Our Top Anal Lube Recommendations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Description:
Bottom Line: This lightweight water-based lube has a silky formula that provides plenty of glide during anal, and it's long-lasting. Juicy Pure is made from 95% organic ingredients, and compatible with every type of condom and sex toy material, making it a truly versatile option no matter what kind of anal play is on the agenda. [Full Review + Video]
|
Description:
Bottom Line: This hits the bullseye every time providing long-lasting slippery-smooth velvety comfort during all forms of butt play with minimal need for reapplication, even in water and during extended anal sex sessions. Don’t let the bullet-like (and über-macho) bottle design stop you from picking this one up. [Full Review + Video]
|
Description:
Bottom Line: Extremely hydrating and long-lasting with a rich formula that includes skin-loving shea butter and vitamin E, this lube is our top oil-based anal lube. Although it is incompatible with latex and polyisoprene condoms and can't be used with latex or rubber toys, the texture is incredibly thick and requires little reapplication. [Full Review + Video]
|
Water-Based
Description:
Bottom Line: This lightweight water-based lube has a silky formula that provides plenty of glide during anal, and it's long-lasting. Juicy Pure is made from 95% organic ingredients, and compatible with every type of condom and sex toy material, making it a truly versatile option no matter what kind of anal play is on the agenda. [Full Review + Video]
Silicone-Based
Description:
Bottom Line: This hits the bullseye every time providing long-lasting slippery-smooth velvety comfort during all forms of butt play with minimal need for reapplication, even in water and during extended anal sex sessions. Don’t let the bullet-like (and über-macho) bottle design stop you from picking this one up. [Full Review + Video]
Oil-Based
Description:
Bottom Line: Extremely hydrating and long-lasting with a rich formula that includes skin-loving shea butter and vitamin E, this lube is our top oil-based anal lube. Although it is incompatible with latex and polyisoprene condoms and can't be used with latex or rubber toys, the texture is incredibly thick and requires little reapplication. [Full Review + Video]
Great anal sex begins with a top-notch slippery lube designed specifically for the activity and finishes with…well, we’ll let you fill in the blank.
Fun Facts:
- Properly formulated anal lubricants have a thicker texture that’s more slippery and longer lasting compared to “regular” personal lubes, and, if water-based, they should ideally have a higher pH balance (to match that of the anus) for optimal safety.
- Anal lube can lower the risk of STI transmission because it reduces friction, preventing injury to the anus while also making penetration easier. That said, if you’re using condoms made from latex or polyisoprene, you should avoid using an oil-based anal lube, as it can degrade the material and render the condom ineffective.
- It is never safe to have anal sex without lubricant — and it’s better to use more than you think you’ll need.
- Our team’s independent research on the frequency of anal sex found that among heterosexuals aged 15 to 44, 34% of men and 30% of women reported having engaged in it at some point in their lives.
After 89.5 hours of cumulative research and hands on-testing — 28.5 of which were spent by our team doing a lot of butt stuff — we’ve determined that the best anal lubes are Foria Juicy Pure (water), GUN OIL (silicone), and AH! YES OB (oil) based on their satisfying performance, features, and price.
We’ll share all of our team’s top picks along with those that didn’t make our list, and explain why anal lube is SO important.
Best Water-Based: Foria Juicy Pure
Best Water-Based Anal Lube
Foria Juicy Pure Lube
5.0
Pros:
- Light & Natural Texture, No Residue
- Certified 95% Organic Ingredients
- Suitable for Vaginal, Oral and Anal Sex
- Light Vanilla Scent & Flavor
- Compatible With All Sex Toys And Condoms
Cons:
- Some Might Not Like The Scent
- No Pump Dispenser
- Not Waterproof
Osmolality:
150-300 mOsm/kg (Passes WHO Standards)
pH Level:
4.5 to 5.5 (Suitable For Vaginal & Anal Use)
Bottom Line:
Foria’s first water-based personal lubricant hits it out of the park, with a clean design that’s lightweight and silky-smooth. The pH balance is a rare find, being suited for vaginal and anal use, with a mild vanilla scent and flavor also good for oral fun. Gentle on sensitive skin, Juicy Pure leaves no residue behind with a formula that feels like your body's own lubrication.
