The 13 Best Flavored Lubes for Some Sexy, Sweet Fun

One way to make giving and receiving oral even better? Flavored lube. While vulvas and penises (and yes, anuses) in their natural state are alluring enough, some folks prefer a little added sweetener. Luckily, there’s a seemingly endless supply of flavored lubricants to choose from. You just need to know which ones are the tastiest and safest for application (and consumption).

First, why flavored lube?

Lube, in general, is recommended for any additional glide you might want to add during sex, but can come in either flavored or unflavored varieties. Many people enjoy the edible aspect of using a flavored lubricant, and adding more flavor to the experience can be a major turn-on. 

“Flavored lube is a great option for oral sex (and manual sex since they tend to be combined) — especially if you’re a gustatory lover,” says Jess O’Reilly, Ph.D, sexologist and author. Just as some people are highly visual and others are highly auditory, others still are taste-driven. Scents and tastes can help you recall fond memories and set the mood for eroticism.  

Flavored lube is also a neater alternative to real food (like whipped cream or chocolate), which some people like to throw in when getting down and dirty. “You might find that connecting food with sexual seduction encourages you to approach both eating and sexual activity more mindfully,” O’Reilly writes in her book (co-authored with Marla Renee Stewart), The Ultimate Guide to Seduction and Foreplay. Whether you use a water-, silicone-, or oil-based lube, perhaps a hybrid of some kind (most flavored lubes are water-based, just FYI), it’ll be easier to wipe or wash off when you’re done.

Is flavored lube safe to use?

Flavored lubricant is generally safe to use if you’re not sensitive to topical flavoring agents, although Carol Queen, Ph.D., staff sexologist at Good Vibrations, tells Glamour that she doesn’t recommend using it internally. “Flavoring agents add another level of ingredient that some people might be sensitive to,” Queen says. To stay on the safe side, you can always dab a bit on your arm before exposing your nether regions to the formula.

“As a gynecologist, I note that many women can use any product without hesitation or fear of irritation,” Alyssa Dweck, M.D., a New York-based OB-GYN, tells Glamour. If folks do have sensitive skin and are easily irritated, some flavored lubes may make matters worse by creating a pH imbalance. Dr. Dweck adds, “In these cases I recommend coconut oil as a lube for a natural tropical flavor, with minimal chances for irritation or side effects.” Dr. Dweck also recommends avoiding dyes, parabens, and fragrances if you’re especially sensitive.

Other ingredients to avoid in lubes in general include benzocaine, or any other numbing ingredient, according to erotic educator and Organic Loven founder Taylor Sparks. “Its purpose is to numb the area, usually the anus, so that the recipient does not feel pain. This is the one place that you do want to feel the pain, as it is your body’s way of saying ‘stop,’” she tells Glamour.

You’d also be wise to avoid propylene glycol, which can dry out the vaginal tissue and potentially cause vaginal infections, according to Gil Weiss, M.D., an OB-GYN and partner at the Association for Women’s Healthcare (who’s also an assistant professor of clinical medicine in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern Memorial Hospital). “If you develop vulvar irritation or vaginal discharge after using flavored lubrication, make sure you contact your healthcare provide to ensure you have not developed an infection or other irritations,” Dr. Weiss tells Glamour.

The bottom line? Use your best judgement, and if you experience any discomforts, call your healthcare provider and immediately stop using the product. With that said, below you’ll find a range of flavored lubes to indulge in, no matter what you’re craving. Bon appétit!