Can You Use Aquaphor As Lube, Or For Anal Sex?

Can You Use Aquaphor As Lube?

No!

It may be a “healing ointment” that’s great for your skin, but it should not be used as a personal lubricant.

There are quite a few reasons why you shouldn’t grab the Aquaphor when rummaging for a handy lube alternative in your bathroom cabinet.

Here’s everything you need to know about using Aquaphor as lube:

• Similar to Vaseline, Aquaphor is made from petrolatum and mineral oil and can lead to breakouts, irritation, or infection when used as a genital or anal lube.
• The petrolatum and mineral oil in Aquaphor can also increase your risk of yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis if you’re prone to them.
• Aquaphor is oil-based and breaks down latex and polyisoprene condoms and diaphragms, putting you or your partner at risk for unintended pregnancy or STIs. Mineral oil, one of Aquaphor’s main ingredients, can degrade latex condoms by 90% in under a minute.
• Aquaphor will also break down dental dams made from latex, although it should never be used as a lube for oral sex. Additionally, the mineral oil in Aquaphor, similar to baby oil, is a hydrocarbon that can pose a danger to your lungs if inhaled.
• Aquaphor is difficult to remove from the skin, particularly when it’s inside the vagina or anus, and the oil can stain your clothes and sheets.

Oil-based lube (of any kind) cannot be used with latex or polyisoprene condoms, dental dams, or diaphragms because the oil degrades their material.

Aquaphor contains mineral oil, which can degrade the strength of the latex in a condom by 90% in less than a minute!

It can also degrade your sex toys if they’re made from latex or jelly rubber, as well.

Although it’s inedible, the thick consistency of Aquaphor also makes it a choking hazard if used as a lubricant during oral sex.

Additionally, mineral oil is a hydrocarbon that can damage your lungs if inhaled.

Aquaphor as a personal lubricant for vaginal sex can increase your risk of developing an infection — such as yeast infections or bacterial vaginosis — especially if you’re prone to them.

Additionally, Aquaphor is meant to create a barrier that protects the skin when used as directed (just like Neosporin), which means it’s difficult to remove from the skin after using it as lube, particularly vaginal or anal penetration.

It’s best to keep the Aquaphor on the shelf — there are many safer lubricants to choose from.

What Is Aquaphor Made From And Is It Safe?

Aquaphor is a healing ointment similar to Vaseline that’s used in the treatment of dry skin or minor wounds.

Aquaphor creates a barrier to seal in the skin’s natural moisture and encourages the healing process, and it’s completely safe — when used as directed.

As the first ingredient, petroleum jelly accounts for 41% of Aquaphor’s ingredient content.

However, what separates it from Vaseline and other petroleum products is added ingredients that include mineral oil, ceresin, lanolin alcohol, ​​panthenol, glycerin, and bisabolol — in that order.

All of those ingredients are beneficial to the skin when used topically.

Aquaphor has no added fragrance or dyes and is perfectly safe to use as directed, however, it is not approved for use as lube.

The skin on your arms and legs is quite different (and far less sensitive) than the skin on your genitals or anus.

What Are Better Lube Alternatives To Aquaphor?

Instead of Aquaphor, we suggest using a professionally formulated personal lubricant that is body-safe and made from quality ingredients.

There are lots of personal lubricant options available, such as:

• Water-based lubricants
• Silicone-based lubricants
• Oil-based lubricants
• Organic/natural lubricants (water or oil-based)

Here’s a cheat sheet for selecting the best lube based on how you intend to use it:

Lube Type:	Water-Based	Silicone-Based	Oil-Based
Oral Sex	Yes	Yes	Not usually
Vaginal Sex	ONLY if pH/Osmolality suitable	Yes	Yes
Anal Sex	ONLY if pH/Osmolality suitable	Yes	Yes
Condom Types	All	All	Polyurethane, nitrile and lambskin only
Sex Toy Types	All	All but silicone	All but latex
Bath/Shower Use	No	Yes	Yes
Does It Stain?	No	Yes	Yes

Lube Type:
Oral Sex
Vaginal Sex
Anal Sex
Condom Types
Sex Toy Types
Bath/Shower Use
Does It Stain?

There is a personal lubricant for every preference and individual situation, so if you’re not sure which is right for you, read through our in-depth lube guide or take our helpful lube quiz to find your perfect match.

Let’s explore the four main lubricant categories below.

• Water-Based Lubricants

Water-based lubricants are some of the most popular lubes available because they mimic your body’s natural lubrication.

Plus, they’re water-soluble, making them super easy to clean up.

Not to mention, water-based lube is safe to use with any type of condom, dental dam, or diaphragm, so you never have to worry about compatibility.

If you’re looking for something long-lasting, water-based lube may not be the best choice although it can be revitalized by adding a little water during a longer session.

However, being water-soluble means it will rinse away if you’re trying to use it in the tub or shower.

If you’d like to learn more about water-based lubes, we researched and reviewed the safest and best water-based personal lubricants to help you find the perfect one.

• Silicone-Based Lubricants

Silicone-based lubes are longer lasting than water-based lubes and are also safe to use with condoms, dental dams, and diaphragms.

When it comes to deciding between water-based and silicone-based lubes, your choice will depend on how you’re planning to use them.

Silicone-based lubes are thicker and have a silky smooth consistency.

Many people prefer the texture of silicone lubricant, however, it is noticeably different compared to the lubrication your body naturally makes.

Silicone’s thicker, cushiony consistency makes it a favorite for anal sex and it’s a top choice for sex in water since it won’t rinse away easily.

That said, silicone lube cannot be used with silicone sex toys, as they’ll degrade their material.

Our review of the best silicone-based personal lubes explores all of our hand-picked recommendations of the safest products available right now.

• Oil-Based Lubricants

An oil-based lubricant is made from natural (and sometimes even organic) oils that are body-safe for vaginal and anal sex.

If you have allergies, make sure to watch out for products that include nut-based oil ingredients or other common allergens.

Oil-based lube’s thick texture, similar to silicone in many ways, makes it a great choice for anal sex.

As we mentioned before, oil-based lubricants are not compatible with latex or polyisoprene condoms or dental dams.

Equally unsafe for latex dental dams, oil-based lubes generally shouldn’t be ingested or used during oral sex.

If you’re interested in learning more about them, we researched and found the best oil-based personal lubricants.

• Natural And Organic Lubricants

Natural and organic personal lubricants may be water-based or oil-based, depending on the product, offering a wide selection to choose from based on your needs and preferences.

Many products are made using ingredients that may be allergens, including nut-based oils or aloe, so always read the label thoroughly.

Through our independent research, we found the best and safest natural and organic lubricants that are available right now.

Are There Any Safe Home Lube Alternatives?

If you’re in a pinch and you need a safe lube alternative that can be found in your home right now, there are a few options worth exploring:

• Aloe vera gel (pure)
• Argan oil
• Avocado oil
• CBD oil
• Coconut oil (virgin, unrefined)
• Shea butter
• Vitamin E oil

Although the above lube alternatives are generally safe in many circumstances, oil-based lube alternatives should never be used with latex or polyisoprene barriers against STIs or pregnancy.

It’s also smart to do a patch test on a small area of skin of any potential lube alternative to make sure you won’t experience a reaction, such as a rash, itching, burning, stinging, or hives.

Bottom Line:

When you’re scrambling for a quick, at-home lube alternative, Aquaphor can look like a good choice.

It isn’t.

Luckily, there are lots of better lube alternatives and store-bought lubes to pick from.

If you don’t know what you need, make sure to read through our personal lube guide or take our helpful lube quiz!