$16 @ Foria -> CODE: FORIA-WHI
Even though silicone formulas usually dominate the anal lube category, Foria Juicy Pure makes a convincing case for going water-based, instead.
This aloe-based formula has a silky and almost serum-like texture that feels smooth and substantial, despite being pretty lightweight.
Juicy Pure is designed to stay slick without turning tacky or sticky halfway through, but is it as endlessly slippery as a heavy silicone lube?
No.
That said, when you need something that is universally compatible with all condoms and sex toy materials, you won’t do better.
One of the reasons we love Juicy Pure specifically for anal play is its pH-balanced formula, which sits in the 4.5-5.5 range, making it gentle enough for sensitive tissue and equally versatile for anal and vaginal sex.
Which means you don’t need a separate bottle of lube for every scenario in your sex life, and trust us, that “one lube for everything” is seriously underrated.
On that note, if you’re into rimming, Juicy Pure has a really light and vanilla-chamomile flavor that adds just a touch of sweetness to the fun.
Another big win with Foria Juicy Pure is the cleanup, because it rinses away easily with water compared to heavier silicone or oil-based options.
Being water-based, you may need a little reapplication during longer sessions, but for anyone who needs a lube that’s anal-friendly and compatible with anything they might explore, this is hands-down the best one to reach for.
Best Silicone-Based: Gun Oil
Best Silicone Anal Lube
GUN OIL
4.7
Pros:
- Long-Lasting, Comfortable Lubrication
- Soothing Vitamin E And Aloe Vera
- Minimal Reapplication, Waterproof
- Compatible With All Condom Types
- Developed By Marines
Cons:
- Packaging Is Not Subtle
- Marketed Almost Exclusively To Men
- Cannot Be Used With Silicone Sex Toys
- First Time Opening Can Be Frustrating
Bottom Line:
GUN OIL may be a little over the top with its packaging (and marketed primarily toward men), but it is a fantastic way to keep things running smoothly when anal sex is on the menu regardless of gender. Waterproof and compatible with all condoms, our testing team found that this lube lasts for an exceptionally long time while staying silky for maximum enjoyment and the addition of vitamin E and aloe vera provides soothing moisturization for even those with the most sensitive skin.
$16.99 @ Lovehoney –> CODE: AFF-WH15
$24.29 @ The Enhanced Male –> CODE: WHI10
This ultra-concentrated silicone lubricant doesn’t have an extensive ingredient list and is very long-lasting during anal play — just don’t let the slightly obnoxious bullet-like bottle design dissuade you from trying it.
GUN OIL has a smooth and mildly thick texture which provides a lovely, slippery cushion during anal sex.
Its limited ingredient list, which includes vitamin E and aloe leaf extract, is a great choice for folks with sensitive skin.
Developed by Marines, GUN OIL has a pretty interesting story behind its creation, being based on actual gun oil that was regularly used for masturbation by service members while stationed far from home:
One of our team members really liked this silicone lube, noting that:
“[GUN OIL] was far and away better than all others I tested, and I don’t care if you’re a man or a woman.
When something delivers the results you want (smooth, silky texture that lasts a long time, and feels great during and after sex with no tackiness) that’s all that matters.”
If you’re into water play, GUN OIL is a perfect butt lube because it’s completely waterproof.
During our own testing, we found that it keeps going strong in the shower far longer than most others we tried.
It won’t rinse away with water alone, and yet it’s still really easy to clean up with a little soap and water.
GUN OIL doesn’t dry out or become tacky during use, so you can enjoy a long-lasting anal sex session without needing to stop the action to re-apply over and over.
Like a well-oiled machine, this one always stays smooth — all the way through to the end.
