When having anal sex, using anal beads or butt plugs or participating in anything to do with anal play, making sure you have a great lubricant to use will make or break your anal experience.
For a lot of people, it is a massive step to introduce anal play into intercourse.
The anus is very sensitive, and the body tissue is a lot thinner than other areas, it is advised that when starting out with anal toys you take it slow. Lubricants are a great help for beginners and the more experienced, allowing the toy easier access, no struggling and then in turn panicking because its hurting or the friction has caused you to tear a little. Lubricants will allow for a more pleasurable experience, that you will want to explore more often.
Things to remember about anal play:
- The anus, unlike the vagina, can’t produce its own natural lubricants. Due to the lack of lubricant produced naturally, penetration can be more difficult, as well as unpleasant and unpleasurable. The last thing you want to experience in anal play is pain, so adding extra lubricants will prevent this happening.
- By not adding lubricant you could cause the anus lining to tear or even cause injury to the body tissue. This in turn could put you and your partner at risk of STI or HIV transmission.
- There is a higher risk of a condom breaking if there isn’t enough lubricant being used or the wrong type of lubricant is used.
- Making sure you use the correct type of lubricant can help prevent pain, irritation and transmission of infections.
A Bit About The Types Of Lubricants
Water-based Lube
A very commonly used lubricant which works well in almost every scenario. Water based lube not only washes out from clothing and bed sheets, but it also works well with condoms and sex toys. It is also tolerated well by people’s bodies, and many find they are unlikely to experience a reaction to using it. Water based lube is available in a range of different consistencies, from a watery, gel-like to a creamier or lotion type formula.
Water-based lube is very quickly absorbed into the body, so reapplying it on a regular basis is a must!! There is no such thing as using too much lube when it comes to anal sex, so apply as often as you please or if you feel as though the pumps are causing a bit more friction then you like, check with your partner and apply some more lube.
Silicone-based lubricants
When looking for a great alternative to water-base lube, you will find the go to will be the silicone-based lubes. Silicone-based lubes aren’t absorbed into the body as quickly, making them great for anal sex as they last longer in the rectum. Stopping you having to worry about reapplying every so often.
One downside to silicone-based lube is that is can stain sheets and clothing, but don’t let that put you off! Place a towel down and take off your good shirt then get lost in the intense pleasure.
Remember to make sure you have checked what material your sex toy is made from before using silicone-based lube as it can cause damage to sex toys made from silicone, the last thing you want is a damaged toy!
Silicone-based lubricants are great if you are wanting to experiment in water sports or just simply play whilst in the shower, as it doesn’t wash away easily, allowing you to carry on without having to use so much.
Water and Silicone-Based Hybrids
Sometimes all you want is the best of both worlds. Well, when it comes to lubricants, we have you covered with the water and silicone-based hybrids. Hybrids can last long then the standard water-based lubes and aren’t as thick as most of the silicone-based lubes.
Oil-Based Lubricants
Oil based lubricants, such as massage oils, cooking oils and Vaseline, can be easy to come by and may even smell great however, you should avoid them if your using condoms to protect yourself from an STI and/or HIV.
Reason this is advised is because condoms are commonly made from latex, meaning they will quickly deteriorate and even be destroyed by oil-based lubricants.
So why not keep the oil to the massage stage of your foreplay?
Pros and Cons of Lubes
Water-based Lubricants
Pros:
- Compatible with all sex toys and latex – with water being its main ingredient, it is gentle enough and compatible with all materials, including condoms. So, you can just grab and go rather then having to sit and read about which materials it can’t be used on!
- Easy to clean up – often just a quick wipe over with a wet wipe or rinse down will do it and wont stain your clothes or bed sheets!
Cons:
- It will need to be reapplied frequently – it absorbs into the body quickly, losing its slickness, which could lead to more friction. So, reapplying often will help avoid any unnecessary anal injuries.
Silicone-based Lubricants
Pros:
- Great for long-lasting play – it doesn’t really absorb into your body, nor does it wash away with water, making it great when experimenting in the shower.
- It is body safe – silicone lubes are often hypoallergenic, so don’t often cause allergic reactions or irritation to the body.
