What to Use Instead of Lube

Lube alternatives: Are they safe?

It’s a fact of life that lube, and lube alternatives, make sex smoother, oral sex tastier, and absolutely everything more slippery.

Though nothing can replace a high-quality, specialist lube that you’ve specifically selected for your sexual dalliance of choice (anal lube truly is what anal orgasms are made of), sexual emergencies can strike and lube alternatives are needed.

Let’s break down some of the best lube alternatives and the unique challenges each one poses so you know what to use for your next unplanned sex-scapade.

The best alternatives to Lube

If you don’t have any lube to hand, there are lots of common household items you can use as a lube alternative. Some of the most popular lube alternatives out there include:

• Coconut oil
• Aloe Vera
• Saliva
• Vaseline
• Olive Oil

All of these are technically safe to use and will give you a variety of slippery sensations. But just because you use something on one part of your body doesn’t mean it’s perfectly suited to another part.

Even natural lube alternatives have unique drawbacks, from increasing the likelihood of bacterial vaginosis, to eroding latex condoms, to just being impossible to wash them out of your sheets.

So make sure you look at the specifics around the lube alternative you’re considering - natural lubricant or not - before getting down, steamy and slippery with it.

Coconut oil as Lube

Coconut oil is a soft, luxurious, natural oil that can be used as a lube alternative as it melts on contact with human body heat, or at room temperatures above 25 degrees. Because it's an oil, it lasts a satisfyingly long time in your vagina or anus, so it is a great lube alternative when you know you want an awful lot more than a quickie.

But it does have its drawbacks.

Coconut oil will degrade latex condemns, making them less reliable as a means of birth control and less effective at stopping the transmission of STIs.

Coconut oil is also both antifungal and antibacterial and can affect the delicate Ph balance a vagina naturally maintains. So it’s not a great alternative if you’re prone to bacterial or yeast infections, like vaginosis or thrush.

It’ll also be harder to wash out of fabric and wash off of skin. So not a good idea if you’re planning a luxurious affair with satin sheets, expensive lingerie or if you often get blocked pores.

Coconut oil for anal sex

Coconut oil is a popular alternative lube for anal sex as its thick, slippery consistency is perfect for gently cushioning your entry and exit. You also don’t have to worry about the effect it has on condoms from a birth control point of view, or about upsetting the Ph of a vagina.

(Of course, just because it’s anal sex it doesn’t mean you don’t have to use a condom as you also need to consider STI transmission. In this case, coconut oil becomes a bit of an issue again as it will break down the latex.)

The best kind of coconut oil to use is virgin coconut oil so there are no extra additives or fragrances. Also, try and pick one that’s been made through a cold-press process as this type of virgin coconut oil is less irritating as it hasn’t been exposed to high temperatures.

Our top tip is to always scoop it out of the jar with a fresh spoon so you don’t transfer any bacteria from your hands into the jar.

Aloe vera as Lube

You can slather pure Aloe vera generously over your private parts for both sexual lubrication and as a way to soothe sore skin. Aloe vera works so well as a lube alternative as its Ph level matches the vagina perfectly and it’s safe to use with condoms.

In fact, aloe vera is a key ingredient in lots of water-based lubes due to its slippery, soft, gel-like texture. As it's closer to a traditional water-based lube, it won’t last as long as an oil-based lubricant or silicone lube alternative, and it isn’t as thick. So we wouldn’t recommend it for anal sex, and you may need to reapply if you have a marathon session in mind.

You should avoid Aloe vera if you’re trying for a baby as it's not sperm friendly. The leaves of the Aloe vera plant also naturally contain some latex, so steer clear of this option if you’re allergic.

Saliva as Lube

Using saliva as lube is often thought of as a thrilling and convenient way of sliding things along if you don’t have any lube on hand. We’re not such big fans of it as a permanent solution for a few reasons:

• It increases the risk of STI transmission, particularly oral herpes to genital herpes and vice versa
• Vaginal infections are more likely to happen due to the bacteria in someone’s mouth
• It isn’t actually that slippery, lubricative or watery - and it dries very quickly

Saliva does have one big pro that no other alternative lubricant can claim:

• You’ll always have some on you

So whilst saliva definitely is not a long-term lube alternative, in small doses, when you only need a little extra help to ease things along, it may just do the trick.

Vaseline as Lube

Vaseline can be used as lube because petroleum jelly products are:

• Slippery
• Lubricating
• Often nearby

But it's not the best option for a few reasons:

• It can cause irritation and itching on the vagina
• It increases the risk of yeast or bacterial infections
• It will break down condoms or any of barrier contraceptive made from latex or polyisoprene
• It is messy, will stain fabrics and clog pores

The health and safety warnings on Vaseline advise that the product is only suitable for external use, so unless you’re truly in a pinch, try finding something else for your lubrication needs.

Olive oil as Lube

Olive oil is a thick oil that technically works as a lubricant for all sorts of fun. As it's an oil-based lubricant, it lasts longer and is a bit thicker than other kinds of alternative lube like aloe vera or saliva.

However, like a lot of other alternative lubes, there are also a few drawbacks:

• It can erode latex condoms
• It can clog pores
• It’s tricky to clean and wash out
• Some studies have shown it can damage the top layer of skin

How to use alternatives to Lube to improve your sex life

There’s a delicious urgency that comes with sexual arousal, and it will not wait around whilst you’re running out to the shops. Lots of lube alternatives are household ingredients, so if you’re in desperate need we’d thoroughly recommend using one.

Alternative lubes can also be a great way of exploring just how wonderful lube is for making your sex longer, more frictionless and far more orgasmic without having to spend a penny.

But if you’re using lube regularly (and we thoroughly recommend you do), then it is always better to invest in a specially formulated lube.

(Our everyday-play water-based lube is only £12.99!)