12 Best Lubes for Sensitive Skin That Won’t Cause Irritation

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1

best aloe-based lube for sensitive skin

Aloe Cadabra Natural Aloe Lubricant

Natural Aloe Lubricant

1

best aloe-based lube for sensitive skin

Aloe Cadabra Natural Aloe Lubricant

FYI, lubes with aloe vera are a great choice for sensitive skin folks since aloe is oh-so-gentle—not to mention, aloe-based lubes tend to be thicker and longer-lasting than traditional water-based lubes. That’s probs why this best-selling formula from Aloe Cadabra (which uses aloe and vitamin E to replenish vaginal moisture) currently has over 30,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. It’s also certified organic and incredibly discreet—I mean, the bottle doesn’t even mention the word lube!

  • Type: Aloe-based
  • Size: 2.5 fl oz
  • Condom-safe? Compatible with latex and polyisoprene condoms, but not with polyurethane condoms
  • Ingredients: Organic aloe vera, vitamin E oil, xanthan gum, citric acid, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, organic vanilla essential oil

THE REVIEW: “This is definitely my favorite lube!” one tester writes.“I have sensitive skin & am prone to yeast infections and BV, and this stuff hasn’t caused me any issues like other brands have in the past. It works super well and feels natural. A lot of lubes—even water-based ones—tend to feel sticky to me, but this one doesn’t.”

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best aloe-free lube for sensitive skin

Good Clean Love BioNude Ultra Sensitive Personal Lubricant

BioNude Ultra Sensitive Personal Lubricant

2

best aloe-free lube for sensitive skin

Good Clean Love BioNude Ultra Sensitive Personal Lubricant

Now 17% Off

Unflavored, unscented, and packed with hydrating lactic acid, BioNude is here to ensure you get all the moisture you want without any of the irritants you don’t need—and it’s ideal for anyone who may be sensitive to aloe vera. Rather than aloe, this water-based lube is made with hydroxyethylcellulose (which is a plant-based thickening agent), so if you find that you’re sensitive to certain organic and natural ingredients, then this is the stuff for you.

  • Type: Water-based
  • Size: 3 fl oz
  • Condom-safe? Compatible with latex and polyisoprene condoms, but not with polyurethane condoms
  • Ingredients: Purified water, hydroxyethylcellulose, xanthan gum, carrageenan, sodium chloride, lactic acid, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, ceratonia siliqua gum, potassium chloride, calcium chloride

THE REVIEW: As one review reads, “I really like that it’s unflavored, unscented, vegan, and doesn’t have glycerin. I have really sensitive skin, and most lubes give me a burning sensation down there. BioNude is slippery, not sticky, it didn’t leave a weird residue on my skin, AND it didn’t make a mess on the sheets.”

3

best water-based lube for sensitive skin

LOLA Personal Lubricant

On Sale

Personal Lubricant

3

best water-based lube for sensitive skin

LOLA Personal Lubricant

Now 29% Off

Another great aloe-free option: this simple water-based lube from LOLA. Like BioNude, this formula uses hydroxyethylcellulose to give it a thicker, slicker feel, and with only six ingredients (one of which being water), you know exactly what you’re getting with this one. Plus, the one-handed pump system and minimalist bottle is v cute, no?

  • Type: Water-based
  • Size: 1.7 fl oz
  • Condom-safe? Compatible with latex and polyisoprene condoms, but not with polyurethane condoms
  • Ingredients: Water, propanediol, gluconolactone, hydroxyethylcellulose, sodium benzoate, citric acid

THE REVIEW: “I’ve tried a bunch of lubricants, but this one has become my go-to and I’ve purchased it many times,” reads one review. “It’s got just the right slickness, is long-lasting, and the pump is super easy to manage. Just a little comes out at a time, which is perfect. It’s totally non-irritating. Sometimes ‘unscented’ lubricants will still have an indistinct smell, but this one doesn’t. Five stars all around.”

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4

best silicone-based lube for sensitive skin

maude Shine Silicone Personal Lubricant

Shine Silicone Personal Lubricant

4

best silicone-based lube for sensitive skin

maude Shine Silicone Personal Lubricant

So you’ve probably heard the hype surrounding maude’s aloe-based lube…but did you know it came in a silicone-based formula as well? Made to last longer than water-based lubes, this incredibly smooth ‘n’ slick formula will keep things slippery for as long as you need (even if you take things into the shower!!). Because it’s silicone-based, just be sure to do a patch test to confirm the product is compatible with your skin before using it—and pls keep it away from your silicone toys.

