Yes, you can generally use grapeseed oil as a personal lubricant and it is safe — with a few caveats.
Here’s why:
- Like all oils, grapeseed oil will deteriorate condoms, diaphragms, or dental dams that are made from latex or polyisoprene, which may result in unintended pregnancy or the transmission of STIs.
- If you’re prone to yeast infections or bacterial vaginosis, grapeseed oil (or any oil-based lube, for that matter) can increase your risk of developing such infections.
- Grapeseed oil carries a low risk for allergic skin reactions but it can cause itching, rash, burning, or irritation in those with sensitive skin.
- Due to its thin consistency, it is not considered a good anal lube alternative because it is absorbed into the skin quickly and will likely require frequent reapplication.
- As an oil, it can stain clothing and bedding and it will degrade sex toys made from latex, rubber, or jelly rubber.
- Cold-pressed grapeseed oil is safest, as it is processed without the use of chemical solvents.
Grapeseed oil is plant-based, readily available, and can be great for your skin under the right circumstances.
But if you’re thinking about using grapeseed oil as a sexual lubricant, it’s essential to understand the facts to make sure it’s the best option for you.
In this article, we’re going to cover everything you need to know about using grapeseed 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 Grapeseed Oil As Lube?
Yes, it is generally safe to use grapeseed oil as a personal lubricant but there are some caveats to consider first.
Here’s what you need to know about using grapeseed oil as lube:
- Like other oils, grapeseed oils will degrade STI and pregnancy barriers made from latex or polyisoprene, potentially putting you or your partner at risk for both.
- If you are prone to yeast infections or bacterial vaginosis, grapeseed oil can increase your risk of recurring infection.
- Grapeseed oil has a thin, lightweight texture that can be good for vaginal or even oral sex, however, it is absorbed into the skin quickly. For this reason, it requires frequent reapplication and isn’t considered suitable for anal sex.
- Grapeseed oil is non-comedogenic so it won’t clog pores or lead to breakouts, so it’s a good choice for external masturbation as long as you aren’t personally sensitive to it.
- Grapeseed oil isn’t often the cause of an allergic reaction in most but for people who have especially sensitive skin, it may lead to contact dermatitis — mild skin reactions that include itching, rash, burning, or irritation.
- Grapeseed oil has a thin texture and is edible so it can safely be used as a lubricant for oral sex.
- It is safe with most sex toy types aside from those made from latex, rubber, or jelly rubber, as oils will degrade their materials.
- As with most other oils, grapeseed oil can stain fabrics.
- The safest grapeseed oil is that which is cold-pressed, a process that does not involve the use of chemical solvents.
Grapeseed is a light oil with a thin, silky texture that easily absorbs into the skin.
It can be highly beneficial as a moisturizer, however, you might find that it dries out too quickly when used as a personal lubricant.
As we stated earlier, oil-based lubes — including grapeseed — will degrade condoms, diaphragms, or dental dams made from latex or polyisoprene.
This can put you at risk for unintended pregnancy or STIs.
It’s perfectly safe to use grapeseed oil with condoms made from polyurethane, nitrile, or lambskin, although the latter does not offer protection against STIs.
Grapeseed oil is non-comedogenic so you can use it while masturbating as long as you don’t have sensitive skin.
If sensitive skin is an issue, our best advice is to try one of these lubes instead.
Grapeseed oil is safe to eat and has no odor or flavor, making it a good edible lube for oral sex.
In fact, grapeseed oil is a far better option for oral sex compared to most other oil-based lubes since their thick consistency often creates a choking hazard.
Grapeseed oil is safe to use with all sex toys except those made from latex, rubber, or jelly rubber.
Just don’t forget to clean your sex toys properly afterward.
Finally, grapeseed oil can stain your sheets and clothing, so don’t use it on your favorite bedding if that is a concern.
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Can You Use Grapeseed Oil As A Vaginal Lube?
Yes, you can use grapeseed oil as a lube for vaginal sex as long as you keep a few things in mind.
It isn’t a good choice if you’re using latex or polyisoprene barriers to prevent STIs or pregnancy — including condoms, diaphragms, or dental dams — because the oil will degrade their material, rendering them ineffective.
If you experience recurring yeast infections from lube or bacterial vaginosis, grapeseed oil (and any oil-based lubricant in general) can put you at risk for developing another one.
If you don’t have allergies or sensitive skin, grapeseed oil can be perfectly safe as vaginal lube, although it may require frequent reapplication.
Grapeseed oil when used externally on your vulva during masturbation is considered to be safe and should not lead to breakouts, as it is non-comedogenic and will not clog pores.
That said, it isn’t a good idea to use grapeseed oil to masturbate with sex toys if they’re made from latex, rubber, or jelly rubber, as the oil will degrade their material.
Beyond those restrictions, it is safe for other toy materials — just note that grapeseed oil can (and does) stain fabrics.
If grapeseed oil doesn’t sound like a lube alternative that will work for you, reach for a safe, water-based lube instead.
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Can You Use Grapeseed Oil As Anal Lube?
Generally speaking, no.
Although grapeseed oil is perfectly safe if it comes in contact with your anus, it has a very thin consistency that makes it a poor choice for anal lube alternative for most people.
Grapeseed oil is easily absorbed by the skin and when used as a lubricant, it requires frequent reapplication.
