The short answer is yes, it is safe to use almond oil as a personal lubricant in most situations.
That being said, almond oil isn’t the right option for everyone or every type of sex you might want to have.
Here’s why:
- Almond oil is safe for the skin when used as a vaginal or anal lube and to ingest during oral sex as long as you don’t have any allergies or sensitivities to nuts.
- Like other oils, almond oil will degrade condoms, diaphragms, or dental dams made from latex or polyisoprene, which can put you or your partner at risk for unintended pregnancy or STI transmission.
- Those who are prone to recurring yeast infections or bacterial vaginosis may be at higher risk of developing such infections when using any oil as a lubricant — including almond oil.
- Almond oil can stain fabrics easily and it will degrade sex toys made from latex, rubber, or jelly rubber.
In this article, we’re going to cover everything you need to know about using almond oil as a personal lubricant, including:
Editor’s Note: This article is part of our Lube Alternatives and Everything Lube hubs, in-depth and evolving resources that comprehensively explore all aspects of personal lubricants from the different types and how to use them, to ingredients and safety — created to help you achieve the sexual pleasure you deserve.
Can You Use Almond Oil As Lube?
Yes, you can use almond oil as a personal lubricant — and safely — but there are a few caveats to consider.
Here’s what you need to know about using almond oil as lube:
Almond oil is often used on the skin for many things — including reducing the appearance of stretch marks.
Some people use it on their hair or even as a moisturizer for their face. It’s also edible.
Almond oil feels and smells good to many people, and is very versatile, making it a natural fit as a lube substitute, especially because you may already have some handy.
For this reason, if almond oil is safe in and on your body, it’s often safe as a lube alternative for vaginal, anal, or oral sex, too.
That being said, it’s not the right choice in every sexy situation or for everyone.
A person who has an allergy to almonds should not use almond oil as a lube.
If you’re with a new partner and you’re unsure of their allergies or sensitivities, reach for a safer lube alternative or a store-bought lubricant.
Beyond allergies, almond oil can break down the material making your condoms, diaphragm, or dental dam less effective
It can also ruin your sex toys if they’re made from latex, rubber, or jelly rubber. (On that note, we recommend sex toys that are made from other, safer materials.)
Other things to consider before you slather yourself in almond oil:
- Almond oil may leave a residue on your skin that you may not enjoy.
- Most oils, including almond oil, may stain your sheets.
- Almond oil often has a sweet smell that may be unpleasant for some people.
That being said, because almond oil is edible, it’s perfectly safe for oral sex.
It’s slick and light, so you may find that you really love the feel of it on your skin.
And if you absolutely have no other lube available, it’s a safer option than many other lube alternatives.
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Can You Use Almond Oil As A Vaginal Lube?
If you’re going to use almond oil at all, it’s probably best to use it vaginally.
Assuming you have no allergies and your condoms or sex toys are made of oil-friendly materials, almond oil may be a very pleasant experience.
That said, if you’re someone who deals with recurring yeast infections or bacterial vaginosis, almond oil as vaginal lube can put you at higher risk for developing another one so it might not be a good choice.
Overall, almond oil is lightweight and won’t feel heavy on your skin. The aroma may be something you enjoy — although not everyone does.
One benefit is that you can skip flavored lubes filled with potentially unsafe ingredients when you use sweet almond oil during oral sex — as it features a subtle sweetness all its own.
Even better, if you’re trying to conceive, almond oil won’t negatively affect sperm motility.
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Can You Use Almond Oil As Anal Lube?
You can, but using almond oil as anal lube is less a question of whether you can and more a question of whether you should.
As stated earlier, it’s not a good option for latex or polyisoprene condoms, so if your anal sex requires an STI barrier, pick a non-latex alternative or choose another lube.
In the absence of almond allergies (yours or your partner’s), almond oil has an additional hurdle — it’s a thinner oil.
For this reason, it may not make anal penetration very comfortable for everyone.
During anal sex, you need a combination of patience and adequate lubrication to prevent pain or damage to the anus.
Generally speaking when it comes to anal sex: The thicker the lube, the better.
Almond oil can’t deliver the thickness that leads to a better experience for everyone. That isn’t to say it isn’t a good choice for some — it just won’t be a good choice for all.
If you’re new to anal sex or need a lubricant that offers more cushion, choose a body-safe anal lubricant, instead.
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What Is Almond Oil Made From And Is It Safe?
Almond oil is typically made by extracting natural oils from sweet almond trees, also known as Prunus amygdalus var. Dulcis.
As almonds are very fatty seeds, it’s fairly easy to extract their oil. You can even DIY almond oil at home!