  • Type: Silicone-based
  • Size: 2, 4, or 8 fl oz
  • Condom-safe? Compatible with latex, polyisoprene, and polyurethane condoms
  • Ingredients: Dimethicone, cyclopentasiloxane, dimethiconol, phenyl trimethicone

THE REVIEW: According to one tester, “I have EXTREMELY SENSITIVE skin in my nether regions, and this stuff is one of the only lubricants I can use. ALSO, the pump is an added bonus!! It’s super slick and it stays that way for a while. 5+ stars.”

5

best oil-based lube for sensitive skin

Bloomi Delight Oil-Based Personal Lubricant

Delight Oil-Based Personal Lubricant

5

best oil-based lube for sensitive skin

Bloomi Delight Oil-Based Personal Lubricant

If long-lasting lubrication is your top priority, you may want to try an oil-based lube, like this clean formula from Bloomi. Made with coconut oil to relieve dryness (as well as cocoa seed butter and vitamin E for extra moisture), Delight provides a nice, smooth glide without any artificial flavor or scent—plus, vulva owners will appreciate the vaginal benefits provided by the sea buckthorn oil.

  • Type: Oil-based
  • Size: 3 fl oz
  • Condom-safe? Compatible with polyurethane condoms, but not latex or polyisoprene condoms
  • Ingredients: Organic coconut oil, sunflower seed oil, shea butter, cocoa seed butter, sunflower seed wax, sea buckthorn oil, tocopherol

THE REVIEW: As one reviewer notes, “My skin is very sensitive, including my intimate areas, so I have to be careful about which lubes I use. This oil-based formula is gentle and feels really good! A win.”

6

best flavored lube for sensitive skin

Unbound Jelly Water-Based Personal Lubricant

Jelly Water-Based Personal Lubricant

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best flavored lube for sensitive skin

Unbound Jelly Water-Based Personal Lubricant

FTR, any lube you use should be edible, whether it’s flavored or not—’cause if a lube isn’t safe to ingest orally, then why should it be put in your body? But if you’re looking for a lube that *actually* tastes good, then give this one from Unbound a try. With a sliiiiight hint of vanilla and lemon, Jelly is a great choice if you want something that smells fresh, tastes yummy, and won’t irritate your sensitive skin—and yep, its aloe vera base will keep things feelin’ slippy.

  • Type: Aloe-based
  • Size: 3 fl oz
  • Condom-safe? Compatible with latex and polyisoprene condoms, but not with polyurethane condoms
  • Ingredients: Organic aloe vera, xanthan gum, agar, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, sodium lactate, lactic acid, natural food-grade flavors (lemon and vanilla)

THE REVIEW: “I really like this lube,” writes one reviewer. “I love how smooth it is, and it really does a great job of getting things all ready to go. It’s not at all irritating despite it having a slight vanilla type of scent to it, and it’s safe on and for all the necessities. I’ve never had to use too much of this either, and it feels very close to the real thing. Not watery and not too thick. I’m a fan.”

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7

best moisturizing lube for sensitive skin

Nécessaire The Sex Gel

The Sex Gel

7

best moisturizing lube for sensitive skin

Nécessaire The Sex Gel

Want a lube that doubles as a vaginal moisturizer? Look no further than The Sex Gel. This water-based formula contains natural, gentle ingredients that provide soothing relief and hydration without stickiness (including hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, and allantoin)—and as a bonus, it’ll help replenish vaginal moisture and keep mucus membranes protected with the help of lactic acid. Oh, and the easy-dispense pump bottle is clutch, too.

  • Type: Water-based
  • Size: 1.7 fl oz
  • Condom-safe? Compatible with latex and polyisoprene condoms, but not with polyurethane condoms
  • Ingredients: Water, organic aloe vera, sorbitol, hydroxyethyl­cellulose, sodium benzoate, allantoin, lactic acid, potassium sorbate, sodium hyaluronate, tocopherol

THE REVIEW: As one review reads, “I’ve recently developed a sensitivity to glycerin, so I’ve been searching for an alternative to my normal lubricant. When I read the ingredient list for this product, I was intrigued. The ingredients are similar to those in the serums I use on my face. Best of all, this works! It helps keep things smooth and reduces friction.”

8

best hypoallergenic lube for sensitive skin

Sliquid H20 Natural Intimate Lubricant

On Sale

H20 Natural Intimate Lubricant

8

best hypoallergenic lube for sensitive skin

Sliquid H20 Natural Intimate Lubricant

Now 33% Off

This may seem obvious, but the best way to avoid irritants is to go with a lube with as few ingredients (and potential allergens) as possible. Enter: this hypoallergenic water-based formula from Sliquid, which keeps it suuuuper simple with just five ingredients. And though it’s water-based and not as long-lasting as other options, it does include plant cellulose that works as a thickening agent.

