Jo continued: "Vaginal dryness is often seen in a negative light as it’s associated with ageing or simply considered to be not ‘normal,’ which are both common misconceptions. When in fact, this is not the case, and it is used by younger women and men for pleasure or more comfortable sex."

those with skin sensitivities might be irritated by propylene glycol, citric acid, and sodium benzoate THE REVIEW: As one person writes, "By far the best anal lube we’ve used to date. Water-based yet still viscous enough to use for longer running anal play. A little goes a long way." THE REVIEW:"So I bought this after doing plenty of research and was curious if this would be a good lube for anal intercourse…and [it] EXCEEDED the expectation of just being another basic silicone lube," writes one customer. "We tried it on both of us, and the texture is unlike any other brand...[and] we have tried many brands to date. It seemed to make everything go in and out easy with very little lube degradation or anal pain."Vaginal dryness can be a result of many factors and will sometimes have nothing to do with ageing or being menopausal as many people associate it with.

Lube also heightens arousal and increases pleasure during foreplay, and if you’re using sex toys or masturbating, it will make the process much easier."FYI, i f a lube advertises itself as “numbing,” then you want to stay far away. Lube that makes butt stuff less painful sounds too good to be true...because it is. “Never, ever using a lubricant that numbs the anal sphincter,” Organic Loven founder Taylor Sparks previously told Cosmo . “This is the one place that you want to know what is painful so that you can stop whatever action you are taking, and not wait for the numbing lubricant/cream to wear off and realize there has been damage.” Numbing lubes with analgesics or desensitizing agents in them (like benzocaine) won’t let you know you’re overdoing it until after the fact, when the lube wears off, which is not ideal. And along with one of these top-rated anal lubes, Matatas also suggests investing in a good lube applicator or lube shooter. "They help you get lube deeper into the rectum, which is great for making sure you're not just applying lube to the first couple of inches of the rectum if you're penetrating past that," she says. Finn agrees, pointing out that with lube shooters, "you don’t have to worry about more lube getting on your hands or sheets than where you actually want it to go." She said it helps to make both men’s and women’s genitals more sensitive, which can lead to "more satisfying orgasms". A word of warning: natural oils (like coconut oil) and oil-based lubes may have the right consistency, but they can erode latex, which is why Sinclair says to avoid using coconut oil or almond oil when using condoms. If you're using sex toys, she also suggests avoiding silicone-based lubes with sex toys. "Using silicone lube on a silicone sex toy can cause bending, warping, and the ruin of a toy," says Sinclair "Use a high-quality, water-based lubricant instead." This oil-based lube is made with coconut oil and organic silicone, so it will last a ridiculously long time without reapplication. Because it's oil-based, it's not suitable for use with latex or polyisoprene condoms, but you can use it with your silicone-based toys, which is a major win. Also important: There's also a water-based spin-off formula if you dig the idea but want something usable with latex condoms.

Luna Matatas is a sex and pleasure educator based in Toronto, Canada, who coined Peg the Patriarchy and hosts b-Vibe's The Plug podcast. Speaking about how it can enhance pleasure, she added: "It generally makes sex more pleasurable and comfortable for women.Communication is the first step to connection and so, discussing these things with your partner is so important. Hormones and where you’re at in your monthly cycle, or even if you’re on medication can affect dryness. Don't be afraid to reapply "as soon as it seems like it's drying out and there's more friction," Vrangalova adds. "Keep the lines of communication with the receptive partner open. Encourage them to let you know when they feel more is necessary."

Whatever type of sex you’re having, finding the best lube for the job at hand isn’t always straightforward so we’ve created a short list of all the best lubes we think you’ll benefit from the most. Purified Water, Propylene Glycol, Sorbitol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Benzoic Acid, Polysorbate 60, Tocopheryl Acetate Warnings Also having a well-lubricated penis makes sex pleasurable for a man too, as it can help intercourse last longer. I f you’re feeling the friction (ahem), then finding the best lube is not only a necessity but a gamechanger. In the UK alone, more than 61,350 pints of lube are bought each year, according to Lovehoney, and we buy the most anal toys than any other country surveyed. The best lube can also avoid injury and tearing when having sex, particularly during anal sex. What’s more, if you’re having lots of sex, or vigorous sex with at least one female partner, then a lubricant can also reduce the likelihood of UTI’s (urinary tract infections).Jo said: "There’s a myth that perpetuates that women shouldn’t ‘need’ to use lube and that ‘normal’ vaginas should be self-lubricating, and using lube is only for the post-menopausal woman. The expert also said we need to stop viewing vaginal dryness as something that's seen as "negative". You might notice that lube is often unnecessarily gendered, but Goodparts is changing that with this pure, high-grade, four-ingredient silicone lubricant. Great for folks with sensitivities, this formula is pH-balanced and free from both glycerin and parabens, and since it's formulated from silicone, it'll never evaporate or dissolve in water—meaning it's never absorbed into your skin. Taylor Sparks is an erotic educator and founder of Organic Loven, one of the largest BIPOC-owned online intimacy shops.