Lube 101: water, silicone, hybrid or oil?

Lubricant is the single cheapest upgrade to almost any kind of sex — and the one people most often buy wrong. There are four bases, and they are not interchangeable.

Water-based

The all-rounder. Safe with every condom material and every toy material, easy to rinse off, and the only base that is unproblematic if you are prone to irritation.

• Good for: vaginal and anal play, silicone toys, condoms, everyday use
• Watch out for: it dries and absorbs, so you will reapply — keep the bottle within reach

Silicone-based

Slippery for far longer than water-based, and it does not wash away in the shower.

• Good for: anal play, long sessions, shower or bath, hand play
• Watch out for: do not use it with silicone toys — silicone on silicone degrades the surface. Use it with glass, metal or hard plastic toys instead.

Hybrid

Water-based with a small amount of silicone added. Lasts noticeably longer than pure water-based while still being easy to clean up.

• Good for: people who want something in between
• Watch out for: the silicone content means it is still best avoided with silicone toys if you want to be careful

Oil-based

Long lasting but the most restrictive.

• Good for: external massage and body play
• Watch out for: never with latex or polyisoprene condoms — oil weakens them. Not suitable for vaginal use in most cases.

If you remember only one rule: water-based is always safe, everything else has one exception you need to check.

Practical tips

1. Use more than you think. Most "it hurts" stories are lubrication problems.
2. Patch-test a new brand on your forearm if you have sensitive skin.
3. Avoid numbing or "delay" lubricants unless you specifically want them — pain is information you should not mute.
4. Store away from direct sunlight and check the expiry date; opened bottles do not last forever.