What is a water-based lubricant?

Lubrication makes sex better — an effortless glide means less irritation, more pleasure, and a deeper, longer-lasting connection with your partner.
Although our bodies produce natural lubrication when we’re aroused, it isn’t always enough to make intimacy the magical experience it can be. Dryness during sex is extremely common, and can occur for many reasons, including aging, childbirth, common medications, and sometimes for no reason at all. Dryness doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with you, it doesn’t mean you’re not into your partner, and it isn’t anything to be ashamed of — but it is something you can plan for, by keeping a convenient all-natural personal lubricant ready by the bed.

But what’s the best all-natural lube to use? There are a few things to keep in mind. First, the most common type of personal lubricant on the market is a water-based lube, which is easy to clean up, safe to ingest, and won’t damage latex condoms or toys. There are other types of personal lubricant out there: Silicone-based lube can last longer, but also degrades toys and stains your sheets and clothes, while oil-based lube degrades latex condoms and is associated with an increased risk of yeast infections. Overall, natural water-based lubricants are the best personal lubricants for most people.

Unfortunately, many personal lubricants include ingredients that you won’t want anywhere near your most sensitive tissues. Moreover, the wrong lube can disrupt the vagina’s delicate pH (acid-base balance) and osmolality (salt balance), damaging vaginal tissue and again inviting infections. That means the best water-based lubricant is pH-balanced, iso-osmolar, paraben-free, and petrochemical-free. Furthermore, women are increasingly looking for water-based lubricants, which can bring you a seductive slide without the health concerns that come with so many conventional lubes. If you like to use your mouth during sex, look for an edible lube, and if you or your partner have allergies, you might want to make sure you have a hypoallergenic lube.