When it comes to anal play, anal lube will be the ingredient that makes all difference between a satisfying session and a painful experience. Almost all sex is enhanced with a good slick of lube, which can help prolong your love-making sessions, reduce friction, and make your own masturbation more enjoyable.
Anal lubricants have a thick consistency than regular lubricants, which helps protect the sensitive skin of the anus. With an abundance of choices on the market, it can be difficult finding the best anal lube for you. Choosing the right anal lube depends on what you’re doing and which toys you’re using. Here’s the lowdown on different types of lube, things to be mindful of when choosing the right lube for you.
Water-based Lube
As the name suggests, these lubes are water-based. Water-based anal lubes are specially formulated to be thick and longer-lasting than regular lubricants. They tend to be smooth and slick, and lack the sticky and messy-ness that silicone and oil-based lubes are known to have. As they’re water-soluble, skin and mucous membranes will absorb them. This is great for those who like a quick and easy clean up after sex: all you need is a bit of warm water, and some soap, and the lube will easily wash off the skin.
One of the side-effects of using lube that is water based is the fact that it dissolves easily within water since it’s water-soluble. So if you’re planning on getting it on in a hot tub, pool, or shower then a water based lubricant is not the right choice for you.
This is the perfect lube for anal play beginners, and is compatible with all toys and condoms. We recommend: Pjur Back Door Water Comfort Anal Glide (€ 17.77, kinky.ie).
Silicone-based Lube
Silicone-based lubes are a bit like marmite – you’ll either love it or hate it! Those who don’t like silicone-based lubes say that using them is like having motor oil slathered on your parts, while others swear by it.
One of their main advantages of silicone-based lube is that compared with water-based lubes, they take ages to dry out. So there’ll be no need to stop mid-session to reapply! What’s more; they’re waterproof and can be used on latex condoms and dams. However, they shouldn’t be used with your silicone toys.
The main disadvantage of silicone-based lubes is that they can create a bit of a mess and aren’t as easy to clean-up as water-based lubes. As they’re often more slippery than water-based lube, penetration can end up being deeper and faster than intended, so caution should be taken when first used.
For advanced players, silicone-based anal lube is great. They tend to be a little greasier and thinner in texture, which allows both parties to experience more sensation as it doesn’t need to be as thick. We recommend: Pjur Analyse Me Lubricant (€ 17.77, kinky.ie).
Oil-based Lube
Oil-based lubes are lubes that contain petroleum-jelly, and are generally not as popular as the other two types of lube.
One of the main disadvantages is that they are not compatible with latex products, as the oil will wear down the product quickly causing holes and tearing. So you can’t use them with latex condoms (of course, there are non-latex options available, but expect to pay a little more). They’re also typically slimy and way messier than the others.
Oil-based lubes contain less chemicals than water-based lubes. So if you’re sensitive to certain forms of lubricant, then oil-based lubes might be the perfect choice for you and your partner. We recommend: Doc Johnson’s Anal Lube (€ 16.59, kinky.ie).
Desensitising Anal Lube
Anal play can be a little uncomfortable for beginners. A slick of a desensitising anal lube can help you relax and get the most from the experience. However, it should be used with caution. If you need desensitising lube for regular anal sex, there might be a bigger problem. Pain is a sign that something isn’t right and without these signs you could cause some serious damage. We recommend: Pjur Silicone Back Door Relaxing Anal Glide (€ 18.96, kinky.ie)
Flavoured
Rimming can be greatly improved by adding some flavoured lube. The variety of flavours available is endless, so you are bound to find something that you like. Not only does it taste better, but the extra slipperiness is guaranteed to enhance the fun. We recommend: ID Frutopia’s deliciously flavoured lubes in Raspberry, Strawberry, Watermelon, Mango, Banana, and Cherry (€ 9.47 each, kinky.ie).
There are plenty of products that will have the ideal combination of being thick enough and slick enough to make anal sex pleasurable. Finding the best lube for anal play all comes down to first evaluating what you and your partner’s needs are, and which lube will bring you the most satisfaction and fun to your kinky sessions.