Whether you're taking contraceptives, going through menopause, or just experiencing the natural highs and lows of the human body, you are likely to encounter dryness during intercourse from time to time. Lubricants are a great way to tackle the natural dry spells of our bodies, and water-based lubes are the preferred choice for sensitive skin, thanks to their predominantly natural ingredients.
However, picking the right lube can be tricky, so we've compiled all the must-know information in this article, from the benefits of pH balanced and paraben-free formulas to additional features such as scents, flavours and fertility aids. Plus, we've added a list of the 10 best water-based lubes from popular brands like KY Jelly and Durex, including NHS-approved products, all available from UK retailers such as Amazon, ASDA, Boots, Tesco and Waitrose.
For those after a quick look, here is our Top 5:
For a more in-depth look at the comprehensive top 10 selection, make sure to read on to learn more about the different types of water-based lubes available and understand how our ranking was determined.
This article's chosen EC site price listings are reflective of its publishing date.
Image | 1 ![]() Durex | 2 ![]() Durex | 3 ![]() Conceive Plus | 4 ![]() MegsMenopause | 5 ![]() Durex | 6 ![]() HANX | 7 ![]() Sylk | 8 ![]() Lovehoney | 9 ![]() KY Jelly | 10 ![]() Durex |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Naturals Extra Sensitive | Tingling Lube Intimate Gel | Fertility Lubricant | Motion Lotion Water-Based Intimate Lubricant | Strawberry Flavoured Lube Intimate Gel | Vegan Lubricant | Natural Personal Lubricant | Enjoy Water-Based Lube Gel | Knect Water-Based Lubricant | Play Feel Lube |
Features | A Gentle Option From One of the World’s Biggest Sexual Health Brands | Leave the Skin Tingling With This Stimulating Formula That's Fragrance and Flavour-Free | Lubricant That Aids Sperm Mobility and Increases Your Chances of Conception | Tackle Menopausal Dryness With a Gentle Formula That’s Kind to Your Skin | Sweeten Things up With a Popular Strawberry-Flavoured Lubricant | A Vegan and Cruelty-Free Brand That’s Gentle on the Skin and Endorsed by Medical Professionals | An NHS-Approved Lubricant Made With a Natural Blend of Kiwi and Citrus Extract | A 100 ml Bottle of Fragrance-Free Lube From a Leading UK Brand | A Low-Budget Option That’s Paraben and Fragrance-Free, but Doesn’t Cut Back on Quality | Stick to the Basics With a Classic Unscented Formula That Will Last a Long Time |
Price | £7.59 | £6.39 | £17.99 | £10.00 | £6.39 | £14.99 | £8.83 | £5.99 | £3.45 | £3.65 |
pH Balanced | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
Paraben-Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Fragrance | Fragrance-free | Fragrance-free | Fragrance-free | Fragrance-free | Strawberry | Fragrance-free | Kiwi | Fragrance-free | Fragrance-free | Fragrance-free |
Flavour(s) | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | Strawberry | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Stimulation | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
Fertility Aid | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
Volume | 100 ml | 100 ml | 75 ml | 100 ml | 100 ml | 50 ml | 40 g | 100 ml | 50 ml | 50 ml |
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Water-based lube is often the go-to option for people first trying personal lubricants, but they're especially favoured by those with sensitive skin. They can be used for vaginal, anal or oral sex without imposing any health risks, and they're safe for use with both latex and non-latex condoms.
Unfortunately, due to their water-heavy formula, they can't be used underwater or in the shower since they would wash away too easily. This does mean that they don't stain sheets, though, which is a huge bonus for most buyers.
Another drawback of the water-based formula is that it can dry out quickly through evaporation or absorption into the skin, so it often needs to be re-applied. Luckily, it's the cheapest lube variety on the market, but if you want something a little more long-lasting, you may want to consider an oil or silicone-based option.
Our bodies are constantly working to maintain a healthy pH balance, but the products we use on our skin can significantly affect it. Using substances with a higher or lower pH than our skin can throw the body's pH off balance, which leads to dryness, irritation and infections.
