and it doesn’t get sticky. A little bit goes a long way and it lasts longer than anything else we’ve tried,” one reviewer wrote.

Heat Warming Water-Based Lubricant

If you’re really looking to spice up your sex life, do so literally with Maude Heat, a warming water-based lube that’s quickly gaining popularity online. It’s formulated with a low concentration of capsaicin, so it’ll feel warm upon application and heat up even more with motion. But don’t worry; it’s been FDA-cleared and is safe for use with all types of sex toys and latex and polyisoprene condoms.

Formulation: Liquid

Key ingredient: Glycerin

What the reviews say: “It definitely added some excitement to our time in the bedroom,” one reviewer wrote. “While the warming feature is interesting, it may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Didn’t rise to the level where it was a ‘burning sensation’ but was certainly on approach to that feeling. Will I use it again? Absolutely. Will it become our go-to lubricant? Probably not, mainly due to the warming aspect. But if you’re someone who enjoys a little extra heat, this could be a great addition to your repertoire.”

Almost Naked Personal Lubricant

Good Clean Love’s Almost Naked lube is designed for people with sensitive skin. Its plant-based formula relies on natural aloe vera leaf juice for moisture, and it’s free of unnecessary additives like parabens, petrochemicals and artificial flavorings. Importantly, it has a low osmolality, 240 mOsm/kg, according to Lauren Streicher, M.D., a professor of clinical obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago.

Formulation: Gel

Key ingredient: Aloe vera

What the reviews say: “It’s the perfect texture, without being sticky, adds the right amount of moisture without being too wet and losing all sense of friction. It lasts a good amount of time without drying out,” one reviewer wrote. “As an aging woman, it’s been difficult to find something that suits my needs. I’ve tried many brands (all water-based). Some don’t last, some are sticky, some are too slick, and some just don’t work. This stuff is perfection!”

#LubeLife Water-Based Lubricant

With over 100,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, #LubeLife’s water-based personal lubricant is one of the most popular water-based lubes on Amazon. It's truly a water-based lube, formulated with water and a handful of FDA-approved thickeners and preservatives. A big selling point is its longevity—a little goes a long way.

Formulation: Liquid

Key ingredient: Water

What the reviews say: “It does exactly what it says it does. For a water-based lube, it doesn’t dry out very fast, which I was happy about. The smell isn’t too strong either, which is a plus in my book,” one reviewer shares.

Sea Natural Intimate Moisturizer

Sliquid’s Sea is a water-soluble lube that’s infused with seaweed extracts. Those ingredients can help moisturize your vagina while providing lubrication in the heat of the moment, explains Jessica Shepherd, M.D., an ob/gyn in Texas. The lube is also vegan-friendly, long-lasting, unscented, and hypoallergenic, so your risk of having a reaction to it is slim.

Formulation: Lotion

Key ingredient: Seaweed extracts

What the reviews say: “This lubricant has a nice consistency, not very thick but not too watery, and doesn’t irritate my extra-sensitive body,” one reviewer wrote.

Anal Lubricant

Formulated specifically for anal play, this Lynk lube makes up for the body’s natural lack of lubrication in the anus—and it’s hypoallergenic and fragrance-free. The product’s key ingredient, glycerin, helps it last longer, so you won’t need to reach for more mid-way through the action. With over 10,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, it’s a great choice for people of all genders.

Formulation: Liquid

Key ingredient: Glycerin

What the reviews say: “In my vast experience, I’ve found Lynx to be the best lube for anal activities and this was no exception. It’s not sticky or gummy, doesn’t need constant reapplying and is easy to clean up,” shared one reviewer. “If you’re into such ‘activities’ then this is the lube you want.”

Natural Personal Lube

Aloe vera is a great base for people who prefer more natural lubricants, and this product is as pure as it gets, with 95% organic aloe vera, vitamin E oil, and a few preservatives—perfect for sensitive skin. The formula offers a nice slip without feeling too sticky and comes in fun flavor options like pina colada, peppermint and mango passion. With over 30,000 five-star reviews, it’s currently the bestselling vaginal moisturizer on Amazon.

Formulation: Oil

Key ingredients: Aloe vera, vitamin E oil

What the reviews say: “I purchased this product for the moisturizing benefits that it offers. Being post-menopausal creates some issues with lack of lubrication and painful intercourse. I have found that this product helps much more than any other that I have used,” wrote one reviewer. “It is also soothing to delicate tissues.”

Personal Moisturizer

This lube’s elegant bottle will make you feel like royalty, and the silky-soft lube itself feels as luxurious as it looks. As one Amazon reviewer put it, Lelo is the “only lube you can leave out and hide with your other perfume bottles.” It’s also formulated with aloe vera, making it pH-balanced, moisturizing, and long-lasting.