  • Type: Water-based
  • Size: 2, 4.2, or 8.5 fl oz
  • Condom-safe? Compatible with latex and polyisoprene condoms, but not with polyurethane condoms
  • Ingredients: Purified water, plant cellulose, guar gum, potassium sorbate, citric acid

THE REVIEW: “As someone with very sensitive skin, I was looking for the cleanest ingredient list I could find while still offering high-quality performance, and this is absolutely the winner,” one tester notes. “It has a great feel, smooth but not *too* slippery, and as a bonus, this stuff cleans up easily as well. I’m a repeat customer and will continue purchasing this product as long as it is available.”

9

best long-lasting lube for sensitive skin

Smile Makers Generous Gel

Generous Gel

9

best long-lasting lube for sensitive skin

Smile Makers Generous Gel

It may be water-based, but Smile Makers’ Generous Gel is formulated with refined glycerine (which gives it slip) and carbomer (which is an allergen-free thickener), so it’s viscous enough to last as long as you need it. Reviewers <3 how it's scent- and fragrance-free, thick without feeling sticky, and just as great of a vaginal lube as an anal lube. Is it expensive for the size? Sure. But a little goes a long way with this one—and it’s so discreet, too!

  • Type: Water-based
  • Size: 1 fl oz
  • Condom-safe? Compatible with latex and polyisoprene condoms, but not with polyurethane condoms
  • Ingredients: Water, carbomer, dipotassium glycyrrhizate, sodium benzoate, refined glycerine, methyl propanediol

THE REVIEW: As one reviewer writes, “I’m highly sensitive to solutions & creams. This one didn’t irritate and was successfully slippery.”

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10

best anal lube for sensitive skin

Überlube Silicone Lube

Silicone Lube

10

best anal lube for sensitive skin

Überlube Silicone Lube

This silicone lubricant is not only highly-rated, having racked up nearly 17,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, but it also looks chic AF. Überlube’s internet-famous formula contains vitamin E to leave you with a soft, moisturized feel, and since it’s silicone-based, this bb’s ideal for anal play (as well as shower sex!). And yep, you better believe it’s unscented, unflavored, and N-E-V-E-R sticky.

  • Type: Silicone-based
  • Size: 1.86 or 3.8 fl oz
  • Condom-safe? Compatible with latex, polyisoprene, and polyurethane condoms
  • Ingredients: Dimethicone, dimethiconol, cyclomethicone, tocopheryl

THE REVIEW: According to one tester, “I have very, very sensitive skin. My GYN told me about Überlube, and let me tell you, this is some amazing stuff! Works great and does not cause me to itch or break out into hives. It’s very silky-feeling and leaves skin feeling very soft. I will never use anything else.”

11

best natural lube for sensitive skin

Coconu Water-Based Personal Lubricant

Water-Based Personal Lubricant

11

best natural lube for sensitive skin

Coconu Water-Based Personal Lubricant

Okay, now THIS one is unique! Made with coconut water, this natural option rehydrates sensitive tissues and protects against irritation, all while providing you with a lubricating boost. It’s free from from artificial dyes, fragrances, or vulvar allergens, and it’s 100% edible—oh, and according to reviewers, the subtle coconut flavor is *chef’s kiss.*

  • Type: Water-based
  • Size: 3 fl oz
  • Condom-safe? Compatible with latex and polyisoprene condoms, but not with polyurethane condoms
  • Ingredients: Organic coconut water, xanthan gum, guar gum, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate

THE REVIEW: “My spouse and I have been using Coconu’s water-based lubricant for about 2 years, and I can’t say enough about it,” one review reads. “This lubricant feels very natural, soothing, non-irritating, non-staining, and long-lasting. It is a little pricey but worth it!”

12

best organic lube for sensitive skin

Honey Girl Organics Personal Lubricant

Personal Lubricant

12

best organic lube for sensitive skin

Honey Girl Organics Personal Lubricant

If you like a product that’s double-duty, then you need to try this wildly popular lube from Honey Girl Organics. Handmade in small batches in Hawaii, this bb is made with nothing but purified water, beeswax, virgin olive oil, and vitamin E oil, which means it’s completely free of chemicals, fragrances, hormones, and parabens—not to mention it’s totally edible. Yes, pls!

  • Type: Oil-based
  • Size: 2 fl oz
  • Condom-safe? Compatible with polyurethane condoms, but not latex or polyisoprene condoms
  • Ingredients: Purified water, organic extra virgin olive oil, organic beeswax, tocopherol

THE REVIEW: “This stuff is lovely!” raves one reviewer. “Smooth, easy to apply, and we never had to reapply once! I had no adverse reactions to it internally. Feels great. Safe and nourishing. I love all HGO products, and this is no exception.