Ideally, it's best to choose a lube that's pH balanced. This means it has the same pH rating as your skin, so it shouldn't cause any problems or irritation. Look for a rating of around 3.5 - 4.5 pH or labelling that states the bottle is pH balanced. If, for whatever reason, your lube isn't pH balanced, try to use it sparingly and cut back if you notice any dryness.
Stay on top of your intimate hygiene with the Best Feminine Washes on the market!
If you're choosing a water-based lube, it's likely partly due to the promise of a natural and chemical-free formula, but be careful because not all water-based lubes are entirely chemical-free! If you have particularly sensitive skin, shopping for a sensitive formula is essential in maintaining your intimate health.
Even for normal skin types, the ideal lubricant will be paraben-free. We've helped you out a little with this by ensuring that all the products on our list meet this requirement. For something even kinder to your skin, look for fragrance-free and unflavoured products, as these will contain the least additives and, therefore, will have minimal impact on your skin.
For gentle self-care, take a look at our list of the Best Body Washes for Sensitive Skin!
If your skin isn't particularly sensitive, scents, flavours, and artificial stimulation can add an extra special element to your chosen lubricant. If you're shopping for your first bottle, we'd recommend trying a simple formula to start with, but if you're ready to experiment, you may want to keep an eye out for these additional features.
Some lubricants also advertise more practical features such as fertility aids. Fertility lubricant is incredibly useful if you're hoping to conceive, as it has been specially formulated to aid the sperm's mobility and increase the chances of fertilisation.
Boost your chances of conceiving with our Best Ovulation Tests!
This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.
£7.59
pH Balanced | Yes |
---|---|
Paraben-Free | Yes |
Fragrance | Fragrance-free |
Flavour(s) | n/a |
Stimulation | No |
Fertility Aid | No |
Volume | 100 ml |
£6.39
pH Balanced | No |
---|---|
Paraben-Free | Yes |
Fragrance | Fragrance-free |
Flavour(s) | n/a |
Stimulation | Yes |
Fertility Aid | No |
Volume | 100 ml |
£17.99
pH Balanced | Yes |
---|---|
Paraben-Free | Yes |
Fragrance | Fragrance-free |
Flavour(s) | n/a |
Stimulation | No |
Fertility Aid | Yes |
Volume | 75 ml |
£10.00
pH Balanced | Yes |
---|---|
Paraben-Free | Yes |
Fragrance | Fragrance-free |
Flavour(s) | n/a |
Stimulation | No |
Fertility Aid | No |
Volume | 100 ml |
£6.39
pH Balanced | No |
---|---|
Paraben-Free | Yes |
Fragrance | Strawberry |
Flavour(s) | Strawberry |
Stimulation | No |
Fertility Aid | No |
Volume | 100 ml |
£14.99
pH Balanced | Yes |
---|---|
Paraben-Free | Yes |
Fragrance | Fragrance-free |
Flavour(s) | n/a |
Stimulation | No |
Fertility Aid | No |
Volume | 50 ml |
£8.83
pH Balanced | Yes |
---|---|
Paraben-Free | Yes |
Fragrance | Kiwi |
Flavour(s) | n/a |
Stimulation | No |
Fertility Aid | No |
Volume | 40 g |
£5.99
pH Balanced | No |
---|---|
Paraben-Free | Yes |
Fragrance | Fragrance-free |
Flavour(s) | n/a |
Stimulation | No |
Fertility Aid | No |
Volume | 100 ml |
£3.45
pH Balanced | No |
---|---|
Paraben-Free | Yes |
Fragrance | Fragrance-free |
Flavour(s) | n/a |
Stimulation | No |
Fertility Aid | No |
Volume | 50 ml |
£3.65
pH Balanced | No |
---|---|
Paraben-Free | Yes |
Fragrance | Fragrance-free |
Flavour(s) | n/a |
Stimulation | No |
Fertility Aid | No |
Volume | 50 ml |
Written and researched by Alicia Byrne
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