In this guide, we will show you how to select your best anal lube, along with what to avoid and a few of our favorite products.
Choosing the best anal lube for you and your partner
Butt play, or anal sex, used to be a taboo, forbidden topic, definitely not a subject for casual discussion. Luckily, these days it has become more mainstream, which let us all explore and enjoy every corner of our bodies sexually, with or without toys and a little help from something called lube.
So why is choosing the best anal lube is important? For several reasons:
Comfort
The first thing you should know is that sliding into the “back door” without it is a big no-no. Our back passage does not lubricate itself as a vagina does. Going in dry can hurt your partner, damage the thin, fragile internal skin, and end up making backdoor sex a very unpleasant experience. You need to find the best anal lube to enjoy this sensual play properly with each other.
Safety
Did you know that there is actually a valid medical reason to use a lubricant liberally? It will reduce the friction created with movement, thus reducing the risk of skin breakage, and lowering the chance of getting a very unpleasant STI.
Knowledge
Lubes come in many different forms and are not all created equal. Just think of the possibilities: water-based, oil-based, silicone-based, desensitizing, and scented lubes. The list is long, and everyone has different needs.
How to select the best anal lube for your needs
Consider your and your partner’s experience
An anal sex novice might benefit from a lubricant that is long-lasting, thicker, and slick. Silicone based and oil based are a great choice in this case, as they keep the back passage well lubed and slippery for far longer than water-based lubricants.
No need to stop and re-apply! Silicone based ones, such as Pjur Analyse Me Silicone Based Special Lubricant are also hypoallergenic. Oil-based products contain natural ingredients that moisturize and relax your internal tissues.
Do you practice safe anal sex?
Spicing up your love life with a long-term partner and experiencing the thrill of intimacy with someone new is both exhilarating.
When it comes to the best anal lube, though, familiarity makes all the difference. When you need to use a condom, not all of them are your friend.
Oil-based lubricants feel luxurious and slick but are sadly not compatible with latex. Silicone lubes can be latex friendly, but we suggest that you carefully read the fine print on each product before taking a risk.
All in all, when using a condom, water based lubricants is the obvious choice.
When you need to relax
Anal sex can seem daunting to those who never tried it, or to those with bad past experience. The fear of pain and the initial discomfort can persuade many people to avoid the back door, and we think that is just a shame.
In the case of “cold feet” or a shy bum, a desensitizing gel like Adam & Eve Easy Anal Desensitizing Gel can be your best friend.
Desensitizing gel can be silicone-based or water-based and usually contain a numbing agent like lidocaine to reduce sensation. All you need to do is gently apply the gel with your finger or an anal lube launcher, then cuddle your partner for a minute or two. This will relax the anal tissues and allow you to have pleasurable friction-free and discomfort-free penetration.
Availability and budget
When you enter your local pharmacy in search of the best anal lubes you can find, chances are you will come face to face with the most popular kind of products. Water based lubricants are genuinely your sexual all-purpose product, and their popularity is well justified.
These lubricants are generally compatible with everyone and everything, offer easy cleanup and are budget friendly to boot. We love those water-based products come in a variety of consistencies, letting you choose between thin liquid to a thick gel. No wonder products like CleanStream Water-based Natural Lube are the bestselling kind.
No lube is perfect
We love all of them, each with their indicated use and unique advantages. However, every kind of lubricant has some drawbacks you need to know about before choosing the best anal lube for you and your partner.
Here are the main issues to consider:
Water-based
They tend to dry faster than the competition, and their quality varies from brand to brand. You might need to stop the fun and re-apply to keep the back passage slick and safe.
Oil-based
Though feeling luxurious, oil-based products are not compatible with latex, so most condoms and many sex toys are not to be paired with it. The oil-based gel is also harder to wash out of your favorite sheets.
Silicone-based
Although we love the slippery fun they offer, silicone lubricants tend to be a tad pricier than the more common water-based gels. They also do not get along with silicone sex toys, so that is something to pay attention to.
Desensitizing:
Although offering obvious benefits, desensitizing lubricants are not as widely available, and the numbing effect can cause some to play harder, as the receiving partner does not feel any warning signs.
Choosing the best anal lube can really be a fun process. We believe that this is a necessity in the bedroom, not an accessory, and in this case, the more you apply, the merrier.
To know what is best for you in each life situation, we suggest you get a few kinds and try them out.
Even if you have your heart set on an old favorite, we encourage you to venture out there and try new products, making the testing a fun bedroom experiment for you and your partner.