If you put organic meals on the table, why not stock up on organic lube in the bedroom? Gone are the days when all you had for personal lubricant was KY Jelly. Not that there's anything wrong with the original KY Jelly—it certainly can get the job done. But for those with fussier, more sensitive vulvas, vaginas, and penises, it could leave you, well, unsatisfied to say the least. Enter: organic lubes, the chemical-free, natural alternative to more traditional ingredients (which can include glycerin and petroleum jelly). Whether you have sensitive skin and have to be extra particular about what you put "down there," or just are just drawn to natural formulations, organic lubes are sure to please.
- Alexandra Roxo, women’s erotic and spiritual coach and author of F*ck like a Goddess
- Jolene Brighten, ND, naturopathic physician and women’s health expert
- Marla Renee Stewart, sexologist and sexual wellness expert for Lovers
Best organic lubes at a glance
- Best water-based: Jo Organic, NaturaLove Lubricant, $20.00
- Best fruit flavored: Jo Organic, NaturalLove Strawberry Fields, $18.00
- Best oil-based: Coconu, Organic Personal Lubricant, $25.00
- Best pH-balanced: Good Clean Love, Almost Naked Personal Lubricant, $7.00
- Best botanical: Sliquid Organics, Natural Lubricant, $17.00
- Best moisturizing: Maude, Shine Organic, $25.00
- Best aloe-baed: Dame, Aloe, $18.00
- Best fragrance-free: Tabu, Organic Lube, $39.00
- Best female-friendly: Love Wellness, Sex Stuff, $11.00
- Best for sensitive skin: Cake, Natural Sex Lube, $12.00
- Best non-sticky: Aloe Cadabra, Natural Lube, $10.00
- Best herbal: The Honey Pot, Organic Lube—Vanilla Chamomile, $13.00
- Best plant oil-based: Organic Glide, Natural Personal Lubricant, $23.00
- Best coconut oil-based: Woo More Play, Coconut Love Oil, $27.00
- Best with CBD: Foria, Intimacy Sex Oil with CBD, $44.00
- Best soothing: Dani Pepper, 'O' Orgasm Enhancer, $34.00
- Best for Dry Skin: Flora + Bast Aphrodisia Intimate Arousal Cannabis Oil, $77.00
What makes a lube organic?
So... what exactly makes organic lube different from the rest of 'em? It's all about the ingredients, says sexologist Marla Renee Stewart, MA, and in-house sexpert for sexual wellness brand Lovers. She says to check out what's on the label (which can include a lot for lubricants). Look for organic lubes that have that USDA-certified emblem to confirm they are actually organic. This is the only guarantee that the ingredients meet the USDA's specific standards, like being grown on clean soil and not being loaded with any GMOs.
That being said, it doesn't mean other "natural" lubes can't do the trick—you just need to look at the ingredient label. Stay away from things like glycerin and parabens, which can often trigger vaginal flare-ups, as well as any added hormones, artificial fragrances, fake flavors, and so on.
"Any kind of polymer or ingredients that you can't pronounce easily are a good sign that it's not natural or organic," Stewart says. "Look for all natural and whole food ingredients or herbs... On most of these bottles, you'll find that there's indicators of which ingredients are certified organic."
Why organic lube is good for you
"Using organic lube is a way to get the closest to natural ingredients in their purest form," says Stewart. "When we introduce chemicals into our system, this may hurt our immune systems and our bodies might not react in ways that we like or need. Organic is most beneficial for folks who strive to have the closest to all-natural as possible. Most of the time, certified organic lubes are best for most bodies." For anal sex, look to the best lubes for anal sex.
Is organic lube safe?
"Just because something is labeled organic, doesn't make it safe," Dr. Jolene Brighten, a board certified naturopathic endocrinologist and certified sex counselor. "For example, certain lubes, like oil-based, can break down condoms, increasing your risk for STIs and pregnancy. In other instances, natural ingredients like menthol can cause irritation."
