Homemade DIY Lube: Safe Recipes, Ingredients, And What To Know
Many of us are concerned about chemicals and toxins in our products, especially those we use to lubricate our most sensitive areas.
Maybe you’re considering a homemade lubricant, but you’re not sure how to make it, or are thinking of using some ingredients you’ve got laying around the house.
The good news is that you don’t need to be a wizard in the kitchen to whip up a batch of great DIY lube and there are plenty of body-safe lube alternatives you probably have available on hand right now.
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.
Simple Lube DIY Recipes You Can Make At Home
Most DIY lube recipes are straightforward and you don’t need to be a personal chef or a scientist to make them.
That said, you also don’t want to get too creative because you’ll be using your lube on your most sensitive areas.
The best rule of thumb when it comes to homemade lube: The fewer ingredients, the better.
What Are The Easiest Lube Recipes You Can Make At Home?
You can always use one of the body-safe base oils we’ll suggest later on as a carrier oil and add a drop or two of skin-safe essential oil that you have patch-tested beforehand.
Additionally, you can mix any of the safe oil-based lube alternatives together to create your own blend, based on their textures and your desired consistency.
Just remember all the caveats that come with using anything oil-based as your lubricant.
DIY Water-Based Lube: Cornstarch & Water
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of water
- 4 teaspoons pure cornstarch
- Note: In the absence of cornstarch, all-purpose flour can be used but the amount of flour should be roughly doubled (8 teaspoons)
Directions:
- Mix one cup of water and four teaspoons of cornstarch in a saucepan
- Put the stove on low to medium heat and slowly bring the liquid to a boil, whisking to remove lumps
- Once the mixture is boiling, whisk it constantly for about 30 seconds before removing it from the heat to cool before being strained and stored in a clean container
- If the lube’s consistency seems too thick, you can dilute it with water — a little bit at a time — until you reach your desired thickness
Storage: This lube should be stored at room temperature and can be shaken before use. Throw it out when you notice changes to its smell or texture.
STI & Pregnancy Barrier Safety: This DIY lube is compatible with all condoms, diaphragms, and dental dams.
When you’re looking for a simple water-based lube recipe, this one can be made quickly — and safely — using ingredients you likely have at home right now.
If you’re not a natural chef, watch the demonstration below:
As we mentioned earlier, if you notice that the texture is too thick, a little bit of water can be added to thin it out.
DIY Anal Lube: Coconut Oil & Shea Butter
Ingredients:
- 3 parts coconut oil
- 1 part shea butter
- Note: For thicker lube, add more shea butter; for thinner lube, use less
Directions:
- Heat both oils together until melted — either in a glass, microwave-safe bowl or in a saucepan over low heat
- Whisk thoroughly to combine once melted completely
- While warm, pour into a clean, glass container for storage
Storage: This homemade lube should be stored at room temperature. The oils will return to a semi-solid state upon cooling and will harden if stored in the refrigerator.
STI & Pregnancy Barrier Safety: This DIY lube is NOT compatible with latex or polyisoprene condoms, diaphragms, or dental dams and is too thick to be used for oral sex safely, as it may present a choking hazard.
Allergen Warning: Unrefined shea butter contains natural latex and should be avoided by those with a latex allergy.
Virgin, unrefined coconut oil is solid at room temperature while shea butter has a waxy consistency, so they can only be blended if melted.
Shea butter provides the anal-friendly thickness and cushion in this lube recipe.
Although we recommend mixing 3 parts coconut oil to 1 part shea butter, you can tweak this recipe as needed to achieve the texture you desire.
The more coconut oil that is used, the thinner the lube will be.
Although you can melt the oils together in a saucepan, a double boiler works as well:
This homemade anal lube will return to a semi-solid state once cooled.
To use, take a small scoop of it and warm it in your hand before applying.
DIY Vaginal Lube: Aloe Vera Gel & Vitamin E Oil
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup of 100% pure aloe vera gel
- Few drops of vitamin E oil
Directions:
- In a bowl, combine the aloe vera gel and vitamin E oil
- Mix thoroughly, whisking if necessary
- Pour into a clean storage container
Storage: This lube should be stored in the refrigerator between uses and it will remain fresh for about a week.
STI & Pregnancy Barrier Safety: This DIY lube is NOT compatible with latex or polyisoprene condoms, diaphragms, and dental dams due to the vitamin E oil.
Allergen Warning: Aloe vera leaves contain natural latex; this recipe should be avoided by those with latex allergies unless you are sure that the gel contains no traces of rind.
If you have an aloe plant, you can obtain the gel from the leaves by removing them from the yellow latex rind.
