The Best Silicone-Based Lubes: Tested & Reviewed

Silicone lubricants are silky smooth, last forever, and are perfect for anal or vaginal sex. After 80+ hours of research and testing, we’ve found the very best.
photograph of the four best silicone lubes on a shelf near plants: wet platinum, gun oil, sliquid silver, and uberlube
Updated:February 2023

Silicone lubes offer unparalleled glide during vaginal or anal penetration, featuring a silk-like texture that’s long-lasting and generally doesn’t require reapplication — even during marathon sex or water play.

They’re also made from gentle, hypoallergenic body-safe silicones that are especially ideal for folks with allergies or sensitivities and are compatible with all types of condoms and toys – except those made from silicone.

After 83 hours of cumulative research and personal testing, we’ve concluded that Wet Platinum and Überlube are the best overall silicone lubricants available.

In A Hurry? Start With Our Top Silicone Lube Picks

Important Things To Know:

  • Safety: Our recommendations are free from glycerin, parabens, and added fragrances, flavors, and dyes. These ingredients can be irritating or toxic, and some ingredients have been linked to causing certain types of cancers, as we’ll discuss below.
  • How we chose: When choosing the best silicone-based lubes, we weighed and tested: their intended use, performance, texture, consistency, ingredients, additives, and potential allergens.
  • Silicone lubes we considered: Over the course of more than 2 years, 37 silicone lubricants were considered, 9 made our final cuts, and 7 met our strictest criteria for personal testing.

*When you purchase a product through an affiliate link, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. On behalf of our entire team, thank you in advance for your support!

 

Our Top Recommendations

Best Overall
Alison's Pick
Chris's Pick
Honorable Mention
$44.95
$29.95
$30.95 (4 oz)
$34.00 (4.2 oz)
Description:

Bottom Line: Lightweight, concentrated, and made from high-quality ingredients you can trust, Wet Platinum is our team’s favorite silicone lubricant because it’s perfect for any type of sex, compatible with all condom types and most sex toys (barring silicone), completely odorless and flavorless, and a little goes a long way for optimal pleasure and lasting comfort. [Full Review + Video]

Description:

Bottom Line: Featuring a discreet bottle that can remain on your nightstand without drawing attention, this luxurious lube offers a featherweight formula our editor loves. With just a few drops, it mimics your body’s natural lubrication for long-lasting and ridiculously waterproof (her words) endurance and it’s safe for all condoms and silicone-free sex toys. [Read Full Review]

Description:

Bottom Line: Don’t let the package and marketing fool you — or put you off! Developed by a Marine vet, this silicone lube was Chris's top pick because it outlasted others, was silky smooth, not tacky, and seamlessly transitioned from sensual massage or masturbation, to vaginal or anal sex effortlessly, while being safe for all condoms and most sex toys (except silicone). [Read Full Review]

Description:

Bottom Line: If you’ve been searching for a marathon-ready silicone lube that lasts for hours with minimal reapplication, this ultra-concentrated, premium formula from Sliquid uses three of the slickest pharmaceutical-grade silicones available. Ideal for vaginal or anal sex, this silk-like personal lubricant is safe for all condom types and silicone-free sex toys. [Read Full Review]

Best Overall
$44.95
Description:

Bottom Line: Lightweight, concentrated, and made from high-quality ingredients you can trust, Wet Platinum is our team’s favorite silicone lubricant because it’s perfect for any type of sex, compatible with all condom types and most sex toys (barring silicone), completely odorless and flavorless, and a little goes a long way for optimal pleasure and lasting comfort. [Full Review + Video]

Alison's Pick
$29.95
Description:

Bottom Line: Featuring a discreet bottle that can remain on your nightstand without drawing attention, this luxurious lube offers a featherweight formula our editor loves. With just a few drops, it mimics your body’s natural lubrication for long-lasting and ridiculously waterproof (her words) endurance and it’s safe for all condoms and silicone-free sex toys. [Read Full Review]

Chris's Pick
$30.95 (4 oz)
Description:

