11 Best Lubes for Sensitive Skin, According to Reviewers

This is one of the most elegant lube dispensers we’ve seen—we wouldn’t expect any less from Lelo. This personal lubricant is water-based and glycerin-, fragrance-, and paraben-free. A little dab goes a long way, so you get to have that elegant bottle on your nightstand for a delectable amount of time.

• Type: Water-based
• Works with: Silicone toys, condoms
• Feel: Ultra smooth to the touch, with the right amount of thickness/heaviness, making it extra great for penetrative toys
• Scent: Fragrance-free
• Pros: Beautiful packaging, no stickiness, odorless
• Cons: Some say it’s expensive.
• Review: “Nice packaging and it is really good. It helps me enjoy my toys even more. There is no need to use a lot of it, it is quite efficient. I do not use it all the time, but when I do, it enhances pleasure and the whole process is smooth. As it should be.” —Sunnyin F., reviewer on Lovehoney

In the world of lubes, Good Clean Love has made a name for itself for being exactly that. Its Bio-Match technology is made to match the body’s natural chemistry by mimicking the vagina’s natural lubrication, which means maintaining the vaginal pH balance as well as being hypoallergenic and free of irritants.

• Type: Water-based
• Works with: Silicone toys, condoms
• Feel: Smooth and slick, feels so natural it’s like it’s not even there—in a good way
• Scent: Fragrance-free
• Pros: Feels natural; affordable.
• Cons: Dries up faster than some reviewers would like.
• Review: “When they say ‘ultra-sensitive,’ they mean it. My wife and I tried a few different lubes for sensitive skin—and they caused unacceptable irritation for my wife. I happened to stumble across this particular one. I was suspicious about the ‘ultra’ part, since it seems the greater the claim of sensitivity, the more irritating they were for my wife. Surprisingly, it lives up to its name. No irritation, that’s right, none. Which is a good thing. And lasts longer than other water-based ones we’ve used. Also a good thing. It’s certainly not the cheapest, but is in line with other ‘specialty’ personal lubricants. And it works for us, which makes it totally worth it.” —Michael Baumann, reviewer on Amazon

Like the rest of Dame’s products, Alu doesn’t disappoint. Containing natural extracts such as mushroom, hempseed, quinoa, and green tea, in addition to aloe vera, this lube is packed with skin-care-friendly ingredients. It also has a pH balance of 4 (the average range is between 3.8 and 5.0), so it won’t throw off your vaginal flora.

• Type: Water-based
• Works with: Silicone toys, condoms
• Feel: Slick and smooth, makes for a lot of slip-n-slide sort of fun
• Scent: Minimal fragrance
• Pros: Not sticky and doesn’t leave a residue for easy cleanup; can lock the pump when not in use.
• Cons: Some reviewers felt it should last longer.
• Review: “Despite being a fan of all things Dame, I was hesitant about the lube at first because it had just hit the market when I got it. But it didn’t disappoint. It got the job done and didn’t cause any irritations or infections. I also loved the packaging and the fact that the bottle has a grip—sold separately now—to keep it from slipping and sliding in my hands.” —A.C.

Made from 95% food-grade organic aloe vera (in case you want a snack!), this lube is adored by more than 14,000 people who gave it a five-star review. It’s not only free of the usual irritants like glycerin and glucose, but it’s also 100% vegan and pH-balanced for vaginas, and promises not to stain your favorite bedsheets. Plus, it comes with an applicator for easier reapplication.

• Type: Water-based
• Works with: Silicone toys, condoms
• Feel: Slick, but also soothing to the touch in very natural way, none of that cooling nonsense
• Scent: Minimal fragrance
• Pros: Silky smooth, affordable
• Cons: Some reviewers said it dried up too quickly.
• Review: “This product is amazing. Very moisturizing and works well. The lubricant works well right alongside the moisturizer. I definitely recommend this.” —Herashianda Arshad, reviewer on Amazon

As a silicone-based lube, this one is going to last a while and not need to be reapplied as often as water-based lube. “Uberlube is [safe for] healthy bacteria or pH levels,” says Michael Reed, MD, a board-certified functional and cosmetic gynecologist. “It’s unscented, unflavored, and long-lasting. It’s alcohol-free, gluten-free, and contains no glycerin or parabens. The texture is very smooth and slippery—a little bit goes a long way. It also washes off the sheets easily.” Keep in mind that silicone-based lubricants are not recommended to use with silicone toys so keep those toys in your drawer while using this particular lube.

Lucy Chapin, certified nurse midwife, also highly recommends Uberlube—although her first choice is coconut oil, but that’s only okay if you’re fluid-bonded because oil can destroy the integrity of latex. In addition to being glycerin-free and devoid of animal products, gluten, and other possible irritants, it also has vitamin E to keep your skin feeling smooth and moisturized. It also makes for a great anal lube because just a few drops will last and last, giving even the Energizer Bunny a run for his money.