Almond oils can be either virgin or refined.
- Virgin almond oil is made through a cold-pressing process. Doing this creates an oil that is unrefined and contains the most almond oil, often 100% pure with no other ingredients added. This is the best type of oil to reach for when using it as a lube.
- Refined almond oil goes through a chemical process that extracts the oil from the almonds and includes other ingredients, reducing the amount of actual almond oil in the finished product.
If you use almond oil as a lube alternative, choose virgin or extra virgin oil made with only almonds.
- What Is The Difference Between Almond Oil & Sweet Almond Oil?
Almond oil and sweet almond oil often reference the same thing but there are two types of almonds in the world: Sweet and bitter.
Sweet almond oil — often known as just “almond oil” in culinary or dermatological use — is made using only seeds harvested from sweet almond trees.
Those are the same type of almonds you’d purchase from the grocery store as a midday snack.
Bitter almonds, on the other hand, are not used in products that are edible because they are poisonous.
Bitter almonds are most often used as an essential oil and not in oils meant for consumption — they will most often be labeled as “bitter almond oil” for this reason.
Bitter almond oil can be toxic and is not safe for the skin or ingestion.
When choosing an almond oil as a lube, make sure it’s made using sweet almonds only — if “bitter almond” is found in the ingredient list, put it back on the shelf.
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What Are Better Lube Alternatives To Almond Oil?
Even though almond oil may be a safe option for you, we highly suggest choosing a body-safe store-bought lubricant instead.
Better personal lubricant options include:
Here’s a cheat sheet for selecting the best lube based on how you intend to use it:
| Lube Type: |
| Oral Sex |
| Vaginal Sex |
| Anal Sex |
| Condom Types |
| Sex Toy Types |
| Bath/Shower Use |
| Does It Stain? |
There is a personal lubricant designed for every situation, so if you’re not sure which to choose, you can read through our in-depth lube guide or take our lube quiz to find your perfect match.
Our Top Lube Recommendations
After researching hundreds of personal lubricants — and personally testing dozens of them ourselves — we have found the very best lubes of each type, vetted by our team and recommended for their safety and performance.
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Description:
Bottom Line: The best personal lubricants offer a completely natural texture that mimics your body’s own lubrication while being compatible with all condom types, sex toys, and sexual activities. Aloe Cadabra is our best overall lube because it is easy to use, lightweight, highly versatile, and made with 95% food-grade NSF Certified organic aloe — a soothing ingredient that is perfect for those with sensitive skin — plus it’s available in 12+ flavors to sweeten oral sex safely. [Full Review + Video]
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Description:
Bottom Line: Water-based personal lubricants are the go-to choice for many people because they are compatible with every sex toy material and condom type, making them incredibly popular among lube enthusiasts. Almost Naked is our top lube in this category because it is made with 95% organic ingredients while offering a long-lasting, gel-like formula that mimics your body's natural lubrication with a delicious vanilla scent and no sweet flavor during oral sex. [Full Review + Video]
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Description:
Bottom Line: This is our team's favorite silicone-based lubricant because a little goes a very long way and it feels incredibly silky and smooth to the touch. The need for reapplication is minimal and like most lubes of this nature, holds up well when used in the water. One thing we really loved about Valm is the smart bottle design, which not only features a sleek pump, but a smart locking mechanism that prevents accidental spills or leakage — and it can be activated with just one hand. [Full Review + Video]
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Description:
Bottom Line: While often overlooked, oil-based lubricants are as long-lasting as those made from silicone while being equally waterproof, moisturizing, and suited to anal sex. They are not compatible with latex or polyisoprene condoms and shouldn't be used with latex or rubber sex toys. Made with the best ingredients, AH! YES OB is a certified 99% organic lubricant that doubles as a sensual massage oil. Formulated to soothe and condition skin, it doesn’t need to be washed off. [Read Full Review]
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Best Overall Lube
Description:
Bottom Line: The best personal lubricants offer a completely natural texture that mimics your body’s own lubrication while being compatible with all condom types, sex toys, and sexual activities. Aloe Cadabra is our best overall lube because it is easy to use, lightweight, highly versatile, and made with 95% food-grade NSF Certified organic aloe — a soothing ingredient that is perfect for those with sensitive skin — plus it’s available in 12+ flavors to sweeten oral sex safely. [Full Review + Video]
Top Pick: Water-Based
Description:
Bottom Line: Water-based personal lubricants are the go-to choice for many people because they are compatible with every sex toy material and condom type, making them incredibly popular among lube enthusiasts. Almost Naked is our top lube in this category because it is made with 95% organic ingredients while offering a long-lasting, gel-like formula that mimics your body's natural lubrication with a delicious vanilla scent and no sweet flavor during oral sex. [Full Review + Video]
Top Pick: Silicone-Based
Description:
Bottom Line: This is our team's favorite silicone-based lubricant because a little goes a very long way and it feels incredibly silky and smooth to the touch. The need for reapplication is minimal and like most lubes of this nature, holds up well when used in the water. One thing we really loved about Valm is the smart bottle design, which not only features a sleek pump, but a smart locking mechanism that prevents accidental spills or leakage — and it can be activated with just one hand. [Full Review + Video]
Top Pick: Oil-Based
Description:
Bottom Line: While often overlooked, oil-based lubricants are as long-lasting as those made from silicone while being equally waterproof, moisturizing, and suited to anal sex. They are not compatible with latex or polyisoprene condoms and shouldn't be used with latex or rubber sex toys. Made with the best ingredients, AH! YES OB is a certified 99% organic lubricant that doubles as a sensual massage oil. Formulated to soothe and condition skin, it doesn’t need to be washed off. [Read Full Review]
Editor's Note: When you purchase a product via an affiliate link (*) on our site, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. On behalf of our entire team, thank you in advance for your support!
We’ll take a quick look at the four main lubricant categories below.
Water-based lube tends to have a texture that’s similar to the lubrication your body naturally makes. It’s water-soluble which means it’s easy to clean up, too.
Importantly, lubes that are water-based are safe to use with any kind of barrier: condom, dental dam, or diaphragm.
You may need to reapply water-based lube during longer sexy times. But, it can be reactivated with a bit of water.
That means, though, it’s not a great fit for sex in any amount of water, be it a shower, tub, or pool.
We’ve done the research to help you find the safest and best water-based personal lubricants for you.
- Silicone-Based Lubricants
Silicone-based lubes differ from water-based lube in two important ways: they last much longer and they’re safe for any kind of condom or barrier you use.
When deciding between water-based and silicone-based lubes, the best option will depend on how you plan to use them and what kind of sex you want to have.
With silicone lubes, you get a thicker consistency and a silky-smooth texture.
It’s noticeably different from your body’s natural lubrication, however, and that’s something not everyone enjoys.
That being said, the heavier, cushioned viscosity tends to make silicone lube a great option during anal sex.
You can use silicone lube in the tub, shower, or wherever you like to have watery sex, but you can’t use silicone lube with silicone sex toys because it can damage the material.
In our review of the best silicone-based personal lubes, we explore multiple hand-picked recommendations of the safest silicone products available right now.
Oil-based lubricants are often made from body-safe, natural (and even organic) oils, making them safe for vaginal and anal sex.
Almond oil may even be an ingredient in some of these lubes.
If you or your partner have nut allergies, you’ll need to read the ingredients closely as some include nut-based oil ingredients.
Oil-based personal lubricants are similar to silicone lubes in texture. This makes them another option for anal sex as long as you’re not using latex or polyisoprene condoms.
Oil-based lubes aren’t for use during oral sex as they generally shouldn’t be ingested. They’re also not compatible with latex dental dams.
If you’re interested in learning more, we’ve done the research for you and found the best oil-based personal lubricants.
- Natural And Organic Lubricants
Natural and organic personal lubricants can be water-based or oil-based, depending on the formulation of the product.
This means you have a variety of lubes to choose from depending on the sex you want to have and the toys or barriers you may use.
As with any other oil-based lube, look for nut-based oils in the ingredient lists and avoid those products if you have allergies to them.
Through our independent research and review, we’ve found the best and safest natural and organic lubricants available right now.
Are There Any Safe Home Lube Alternatives?
Yes, sex emergencies happen like running out of lube at the worst possible time and you may need a lube alternative that can be found around the house.
There are a few safe options to choose from:
Don’t forget that oil-based lube alternatives — even the safe ones we listed above — should never be used with latex or polyisoprene condoms, diaphragms, or dental dams, as the oil will render them ineffective.
It’s a good idea to apply any potential lube alternative to another area of your skin, such as your inner elbow, to make sure you won’t experience an allergic reaction before applying it to your genitals.
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Bottom Line:
For many people, almond oil can be a very safe lubricant alternative, assuming you don’t have any allergies to almonds.
The best option is virgin or extra virgin 100% pure sweet almond oil.
If you’re not sure what’s in your oil or if it is labeled as “refined,” it may be less safe as a lube.
If you have any doubts or worries, it’s best to go with a store-bought personal lubricant made with safe ingredients and for the type of sex you want to have.
Not sure what type of lube you need? Our lube quiz can help you to find your perfect match!