Despite its über-macho bottle design (which may not appeal to everyone) GUN OIL is our number one silicone-based anal lube pick based on formula and performance alone.
(If it helps, once you’ve removed the gold plastic from the lid, it looks much less like a bullet and more like a regular bottle.)
Best Oil-Based: AH YES OB
Best Oil-Based Anal Lube
AH! YES OB
4.8
Pros:
- 99% Organic Ingredients
- Thick Texture, Skin-Friendly
- Extremely Hydrating, Long-Lasting
- Minimal Reapplication, Waterproof
- Compatible With Silicone Sex Toys
Cons:
- Incompatible With Latex Or Polyisoprene Condoms
- Incompatible With Latex/Rubber Sex Toys
- Nut/Seed Oils Are Possible Allergens
- No Pump Dispenser
Bottom Line:
The best in natural and organic lubricants, AH! YES OB is a luxurious organic lube that performs beautifully during anal sex — as long as you won’t be using condoms made from latex or polyisoprene. This product features a thick texture and a skin-friendly formula that’s ideal for anyone who wants a hydrating, waterproof lubricant made with the very best ingredients.
$29.74 @ AH! YES –> CODE: WHI
$27.99 @ Lovehoney
AH! YES OB is the best of the best oil-based lubes on the market right now.
We loved this lube – and not just for anal sex.
Made with safe and hydrating ingredients that add lots of comfort and moisture to your most sensitive backdoor bits, this lube is thick as hell — which helps to alleviate any penetration-related pain.
In our experience, it does have a bit of a grainy texture, at least in the beginning until it warms and “melts” from the heat of your skin.
AH! YES OB is made from 99% organic ingredients — which shows the level of care that went into this product’s development.
The same goes for the gorgeous packaging.
The box looks like an expensive cosmetic, while the bottle could be mistaken for high-end lotion at first glance.
In fact, speaking of lotion, during and after use, having this lube on your skin will feel luxurious and supple, with no tackiness or greasy feeling.
The main drawback of this oil-based lube, like others of its kind, is its incompatibility with latex or polyisoprene condoms, as it degrades the material.
It is safe for use with those made from polyurethane, nitrile, or lambskin, although the latter offers no protection against STIs.
AH! YES OB is made with all-natural ingredients including sunflower oil, shea butter, and vitamin E.
AH! YES OB soothes and heals sensitive skin, which is why this particular lube is great for anal sex.
It is supremely moisturizing and since it’s oil-based, it won’t dry out.
As our Editor-In-Chief Alison Huff noted in her personal review of AH! YES OB:
“Initially, I was surprised at just how thick this lube was straight out of the bottle. It felt slightly grainy at first and I was a little worried about how the texture would feel when I was actually using it.
However, I found that rubbing the lube between my hands melted the oils and butters perfectly to give the product a smooth, pleasant, and very rich texture.
AH! YES OB is incredibly slippery. Surprisingly, it wasn’t greasy and once I washed it off, my skin was left feeling velvet-soft and nourished.”
One of our testers was blown away by AH! YES OB after using it as an anal lube:
“Overall, I think this was my favorite lube I’ve tried of any kind — water, silicone, or oil-based…For its intended purpose of anal sex, it passed with flying colors!”
This lube doubles as a massage oil and is also a great choice for shower or bath sex.
Since oil and water don’t mix, this one will stick (and slick) where it needs to while everything else washes away.
Like many oil-based lubes, you’ll want to read through the ingredient list, particularly if you have nut or seed allergies because this product uses sweet almond and sunflower seed oil in its formula.
Based on its performance in the bedroom, however, it’s our top oil-based anal lube recommendation.
Budget Oil Pick: Bloomi Delight
Budget Oil Pick
Bloomi Delight
4.9
Pros:
- Organic Coconut, Sunflower & Cocoa Oils
- Hydrating Deep Moisture Relieves Vaginal Dryness
- 2-In-1 Vaginal Moisturizer & Lubricant
- Long-Lasting During Intimacy, Natural-Feeling Texture
- Made With Sustainable Packaging
Bottom Line:
With a silky smooth texture and a light scent that reminds us of a warm summer day, Delight lives up to its name in every way. The moisturizing formula feels amazing on your skin (it even doubles as a hand cream in a pinch). Featuring organic ingredients and a budget-friendly price (despite its high-end appearance), this oil-based lube is a must-have.