• Type: Silicone-based
• Works with: Condoms, glass and steel toys
• Feel: By far the slickest of the slickest lubes out there, so soft and smooth to the touch without being even remotely slimy
• Scent: Fragrance-free
• Pros: Long-lasting; price point is worth it.
• Cons: Some say the pump makes it difficult to access the lube.
• Review: “Uberlube Silicone Lube has truly set a new standard in personal lubrication for me. Not only is it the best lube I’ve ever used, but its long-lasting formula ensures uninterrupted pleasure without the need for frequent reapplication. What’s more, cleanup is a breeze as it washes off easily with just soap and water, leaving no sticky residue behind. My wife and I are absolutely enamored with its silky-smooth texture and exceptional performance.” —Ryan Kolean, reviewer on Amazon

Free of glycerin, parabens, and the other usual suspects, this lube packs a moisturizing punch thanks to the aloe vera it contains. It’s been created to match vaginal pH and comes in a handy squeeze bottle—a must for those who get easily frustrated with slippery pumps. It also has discreet packaging, if you’re someone who fears that anyone will know you’re using lube (although you shouldn’t be, because most of us do!).

• Type: Water-based
• Works with: Silicone toys, condoms
• Feel: Just enough slipperiness to make it pleasurable and easy to use, as in you won’t be dropping things due to slippery digits, also very light to the touch
• Scent: Minimal fragrance
• Pros: Perfect amount of slippery; moisturizing
• Cons: Some reviewers said it’s too watery.
• Review: “Lichen sclerosus safe! Even ran to my doctor and told her about this find. If you have this skin condition, this is a godsend, it does not irritate it more! It doesn’t inflame it. Every personal lube up until now, basically set me on fire, immediately, like cinnamon or hot pepper.” —Krisnic, reviewer on Amazon

“The revitalizing massage drops are odorless and nonsticky,” says Amber Mallery, MPH, an AASECT certified sexuality educator. "Bijoux uses a formula designed to mimic the natural lubrication using the main ingredient SyriCalm. The texture is very spreadable and not thick. Overall the benefits of the revitalizing massage drops is on top of being able to use them as a lubricant, they have anti-inflammatory properties and the glide prevents micro tears and other health risks.” Also, SyriCalm is great for improving the skin’s barrier by keeping it healthy and strong, which is doubly important for those with sensitive skin.

• Type: Water-based
• Works with: Silicone toys, condoms
• Feel: Smooth, slick, and so natural-feeling you’ll think it’s your own vaginal secretions doing all the work
• Scent: Minimal fragrance
• Pros: Feels like natural lubrication
• Cons: The dropper can be slightly tricky with slippery fingers
• Review: “As much as I love the slickness of this lube, my favorite aspect is the dropper. I tend to be heavy-handed sometimes and having my lube coming out of a dropper as opposed to a pump or tube helps prevent me from being wasteful.” —A.C.

Although #LubeLife isn’t new to the lube market, this aloe- and water-based lube is. In fact, it’s only been available for a few days so far and already has a 4.7 out of five-star ratings on Amazon—not too shabby right out of the gate. Sarah Kelleher, LCSW, a sex and relationship psychotherapist, is a fan of water-based lubes and personally uses #LubeLife. She likes the refreshing, lightweight, and nonsticky feel that she says “you kind of forget it’s there.”

• Type: Water-based
• Works with: Silicone toys and condoms
• Feel: Soothing and silky, really natural to the touch without being too much or stringy
• Scent: Minimal fragrance
• Pros: A lot of lube for your dollar
• Cons: Some reviewers wished it lasted a bit longer
• Review: “I’m always looking for a great water-based lube and this one hits the spot for me. It doesn’t have much of a smell to it, if any at all. The texture is super smooth and it spreads very easily so you don’t need much. It’s not sticky at all and cleans off really easily, leaving no residue or mess behind. The lube felt really nice to the touch and almost had a cooling effect, and left my skin feeling super refreshed and soft.” —Suzanne Bustamante, NYC-based sex and fashion PR rep

“For sensitive skin or people with allergies, I’d recommend ID hypoallergenic lube,” says Vicki Lyons, sexual wellness expert and chief editor at Bodyjoys. “It’s versatile and can be used for vaginal or anal play and is safe for use with toys and condoms too with no degradation of silicone or latex. It’s free from ingredients such as glycerine, parabens, benzoic acid, propylene glycol, petrochemicals, and alcohol, so there won’t be any itching or sensitivity afterwards and it’s also a product that doesn’t become sticky over time, so good for long sessions too.” ID is also odorless and colorless, and doesn’t stain.

• Type: Water-based
• Works with: Silicone toys and condoms
• Feel: Slippery and smooth, light-feeling and can go the mile before needing reapplication
• Scent: Fragrance-free
• Pros: Feels natural; long-lasting
• Cons: Some say it gets sticky too soon
• Review: “We all know the trade-offs with water based. If it’s not sticky it’s too thin or doesn’t last very long, if it’s ‘long-lasting’ it feels like you were using maple syrup afterwards. And then the ones that find a balance there don’t even feel like they lubricate anything. This an excellent balance of all of the above.” —Elmo, reviewer on Amazon