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What’s the best type of lube for sensitive skin?

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Like we mentioned, there are three main types of lube: water-based, silicone-based, and oil-based. Generally speaking, the best type of lube to use if you have sensitive skin is a water-based lubricant. The reason: Water is the primary ingredient, which means it’s less likely to cause irritation or allergic reactions. Makes sense!! You’ll find that many water-based lubes contain skin-loving aloe vera as well—but be sure to steer clear of those if you’re someone with an aloe sensitivity.

Certain silicone- and oil-based lubes are also considered safe for sensitive skin—particularly if they’re made with minimal ingredients. Just make sure you aren’t irritated by silicone or coconut oil with a patch test before applying to any sensitive spots. As certified sex therapist Dr. Kate Balestrieri suggests, “It may be helpful to have some wipes or a towel nearby for immediate removal should you experience any discomfort or reaction.”

What kind of lube do gynecologists recommend for sensitive skin?

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Gynecologists agree: the simpler the ingredients, the better the lube for sensitive skinfolks. According to Dr. Kecia Gaither, a double board-certified physician in OB/GYN and maternal fetal medicine, it’s a good idea to avoid lubes containing alcohols, parabens, flavors, glycerin, or perfumes, as well as “lubricants that claim to cause ‘sensations'” such as warming, cooling, or tingling, as these can result in irritation to sensitive tissues. Other potentially irritating ingredients to avoid include certain spermicides—namely chlorhexidine gluconate and nonoxynol-9.

As Balestrieri tells us, “People with sensitive skin respond best to water-, silicone-, and hyaluronic acid-based products,” as well as to natural and organic lube. However! Pls note that natural and organic formulas may still contain irritants or allergens, depending on your personal triggers, so don’t assume that any natural or organic lube is 100 percent vagina-safe.

How to choose the best lube for sensitive skin

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A few tips to keep in mind as you shop for the sensitive-skin lube of your dreams:

Look for skin-loving ingredients

Dealing with vaginal dryness and sensitive skin isn’t easy, which is why you’ll wanna stick with ingredients that give ya long-lasting moisture without irritation. Keep an eye out for gentle hydrating ingredients, like tocopherol (vitamin E) and hyaluronic acid, as well as anti-inflammatory ingredients, like lactic acid and aloe vera—though remember some folks may be sensitive to aloe.

Skip potential irritants

Again, less is more when it comes to vaginal lube (especially if you have sensitive skin). Gaither suggests skipping the lubricants with alcohol, flavorings, or perfumes, “as these can alter the vaginal microbiome, increase the risk of vaginal infections, and increase the risk of irritating delicate vaginal tissues.” Other ingredients to avoid include parabens and glycerin, which can potentially cause infections (though, for the record, this is only the case for glycerin derived from petrochemicals, not natural glycerin).

Buy a small quantity and do a patch test

No matter how “clean” of a formula you buy, there’s still a chance that any lube may trigger a reaction, so stick with a smaller bottle if you can. And if you have especially sensitive skin, then make sure you patch test the lubricant somewhere on your body (like your arm or leg) to see if it causes a reaction before incorporating it into your sex life. Even ingredients deemed safe in small doses—such as preservatives like potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, and citric acid—may cause itching and irritation, so handle any new lube with caution.

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Meet the experts

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Headshot of Corinne Sullivan

Corinne Sullivan

Editor

Corinne Sullivan is an Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers a variety of beats, including lifestyle, entertainment, relationships, shopping, and more. She can tell you everything you need to know about the love lives of A-listers, the coziest bedsheets, and the sex toys actually worth your $$$. She is also the author of the 2018 novel Indecent. Follow her on Instagram for cute pics of her pup and bébé. 

Headshot of Olivia Truffaut-Wong

Editor

Olivia Truffaut-Wong is an editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers beauty, entertainment, and lifestyle. She loves finding and testing the best skincare products to recommend, like the best tinted sunscreens, and is always researching the best cat accessories for her fur baby. She has over 10 years of experience as an entertainment and culture writer and editor, and her work has been featured in The Cut, Refinery29, Teen Vogue, Polygon, Bustle, and more.  

Headshot of Jamie Ballard

Contributing Writer

Jamie Ballard (she/her) is a freelance writer and editor who covers news, lifestyle, and entertainment topics, including sex and relationships, TV, movies, books, health, pets, food and drinks, pop culture, shopping, and personal finance. She regularly contributes to Cosmopolitan, Woman’s Day, Good Housekeeping, and YouGov, among other publications. When she’s not working, you can find her running, traveling, or scrolling TikTok. Follow her on Twitter.

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