Lubricant creates a new level of pleasure whether you’re with your lover or going solo, especially if you’re incorporating sex toys into the scenario. Modern lubricant is formulated to increase intensity, smooth out your play, and protect the delicate skin of your delicates from abrasions, tears and chafing that can come along with sexual activity. So no matter how you play, lube is an essential part of everybody’s pleasure kit. 

Lubricant usually feels cool when stored at room temperature. So, if you’d prefer using it closer to body temperature, rub some between your palms or fingertips rather than applying it directly to your intimate areas. Use as much as lubricant as often as you need.

In general, concentrated lubricants can be used in smaller amounts and long-lasting lubes can be applied less often. 

Lubricant is a must for sex toy play, reducing friction and enhancing pleasure during internal or external stimulation.

Ensure your lubricant is compatible with the material your sex toy is made from. Water-based lubricant is a safe choice for all toy materials. Silicone lubricant should generally not be used with silicone toys because it can degrade them over time.

Apply a few drops of lube to the toy and/or your body, remembering you can always add more later if needed. If you reach a point where the toy is slipping, or lube is dripping everywhere, then wipe the excess with a tissue. Experiment until you discover the amount and placement that feels best for you.

For people with vulvas, applying a few drops of lubricant to your fingers and slowly massaging your labia and clitoris will give you a smoother masturbation session as you head inside towards your g-spot, especially if you’re playing without toys.

For people with penises, we generally recommend applying a generous amount of lube to your palm and fingers before you start stroking. You may find it’s helpful around your glans, and you may need more if you’re circumcised. If you’re stimulating your prostate internally, we recommend using a speciality anal lube, and coat your fingers or toy before easing it slowly inside of yourself. If you’re new to anal play, go slowly and let yourself get used to the sensations down there – you’ll enjoy it more the more relaxed you are.

When it comes to vaginal sex, wetter is definitely better. There’s no right or wrong way to use lubricant during this type of intercourse – you can apply it inside the vagina or to the penis. You can even put a drop or two inside a condom before unrolling it to increase his sensitivity.

Some lubricants are specifically pH balanced for vaginal sex. If you have sensitive skin or plan on having a lot of sex, you may want to consider getting one of those.

Lubricant is essential for anal sex because, there is no natural lubrication in the anal region.

Lube reduces friction and provides cushioning for thin tissues in the anus. It helps increase sensitivity of the many nerve endings in the area so you can experience intense pleasure.

Silicone-based lubricants are ideal for anal sex because they are thicker and longer-lasting, but water-based lubes specially formulated for the backdoor are also available.

Some anal lubricants contain ingredients, such as benzocaine, that create numbing sensation to lessen the pain that can be associated with anal play. Take care if using desensitising lubricant because it can make harder to detect irritation, tears or internal damage until the numbness wears off.   

As with other types of sex, lubricant can enhance the pleasure of oral by reducing friction and dryness.

Even if your mouth is wet enough, flavoured lubricant can work wonders, improving the taste of a blowjob. Some flavoured lubes are so delicious, there’s good enough to eat on their own!

Flavoured lubes can be applied to your lips, their genitals, or if you’re into rimming, the anus, for a tastier experience that stimulates their nerve endings. 

If you’re going down on a particularly large penis, you can also consider throat numbing sprays, AKA deep throat sprays. These help suppress your gag reflex and numb your throat, and we also know people who have used them to combat the symptoms of a sore throat. Maybe double check with your doctor if you want to use it medically – your actual doctor, not your fantasy play doctor please – and you can find the sprays in our sexual aids categories. We include them in both sexual aids for women and sexual aids for men, so you’ll always find them, regardless of where you look.

Sensual Massage is a great way to sensitise your entire body, and amazing for both the giver and receiver – and you can always swap! There’s a wide range of massage oils and lubricants available, and typically are either natural oil-based, or water-based. 

Massage oils last longer on the skin and are often a better feel for longer play, but aren’t appropriate for use with condoms. They also don’t always provide the cushioning for penetration some other specially formulated lubes do.

Water based massage lubes are condom safe and perfect for when you want to go from massage directly to penetrative sex. They can dry out and feel a bit sticky the way that water-based lubricants do, and if that’s a concern, you may want to keep a spray bottle of warm water handy to rehydrate the lube and keep stroking. Of course, you can always use an oil-based massage formula for the massage and switch to a water-based option for intimate areas.

Whatever your naughty fun you have in mind – be it with toys, your lover or yourself – stock up lubricant ahead of time. Explore different types and applications as you discover what works best for you. Remember to add it before you think you need it though. By the time a micro-abrasion kills your play time it’s too late to smooth it out with lubricant. If you’re looking for a more in depth discussion of specific lubes, check out our Guide to Personal Lubricant.