Can You Use Vegetable Oil As Lube Or For Anal Sex? Is It Safe?

Can You Use Vegetable Oil As Lube?

You COULD use vegetable oil as lube but for many reasons, you shouldn’t.

The biggest safety concern is that — like all oils and oil-based lubes in general — vegetable oil will degrade a condom made from latex or polyisoprene, leaving you at risk of pregnancy and STIs.

It’s safe to use oils and oil-based lubes with polyurethane, nitrile, or lambskin condoms, however, although the latter doesn’t offer protection against STDs and STIs.

However, we still don’t recommend using them with vegetable oil.

When vegetable oil degrades a condom made from latex or polyisoprene, it can put you at risk for an unwanted pregnancy or the transmission of STDs and STIs between partners.

You might think that it’s safe to use without condoms, but vegetable oil can clog pores and trap bacteria that may cause breakouts, skin irritation, or infection.

Using vegetable oil externally during masturbation can be somewhat safe, but because it can clog your pores — trapping bacteria inside — it can irritate your skin or lead to infection.

Although vegetable oil is safe to eat, it may not be the most pleasant taste for you or your partner during oral sex. There are better-tasting edible lube options available.

Vegetable oil is safe to use with sex toys made from glass, metal, and silicone but, as we’ll talk about in just a bit, only for external use — with some caveats.

Also, make sure to clean your toys properly afterward!

Last but not least, it just makes a mess. Vegetable oil — like all oils — can permanently stain your clothes and bedding.

What Is Vegetable Oil Made From And Is It Safe?

If you’re wondering what ingredients are in vegetable oil, the answer is a little complicated.

Most commonly, the vegetable oil you buy at the grocery store is 100% soybean oil because it’s the cheapest to manufacture.

However, some vegetable oils are made from soybean oil blended with other oils such as coconut, canola, peanut, sunflower, safflower, cottonseed, olive, palm, sesame, or even corn.

The wide range of possible ingredients means you’re more likely to have an allergy or skin reaction when using vegetable oil as a personal lube.

Vegetable oil is a refined cooking oil which means it is heavily processed and goes through chemical treatments during the manufacturing process, similar to canola oil.

The “vegetables” (grains, nuts, seeds, and fruits) are crushed to release the oil and then treated with hexane to extract what oil is left.

Hexane is a chemical found in crude oil and petroleum that’s used to extract oils from vegetables and seeds.

After being treated with hexane, the vegetable oil is refined with phosphoric acid and caustic soda, bleached, and then deodorized.

Compared to something like extra virgin olive oil, which is basically just pressed and filtered, this process introduces a lot of chemicals and ingredients which can potentially react negatively with your skin, both inside and out.

What Are Better Lube Alternatives To Vegetable Oil?

If you are looking for a better alternative to vegetable oil as a lubricant, there are many body-safe lubes to choose from!

Better personal lubricant options include:

• Water-based lubricants
• Silicone-based lubricants
• Oil-based lubricants
• Organic/natural lubricants (water or oil-based)

Here’s a cheat sheet for selecting the best lube 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?

No matter the type of sex you’re having or your personal preferences for a lube, the right product is just waiting to be found. If you’re not sure what you’re looking for, take a look at our in-depth lube guide or take our lube quiz to find one!

Let’s take a quick tour of the four main lubricant types below.

• Water-Based Personal Lubricants

Of all lube options, water-based products are the easiest to use and most versatile. Because they’re water-soluble, they are easy to clean up and can be used with all condom types, dental dams, and diaphragms.

The main drawbacks to water-based products involve their endurance. Being water-based, they’re absorbed by your skin and can “dry up” after a while, requiring reapplication.

Additionally, they can’t be used during sex in the bathtub or shower, since they’re dissolved by water.

If you’re interested in exploring water-based lubes, we did all the research for you and found the best body-safe water-based personal lubricants.

• Silicone-Based Personal Lubricants

If you’re looking for something long-lasting and safe for all condom types, silicone-based lubes may be just what you’re looking for.

These have a silk-like texture and thick consistency, although they can feel somewhat “unnatural” since it’s noticeably different from your body’s natural lubrication.

That said, they’re an especially great choice for anal sex.

Silicone lubes are waterproof so they can be used in the bath or shower, but they are more difficult to wash off and can stain sheets or bedding.

Additionally, they can’t be used with silicone sex toys, as they can break down their materials.

We reviewed the best silicone-based personal lubes to provide you with a list of the safest and most effective products available right now.

• Oil-Based Personal Lubricants

Oil-based lubricants are typically made from body-safe oils that are natural and sometimes sourced organically.

It’s important to note, however, that some products use oils derived from nuts, so this can be a concern for those with allergies or sensitivities.

Always read the ingredient list of any oil-based lube before using it.

As we mentioned earlier, oils of any kind cannot be used with condoms made from latex or polyisoprene. They’re only suitable for lambskin, nitrile, or polyurethane condoms.

Oil-based personal lubricants tend to feel similar in texture to those made from silicone and they’re a good choice for anal sex with an oil-safe condom.

We researched and reviewed the best oil-based personal lubricants.

• Natural And Organic Lubricants

Depending on the product, natural or organic lubes can be water-based or oil-based.

As with oil-based lubes, natural or organic products may include nut-based oils in their ingredient list, so if you have an allergy or sensitivity to these, they’re best avoided.

We found and reviewed the best and safest natural and organic lubricants to help you in your search for the perfect product.

Are There Any Safe At-Home Lube Alternatives?

If you’re really in a pickle and need an around-the-house lube substitute right now, the safest options are aloe vera and extra virgin coconut oil.

Coconut oil is body-safe but, like all other oil-based lubes, it is incompatible with latex or polyisoprene condoms and dental dams.

Aloe vera will not degrade latex and its antimicrobial and antifungal properties make it safe to use internally and externally for most people.

However, those with latex allergies may want to steer clear as aloe vera contains natural latex.

That said, some quality manufacturers like Aloe Cadabra, who we personally reviewed, do take appropriate steps to ensure that no latex enters the formula during the manufacturing process.

Bottom Line: 

When you need a little lubrication on the fly and looking for a DIY alternative, you’re going to want to skip the vegetable oil.

The mess, risk of irritation and infection, and its incompatibility with latex condoms make vegetable oil a less than desirable choice for your around-the-house lube needs!

Instead, seek a better and safer lube option — your body and your sex life will thank you!