Updated October 2026

Anal lube is a thicker, longer-lasting lubricant made for anal sex and toys. The anus does not make its own lubrication, and its inner tissue is thin and tears easily without it (Cleveland Clinic). That is why anal formulas are built to cushion and to stay slick for longer than everyday lube. Here is how to choose between silicone and water-based, what to pair with toys and condoms, and why we steer you away from numbing gels.

Silicone vs water-based lube for anal

Choose silicone for penis or finger play, long sessions and shower sex. Pjur Back Door Silicone adds jojoba, and Pjur states it is safe with condoms. Choose a thick water-based gel when a silicone plug or dildo is involved, when you want easy cleanup, or when you are new and want a forgiving cushion. JO Anal Thick starts thick and thins with friction; Sliquid Sassy is an ultra-thick gel free of glycerin, glycols and parabens. Not sure? Wicked Simply Hybrid Jelle sits in between and is labeled safe for toys and latex.

Does it matter what is in an anal lube?

More than for vaginal use. A WHO/UNFPA/FHI360 advisory note reports that very concentrated (high-osmolality) lubes can damage the lining of the rectum, which was shown in a small study of volunteers, and that this may matter most for anal sex (WHO, 2012). The note names glycerin and propylene glycol as the main ingredients that push osmolality up. Brands rarely print osmolality, so the simple move is to choose anal lube without glycerin or propylene glycol. Silicone lubes contain neither; among water-based gels, Wicked Jelle Plus, Simply Hybrid Jelle and Sliquid Sassy all state they are free of both.

Numbing and desensitizing gels: why we say skip them

Pain is information. Cleveland Clinic advises that some pressure is normal the first time, but if pain increases or stays, you should stop; and a sudden sharp, shooting pain means stop immediately and go to the emergency room if it has not eased within 30 minutes (Cleveland Clinic). A numbing gel turns down exactly the signal that tells you to slow down, so a small tear can go unnoticed. The International Society for Sexual Medicine also advises plenty of lube and no numbing products (ISSM).

Some anal products are sold as "relaxing" rather than numbing, often with clove oil. Treat them with the same caution and patch-test first. The real relaxants are time, warmth and breathing: a massage, a finger, then a small toy, and a long exhale as anything goes in.

Anal lube with toys and condoms

• Silicone toys: a thick water-based gel is always safe. Silicone lube can leave a gunky residue on some silicone toys (Cleveland Clinic), so check the maker's guidance or patch-test a drop on the base first.
• Glass and steel plugs: anything goes, and silicone lube makes them glide beautifully.
• Condoms: water-based or silicone only. Oils, including coconut oil, damage latex and polyisoprene condoms (Planned Parenthood). Cleveland Clinic notes condoms make anal sex lower-risk for infections.
• How much: coat the toy or condom and the opening generously, and add more whenever anything drags. For anal play, err on the side of more.

Shop anal lube

Prep without overdoing it

You do not need to clean everything out. Cleveland Clinic suggests a bathroom trip up to 30 minutes before and, if you douche, warm plain water only an inch or two inside; frequent or chemical douching can thin the tissue (Cleveland Clinic). Find bulbs and shower attachments in douches and prep.

Build your kit

Start small with butt plugs or graduated anal training kits, and keep toy cleaner by the bed. For a ranked comparison of our favorite formulas, read the best lube for anal; for every other kind of lube, browse lube and lubricants or silicone lube. New to plugs? How to use a butt plug walks through lube, insertion and timing, and lube types explained compares water, silicone, oil and hybrid.

Shop anal lube online or in store

Every order ships in a plain brown box, with free standard shipping over $75. Prefer to ask in person? Visit one of our seven Badd Kitty boutiques in South Carolina and Michigan for judgment-free advice. Find a boutique.

Sources: Cleveland Clinic, Is Anal Sex Safe?; WHO/UNFPA/FHI360 lubricant advisory note (2012); ISSM; Planned Parenthood; Cleveland Clinic on lube types; product labels.