The Best Warming Lubes to Kick Things Up a Notch

A good lube is a must for just about everyone with a vagina. After all, dryness happens and having lubricant handy can make you ready for action again. Of course, there are different types of lubes to choose from, including warming lubes.

Experts say the best warming lubes can add a new dimension to your sex life. “Warming lube is typically used to increase blood flow to the genitalia—or nipples and anus,” says Debra Laino, D.H.S., a board-certified relationship therapist and sex educator. “With increased blood flow nerve endings are supposed to wake up making the area more sensitive to stimulation.”

Meet the Experts: Debra Laino, D.H.S., a board-certified relationship therapist and sex educator, Jess O’Reilly, Ph.D., creator of the Sex with Dr. Jess podcast and sex therapist, and women’s health expert Jennifer Wider, M.D.

Trying out different temperatures can be arousing, says sex therapist Jess O’Reilly, Ph.D., creator of the Sex with Dr. Jess podcast. “From the warmth of a slow breath to the cool sensation of pursed lips, just a slight change in temperature can create new, tingly sensations,” she says. “Adding a few drops of warming lube is a great way to change things up and inject something new into your routine without making big changes.” Many people also find that adding warming lube into the mix can heighten sensations across the skin—across the body from your lips to your collarbone and beyond, she says.

Using a warming lube may even help you reach orgasm faster and increase sensitivity, says women’s health expert Jennifer Wider, M.D. And, because it’s a lube, it can reduce friction “lowering the chance of tearing both in the vagina and in the anus,” Dr. Wider says.

Just a heads up with warming lube: This isn’t an every time kind of lube. “Do not use these every time you have sex as most contain glycerin which can cause irritation and yeast infections,” Laino says. It’s also a good idea to check the temperature on your hand first to see if it gets too warm for you, she says.

Ready to give warming lube a try? Consider these options.