$16.20 @ Bloomi –> Code: WHI10
Bloomi’s oil-based formula, Delight, has a luxurious, almost massage-oil feel thanks to a blend of organic coconut and sunflower seed oils.
It’s thicker, longer-lasting, and gives that slow, sensual glide that just works — especially for anal play, where you really want something that doesn’t dry out or get tacky.
Unlike water-based lubes (which can evaporate faster than you’d like), oil-based lubes like this one stay slippery.
That means less stopping to reapply and more time staying in the moment.
And because Bloomi follows a high standard for ingredients, you’re not dealing with any of the junk that sometimes sneaks into personal care products — no synthetic fragrances, parabens, or questionable additives.
Just simple, plant-based goodness your body can actually appreciate.
One important note: since this is an oil-based lube, it’s not compatible with latex condoms.
But if it’s a fit for you and your sex life, it’s one of those rare products that actually lives up to its name: delightful.
How We Made Our Picks & Features We Considered
When researching anal lubricants and their safety, 192 products were carefully examined by our team, 23 made our short list for possible consideration, and just seven met our strictest criteria for personal testing.
As we’ll discuss later on, water-based anal lubes — even those marketed specifically for use during anal sex — often do not have anal-safe pH or osmolality levels.
For this reason, we focused most of our recommendations on anal lubes that are silicone or oil-based, and for which pH and osmolality do not apply.
The most important criteria to look for in an anal lubricant include:
- Natural and/or 100% body-safe ingredients
- Limited allergens
- No additives (including numbing agents)
- Smooth, cushiony texture
- Optimal performance
- Minimal need for reapplication
- FDA approval
- Compatibility with condoms and sex toys (within reason)
- Ease of cleaning
- Water resistance (when applicable)
When selecting the best anal lube, we weighed and tested:
- How our skin reacted to each formula
- The way they felt during (and after) use
- How well (and comfortably) they performed during anal penetration
- How often they needed reapplication
- Whether they worked with condoms, prostate massagers, or pegging toys
- How difficult they were to clean up after use
- How well they held up when used in water (if applicable)
- Whether they stained our bedding or other fabrics
Anal Lubes That Didn’t Make Our List
We considered 192 lubricants (of all types) from dozens of parent brands over the past few years.
Most were eliminated immediately for one of two reasons:
- Unsafe ingredients (namely glycerin or parabens and numbing agents)
- A pH and osmolality that is not anal safe (water-based lubes only)
We cover the latter in detail here.
Lubes that we researched but didn’t necessarily consider for testing included products manufactured by:
- Slippery Stuff
- Anal-Ese
- Booty Call
- Wet (Uranus)
- Tush Ease
- Mojo
- Astroglide
- ID (Xtreme)
- KY
- LubeLife
- And many others…
Not everyone can be a winner, unfortunately, and although we tested a variety of other anal lubes, they couldn’t top our other choices.
The testing was rigorous (and fun) but we’ll take a quick look at the anal lubricants that didn’t quite make the cut.
- Pjur Analyse Me! (Silicone): Featuring a surprisingly slippery texture that was almost “too” oily, we also found that this one was highly likely to make a mess — and not in a good way. The bottle design is less than discreet but it doesn’t close effectively — which means it easily spills all over the place.
- Pjur Backdoor: This product is designed specifically for anal sex yet felt tacky very early on — as though it dried out immediately upon exposure to air, causing more friction than it was designed to alleviate. One of our testers experienced slight “bruising” beneath the outer skin layers of his penis due to the increased friction after using Pjur Backdoor while wearing a condom.
