Why Glycerin In Lube Is Not Safe (And Options That Are)

Why Is Glycerin Used In Lube?

Glycerin, also known as glycerol, is a type of sugar alcohol that is viscous, clear, odorless and has a slightly sweet taste.

It can be found in many applications from foods to cosmetics, e-cigarettes, and beyond — including personal lubricants (most often those that are water-based).

Glycerin may be listed on an ingredient label as:

• Glycol
• Glycerol
• Glycerine
• Sugar alcohols

Naturally derived from both plant and animal sources, glycerin is a very adaptable chemical.

You might encounter the same ingredient in your lotion, gummy bears, and vape juice as you go about your day.

One reason you’ll often find glycerin in lube — besides its slick viscosity —  is because it is a high-osmolality humectant.

A humectant pulls moisture from one side of a membrane to another and osmolarity measures a water-based solution’s ability to do that.

To put it simply, glycerin in lube not only acts as its own sexy WD-40 but draws out your own natural moisture at the same time.

Glycerin is a plentiful, flexible, and stable ingredient that can be helpful in a number of ways, but not so much when it comes to a sex lube.

Why Should Glycerin Be Avoided In Lube?

Although it’s commonly used in water-based lubricants (although not in any that we personally recommend), glycerin can be problematic when used internally during vaginal or anal intercourse.

Here’s what you need to know about glycerin in lube:

• Like sugar, glycerin acts as a food source for the microorganism responsible for most yeast infections, Candida albicans. When this fungus is well-fed, it can quickly lead to an overgrowth — resulting in a yeast infection in the vagina or anus.
• Glycerin draws in moisture while also raising the osmolality of a personal lubricant, putting you at risk for genital or anal irritation and infection.
• Glycerin breaks down mucus membranes and damages tissues in the vagina and anus, which increases the risk of not only irritation but STI transmission, as well.

With glycerin being a sugar alcohol, it can feed the natural yeast (fungi) in your vagina.

Although a healthy vaginal microbiome keeps such fungi in check, a food source will cause them to grow and multiply — quickly —  leading to a yeast infection, especially if you’re already prone to getting them.

Fans of anal sex are also at risk regarding glycerin in lube, as anal yeast infections are a possibility as well.  

Glycerin raises the osmolality of a lube — pulling moisture from your body because its humectant properties draw moisture toward the solution — putting you at risk for genital or anal irritation and infection in the process.

A high-osmolality lube can damage cell walls and mucus layers that normally act as a barrier for STIs.

Studies have shown a link between this damage and an increased vulnerability to infections such as herpes and HIV.

As mentioned above, glycerin has dozens of uses in day-to-day life, but it probably goes without saying that it is a bad idea and an ingredient you want to avoid when selecting a personal lubricant.

Glycerin-Free Lube

Glycerin may be ubiquitous, but there are plenty of options for those looking for lube without glycerin.

In fact, every single water-based lubricant we have ever personally vetted, tested, and reviewed is completely free from glycerin.

We take your health as seriously as we take that of our own team and we’d never recommend a product we have not (or would not) use ourselves.

Our favorite water-based lubricants below are all glycerin-free:

Best Overall	Also Good	Best Newcomer	Thickest Formula
Almost Naked	Aloe Cadabra	Liquid	AH! YES WB
5.0	4.9	4.5	4.3
$12.99 (4 oz)	$11.95 (2.5 oz)	$11.99 (1.69 oz)	$21.99 (5.1 oz)
$10.40 @ Good Clean Love -> CODE: WHI20	$10.16 @ Aloe Cadabra -> CODE: MyOrganicAloe	$9.60 @ Good Clean Love -> CODE: WHI20	$18.70 @ AH! YES -> CODE: WHI
$18.99 @ HotCherry	$17.99 @ HotCherry		$21.99 @ Lovehoney
Description: Bottom Line: Made from just 7 organic ingredients, our testing team rated Almost Naked a top pick because it performs amazingly as a lube, feels wonderful on your skin, and smells absolutely divine. [Full Review + Video]	Description: Bottom Line: This lube is one of our team’s favorites because it's easy to use, lightweight, highly versatile, made with 95% food-grade NSF Certified organic aloe vera, and comes in 18 delicious flavors. [Full Review + Video]	Description: Bottom Line: Released in 2022, this newcomer surprised our team with its silky-smooth (and liquid-like) texture made with hyaluronic acid that doesn’t drip or run, yet lasts for an incredibly long time. [Full Review]	Description: Bottom Line: This water-based lube is our team’s top pick for those looking for a thick, incredibly long-lasting lube for sensitive skin made with 96% organic aloe, and no added fragrance, flavor, or dyes. [Full Review + Video]

Best Overall

Almost Naked

5.0

$12.99 (4 oz)

$10.40 @ Good Clean Love -> CODE: WHI20

$18.99 @ HotCherry

Description:

Bottom Line: Made from just 7 organic ingredients, our testing team rated Almost Naked a top pick because it performs amazingly as a lube, feels wonderful on your skin, and smells absolutely divine. [Full Review + Video]

Also Good

Aloe Cadabra

4.9

$11.95 (2.5 oz)

$10.16 @ Aloe Cadabra -> CODE: MyOrganicAloe

$17.99 @ HotCherry

Description:

Bottom Line: This lube is one of our team’s favorites because it's easy to use, lightweight, highly versatile, made with 95% food-grade NSF Certified organic aloe vera, and comes in 18 delicious flavors. [Full Review + Video]

Best Newcomer

Liquid

4.5

$11.99 (1.69 oz)

$9.60 @ Good Clean Love -> CODE: WHI20

Description:

Bottom Line: Released in 2022, this newcomer surprised our team with its silky-smooth (and liquid-like) texture made with hyaluronic acid that doesn’t drip or run, yet lasts for an incredibly long time. [Full Review]

Thickest Formula

AH! YES WB

4.3

$21.99 (5.1 oz)

$18.70 @ AH! YES -> CODE: WHI

$21.99 @ Lovehoney

Description:

Bottom Line: This water-based lube is our team’s top pick for those looking for a thick, incredibly long-lasting lube for sensitive skin made with 96% organic aloe, and no added fragrance, flavor, or dyes. [Full Review + Video]

→ For more, read: Best & Safest Water-Based Lubes: Tested & Reviewed By Our Team

FAQs About Glycerin In Lube

Here are answers to some of the most common concerns and questions about lubes with glycerin.

Is Glycerin Dangerous?

Not necessarily, but if used in a personal lube, glycerin can cause yeast infections and the high osmolality it creates can lead to genital or anal irritation.

The chemical itself is non-toxic and is a common ingredient found in foods and beauty products.

In fact, you’ve probably inhaled some at a concert or haunted house, as it is used in fog machines.

Can I Use Natural Or Vegan (Vegetable) Glycerin As A Lube?

No.

Vegetable glycerin as lube carries all of the same risks as using a lube that contains glycerin, including yeast infections and genital or anal irritation.

Is Glycerin Good For Skin?

Yes, glycerin is great for moisturizing skin, thanks to its humectant properties.

That same characteristic, however, is problematic in personal lubricants because glycerin increases a lube’s osmolality, and a high osmolality increases the risk for genital or anal irritation and STI transmission between partners.

In Conclusion

Glycerin is a miracle molecule for a lot of products — just not when it comes to those designed for sex.

Steer clear of vaginal and anal lubes containing glycerin to avoid complications such as yeast infections and an increased risk of STIs.

Always read the ingredients on the back of any lubricant you’re considering purchasing and if you’re not sure where to start, take a look at our personally vetted recommendations — they are all glycerin and paraben-free.