Bottom Line: Don’t let the package and marketing fool you — or put you off! Developed by a Marine vet, this silicone lube was Chris's top pick because it outlasted others, was silky smooth, not tacky, and seamlessly transitioned from sensual massage or masturbation, to vaginal or anal sex effortlessly, while being safe for all condoms and most sex toys (except silicone). [Read Full Review]

Honorable Mention
$34.00 (4.2 oz)
Description:

Bottom Line: If you’ve been searching for a marathon-ready silicone lube that lasts for hours with minimal reapplication, this ultra-concentrated, premium formula from Sliquid uses three of the slickest pharmaceutical-grade silicones available. Ideal for vaginal or anal sex, this silk-like personal lubricant is safe for all condom types and silicone-free sex toys. [Read Full Review]

Our Research
[Open All]
Our Top Picks

Our In-Depth Breakdown Of The Best Silicone Lubes

After spending 83 cumulative hours researching various types of silicone lubes and performing more than 2 years of research (and counting) evaluating the best silicone lubes, we’ve narrowed our picks to the list below.

All of the silicone lubes we recommend have met our very rigorous performance and safety standards and are free from harmful chemicals (like parabens) and additives (like glycerin) while having a great texture and consistency.

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Best Overall: Wet Platinum

Best Overall: Wet Platinum Silicone Lubricant

Best Overall
Wet Platinum Luxury Silicone Personal Lubricant
5.0
$44.95

[Note: Get Wet Platinum Luxury Silicone Personal Lubricant for only $33.71 using code "WHI25" at Adam & Eve or $35.96 using code "WHEALTH" at PinkCherry specially negotiated discounts we secured after independent review.]

[Read Our Full Review]

Pros:
  • Lightweight, Water-Like Texture Lasts An Incredibly Long Time And Washes Away Easily With Soap And Water
  • Made From Concentrated High-Quality Silicones That Soften And Moisturize Skin After Application
  • Inconspicuous Packaging Includes A Lot Of Product
  • Formulated To Be Odorless, Flavorless, Colorless, And Never Sticky
  • Waterproof For Sensual & Sexy Play In The Bath Or Shower; Compatible With All Condom Types; Ideal For Vaginal And Anal Sex
Cons:
  • Disc-Top Bottle Can Sometimes Leak
  • No Pump Dispenser So Application Can Be Messy
  • Will Stain Fabrics
  • Cannot Be Used With Silicone Sex Toys, Diaphragms, Or Dental Dams
Bottom Line: Wet Platinum Luxury Silicone Lubricant (formerly known as Glide) is a concentrated yet lightweight silicone lube that moisturizes skin with every use. Crafted with an odor-free and flavorless formula, this lube is long-lasting yet washes off quickly and easily.
$33.71 (6 oz) @ Adam & Eve –> CODE: WHI25 $35.96 (9 oz) @ PinkCherry –> CODE: WHEALTH
When you purchase a product through an affiliate link, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. On behalf of our entire team, thank you in advance for your support!


Wet Platinum Silicone Lubricant is a unique lightweight product with a consistency that’s similar to water-based lubricants while still providing the silken texture of other silicone-based formulas.

This lube offers the best of both worlds.

The concentrated formula of Wet Platinum is crafted from the highest-quality silicones available, requiring little in the way of reapplication during use.

Aerial Photograph Of Wet Platinum Being Applied On The Back Of A Hand

It is compatible with all condom types and performs well during both vaginal and anal sex.

Reviewers also love that Wet Platinum Silicone Lubricant works well during sex play in the shower, yet it will wash away easily with gentle soap and water when you’re done!

The hydrating properties of Wet Platinum Silicone Lubricant make it an ideal choice for anyone who is seeking a silicone lube that has a texture similar to your body’s natural lubrication — only better.