Cons:
- Can ruin some sex toys - you need to be wary about the material of your sex toys – silicone lube can’t be used on silicone toys, as it will ruin them.
- Not easy to clean up – silicone lube doesn’t wash away easily, which is a plus whilst engaging in sexual activity but a pain when it comes to cleaning it up. It is also likes to stain clothes or bedsheets.
Oil-based lubricants
Pros:
- Last a long time – a lot like silicone lubes, oil-based stay slippery and slick for longer during anal play.
- Great when it comes to foreplay – they can double up as an oil for sensual massages and other aspects of foreplay like hand jobs.
Cons:
- Can’t be used with latex condoms – can cause the condom to become weaker, tear or even break.
- Not easy to clean up – can get very messy and will require soap to clean off the slipperiness.
Isn’t a Lubricated Condom Enough Lube for Anal?
In short, the answer is generally no! When indulging in anal sex it is recommended that the more lube the better. It is always handy to have an extra bottle or tube on hand just in case. Lubricants can dry up and be absorbed by the body as time goes by, so you will need to reapply lubricants every now and then during play for a more pleasurable experience.
Take into consideration what type of lubricant you are using, when using condoms, as some lubricants aren’t compatible. An example is oil-based lubricants, these can cause the condom to tear, increasing the risk of infections being transmitted. The ideal types of lubricants to be used with condoms are water-based or silicone-based.
Can I use ___ as anal lube?
Wanting a quick fix or looking around the house for something to use as a lube or maybe you’re just wanting to save on the pennies or you’re a bit of a minimalist with what you collect, believe it or not, it has become quite a common question of “what can I use for anal lube?”
As tempting as it is to go hunting around the house for anything to use as an anal lube, you will find that most of the household items that could commonly be substituted for lube, are in fact designed for external use only! The last thing you want is to be rushed to hospital because you’ve had a bad reaction whilst using a butt plug.
The rectum, anus and vagina are different types of tissue compared to the rest of your body. They have their own pH, they absorb liquids and chemicals differently, that even includes saliva, they can even become easily irritated by different things, which might not affect other parts of the body at all. Some substances may even pose a risk of condom breakage and tissue irritation, in turn can cause spread of infections or simply just hurt.
It is generally recommended to stick to products designed to be used as lubricants, but we know that sometimes things don’t go exactly to plan, and you may need to improvise. So below we have covered some of the substitutes you might find in your bathroom or even kitchen cupboards.
But first some of the questions you should ask yourself when deciding if something would make a good anal lube.
- Are condoms being used?
Remember oil-based products are a no, no when using them on condoms. Condoms are more likely to tear or even break if being used with oil-based products, meaning that the spread of infections is more likely to happen.
- Can it be used internally?
Note that the anus is a very sensitive area, and everyone is different. Certain
products are likely to cause irritation and could even make you prone to infections.
- Is it non-sticky?
Sticky products may be annoying to use and make the experience less pleasurable. They could also contain certain ingredients that might not agree with your body’s internal pH.
- Is it long-lasting?
If the product can last longer then you won’t need to reapply as often during the session, however even the long-lasting products will still need a top up once or twice depending how long you plan on going for.
- Is it lubricating?
Certain products may result in more or less friction compared to others; this could affect your overall experience.
Can lotion be used as a lubricant?
No, lotions are not produced for internal use. If you have ever tried lotion as a lube before you will know that it isn’t a very pleasant experience, feels a lot like you have just shoved your hand on the stove, not something you will be wanting to try again that’s for sure!
Lotions have a variety of fragrancies and chemicals, which can cause irritation or even a burning sensation when they are in contact with anal or vaginal tissue, which is why lotion isn’t the greatest option to go with. Trust us it’s worth looking at something else as a lubricant option, the pain isn’t worth it.
Can I use my spit/saliva as anal lube?
Even though saliva is quite commonly used as a form of lubricant during anal sex, there are in fact a few factors as to why it’s actually a bad option for all kinds of sexual interaction, including anal.
For practical reasons saliva isn’t a good option, it is a lot more watery then slippery, which doesn’t help with the friction that can occur, it also dries up a lot quicker meaning you must apply it a lot more regularly.
The on the health risks side of things, it has been shown during certain studies that when using saliva as a lubricant you could increase the risk of infections or an STI.
So, although it might seem like saliva is a good option for a lubricant its recommended that you use something more effective and designed to be a lubricant.
Is coconut oil a good anal lube?
Coconut oil can be used as an anal lube, as long as you’re not using a condom. The oils will cause the condom to weaken, making more like to tear, which then increases the risk of infections spreading. Also don’t forget to lay a towel down before using as the oils can be rather messy and even stain bedding.
It is still highly recommended to use water-based or silicone-based lubricants over using coconut oil as a lubricant.
Coconut oil can be a good alternative if you don’t have any other lube available and no condom is involved, make sure you’re with a partner you are open with and trust… and you don’t mind your sheets possibly getting a bit stained.
If you’re planning on using pure coconut oil, make sure it is the most natural formula you can find.
There are a few coconut oil products which are specifically designed to be used as a sex lube and included other ingredients which are safe for internal body use. These are often easier to clean up after use then just a typical coconut oil. So keep an eye out for these.
Can aloe vera be used as an anal lube?
Providing there are no additional ingredients, different fragrances or alcohol, within it, then aloe vera could be used as a personal lubricant. So be sure to check the ingredients to know whether it is safe to use with a condom.
Aloe vera is water-based so will be absorbed into the body quickly so you may find you will have to reapply more frequently then if using a silicone-based lube, just be mindful that silicone-based lube can’t be used with certain toys.
Keep it simple!
It can’t be explained enough that the butt is a very sensitive area, so it is highly advised to avoid the use of lubes with heaps of chemicals.
It is recommended to stick to lubricants that have been specifically designed for internal sexual encounters, as these have been safely made for the body and less likely to cause irritation or harm. Although we have explained above about other products that could be used as substitutes for lube, it is still wise to stick to specific products and make sure you have a few extra in for them unexpected occasions.
It’s always best to be on the safe side when it comes to using products during sexual encounters and in a very sensitive area at that.
Are all lubes just plain?
The answer is no! There is such a vast variety of lubricants available, including different flavours and sensations. So, no more plain boring lubes. Even though you won’t really be tasting the lubricant during anal sex they give off a great scent. And if you fancy your sensations having a bit of a shake up, then there are a few different lubes you can throw into the mix, like the tingling and warming, just be mindful about how much you apply on your anus to avoid any irritation that could occur. This can occur because of the chemicals used to produce them.
If you find you do have a reaction, then check the ingredients listed on the label, as it might well be linked to one of them or even consult a doctor.
Are numbing lubes safe to use for anal sex?
These types of lubricants are often used when you or your partner are a bit nervous about potential pain that could occur during penetration, more so in anal sex. So, it may sound like a good idea to try the numbing lube but in theory it could cause you some problems. You need to be aware of these.
- Reduces pain receptors – normally if you or your partner start to feel pain during anal play you would automatically stop what you are doing and change what you are doing so it is more comfortable. However, when using the numbing lube, it can reduce the pain you would be feeling, resulting in injuries later on.
- Could numb more then you wanted – if you’re doing penetrative, fingering or oral sex, this lube could also desensitize these body parts, making the experience less pleasurable and well, numb!
- Check the ingredients label – like all the other lubes you will want to know if it is water, silicone or oil-based. You will also want to make sure that none of the ingredients will cause irritation to your body, everyone is different.
By the bedside!
It’s a good idea to keep your lube handy, especially for them unexpected moments, you don’t want to be throwing off the flow of a hook-up because you need to find some lube. So why not store them somewhere easily accessible like your bedside cabinet, that way you know exactly where they are and have them within arm’s reach. Don’t forget to make sure you have plenty of them available as well, nothing worse then grabbing the last bottle and finding its nearly empty.
Clean it up!
Make sure that if you accidently spill any lube on the floor, more so tiled or laminate, you clean it up straight away, the last thing you want to do is go flying across the room, because surprise, surprise lube is slippery! You may forget about it if you don’t wipe it straight away!
So, as you may be able to tell we highly recommend using lube which participating in anal play! It doesn’t only give you more pleasure and a better time, but it can also keep you and your partner healthy and happy!