But that's not to say that organic lube is not safe, it just means you have to be aware of how you are using it. Generally, unlike the non-organic formulations which may feel slicker or stay on longer, products labeled organic are safe and have less irritating ingredients. "If you're looking to avoid endocrine disruptors and chemicals known to cause vaginal irritation or microbial disruption in some people, organic is often a better choice," Dr. Brighten adds.
Is organic lube better?
The vulva, like the mouth and the nose, is a mucous membrane, and what you put into it matters, says Alexandra Roxo, women's erotic and spiritual coach and author of F*ck like a Goddess. Like the rest of your dermis it absorbs the ingredients, but even faster than say the lotion you put on your arms. “If I can find a way to limit chemicals, it’s going to be better for my body,” Roxo says, noting she “only uses organic lubes.”
You should also think about what you’re looking for in the experience. Those organic lubes with coconut oil tend to wear off more quickly, so you have to reapply more often, Roxo adds. Also, you can’t use oil-based lubes with latex condoms as it damages the material and increases chances of a condom breaking. No worries, though, there are plenty of water-based lubes that play nicely with both latex and silicone.
Ready to make the switch to sleek, silky organic formulations? Here's a list of the best organic lubes to add to your nightstand.
Best organic lubes
Jo Natural is one of Stewart’s favorites. It’s an organic water-based lubricant, which means it’s safe on silicone toys and condoms. “What’s also fantastic about this lube is the fact that it only has five ingredients and most nutritionists encourage you to put whole foods into your body or foods that contain less than five ingredients,” Stewart says. “So this is a win-win situation, considering that it’s ideal for oral sex.”
Pros:
- Cleans easily
- Sweet taste and smell
- Won’t stain sheets
- Leaves skin soft
Cons:
- May feel sticky
- May need frequent reapplication
- May not work as well in the shower
Stewart recommends this strawberry-flavored lube if the original isn’t your thing. While some lubes have that sticky, artificial taste, this fruity flavoring is natural, making it another ideal option for oral sex.
Pros:
- Natural flavoring
- Cleans easily
- Vegan
Cons:
- May feel sticky
- May need frequent reapplication
If you want to go the coconut-oil based route, go with Coconu. The coconut oil in each batch is USDA-Certified, so you know it’s the good stuff. Other ingredients include beeswax, cocoa butter, sunflower oil, and shea butter, to leave you feeling good.
Pros:
- Natural
- A little goes a long way
- Works with body temperature
Cons:
- Not compatible with latex or silicone
- May stain sheets
Good Clean Love’s Almost Naked formulation is 95 percent certified organic that uses an aloe base combined with other natural ingredients to give you safe slickness. It’s OBGYN-approved—as Dr. Lucky Sekhon, OB/GYN, previously told us, the additional lactic acid helps maintain the pH balance of the vagina during sex.
Pros:
- Budget-friendly
- Easy to clean
- Works with devices
Cons:
- May feel sticky
- May need frequent reapplication
- May not work as well in the shower
Sliquid makes an organic line of natural lubricants using organic ingredients. “Roxo recommends it for “more staying power” than some oil-based lubes. And, you can use it with a condom, she adds. While it doesn’t have the USDA seal of approval it does use Certified Organic ingredients, like aloe, hibiscus extract, green tea extract, and sunflower seed extract. Natural goodness that feels like the real thing.
Pros:
- Fragrance-free
- Won’t stain sheets
- Vegan
- Good for sensitive skin
Cons:
- May feel sticky
- May need frequent reapplication
If you’re on the hunt for a dreamy natural lube, look no further than the Shine Lubricant from Maude. It ticks off just about every box: natural ingredients, glycerin and paraben-free, vegan and cruelty-free, and made in an FDA and GMP-approved and regulated facility. Oh, and it comes in a minimalist bottle that looks chic on your bedside table.
Pros:
- Natural
- Moisturizing
- pH-balanced
Cons:
- May feel sticky
- May need frequent reapplication
Another amazing aloe-based lube comes from Dame. It is made from organic aloe vera, so it’s safe for condoms and toys and is safe for sensitive or fussy vaginas. There’s also quinoa seed extract to promote elasticity in your skin, and oat kernel extract that helps soothe inflammation. Roxo says that Dame lubes are great for those looking for something “simple” but notes that these are “not exactly tasty.”
