5 Best Lubricant Alternatives And Ones To Avoid - Medical News Today

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Medical News TodaySubscribeThe best and worst lube alternatives

Medically reviewed by Stacy A. Henigsman, DO — Written by Louise Morales-Brown — Updated on May 16, 2025

Types of lubricants
Alternatives
Ones to avoid
Summary

Lubricants, or lubes, can make sexual activities more enjoyable and comfortable by reducing friction. While some alternatives are fine to use, there are others that people should avoid.

Sometimes, people may not be able to get hold of personal lubricants. In these situations, they could consider alternative forms of lube. However, it is important they choose a safe option.

This article looks at the types of personal lubricants, possible safe lube alternatives, and which varieties a person should avoid.

Types of lubricants

Blobs of lubricant. — Tanja Ivanova/Getty Images

There are several lubricants specifically made for intercourse, masturbation, and other types of sexual activity. They include:

Water-based lubricants: Water-based lubricants do not damage condoms or sex toys. One disadvantage is that water-based lubes can dry out fairly quickly. However, someone can simply reapply more when needed.
Silicone-based lubricants: Silicone-based lubes are suitable for sexual intercourse as they do not damage latex-based barrier methods of contraception, such as condoms. However, people should avoid using silicone-based lubricants with sex toys, as they may damage silicone products.
Oil-based lubricants: Oil-based lubricants are safe to use if people engage in sex without a barrier method of contraception. However, these types of lubes can damage sex toys and latex condoms. This can increase the risk of pregnancy and developing an infection.

List of possible lubrication alternatives

Where people are unable to obtain personal lubricants, they could use one of the following alternatives:

Aloe vera

Aloe vera is water-based and can improve skin hydration while also reducing irritation. Its consistency makes it a good lube alternative.

However, if someone uses an aloe vera product as a lubricant, it is best to check it does not contain other ingredients, such as alcohol. This is because it may irritate the genitals.

Virgin coconut oil

Virgin coconut oil contains anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties, meaning it could be a suitable lubricant alternative.

However, as it is an oil, people should not use virgin coconut oil if they use latex barrier methods of contraception.

Egg whites

Anecdotal evidence suggests egg whites may be a suitable lubricant alternative. This is because people believe it has a similar consistency to cervical mucus.

A 2022 study found that egg whites might be a sperm-friendly lubricant for those trying to conceive.

Plain yogurt

Plain yogurt could be a useful alternative lubricant. Although there is no scientific research that examines its use as a lubricant, yogurt may have therapeutic properties for treating vaginal thrush.

However, those with vaginal thrush may wish to avoid having sexual intercourse. This is because it can cause sex to be uncomfortable, and less often, it can pass to a sexual partner. It is important to note, though, that thrush is not a sexually transmitted infection.

It is also important to note that applying yogurt into the vaginal canal can carry possible risks of allergic reactions or irritation.

»Learn more:What to know about sex and yeast infections

Olive oil

Olive oil spreads quickly and easily. A 2022 systematic review found that the use of olive oil alongside a vaginal moisturiser as a lubricant helped reduce pain and discomfort during sexual activity.

However, the skin does not easily absorb this type of oil, which means it can clog pores and lead to infection. If someone does choose to use olive oil as lube, it is important to wash it off thoroughly afterward.

As olive oil is an oil-based lube, it is not advisable to use it with latex condoms or other latex barrier contraception methods, as it can cause them to break.

»Learn more: Is olive oil safe to use as a sexual lubricant?

List of alternatives to avoid

There are some liquids that people believe will make a good lubricant, but can actually lead to infection and irritation. Some of these include:

Vaseline

People who use Vaseline as a lubricant may trigger an infection. An older study found that females who used Vaseline as a lube were more likely to develop bacterial vaginosis.

In addition, Vaseline states that it is for external use only, so it is likely not suitable for penetrative or oral intercourse.

»Learn more:Is it safe to use Vaseline as a sexual lubricant?

Lotion and soap

Some lotions and soaps contain perfumes and preservatives. These can irritate the genitals and lead to infection, such as balanitis. Balanitis refers to the inflammation of the head of the penis.

However, people can use lotion as lube if the products are mild or perfume-free, such as vaginal moisturisers.

Butter

As butter is a dairy product and requires refrigeration, there are risks if people use it for sexual activity.

For example, if someone inserts butter into a vagina or anus and does not clean the area properly afterward, the butter may start to spoil and become rancid. This may cause an infection due to bacterial growth.

Spit

As saliva plays a part in oral sex, some people may assume it would be a good lube alternative. However, this could trigger an infection, while there is a risk that someone could pass or receive a sexually transmitted infection.

One study, which looked at intercourse between males, suggests that those who use saliva as a lubricant could spread gonorrhea.

Baby oil

Baby oil as a lube carries the risk of poisoning, infection, and damage to barrier methods of contraception.

One study looked at lubricant usage in intercourse among men and found a link between baby oil and higher rectal infection rates.

»Learn more:Can you use baby oil as a lubricant during sex?

Summary

Although it is best to purchase and use water-based or silicone-based lubricants, people can consider alternatives if they are unable to do so. These include aloe vera, yogurt, olive oil, and virgin coconut oil.

People should avoid using petroleum jelly, lotion, butter, or spit as lubricant alternatives due to the increased risk of infection or irritation.

Men's Health
Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
Sexual Health / STDs
Women's Health / Gynecology

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Brown J., et al. (2013). Intravaginal practices and risk of bacterial vaginosis and candidiasis infection among a cohort of women in the United States. https://ovidsp.dc1.ovid.com/ovid-new-a/ovidweb.cgi?T=JS&PAGE=fulltext&D=ovft&AN=00006250-201304000-00012&NEWS=N&CSC=Y&CHANNEL=PubMed
Chow EPF, 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. https://sti.bmj.com/content/92/7/532.short
Dangerous household hydrocarbons: From baby oil to kerosene. (n.d.). https://www.poison.org/articles/2012-feb/dangerous-household-hydrocarbons
Darvishi M, et al. (2015). The comparison of vaginal cream of mixing yogurt, honey and clotrimazole on symptoms of vaginal candidiasis. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4803919/
Hekmatpou D, et al. (2019). The effect of aloe vera clinical trials on prevention and healing of skin wound: A systematic review. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6330525/
How do you use lube with condoms? (2024). https://www.plannedparenthood.org/blog/how-do-you-use-lube-with-condoms
Kennedy CE, et al. (2022). Lubricants for the promotion of sexual health and well-being: a systematic review. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8942543/
Maierhofer C, et al. (2016). Lubricant use and rectal chlamydial and gonococcal infections among men who engage in receptive anal intercourse. https://journals.lww.com/stdjournal/abstract/2016/07000/lubricant_use_and_rectal_chlamydial_and_gonococcal.5.aspx
Markram J, et al. (2022). Sperm-friendly lubricant: Fact or fiction. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35318650/
Overview: Vaginal yeast infection (thrush). (2022). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK543220/
Potter N, et al. (2020). Vaginal lubricants and moisturizers: a review into use, efficacy, and safety. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32990054/
Rullo JE, et al. (2018). Genital vibration for sexual function and enhancement: Best practice recommendations for choosing and safely using a vibrator. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7678780/
Thrush in men and women. (2023). https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/thrush-in-men-and-women/
Varma SR, et al. (2019). In vitro anti-inflammatory and skin protective properties of virgin coconut oil. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6335493/
Wray AA, et al. (2024). Balanitis.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537143/

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Medically reviewed by Stacy A. Henigsman, DO — Written by Louise Morales-Brown — Updated on May 16, 2025

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