What Are Better Lube Alternatives To Icy Hot?
Instead of Icy Hot, we suggest using a professionally formulated personal lubricant that is body-safe and made from quality ingredients you can trust.
There are lots of personal lubricant options available, such as:
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 for every situation and preference, so if you’re not sure where to start, look at our in-depth lube guide or take our helpful lube quiz.
Let’s explore the four main lubricant categories below.
Water-based lubricants are popular because they mimic your body’s natural lubrication, can be used with any type of STI or pregnancy barrier, and are safe for all sex toy materials.
If you’re looking for something long-lasting, however, they may not always be the best choice because they generally require frequent reapplication.
Additionally, being water-soluble, they rinse away during use in the tub or shower.
We researched and reviewed the safest and best water-based personal lubricants to help you find the perfect product if it’s one you want to try — and you should.
- Silicone-Based Lubricants
Silicone-based lubes are much longer lasting compared to those made from water and are also safe to use with condoms, dental dams, and diaphragms.
However, silicone lube cannot be used with silicone sex toys, as they’ll degrade their material.
Silicone-based lubes are thick with a silk-like texture and are waterproof for play in the bath or shower, although they’re noticeably different from your body’s natural lubrication.
Our review of the best silicone-based personal lubes explores all of our hand-picked recommendations of the safest products available right now.
An oil-based lubricant is made from natural (and sometimes organic) oils, many of which are plant-based
If you have allergies to nuts, seeds, or flowers, make sure to read the label before use, as many oil-based lubricants source their oils from plants with a high allergen risk.
Oil-based lube’s thick texture, similar to silicone, is long-lasting and waterproof, however, it is not compatible with latex or polyisoprene condoms or dental dams.
Oil-based lubes generally shouldn’t be ingested or used during oral sex because their thick texture can present a choking hazard.
If you’re interested in exploring oil-based lubes, we researched and found the best oil-based personal lubricants.
- Natural And Organic Lubricants
Natural and organic personal lubricants are either water-based or oil-based.
Many products are made with plant-based ingredients, including nut-based oils or aloe, so always read the label thoroughly if you have allergies or sensitivities.
Through our independent research, we found the best and safest natural and organic lubricants to try.
Are There Any Safe Home Lube Alternatives?
If you’re in a pinch and you need a safe lube alternative that can be found in your home right now, there are a few options worth exploring:
Although the above lube alternatives are generally considered to be safe, oil-based lube alternatives should never be used with STI or pregnancy barriers made from latex or polyisoprene.
It’s also a good idea to do a patch test on your skin (like your inner elbow) to make sure you won’t experience a reaction after it’s applied to your genitals.