What Is Lube Made From And Is It Safe?
Personal lubricants are made from base formulas of water, silicone, or oil, and while many of them are perfectly safe, not all of them are.

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Personal lubricants are primarily made from water, silicones, or oils, and may contain preservatives, emulsifiers, or other ingredients used to create certain textures, scents, or sensations.
Depending on the formula, most lubes are generally safe — but many can include unsafe ingredients.
Here’s what you need to know about personal lubricant ingredients:
- Just because a personal lubricant is available on a store shelf, does not necessarily mean that it is made from body-safe ingredients!
- Water-based lubricants are primarily made of water and other hypoallergenic ingredients, however, some formulas contain unsafe components like glycerin and parabens.
- Silicone lubricants, although made from synthetic ingredients, are safe and inert as long as they’re made from specific body-safe silicones. Some silicone lubes may also contain other ingredients like numbing agents that are not recommended.
- Oil-based lubricants are most often made from plant-based oils, many of which are potential allergens for those allergic to or sensitive to nuts, seeds, or flowers. Oil-based lubes derived from crude oil (such as mineral oil or petroleum) can cause irritation and infection in the vagina or anus and are not recommended.
- Whether or not lube is “safe” depends on many factors, some of which are unique to the person using them.
While the very best sex lubes are made from body-safe ingredients, not all personal lubricants are not created equal.

Medically Reviewed By: Susan Milstein, PhD, Human Sexuality