Formulation: Lotion

Key ingredient: Aloe vera

What the reviews say: “It is not sticky or oily and is like silk and is long-lasting. Plus, the bottle is an upscale and lovely design,” one reviewer wrote.

How to choose the best water-based lubricants for sex

Look for a longer-lasting option: Water-based lubes don’t necessarily last as long as silicone options during sex, says Dr. Streicher. Online reviews can help you find which lubes last longer—and you can always apply more if you need to.

Understand osmolality: Some popular water-based lubes have a high osmolality, which means they have a bigger number of dissolved particles per unit of water. That comes with one downside: Repeatedly using a high-osmolality lubricant can actually dry you out over time, Dr. Streicher explains. To cut down on this issue, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends using a lube with an osmolality of 1,200 mOsm/kg or below. (Many brands advertise their osmolality in their product listings.)

Pick gentle ingredients—and avoid harsher ones: The best water-based lubes are gentle and paraben-free, Dr. Shepherd says—not chock-full of extra additives. It’s also best to opt for one that’s fragrance-free, says Christine Greves, M.D., a board-certified ob/gyn at the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies, adding, “the more simple, the better.”

What are the benefits of water-based lubes?

Although many ob/gyns absolutely love silicone lubricants, since they tend to be more slippery, they aren’t always the best pick, especially for those who like to use silicone sex toys or have a silicone allergy, says Dr. Greves. Plus, they can be more reliable than oil-based lubes, which will eat away at latex condoms.

Because water doesn’t stain sheets, water-based lubes are usually much less messy than other types, adds Dr. Shepherd. They also leave less residue behind and are kind to those with sensitive skin, “because they’re typically more natural and have fewer chemicals,” she explains.

Plus, water-based lubes are probably the “healthiest” option you can choose when it comes to lubricants because they’re most likely to contain minimal, natural ingredients that are the least likely to cause irritation to you or your partner. They’re most likely to be sustainable and biodegradable, making them healthier for the planet.

Is water-based lube safe to use with condoms?

Water-based lube is safe to use with condoms, according to the WHO. For what it’s worth, so is silicone lube. Lubricants can make condoms feel better and can prevent them from breaking or coming off by accident. However, you should avoid using oil-based products, including lotion, vaseline, and oil-based lubes, with condoms because these can damage condoms, as Dr. Greves notes.

To use a water-based lubricant with a condom, apply lube on the outside of the condom once it’s on. You can also apply lubricant directly on the vulva and anus as needed.

Is water-based lube safe to use with sex toys?

Water-based lube is safe to use with sex toys. It’s actually one of the best options when it comes to silicone sex toys.

Many popular vibrators and other sex toys are made of silicone because the material is safe for the body, easy to clean, and feels realistic (as opposed to plastic and glass objects, for example). Unlike silicone lubricants, water-based products won’t break down silicone sex toys over time.

You can apply the lubricant of your choice to a toy before use and/or apply it directly to the vulva or anus.

Does water-based lube expire?

Water-based lubes do have an expiration date that is imprinted on the packaging, says Sherry Ross, M.D., women’s sexual health expert and author of she-ology and the she-quel. So always be sure to “check the expiration date to ensure the lube is safe to use,” she adds.

Do I need to wash out water-based lube?

Since water-based lubricant adds additional moisture inside the vagina and is unlikely to cause irritation, people may choose not to clean up after using it, says Dr. Ross. Still, if you start to feel sticky or uncomfortable, water-based lubricants are easy to clean off with warm water, she adds.

Who should use water-based lube?

Water-based lubricants feel smooth and “silky”, slippery to the touch, and suitable for a wide range of people, says Dr. Ross. There is no clumping effect and can be used safely with latex condoms and sex toys. Water-based lubricants are also cost-friendly and easy to wash off sheets and body parts, she adds.

However, people prone to allergies or skin sensitivities may not want to use water-based lubricant, since it may contain ingredients that can be irritating to the genitals, warns Dr. Ross.

How we chose the best water-based lubes

We consulted Christine Greves, M.D., a board-certified ob/gyn at the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies; Sherry Ross, M.D., women’s sexual health expert and author of she-ology and the she-quel; Jessica Shepherd, M.D., an ob/gyn in Texas; and Lauren Streicher, M.D., a professor of clinical obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago.
We also combed through countless ratings, reviews, and product specs to find the best water-based lubricants.

Why trust us

For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our editors interview experts to help guide our health-focused product selections. Additionally, Prevention also examines hundreds of reviews—and often conducts personal testing done by our staff—to help you make informed decisions.

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