Learn more* about Wet Platinum or check pricing*.
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Alison's Pick: Überlube

Alison’s Pick: Überlube Luxury Lubricant

Alison's Pick
Überlube Luxury Lubricant
5.0
$29.95
Pros:
  • Thin Yet Slippery Texture Mimics Your Body’s Natural Lubrication — If It Were Cranked Up To “10”
  • Doubles As A Massage Oil For Effortless Transition To Vaginal Or Anal Sex; Odorless & Flavorless For Oral Sex
  • A Little Goes A LONG Way — Just A Few Drops Is All It Takes To Enjoy Pleasure All Night
  • Luxurious Glass Bottle Contains A Premium Formula With Vitamin E That Moisturizes & Soothes Skin
  • Waterproof For Sensual & Sexy Play In The Bath Or Shower; Compatible With All Condom Types; Ideal For Vaginal And Anal Sex
Cons:
  • Glass Bottle Can Crack Or Break If Dropped
  • Will Stain Fabrics
  • Cannot Be Used With Silicone Sex Toys
Bottom Line: Überlube is synonymous with luxury and its signature silicone formula looks and feels ahh-mazing. The sexiness begins with its sleek, glass packaging and ends with its über-slippery texture that feels more natural while providing all the benefits of long-lasting, quality silicone lube.
$29.95 (1.69 oz) @ Adam & Eve $34.99 (3.4 oz) @ Good Vibes
When you purchase a product through an affiliate link, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. On behalf of our entire team, thank you in advance for your support!

Who said using lubricant can’t be sexy?!

Überlube Silicone Lubricant can easily be mistaken for a small bottle of cologne. It’s sleek and gorgeous all on its own, and we haven’t even gotten to the good stuff — the lube it contains!

Offering a metered pump dispenser for easy application, you only need a few drops of Überlube — its slippery silicone formula has a thin texture that feels a little more natural compared to typical silicone lubricants.

Take a closer look at Überlube below:


Thousands of doctors have recommended Überlube to their patients who experience sensitivity to other personal lubricants.

The addition of vitamin E adds moisture while its long-lasting formula never gets sticky during use and it doubles as a massage lubricant so you can explore your sensuality to its fullest.

It even works as a frizz-tamer for your hair!

Safe for all condom types, this product is perfect for vaginal and anal sex.

If you’re searching for a lightweight silicone lube in packaging that will make you feel sexier just by having it on your nightstand, Überlube is a must-have.

Learn more* about Überlube or check pricing*.
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Chris's Pick: Gun Oil

Chris’s Pick: GUN OIL Silicone Lubricant

Chris's Pick
GUN OIL Silicone Lubricant
5.0
$30.95 (4 oz)

[Note: Get GUN OIL for only $16.99. Use code AFF-WH15 and get 15% off site-wide at Lovehoney — a specially negotiated discount we secured after independent review.]

Pros:
  • Developed By Marines, This Lube Keeps Your Private’s (Parts) Performing Like A Well-Oiled Machine
  • Formulated For Long-Lasting Lubrication During Solo Playtime Or Partnered Sex
  • Vitamin E And Aloe Vera Add Soothing Moisturization During Vaginal And Anal Sex
  • Waterproof For Sensual & Sexy Play In The Bath Or Shower; Compatible With All Condom Types; Ideal For Vaginal And Anal Sex
Cons:
  • Packaging Is Not At All Subtle
  • Marketed Almost Exclusively To Men (Even Though Lubricant Is For Everyone), Which Could Be A Turn-off To Some
  • Will Stain Fabrics
  • Cannot Be Used With Silicone Sex Toys
Bottom Line: Despite the obnoxious packaging, GUN OIL Silicone Lubricant is a fantastic budget-friendly option for anyone looking for a lightweight yet long-lasting silicone lubricant. A little goes a long way, while vitamin E and aloe nourish and moisturize skin with every use.
$16.99 @ Lovehoney –> CODE: AFF-WH15 $26.99 @ The Enhanced Male
When you purchase a product through an affiliate link, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. On behalf of our entire team, thank you in advance for your support!

Though you might be tempted to pass on this lubricant due to its loud, masculine packaging, GUN OIL Silicone Lubricant is well worth trying if you want a lubricant that will last all night — or all day — long.

You only need a few drops of GUN OIL Silicone Lubricant, and the squeeze bottle is easy and quick to use when things get hot and heavy.

Vitamin E and aloe are great to find in silicone personal lubricants, as these ingredients are particularly moisturizing and both can be found in GUN OIL.

Compatible with all condom types, this silicone lube works beautifully during vaginal and anal sex, as well as for sensual massages and masturbation.

