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Why You Should Be Using Lube Every Single Time — Plus 16 Our Sex Writer Recommends
We tested the waters so you don’t have to
There's a long-standing myth that sexual lubricant — often abbreviated to lube — is exclusively for those struggling with dryness and discomfort during sex.
Even for those of us who do regularly banish friction from the bedroom, most still get a little embarrassed when picking up a bottle in our local Boots (other retailers are available).
The situation's a little more dire when we look at the numbers. A recent study claims that despite 70% of men admitting to using lube at least once in their lifetime, only one in four have reached for it in the last 30 days.
But what if we told you that using lube could improve your sex life and chances of finishing if you used it every single time? Yeah, really.
Sadly, when it comes to getting wet and wild, you lot are still a little, uh, resistant. 'There is a lot of stigma around using lube due to a lack of proper sex education,' says Gigi Engle, sex therapist and expert at sextoys.co.uk.
'There is an idea that if your body is behaving 'normally', you should always be 'wet enough.' We also never see lube being applied during porn, which enforces the idea we shouldn't be using it. But the truth is, lube makes all sexual interactions more pleasurable and more comfortable.
'There is no 'right amount' of wetness for vaginas. In fact, even if you get the wettest you possibly can be, lube can still enhance the experience.'
Best Lubricants for Men at a Glance
We’ve splashed a few of our favourites here — keep scrolling for the full list.
- Best all-rounder: Smile Makers Generous Gel Lubricant, £7.95
- Best on a budget: Lovehoney Enjoy Water-Based Lubricant, £12.99
- Best premium lube: LELO Personal Moisturizer, £17.90
- Best for edging: Roam Solo Cream, £9.99
- Best for backdoor: Liquid Silk Personal Water-based Lubricant, £12.99
What Exactly Is Lube?
'Intimate lubricant is a blend of ingredients which form a slippery substance used to reduce friction and enhance comfort and pleasure during intimate activities,' says Alex Griffiths, founder of sex care company Roam.
It's thought that clever humans have been trialling different ways to fight off friction for thousands of years, using everything from olive oil (not one we'd recommend) to smashed-up yams (also not one to try).
Some records say that it all started back in 600 BC when couples in Japan, Korea and China would use carrageenan (polysaccharides) from seaweed. How? By boiling the red variety for hours on end. Yum.
The 4 Different Types of Lube
While high street stores might only dedicate a lone shelf to the stuff, there are actually a few different types of lube — all of which come with their own benefits.
If using pulsing playthings (masturbators, cock rings, prostate massagers), we'd suggest sticking to a water-based lube to avoid damaging their silicone outer.
Water-Based Lube
The one most of us are familiar with — water-based lube is a great all-rounder that'll work whether you're flying solo, trying a new sex toy or practising the horizontal hug.
These tend to contain more natural ingredients and rinse off easily with hot soapy water or toy cleaner (this 250ml bottle of Lovehoney's Fresh Toy Cleaner will last you months and comes with a handy spray nozzle).
Silicone-Based Lube
Often a little thicker and longer-lasting than its water-based rivals, silicone lube is a good option for those who like to use the backdoor.
Some varieties are also considered 'waterproof', meaning they work well if shower sex is more your bag.
Oil-Based Lube
Do you often fancy a quick shoulder rub before your naked shuffle? Oil-based lubes are great for those who like to enjoy sensual massages as part of their foreplay.
But be warned: these don't work with latex condoms (expect rips and tears), and are a little messy. Plus they can trap bacteria, leading to blocked pores and, in some extreme cases, infections.
Hybrid Lube
Are you after something thick, slick and long-lasting but also natural, odourless and colourless so it won't stain your sheets?
Luckily brands have caught on that we don't like to choose, and brought out hybrid varieties to tick all your boxes.
Lubido's Hybrid Lube is water-based but comes with a touch of silicone, giving it a gel-like consistency that'll see you through hours of adult entertainment.
How we test and choose the best lube
Simply put, it started with a quick squirt and ended with a detailed discussion about consistency, smell and lasting power — via some very personal testing.
Our (extremely willing) volunteers are aged between 24 and 42 and identify as female, male or gender-neutral. They also sit at very points on the sexuality and neurodiversity spectrums. If we're totally honest, not everyone on our team had regularly used lube before — however, post-experiment, over 90% keep a bottle within easy reach .
While some got down and damp with sex toys, others roped in their partners for some help with their personal testing. They applied as much as instructed on the back of each bottle, although this was typically one to two pumps of the wet stuff. The resultant list below showcases the lubes that scored highly with our testers across feel, performance and value for money.
16 Best Lubes Recommended by MH for 2024
From fruity flavours to thick and slick silicone gels, here's what we'd suggest bringing to your bedside.
Sophie Donovan is the Sex and Relationships Senior Ecommerce Writer for Cosmopolitan, Women’s Health and Men’s Health. Sophie is passionate about everything sexual wellness, offering her readers honest reviews on vibrators, BDSM for beginners, sex essentials like lube and condoms, plus feminine hygiene products such as period pants. She also spends her working week quizzing sexperts on their top tips for a satisfying sex life.
Sophie’s journalism career began in 2019 when she completed News Associates’ 22-week NCTJ fast-track Multimedia Journalism course and was awarded a Gold Standard Diploma. Accepting a place on The Sun’s Trainee Scheme, she gained experience on the newspaper’s print Showbiz, Production and Fabulous Magazine teams. After completing the graduate programme, she worked for Dear Deidre, where her role included publishing a weekly advice column offering sex, financial and mental health support, plus assisting with the launch of the brand’s Instagram page and first podcast series.
Outside of work, Sophie can either be found working on her love/hate relationship with running or dragging her friends to yet another F45 class. You can follow Sophie on Instagram @soph_don / @sextingthecity.
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