- Intimate Earth Ease: This lube performed well when compared to the Pjur products we mentioned above, featuring a far runnier texture in comparison. Intimate Earth Ease cleaned up easily and it didn’t stain the sheets — which is good, since the bottle cap can leak easily.
Many factors contribute to whether a particular anal lube is a perfect fit for some people and not others but much of it has to do with your personal preferences regarding texture — and whether you’re using condoms or silicone sex toys.
When testing anal lubricants, those factors weighed heavily into the scoring given by each of our testers.
Just as we did when making our final selections, you may need to try a few different products before finding your perfect anal lube.
It is your butt, after all, so find what works best for you.
What To Know About Anal Lubes
Anal lubricants serve a very specific (yet important!) purpose, which is why it’s vital to understand what they do, how they differ from other types of lube, and when (and how) to use them.
What Is Anal Lube?
Since the anus doesn’t self-lubricate naturally like a vagina, anal lube adds moisture to delicate rectal tissues, easing pain during penetrative anal sex, soothing soreness, and increasing pleasure at the same time.
It also makes anal sex safer — which is important and often overlooked.
The right anal lube can lower the risk of STI transmission by reducing friction and making penetration easier while preventing injury to the anus.
It can also help you to avoid poop during anal penetration.
Lubricated condoms, although they do provide a slippery texture, may not have enough lubricant on them for extended anal sex sessions, so you’ll still want to have anal lube handy.
How Is Anal Lube Different From Regular Lube?
Several characteristics make anal personal lubricants different from regular lubes:
- Their pH balance should be higher, if water-based
- Their texture is thicker
- They last longer
- They feel slicker to the touch
- Some anal lubes contain numbing agents
When Should You Use An Anal Lube?
You should use an anal lube any (and every) time you engage in anal penetration.
It is never safe to have anal sex without lube.
Using anal personal lubricant is easy — apply a few drops to the anus and/or the penis, finger, or toy that will be penetrating it, and reapply as often as needed.
Your mileage may vary depending on the lube’s formula and how long your sexual activity lasts.
When in doubt, apply more than you think you need.
- When Should You Use A Water-Based, Silicone, Or Oil-Based Anal Lube?
Personal lubricants are available in a variety of different formulas but they do not perform equally in every situation.
Before buying an anal lube, you should first consider the kind of sex you plan to have while using it — and whether it will involve any condoms or sex toys.
Here’s a cheat sheet for selecting the best anal 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? |
Is Anal Lube Safe?
For the most part, yes.
When used as directed and made from body-safe ingredients that you or your partner are not allergic to or sensitive to, anal lube is completely safe.
It is important to understand, however, that not all anal lubes are safe.
One thing we discovered when researching anal lubricants, much to our dismay, related specifically to water-based products being marketed for anal use.
Before using any new anal lubricant, it’s a good idea for you and your partner to do a patch test on the inner elbow to monitor the area for potential reactions before using them during anal sex.
Additionally, anal lubricants have a shelf life of between 1 and 3 years.
Why Is It So Hard To Find A Safe Water-Based Anal Lube?
Our list of top recommendations for anal lubes includes mostly products made from silicone or oil — which may leave you wondering about water-based anal lubes.
It’s no secret that our recommendations must meet very stringent requirements for inclusion because your personal safety is very important to us.
The truth is that, although plentiful, most water-based lubes contain glycerin, which eliminates the majority of products from consideration entirely.
Additionally, water-based lubes generally do not have an anal-safe pH or osmolality.
When anal pH is disrupted by a lube whose pH is too low and better suited for vaginal use, rectal tissue can become irritated or damaged, leaving it more prone to infection.
We performed very deep research and to our surprise and dismay, discovered several “great” water-based lubes that are being marketed for anal sex have a low pH that is best suited to the vagina — not the anus – or osmolality readings that are inappropriate for safe consideration.
If you’re determined to use water-based lube for anal sex and have no concerns over pH or osmolality, our top recommendation is AH! YES WB because it’s made with safe ingredients and has an especially thick texture for a water-based lube.