The best part is that this formula drys clean and didn’t get tacky in our tests, which is often a problem with most silicone lubes.

Take a closer look at GUN OIL below:


Formulated for long-lasting lubrication through its proprietary 3-molecule silicone blend, GUN OIL was actually developed by a group of marines — and the reason may surprise you.

During deployment, marines discovered they could masturbate effectively using real silicone gun oil — military issue — and that served as the inspiration behind this masculine brand.

If you’re curious to hear the full (and fascinating) story, check it out here.

This ultra-concentrated silicone lubricant is incredibly long-lasting —  a little goes a very long way.

GUN OIL Silicone Lubricant is a fantastic choice for anyone searching for a lube that offers endless glide without stickiness — and leaves your skin feeling soft afterward, too.

Learn more* about GUN OIL or check pricing*.
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Honorable Mention: Sliquid Silver

Honorable Mention: Sliquid Silver Silicone Lubricant

Honorable Mention
Sliquid Silver Sliquid Silver
4.5
$34.00 (4.2 oz)

[Note: Get Sliquid Silver for only $21.24. Use code AFF-WH15 and get 15% off site-wide at Lovehoney — a specially negotiated discount we secured after independent review.]

Pros:
  • Made From The Highest-Grade, Ultra Concentrated Silicone For Maximum Slip
  • Just A Few Drops Is All That’s Needed For Lasting Endurance And Optimal Comfort
  • Completely Waterproof And Compatible With All Condoms
Cons:
  • Some Reviewers Didn't Like The Texture On Bare Skin
  • Stains Fabrics Easily
  • Cannot Be Used With Silicone Sex Toys
Bottom Line: Sliquid Silver is a silky-smooth, lavish personal lubricant made from 100% pharmaceutical-grade silicones you can trust, making it particularly well-suited to those with sensitive skin.
When you purchase a product through an affiliate link, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. On behalf of our entire team, thank you in advance for your support!

Sliquid Silver Silicone Lubricant is a rich, thick lube that’s known for its smooth, silk-like texture and concentrated formula that lasts without getting sticky or messy.

Dr. Kerry-Anne Perkins, an OBGYN who sits on our medical review board, said that the “thickness of lubricant” is an important quality to consider, as lube becomes “less messy as it gets thicker.”

Compatible with all condom types, Sliquid Silver is a fantastic choice for both vaginal and anal sex. Crafted from 100% pharmaceutical-grade silicones, it’s perfect for anyone looking for a lube that’s kind to sensitive skin, too.

Take a closer look at Sliquid Silver below:


Sliquid Silver Silicone Lubricant has no taste or fragrance and several reviewers with sensitive skin noted that they had no issues when using the lubricant.

One reviewer noted that it is long-lasting and it has no odor.

They said, “After trying many different lubes, this is the only one we use now. I love that it never gets sticky or absorbs in. A little definitely goes a long way with this one.”

They offered some additional advice regarding the bottle’s design. “Be careful when pouring some into your hand as it does come out of the bottle quickly.”

As a whole, Sliquid Silver Silicone Lubricant is perfect for anyone who enjoys a thicker silicone lubricant that’s still long-lasting and gentle on sensitive skin.

Learn more* about Sliquid Silver or check pricing*.
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Other Lubes We Tested

Products We Tried That Didn’t Make Our List

Even though only a few silicone lubricants made our list of top recommendations, we tested a number of other products that didn’t quite make the cut.

We’ll share the reasons why.

  • Pjur Original 

Image Of Single Black Bottle Of Pjur Original Silicone LubricantMade from quality ingredients and topping the list in many reviews of the best silicone-based lubricants, we really wanted to love this one.

In fact, multiple team members tested this product to reach a consensus and among all involved, not one rated it highly enough for it to be a top recommendation.

The bottle design is nice and we didn’t experience much in the way of a mess during use, however, the thickness of this product is a little extreme.

Pjur original is long-lasting but doesn’t always reduce friction — in some cases (when using condoms for one tester), it almost seemed to increase it.

During vaginal sex and with the addition of natural vaginal lubrication during penetration, it thinned out eventually — after about 10 minutes or so.

