Stay Clean While Getting Dirty With the Best Natural Lubes

Personal lubricants are used on—and in—the most intimate parts of your body, so it makes sense that you’d want to explore the best natural lubes available. Especially if you’re taking cue from your beauty routine, which may have become “cleaner” with brands being increasingly transparent about their ingredient list. While the type of lube you choose is based on personal preference, being as body-safe as possible is priority number 1 when testing out new intimate products and sex toys. 

What is natural lube, exactly?

Natural lube is considered to be lube that’s free from harsh chemicals and is made from natural ingredients, such as nut oils and aloe leaf juice. 

The neat thing about natural lube is that you can technically use ingredients you might already have in your kitchen (although it’s best to start with a new bottle if you plan on using it as a personal lubricant). You can get any kind of plant-based oil (such as coconut, vitamin E, and olive oil) online or at specialty stores, where you can find high-quality, organic stuff. “Just be sure you’re buying oil-based plant oils that are 100 percent organic and 100 percent pure,” Gigi Engle, Certified Sex Coach, Sex Educator, and Womanizer Sex Expert, tells Glamour.

Know what your body likes—or doesn’t like. 

All bodies are different, so if you know you have specific sensitivities, do some research before actually using natural lubricants. For instance, many people may swear by coconut oil, but it has the potential to throw off your vagina’s pH levels. Engle says, “If you’re prone to yeast infections, be cautious of coconut oil. It has antibacterial properties, so it can throw off pH. This is pretty unlikely, but is still something to take into consideration, as it has been reported.”

Another downside to oil-based natural lube is that they’re not compatible with latex-based condoms, as Engle warns: “They break down condoms and cause them to fail.” However, several natural lubes that are friendly with condoms do exist on the market, which we’ll get to in a second. 

What to watch for when trying out natural lubes.

Engle tells Glamour that there are some ingredients you should steer clear of, like parabens, preservatives, and added fragrances. You likely won’t find these in natural lubes, but read the ingredient list closely: “The vagina and vulva area is one of the most absorbent in the human body. You don’t want to be putting anything unsafe on or in it,” she says.

Here are some of the best natural lubes you can purchase online.