Pros:
- Great for sensitive skin
- pH-balanced
- Compatible with devices
Cons:
- May need reapplication
- Does not taste great
Tabu is basically a skin-serum for your vagina. It ‘s recommended by OB/GYNs who are experts in all-things menopause for its ability to nourish, moisturize, and repair. It’s also FDA-approved and uses a blend of organic and natural ingredients to give you a sleek slick-down you’re sure to love.
Pros:
- Hypoallergenic
- Non-sticky
- Safe with latex
Cons:
- Expensive
Just in from the cool new DTC sex toy and accessory brand Cake, this natural lubricant is perfect for solo or partner play. It uses a water and aloe-base that’s safe for latex condoms. It’s also infused with organic goodness from ingredients like hemp, mushroom, and quinoa to leave your nether regions healthy and happy.
Pros:
- Budget-friendly
- Hypoallergenic
- Moisturizing
Cons:
- May need to reapply more frequently
For another flavored option, check out The Honey Pot’s vanilla chamomile blend that’s practically dessert. It’s 95 percent organic, swapping irritating additives for gentle naturals, like water, agave extract, and carrageenan.
Pros:
- Budget-Friendly
- Sweet scent and taste
- Moisturizing
Cons:
- May need to reapply more frequently
This Organic Glide lube is plant-oil based and has a probiotic formula, making it smooth and healthy. It has no glycerine, fragrance, parabens, or alcohol — only natural goodness. And it’s non-sticky and long-lasting, too.
Pros:
- Won’t stain sheets
- Fragrance-free
- Moisturizing
- Little goes a long way
Cons:
- Can feel greasy
- Difficult to get off
- Comes out thick
Who needs foreplay when you can have more play?! Just kidding, foreplay rocks. And if you want to spice it up, use Woo More Play’s Coconut Love Oil, which is made from organic coconut oil, beeswax, and a bunch of other natural ingredients. It’s also flavored with juuust a touch of vanilla, making it a good option for oral, too.
Pros:
- Subtle vanilla taste
- Can be used as a massage oil
Cons:
- Not compatible with latex or poly-isoprene
- A little sticky
- Can be difficult to remove from tube
Roxo is a fan of this luxe, natural lube with CBD and botanical enhancement that she says can provide “extra relaxation.” This Intimacy Sex Oil is made with two ingredients—organic coconut oil and USDA organic-certified hemp. It’s about as minimalist as you can get, but the formulation packs a punch that leaves you ready for action.
Pros:
- All natural
- Compatible with silicone, glass, elastomer, and stainless steel toys
- Long-lasting
- Edible
Cons:
- Not compatible with latex or poly-isoprene
- Slippery in bath or shower
- Expensive
Looking for spine-tingling, toe-curling orgasms the natural way? Get this orgasm enhancing lubricant from Dani Pepper. It’s made using 100 percent plant-based ingredients, including the Big Kahuna—CBD. The result? Absolute euphoria.
Pros:
- Plant-based ingredients
- Moisturizing
- Compatible with latex and silicone
Cons:
- Expensive
- Wait 15 to 30 minutes for full effectiveness
A little goes a long way with the Flora + Blast Aphrodisia oil, which goes on smooth and not too greasy, thanks to cocoa butter as one of the primary ingredients. It’s packed with 1,700 mg CBD, which can help with easing stress and getting you in the mood. The light herbal scent (almost citrus-y) highlights that this is an all-natural product.
Pros:
- Moisturizing
- Adapts to body temperature quickly
- A little goes a long way
- Vegan
Cons:
- Expensive
- Herbal scent not for everyone
Want to be the first to hear about the latest (and greatest) SHOP product drops, custom collections, discounts, and more? Sign up to have the intel delivered straight to your inbox.
Loading More Posts...