If you’re looking for an incredibly thick silicone lube and enjoy that consistency, it’s likely a perfect choice for you and definitely one to try.

  • ID Millennium

Photograph Of ID Millennium Silicone LubricantThis product has a nice texture although in our experience it required frequent reapplication during handjobs — it seemed to dry out a little too quickly for extended play.

During vaginal sex, it performed well enough with no additional application needed.

The biggest issue with this product is the bottle design.

The flip-top cap with a hole in the center of it for dispersing product is prone to drippage down the side of the bottle during use, no matter how careful you try to be.

At the same time, if you don’t hear an audible “click” when you close the cap, it likely isn’t — which means lube will leak everywhere if you toss the bottle on the bed or knock it over on the nightstand.

The product itself isn’t terrible and you might love the formula — it’s entirely worth trying — but compared to the other silicone-based lubes we tested, it was not a top recommendation.

  • Adam & Eve Personal Silicone Lubricant

Photograph Of Adam & Eve Silicone Personal LubricantThis lube starts off slippery but after a very short amount of time (particularly during handjobs) it becomes tacky and sticky — and it is a pain in the butt to wash away effectively.

That’s a good quality if you’re looking for something that’s long-lasting for use in the bath or shower, but when you’re just trying to get it off of your skin after you’re done having sex, removal requires multiple washes with soap and water.

Additionally, the bottle design leads to easy drippage down the side of the bottle.

The texture of this lube is on the thick side so if you’re looking for a VERY waterproof lube with a heavy consistency, you might just love this one, even though we didn’t.

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Why Consider Them

Why You Might Consider Trying These Silicone Lubes

Even though the silicone-based personal lubricants mentioned above didn’t meet our expectations, that doesn’t mean they’re poorly-made products that aren’t worth trying — quite the opposite.

They are still made from body-safe ingredients and manufactured by quality brands you can trust.

Many factors contribute to whether a silicone-based 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 the lube’s intended use.

When testing silicone 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 silicone-based lubricant.

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Why Trust Our Review

Why Trust Our Review?

After investing 83 hours (and counting) researching, evaluating, and testing the best silicone lubes over the last two years we know precisely what to look for in terms of ingredients, effectiveness, and most critically — safety.

We began by speaking with several members of our medical review team, who consist of board-certified OB-GYNs, pelvic health experts, and sex educators about what makes a great silicone lubricant, as well as what ingredients and safety precautions people should watch out for.

We took the advice from our medical review board, recommendations from subject matter experts on our team, and aggregated crowdsourced opinions, to create a list of silicone lubes that met our strict criteria for safety and performance.

We then analyzed 37 silicone-based personal lubricants. Those initial selections were later narrowed down to just 9 products. Following the deepest research, only 7 of these met our strictest criteria and were chosen for personal testing.

Then, several experts on our team (including Zoë Tanner, Alison Huff, Vanessa Russell, and Chris Fernandez) personally tested all our finalists in real-world conditions in the bedroom over several weeks to form a consensus.

In addition, we constantly evaluate new entries to the market as they become available.

Finally, we do not accept paid placements, and all our recommendations are brand-neutral. For accuracy and thoroughness, we also have an expert from our medical review board evaluate all reviews.

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How We Made Our Picks

How We Made Our Picks And Features We Considered

When we first approached our medical review board and began researching and later testing silicone-based personal lubricants, we discovered that many popular products don’t live up to their hype.

A lube that claims to last “5x longer” than its competitors might need constant reapplication while others that are supposedly “silk-like” become tacky and dry up quickly — especially during certain activities.

While silicone lubricants are generally made from safe ingredients – most do not include parabens or glycerin because they simply don’t need them — these products don’t always meet the consumer expectations set by their marketing.

