For the past few years, the Women’s Health team, including editorial assistant Sabrina Talbert and freelance writer Gabrielle Kassel, have been researching the bestselling, most popular, and top-rated silicone, water-based, and oil-based lubes for anal sex. To make everything go smoother, we created a complete guide to choosing the best lube for anal sex. We know this can be intimidating, but we promise you’ll have a lot more fun if you learn to relax.

Selecting a natural lube alternative can be challenging. Many people choose natural lubes to avoid exposure to unnecessary ingredients in commercial… READ MORE Customer Review:"I've tried other lubes that were too watery or too gel-like. This is the perfect balance of both." There are also vaginal moisturisers which help keep the vagina moist for up to three days available from your pharmacist. Chow, E. P. F., et al. (2016). Saliva use as a lubricant for anal sex is a risk factor for rectal gonorrhoea among men who have sex with men, a new public health message: A cross-sectional survey. Certain household products can technically function as lubricants. However, many of these products can significantly damage latex condoms.If you’re someone who can’t be bothered to keep reapplying when you get going, then an oil-based lube is the gift that keeps on giving. Numbing creams that use anesthetics like benzocaine are widely available. That doesn’t mean you should use them for anal, says Dr. Chinn. Your nerve endings are sensitive for a reason. They alert your brain to pain so you can prevent yourself from getting seriously injured, Dr. Chinn says. While numbing creams might make anal penetration feel easier, they don’t make it any easier physically. By numbing your anus, you or your partner could be pushing your body past its point of comfort without even realizing it. Not only does it feel great, but lube also helps to prevent injury, tearing or discomfort during sex or masturbation. Which lube is best for me? Oestrogen levels may diminish after giving birth and this can make your vagina feel drier than normal.

Lubrication – either natural or synthetic – is necessary for most sexual acts to be carried out comfortably and pleasurably. Natural lubrication is produced by the body during a state of sexual arousal, but it isn't always sufficient, can vary depending on where in her menstrual cycle a woman is and usually reduces over time. As well as vaginal sex, lubricants can also be applied before: Water, Propylene Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Aloe Barbadenis Leaf Juice, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Gurana Extract, Ginseng Extract, Avena Sativa Extract, Polysorbate-20, Aspartame, Polyquaternium-5, PEG-45M, Citric Acid Most lubes you might use for vaginal, vulvar, penile, or pleasure product play can double as anal lube. "With lube for anal play, you have a little more leeway than lube for vaginal play," says Rachel Wright, LMFT, a New York-based psychotherapist who specializes in sex and relationships.Yes, you can. And in most sexual circumstances, it’s advisable to do so. Remember that it’s equally as possible to transfer STIs through anal sex as it is through vaginal sex. Always protect yourself when you’re not sure. Megan Madden / Refinery29 for Getty Images Getty Images Types of anal lubricant Water-based anal lube Although people can use Vaseline as a sexual lubricant, it is not the best option. Vaseline can damage latex condoms, trap bacteria that can lead to an infection, and stain clothing and bedsheets. People can technically use Vaseline as a sexual lubricant. It is a nontoxic substance that is safe for external use. Aloe vera gel is a water based compound that people can extract from the leaves of the aloe vera plant. Aloe vera gel contains antioxidants and glycoproteins that benefit people’s health by: