How to choose an anal lubricant

Originally published on 1/12/2023
By Ann, Bodyjoys’ Editorial Team

Don’t even think about having anal sex or indulging in a steamy booty toy session without a bottle of anal lube handy! To truly enjoy a backstage party, you want to apply the right type of anal lube – and plenty of it! This guide is designed to help you choose the right one.

What to look for from quality anal lube?

Anal sex can be great – but it’s greatest when the right lube is involved. Without it, the experience may not be as enjoyable, and could leave you feeling a little sore. As such, quality anal lube must offer the following features:

  • Long-lasting potential: your anus doesn’t naturally lubricate itself, and other lubes may not have the same staying power as your partner, so it’s important to get something that will stay slippery until the end of your session
  • Excellent “glide-ability” to ensure you get the most friction-free experience: don’t compromise on this, your skin is very sensitive down there and can easily tear, which quality lube helps to prevent
  • Non-irritating ingredients and materials, ensuring your sensitive skin doesn’t get sore during the experience – it’s about pleasure, not pain, after all!
  • Many people want to try anal with sex toys: with this in mind, you’ll want to opt for a lube that’s not going to damage the finish of your favourite anal toys!

The different types of anal lube

There are three primary options you may have thought of when it comes to anal lube: water-based, silicone-based, and hybrid. Here’s how they each stack up:

Water-based anal lubes

Water-based lube designed for anal sex is thicker and longer-lasting than the regular water-based solutions. This versatility also makes them a great all-rounder option. Water-based anal lubes are perfect for use with silicone anal toys, plus will easily wash out of clothes and bedding if things get messy.

Silicone-based anal lubes

When it comes to anal, silicone lubes are the top contenders. They’re often considered the smoothest lubes with the best glide-ability. What’s more, they don’t dry out quickly, meaning you can keep going for longer without having to reapply. On the downside, silicone lubes are difficult to wash off and may damage silicone sex toys, so always check this first.

Hybrid anal lubes

Hybrid lubes offer a middle-ground between silicone- and water-based lubes. They don’t last for quite as long, but they still provide an excellent texture for friction-free anal sex, and are much easier to rinse off. What’s more, most hybrid lubes are also safe with silicone sex toys (but do a patch test before getting started, just to be sure).

Our full range of different anal lubes will spoil you for choice. If you asked us for a specific recommendation, we would point you towards the versatile Lubido Anal Water-Based Paraben-Free Lubricant (see picture).

10% OFF
Lubido Anal Water-Based Paraben-Free Lubricant 250ml | Anal Lube | Lubido | Bodyjoys
Lubido Anal Water-Based Paraben-Free Lubricant 250ml
£9.89
£10.99 £9.89

Anal exploration has never been more comfortable than with this slick and thick Anal Ease Lube from Lubido. This high-quality paraben-free, water-based lube is not only long-lasting and non-sticky, it is also aloe vera infused. Aloe vera has a soothing effect, antifungal properties warn against harmful bacteria and a special ingredient enhances pleasure.

If you’re looking for a powerful and slippery silicone-based formula, take a look at the ID BackSlide Anal Formula Silicone Lubricant (see picture).

ID BackSlide Anal Formula Silicone Lubricant 130ml | Anal Lube | ID Lubricants | Bodyjoys
ID BackSlide Anal Formula Silicone Lubricant 130ml
£29.99
£29.99

The BackSlide anal lube by ID is formulated to increase sensual comfort and pleasure during backdoor play. BackSlide’s powerful and slippery silicone-based formula has an extra thick texture and contains an extract of clove, which is a natural muscle relaxant.

And if you want to try a hybrid anal lube, choose the Skins Anal Hybrid Personal Lubricant, which combines the natural feel of a water-based lube with the longevity and slipperiness of silicone (pictured).

Skins Anal Hybrid Personal Lubricant 130ml | Anal Lube | Skins | Bodyjoys
Skins Anal Hybrid Personal Lubricant 130ml
£11.99
£11.99

Skins Anal hybrid lube combines the natural feel of a water-based lubricant with the longevity and added slipperiness of silicone – perfect for wonderfully friction-free backdoor pleasure. The hybrid anal glide offers the best of both worlds, letting you enjoy super slippery sensations while providing luxurious, long-lasting comfort. The friendly moisturising properties of the lube leave your skin feeling smooth and soft.

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