When selecting the best silicone-based lubes, the factors we considered included:

  • Body-safe Ingredients: High-quality silicone ingredients won’t cause irritation or put your health at risk because although silicone is synthetic, it is inert and not absorbed into the skin. Pure silicone lubricants generally do not contain glycerin (which can cause yeast infections) or parabens, (which can possibly lead to endocrine disruption) — however, these are sometimes found in water/silicone hybrids.
  • No Allergens: Silicone lubricants tend to be among the safest for those with allergies and sensitivities to common lube ingredients, as allergies to silicones are exceedingly rare. Always check the product label to look for non-silicone ingredients you may be allergic to or sensitive to, such as plant-based oils.
  • No Additives: It is always best to choose a silicone lubricant with a short ingredient list that doesn’t include numbing or warming agents. Those that have fragrances or dyes should also be avoided because such additives may irritate vaginal or anal tissue.
  • A Quality Formulation: It’s important to consider the way the lube is formulated and how its ingredients fit together, particularly as it applies to meeting the expectations set by its marketing. If a lube claims to be non-staining, waterproof, and long-lasting with a lightweight silky texture — it better be.
  • FDA Approval: All of our silicone lubricant recommendations have either a registered 501(k) clearance with the Food & Drug Administration as of this writing or were exempt from providing one. Every silicone lube we recommend is approved for sale within the U.S.
  • Great Texture/Consistency: Silicone lubricants have a silk-like texture but their consistency can vary from lightweight to thick and heavy, depending on the formula. Although they don’t typically mimic the texture of your body’s natural lubrication, we considered the thickness of each lube selecting a range to suit a variety of preferences.
  • Real-World Performance: Finally, several members of our team tested how each silicone lubricant worked, evaluating all of our finalists firsthand by using them on their skin, during vaginal and/or anal sex, and even in water. They kept track of how they performed during various sexual activities and also during clean-up, but also considered the way each lubricant performed in direct relation to any claims made by its marketing.
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Performance

The Texture, Consistency, And Performance Of Silicone Lubes

Silicone-based lubricants have a texture that is incredibly silky and long-lasting, however, they tend to be noticeably different when compared to your body’s natural lubrication.

Depending on the formula, the consistency of silicone-based lube may be lightweight with a thin texture, which can be preferable for vaginal sex, or thick with a heavy cushion that’s better suited to anal sex.

Regardless of the type of sex you’re having, silicone-based lubes offer unmatched stamina — they are long-lasting and perform well without needing reapplication, even during marathon sessions.

They’re also waterproof, which means their performance isn’t hindered when used in the bath, shower, or even the hot tub.

That water resistance, however, is also what makes them more difficult to remove after use.

Additionally, most of the time silicone lube will stain fabrics so you might want to keep them away from your nicest sheets, and they’ll degrade sex toys made from silicone.

To meet the varied needs our readers have, we selected a variety of textures, consistencies, and formulations in our recommendations.

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Why Use Silicone Lube

Why Use Silicone Lube Vs. Others

Aerial Photograph Of Wet Platinum Being Applied To Skin

Silicone lubricants are known to be long-lasting compared to most other types of personal lubricants while being safely compatible with all condom types and silicone-free sex toys.

Additionally, unlike water-based lubricants, you don’t have to worry about improperly balanced pH or unsafe osmolality levels, because silicone (and oil-based) lubes do not contain water.

Kayla Lords, a sex expert, and writer for Women’s Health Interactive, explained that silicone-based lubricants are often preferred for several common sexual activities.

“Because silicone lube is thicker and longer-lasting — it does not dry down or wear off as quickly as water-based lubricants — it’s a favorite for anal penetration,” she explained.

She added that for the same reasons, it’s also highly recommended for masturbation or sex in the bath, shower, or even pool, due to its waterproof nature.

Still, silicone personal lubricant is not ideal for every sexual situation.

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Pros And Cons

Pros And Cons Of Silicone Lube

Silicone-based lube has plenty of good things going for it — its longevity and versatility among them — but nothing is perfect and there are a few downsides to consider.

