Water-based

Four things that actually make a difference

Almost every bottle in this category does the basic job. The differences that matter show up in how it feels after ten minutes, what it sits next to on your skin and whether it works with what you already own.

• Thickness comes first. Thin, liquid lubes feel closest to natural moisture and spread easily over a condom. Gels stay where you put them, which is why most products with "anal" in the name are thicker. If you want extra comfort, there are also anal gels with a relaxing agent. Go slowly with these, because a numbing effect also mutes the signals your body sends you.
• Read the ingredients if your skin is sensitive. Glycerin adds slip and a faint sweetness, but people prone to thrush often do better with a glycerin-free formula. Flavoured and warming versions add sweeteners or other active ingredients, so test a little on your inner wrist first.
• Check compatibility. Water-based lube is safe with latex and polyisoprene condoms and with every toy material, silicone included. Cobeco's Bodylube says "latex safe" right on the label. Silicone lube lasts longer, but it can damage the surface of silicone toys.
• Pick a size you'll finish. A 50 ml Aquaglide fits in a washbag. The 200 to 250 ml pump bottles make sense once you know you like a formula. Look for the small open-jar symbol on the pack, which tells you how many months it keeps after opening.

Drying out is less of a problem than you think

This is the complaint we hear most about water-based lube, and it's true that the water slowly evaporates or soaks into the skin. When that happens, the product isn't gone. A few drops of water or a quick top-up brings the glide back, and nothing has to be washed off first. Thicker gels and formulas with added moisturisers, like LELO's lubricant that doubles as an intimate moisturiser, simply need topping up less often.

Where water-based really reaches its limit is in the shower or bath, since water rinses it away. For that one situation, a silicone formula is the better choice.

Extras worth knowing about

Some lubes go beyond plain glide. Japanese brand Shunga's Toko Aqua keeps things simple and unscented, while the warming lubes create a gentle heat when you breathe on them or rub them in. Single-use sachets are handy for a first try or a weekend away. Honestly, buying a few sachets before committing to a big bottle is the cheapest way to learn what texture you like.

Cleaning up is easy. Water-based lube rinses off skin, sheets and toys with warm water and mild soap. If you share toys, use a new condom for each partner and wash them between sessions, as the NHS 111 Wales advises. You'll find every other formula, oil and hybrid included, among all our lubes at kinkylove.