There are ways to prepare aloe gel directly from the plant that do not require a blender. Watch below:
Store-bought aloe gel is just as safe to use as long as it is 100% pure with no additional ingredients.
Although this lube should be stored in the refrigerator, it can be warmed in your hand quickly before applying it as lube.
What Should You Do If You Have An Allergic Reaction To Homemade Lube?
The first thing to do is rinse the area with cool water immediately to remove it from your skin as quickly as possible.
If the reaction does not subside, call your doctor.
If you experience allergy symptoms that are potentially life-threatening, call 911 or go straight to the emergency room.
This is especially important if you’ve made a personal lubricant using a nut-based oil or aloe, as both can be life-threatening to those allergic to nuts or latex, respectively.
What Are The Best Natural And Organic Lubricants To Try?
If you don’t want to make your own lube at home, there are many different kinds of natural and organic lubricants available that are made from body-safe ingredients.
After researching hundreds of personal lubricants — and personally testing dozens of them ourselves — we have found the very best natural and organic lubes, vetted by our team and recommended for their safety and performance.
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Best Overall
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Also Good
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Best Newcomer
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Thickest Formula
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$12.99 (4 oz)
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$11.95 (2.5 oz)
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$11.99 (1.69 oz)
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$21.99 (5.1 oz)
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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] |
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]
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]
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]
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]
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!
What Do You Need To Make Homemade Lube?
Do-it-yourself (DIY) lube is easy to make and you probably already have what you need at home.
Do You Need Specialized Equipment To Make Your Own Lube?
You do not need any special equipment to make homemade lubricant — the basic kitchen tools you have on hand will work perfectly.
Depending on what recipe you use, you might need:
- Saucepan
- Spoon(s)
- Cornstarch
- Tupperware
That’s it.
How Should You Store Homemade Lube?
Tupperware or anything you use for leftovers can be used to store homemade lube.
Since these recipes contain food-like ingredients, it’s best to store your lube in the refrigerator — but only for a few days.
After that, you may notice a bad smell when they’re not so fresh.
If that happens, it’s time to throw your DIY lube away and make a new batch.
What Is Homemade Lube & Why Is It Beneficial?
Homemade lube is a type of personal lubricant made using basic oils or other ingredients you can find in your pantry or at the local grocery store.
Although store-bought lube is a personal care product often purchased out of convenience, many popular lubricants contain unsafe ingredients like glycerin or parabens, or those that are potential allergens.
As concerns have grown regarding the safety of formulated lube over the years, many people have begun seeking more natural and homemade lube alternatives.
Benefits Of Making Your Own Personal Lube
You might be wondering, “Why would I want to make my own lube when I can just buy it online?”
Many sex lubricants are made from a (sometimes long) list of unpronounceable ingredients, including some that are known carcinogens (cancer-causing), or suspected endocrine disruptors, like parabens.
Additionally, most water-based lubricants contain glycerin, which studies have shown acts as a food source for Candida albicans, the most common yeast microorganism responsible for yeast infections.
Although silicone lubricants carry a low risk for allergic reactions, water-based and oil-based lubes often contain ingredients that are potential allergens.
Finally, although only a concern for water-based lubes, formulated personal lubricants do not reliably have body-safe osmolality or pH levels for the vagina or anus.
Making your own lube ensures you know exactly what you’re putting in your body and guarantees the formula is free from additives and chemicals.
Natural Ingredients For DIY Lubes
Going the natural route is inspiring, but there are a few important things to keep in mind when selecting ingredients for homemade (DIY) lube, particularly when it comes to oils.
Natural oils, including vitamin E, olive, almond, and coconut are common ingredients people reach for and they are safe — for the most part.
However, oil or oil-based lubricants will degrade latex or polyisoprene condoms, diaphragms, or dental dams, rendering them ineffective against STIs or unintended pregnancy.
It’s important to remember that even though some natural oils may have antibacterial properties, they cannot protect you against sexually transmitted infections.
What Natural Ingredients Are The Safest For DIY Lube?
Some people can tolerate almost anything on their skin.
If you’re anything like me, however, you can’t reach for just anything in your pantry, even if it’s safe to eat and completely natural.
Personal lubricants come into contact with your most sensitive areas and as such, it’s important to be aware of what you should — and shouldn’t — use as a lube ingredient.
Let’s take a look at five common (and safe!) lubricant ingredients you likely have at home right now.
- Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is very moisturizing, soothing, and great at healing sunburned skin, but it can also be an excellent option for lube.
Aloe is cheap and readily available, especially if you grow your own plants at home, and it’s also known to be calming and gentle on all skin types, provided you don’t have any allergies to latex, as aloe leaves contain natural latex.