During anal sex, it may not provide enough (lasting) lubrication, which can increase your risk of irritation from friction during anal sex.
Although how grapeseed oil feels during anal sex will vary from person to person, we advise you to seek a safe anal lube formulated for that purpose.
Additionally, one study identified that using oil-based lubricants increases the risk of condom breakage during anal sex.
As we talked about earlier, grapeseed oil will degrade latex or polyisoprene condoms, which can increase the risk of STI transmission between partners.
The only oil-safe condoms that should be used with grapeseed oil are those made from polyurethane or nitrile.
Lambskin condoms should not be used for anal sex, as they do not offer protection against STIs.
Grapeseed oil should never be used as a personal lubricant with anal toys made from latex, rubber, or jelly rubber, as the oil will degrade the material.
This includes those used during pegging or any other types of anal play.
Finally, grapeseed oil will stain fabrics so if your bedding is expensive or new, make sure to take the necessary precautions.
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What Is Grapeseed Oil Made From And Is It Safe?
As its name suggests, grapeseed oil comes from grape seeds.
What you might not know is that it’s actually a byproduct of the wine-making process.
Grape seeds are removed when the grapes are pressed to create wine.
If oil is going to be made from the seeds afterward, the oil is extracted in one of two ways — through pressing or the use of chemical solvents.
Most grapeseed oil products you’ll find at the store have been extracted using a chemical solvent like hexane.
Hexane makes the extraction process easier and less expensive but it is classified as a neurotoxin, which could be left behind in trace amounts if any solvent residue remains after the manufacturing process.
Most experts recommend using grapeseed oil that has been cold-pressed because this process does not involve any chemicals.
This ensures that the active ingredients — and the oil itself — haven’t been chemically altered.
Cold-pressing, also known as expeller-pressing, involves squeezing the tiny grape seeds to extract their oil, using machinery.
Although it is the favored method of extraction among grapeseed oil enthusiasts, it generally means the oil is going to be more expensive, too.
Still, if you’re interested in using grapeseed oil as lube it’s best to stick with high-quality, cold-pressed grapeseed oil.
Grapeseed oil is surprisingly neutral in taste.
It doesn’t have any of the floral or nutty flavors found in many other oils, so it can be a perfect alternative lube for oral sex.
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What Are Better Lube Alternatives To Grapeseed Oil?
Not entirely on board with grapeseed oil as lube?
That’s okay — there are plenty of store-bought personal lubricants that are body-safe.
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 is water-soluble so it’s easy to clean up and it usually has a texture that’s close to your body’s natural lubrication.
Additionally, water-based lube is safe to use with any type of diaphragm, condom, or dental dam.
Water-based lubricants may need to be reapplied if you’re having a long sexy evening and they can be reactivated with a little water as needed.
Unfortunately, water-based lube cannot be used in the shower or bathtub, as it is water-soluble and will rinse away too easily.
We did a deep dive and reviewed the safest and best water-based personal lubricants to help you find the perfect one.
- Silicone-Based Lubricants
Silicone-based lubes are equally safe for condoms and last a lot longer than their water-based peers.
So if you’re deciding between a water-based and silicone-based lube, the right choice will depend on how you’re going to use it.
Compared to your body’s natural lubrication, silicone personal lubricants tend to have a much thicker consistency and silky-smooth texture.
Their heavy consistency is what makes them a fantastic choice for anal sex.
You want to steer clear of using silicone lubes with silicone sex toys, however, because it can damage the material.
Our review of the best silicone-based personal lubes delves into all of our well-researched recommendations of the safest products money can buy.
An oil-based lubricant is made from natural (and sometimes organic) oils that are body-safe for vaginal and anal sex.
Some products may include nut-based oil ingredients, which is cause for concern for those who have nut allergies.
They resemble silicone lubes in texture and are equally waterproof for use in the bath or shower.
Oil-based lubricants are another good anal lube alternative as long as latex or polyisoprene condoms aren’t being used.
If you’d like to learn more about them, we 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 product, they can offer diverse options based on your needs.
Similar to other oil-based lubes, natural and organic products may be made using nut-based oils and should be avoided by those who have allergies to nuts — so always read the label thoroughly.
After heavy research, we found the best and safest natural and organic lubricants that you can purchase right now.
Are There Any Safe Home Lube Alternatives?
If you’re in a bind and you need a safe lube alternative that can be found in your home right now, there are some decent options available:
Although the above lube alternatives are generally safe, remember that oil-based lube alternatives should never be used with condoms, diaphragms, or dental dams made from latex or polyisoprene.
Additionally, it’s smart to do a patch test of any potential lube alternative by applying a little bit of the substance to the skin of your inner elbow to watch for any allergic reaction before using it as a lubricant.
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Bottom Line:
Grapeseed oil is incredibly moisturizing and non-comedogenic so it can be a treat for your skin — and it’s a very safe lube alternative for many people.
It’s also tasteless and odorless which makes it a great choice for oral sex, although its thin texture makes it less suitable for anal penetration.
If you plan to use grapeseed oil as a lubricant, always check the label to make sure it is high-quality and cold-pressed, as that is the safest type.
Don’t forget that you can always refer to our personal lube guide or read through our complete list of safe (and unsafe!) lube alternatives if grapeseed oil isn’t the best choice for you.