The pros and cons of silicone-based lubes include:

Silicone Lube Pros:

  • They are safe to use with all condoms, regardless of type
  • They are incredibly long-lasting and require little reapplication if any
  • They offer a range of textures from lightweight to thick depending on the formula
  • They provide unmatched silk-like slip during vaginal and anal sex
  • They will not rinse away in water, so they can be used during sexual activity in the bath, shower, or hot tub
  • When free from additives like fragrances or dyes (as all our recommendations are), they carry minimal risk of irritation or body reactions, even for those with sensitive skin
  • They can be used for full body and sensual massage
  • They are generally odorless
  • They are safe to swallow in small amounts

Silicone Lube Cons:

  • They will degrade sex toys made from silicone and most “cyber skin” materials
  • They typically feel “unnatural” compared to your body’s own lubrication, which some people don’t like
  • They often stain fabrics
  • They are not water-soluble and can be difficult to remove, requiring thorough cleaning with soap and water
  • Unless formulated to be flavorless, they may not taste very good during oral sex and they have a very oily mouthfeel
  • They are never made from natural ingredients; silicone is synthetic
  • They tend to be more expensive compared to water-based or oil-based lubricants
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Silicone Lube Vs. Others

When Should You Use A Silicone, Oil-Based, Or Water-Based Lube?

Personal lubricants will vary in formula, however, their ingredients and composition affect the way they’ll perform in different situations.

Before purchasing a lubricant — silicone or otherwise — it’s important to consider the type of sex you plan to have along with the sex toys or condoms you may be using.

Here’s a cheat sheet for selecting the best type of lubricant 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?
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What To Look For

Is Silicone Lube Safe And What Should You Look For?

Aerial Photograph Of Hands Holding Bottle Of Silicone Lubricant

Silicone lube is perfectly safe when used as directed but understanding the ingredients used in silicone-based lubes is just one important factor to consider before purchasing one.

Although the performance of a silicone lube is certainly important, it should always come AFTER ingredient, safety, and formulation considerations.

After all, no matter how well a lube performs in the bedroom, if it includes harmful chemicals or additives that might lead to infections or increase your risk of irritation during or after use, the way it performs is secondary.

Through our rigorous research, we found the best silicone-based lubes that meet and exceed all of our criteria when it comes to the safety information you should look for.

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Silicone Lube Safety

Is Silicone Lube Safe?

Yes, it is — even during pregnancy.

Don’t let the name of their primary ingredient fool you into thinking otherwise.

If you’re wondering what silicone is, it’s a synthetic polymer crafted from silicon (which is made by heating silica), oxygen, carbon, and hydrogen.

Its slippery, long-lasting qualities make it ideal for personal lubrication.

Silicone itself is considered safe in most circumstances, as long as it is used appropriately and isn’t ingested in large amounts or injected into your body in liquid form.

Silicone-based lubricants are also generally safe to consume in small amounts.

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When Trying To Conceive
  • Safety Of Silicone Lubricant Ingredients When Trying To Conceive

Overall, silicone lubricants have not been found to hinder sperm motility and as long as they don’t have non-silicone additives such as glycerin or parabens, they should be safe to use when trying to conceive.

That said, lubricants that contain hydroxyethylcellulose are considered to be the best for anyone trying to conceive because they won’t decrease sperm motility.

Hydroxyethylcellulose is most commonly found in water-based lubricants, however, some silicone-based products do, as well.

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Safe Ingredients

What Are The Safest Ingredients For Silicone Lube?

Before purchasing or trying any silicone-based lubricant, the very first thing to consider is what ingredients are used in a lube’s formula.

Safe ingredients in silicone-based personal lubricants include:

  • Dimethicone
  • Dimethicone crosspolymer
  • Dimethiconol
  • Cyclomethicone
  • Cyclopentasiloxane
  • Phenyl trimethicone

Dimethicone (also known as PEG 8) is a form of silicone that creates a silk-like, soft texture in personal lubricants.

Declared safe to use by the FDA in concentrations between 1% and 30%, it is an ingredient commonly found in many cosmetics, moisturizers, and hair care products.

The amount of dimethicone found in personal care products is deemed safe.

Dimethicone crosspolymer is a silicone elastomer gel that may sound a little unsettling, but it is actually safe when used in cosmetics and personal lubricants.

The Environmental Working Group notes that in concentrations above 24%, dimethicone crosspolymer is a mild irritant, however, none of our recommendations even include it as an ingredient.

Dimethiconol is a silicone-based polymer and skin conditioner found in some personal lubricants.

Added to increase the viscosity in thicker silicone-based lubes, there is limited research on its health effects but because it isn’t absorbed into the skin, it is considered to be a safe ingredient.