Aloe vera has a pH of around 4.5, closely matching normal vaginal pH (3.8 to 4.5), so it makes a good choice for vaginal lube.
You can even use it to soothe vaginal dryness and irritation.
If you use store-bought aloe vera gel, always make sure it is 100% pure and contains no added sugars or artificial ingredients.
- Coconut Oil
As long as it is virgin and unrefined, coconut oil is an excellent ingredient in homemade lube.
Some women use coconut oil for vaginal dryness as well as a sexual lubricant.
It can also be beneficial to use coconut oil as a vaginal lube because it’s antifungal and antibacterial.
Remember, however, that those properties do not offer protection against STIs, and oils (of any kind) will degrade STI and pregnancy barriers made from latex or polyisoprene.
- Almond Oil
Almond oil has a light, silky texture that is great for dry skin. It also smells good and is completely edible, so it’s a fan favorite for oral sex.
As we mentioned earlier, all lubes that are oil-based will break down latex and polyisoprene condoms, diaphragms, and dental dams.
Although considered a safe lube alternative for many, it is a nut-based oil and as such, should not ever be used as a homemade lubricant ingredient if you or your partners have a known (or even suspected) allergy.
- Vitamin E Oil
Vitamin E oil is often used as a moisturizer and also as a carrier oil to dilute various essential oils.
Vitamin E oil has also been recommended in the treatment of vaginal atrophy.
Care must be taken, however, because when used in its pure form — such as from a capsule — and applied directly to the skin, vitamin E can cause allergic reactions, especially on thinner and more sensitive skin.
And again, it’s an oil that will break down latex or polyisoprene barriers against unintended pregnancy and STIs.
- Grapeseed Oil
Grapeseed oil is perfectly safe for oral sex and vaginal sex, but with caveats.
Grapeseed oil can safely be used as a lubricant for vaginal sex unless you’re susceptible to recurring yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, or if you have sensitive skin.
The only problem with grapeseed oil as a sexual lubricant (by itself) is that it isn’t very thick, so it has to be applied often.
However, when blended with other safe lube ingredients, it can be a great addition to homemade lubricant.
Don’t forget that any oil-based lubricant will break down condoms, diaphragms, or dental dams made from latex or polyisoprene, which can result in unintended pregnancy or STIs.
Which Common Ingredients Shouldn’t Be Used As DIY Lube?
It’s easy to think that body-safe products found in the home can be used as a personal lubricant, but there are some that you should definitely stay away from.
- Baby Oil
Baby oil breaks down latex and polyisoprene condoms and diaphragms and should never be used for oral sex, as it is a hydrocarbon that can irritate your lungs and lead to infection.
- Olive Oil
Olive oil does not easily absorb into your skin and it is not regulated to ensure that it isn’t being mixed with other oils during the manufacturing process, so purity is an issue.
Additionally, it breaks down latex and polyisoprene barriers against STIs and pregnancy and increases your risk for infections.
- Vaseline
A research study published in Obstetrics and Gynecology revealed that women who used petroleum jelly as a lube substitute were twice as likely to get bacterial vaginosis.
And petroleum jelly is known to contribute to yeast infections.
- Vegetable Oil
Any refined cooking oil you find in the kitchen, including vegetable oil, has added chemicals that can contribute to irritation of the vagina or anus when used as lube.
- Lotion
Lotion is perfectly safe for topical use on the skin covering most of your body, however, it has many different ingredients that can irritate delicate genital skin.
Are Essential Oils Safe For Homemade Lube?
Certain essential oils can be safe, but only in trace amounts as part of a lube recipe.
Essential oils should never be applied directly to vaginal or anal skin in their full, concentrated forms.
If you use essential oils as a lube alternative, always use a carrier oil like coconut oil and only use a drop or two of the former in the mixture.
Some essential oils may be ingestible, but many are poisonous when swallowed and as such, should never be used in a lube you intend to use for oral sex.
Additionally, certain essential oils are unsafe when absorbed through the skin, so make sure to research any essential oil’s safety before mixing it into a homemade personal lubricant.
Always ensure you use 100% pure essential oil and not something with added ingredients.
People often report being sensitive to essential oils, as well, so make sure to do a patch test on your inner elbow before using it on your genitals.
In Conclusion
Making homemade lube can give you peace of mind knowing exactly what is in your lubricant, but it does come with caveats.
That said, DIY lube doesn’t have to be difficult to make and as long as you’re using safe and pure ingredients, it can be great to have on hand.
If you’d rather not fuss over mixing ingredients, however, you can opt to go with any one of these body-safe lube alternatives instead — no cooking required!
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