Pros And Cons Of Anal Lube
Anal lube is the best choice when you’re looking for a personal lubricant that will offer a texture that provides easier and more comfortable penetration during anal sex while preventing injury to delicate anal tissues.
If you intend to explore butt play — whether during intercourse or with toys — having an appropriate anal lube on hand is non-negotiable.
Anal Lube Pros:
- They have a texture that’s thick, allowing for comfortable anal penetration while protecting the anus from injury at the same time
- They are long-lasting and generally require little-to-no reapplication during use
- Some products are designed to relax anal muscles through the use of natural oils and safe ingredients, making penetration easier
- They are waterproof if silicone-based or oil-based
- They are compatible with all condoms if water-based or silicone-based
- They are compatible with all sex toys if water-based
- They are easy to clean up if water-based
Anal Lube Cons:
- Some anal lubes contain numbing agents (although none of our recommendations do), which can potentially result in unintended anal injury during use
- If water-based and truly pH-balanced for anal use, they are not compatible with vaginal sex, as the natural pH of the vagina (4.5) is lower than that of the anus (7-8)
- Those made from silicone or oil may stain sheets and fabrics
- Those made from silicone are generally not compatible with silicone sex toys
- If oil-based, they are not compatible with condoms made from latex or polyisoprene and they will degrade sex toys made from latex, rubber, or jelly rubber
- They are more difficult to clean up if silicone or oil-based
It’s best to stick with specially formulated anal lubes for the reasons we’ve outlined, but in a pinch, there are some mostly safe home anal lube alternatives you can try.
Closing Thoughts
Anal lube makes backdoor loving a much more enjoyable and comfortable experience — whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Description:
Bottom Line: This lightweight water-based lube has a silky formula that provides plenty of glide during anal, and it's long-lasting. Juicy Pure is made from 95% organic ingredients, and compatible with every type of condom and sex toy material, making it a truly versatile option no matter what kind of anal play is on the agenda. [Full Review + Video]
|
Description:
Bottom Line: This hits the bullseye every time providing long-lasting slippery-smooth velvety comfort during all forms of butt play with minimal need for reapplication, even in water and during extended anal sex sessions. Don’t let the bullet-like (and über-macho) bottle design stop you from picking this one up. [Full Review + Video]
|
Description:
Bottom Line: Extremely hydrating and long-lasting with a rich formula that includes skin-loving shea butter and vitamin E, this lube is our top oil-based anal lube. Although it is incompatible with latex and polyisoprene condoms and can't be used with latex or rubber toys, the texture is incredibly thick and requires little reapplication. [Full Review + Video]
|
Water-Based
Description:
Bottom Line: This lightweight water-based lube has a silky formula that provides plenty of glide during anal, and it's long-lasting. Juicy Pure is made from 95% organic ingredients, and compatible with every type of condom and sex toy material, making it a truly versatile option no matter what kind of anal play is on the agenda. [Full Review + Video]
Silicone-Based
Description:
Bottom Line: This hits the bullseye every time providing long-lasting slippery-smooth velvety comfort during all forms of butt play with minimal need for reapplication, even in water and during extended anal sex sessions. Don’t let the bullet-like (and über-macho) bottle design stop you from picking this one up. [Full Review + Video]
Oil-Based
Description:
Bottom Line: Extremely hydrating and long-lasting with a rich formula that includes skin-loving shea butter and vitamin E, this lube is our top oil-based anal lube. Although it is incompatible with latex and polyisoprene condoms and can't be used with latex or rubber toys, the texture is incredibly thick and requires little reapplication. [Full Review + Video]
That said, all lubes are not created equal, nor should they always be used for every type of sex you want to have.
If anal sex is on the menu, do your bum a solid and use an anal personal lubricant that is made from safe and high-quality ingredients — like those we recommended above.
Trust us, your booty will thank you for it.
Editor’s Note: This article is part of our Everything Lube hub, an in-depth and evolving resource that comprehensively explores 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.