Cyclomethicone has minimal potential for “endocrine-disrupting activity” in terms of a person’s reproductive health, although silicone lubricants are not absorbed by the skin so the actual risk may be nonexistent.

At the amounts used and approved by the FDA — concentrations under 10% — cyclomethicone is considered safe for its intended use because its cyclical “structure limits its ability to penetrate through the dermis layer.”

That said, there is little in the way of research regarding ingestion, so we advise not using silicone lubes containing cyclomethicone for oral sex.

There are safer edible lubes to choose from.

Cyclopentasiloxane (also known as decamethylcyclopentasiloxane or D5) is a silicone compound related to cyclomethicone that is not absorbed into the skin.

Although there is minimal concern over the potential for endocrine disruption, one study found that “it is not likely that dermal exposure to these ingredients from cosmetics would cause significant systemic exposure” and that it is “safe in the present practices of use and concentration.”

Phenyl trimethicone is a type of silicone that creates a barrier effect on the skin, keeping it from becoming dehydrated during use, and is considered to be a very safe type of silicone.

Although the thought of using anything synthetic “down there” can feel a little scary, silicones maintain their slip because they’re not absorbed into the skin.

Additionally, all of our recommendations are body-safe for vaginal and anal sex.

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Unsafe Ingredients

What Silicone Lube Ingredients Are Unsafe And Should Be Avoided?

While the precise ingredients used in silicone lubricants will vary between products, there are a few particular ones you’ll likely want to avoid when selecting one for yourself.

For this reason, we’ve refrained from including any products that use ingredients that should be avoided.

Ingredients You Should Avoid In Silicone-Based Lubricants:

Additional Silicone-Based Lube Ingredients To Avoid

Other ingredients that aren’t in any of the silicone lubricants on our list include synthetic fragrances, flavors, and dyes, all of which can irritate the skin.

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Glycerin

Do Silicone Lubricants Contain Glycerin?

Generally, no — pure silicone lubricants are slippery enough on their own and don’t need to rely on glycerin to provide slickness the way water-based products often do.

Although glycerin is rarely used in silicone-based lubricants unless the formula is a hybrid blend that includes water-based lube ingredients, glycerin harms the good bacteria in the vagina, which can lead to yeast infections.

None of the products we recommend include glycerin.

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Parabens

Do Silicone Lubricants Contain Parabens?

Not usually.

Parabens are often used as preservatives in lubricants but because silicone ingredients are synthetic, preservatives are not necessary to maintain the quality or freshness of the formula.

Uncommon in silicone lubes, parabens may be an endocrine disruptor, although the CDC advises that the effects of exposure on a person’s health are unknown.

None of our recommendations include parabens.

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FDA Approval

FDA Approval Of Personal Lubricants

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies personal lubricants as “Class II medical devices” so manufacturers of such products have to register their products for 510(k) clearance — or be exempt from the requirement.

A personal lube manufacturer can make their product available in the United States only after receiving approval from the FDA or being exempt from needing it.

The FDA offers a handy searchable database for personal lubricants, but all of our recommendations either have a 501(k) clearance as of this writing or were exempt from providing one.

Lube Alternatives To Silicone Lubricants

Silicone lubes have a pretty unique texture.

Because they’re made of synthetic silicone polymers, there isn’t really a comparable lube alternative, aside from body-safe oils.

Oils perform similarly to silicones in some ways, but not all.

They are long-lasting and waterproof, however, they cannot be used with latex or polyisoprene condoms because they’ll degrade their materials — putting you and your partners at risk for STIs or unintended pregnancy.

Additionally, they cannot be used with sex toys made from latex or jelly rubber.

Coconut oil as lube may be the best choice as an alternative — unless you have a known allergy or sensitivity to it.

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Conclusion

In Conclusion

If you were at all nervous about exploring silicone lubricants before, we hope that our top picks and our in-depth research have alleviated any fears you may have had.

When made from body-safe silicones — and without added ingredients that may be potentially harmful or irritating — silicone-based lubes are completely safe and offer a lot of versatility.

Our top choices deliver the very best in terms of performance and safe ingredients to make your favorite sexual activities better than ever.

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.

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