Can You Use Lube with Condoms?

Want to make sex feel even better? It may be time to introduce a new lube. Lube, also known as lubricant, is a slippery, smooth substance that reduces friction during sex. It’s designed to supplement the vagina’s natural lubrication and make sex an even more pleasurable experience.

Depending on the lube, it can be anything from watery to jelly-like. It may also offer additional sensations, like warming, cooling, or tingling sensations, that can enhance sex even further. Some lubes are even scented or come in a range of flavors. 

Lube is designed for use during all types of sex. People may use lube during oral sex, vaginal sex, and solo sex. Some even find it to be an excellent massage oil for foreplay. Lube can be used in all these ways and more—but there are some guidelines that are important to follow, especially when it comes to using lube with condoms. 

Questions about condoms and lube? You’ve come to the right place. If you’re looking to incorporate lube into your sex life, read on to learn all about using lube with condoms, which lubes to use with condoms, how to use them and so much more. 

What Lube to Use with Condoms

Lube can be a great addition to penetrative sex, or any type of sex that includes a condom. However, when it comes to use with condoms, not all lubes are created equal. Here’s everything to know how to safely use lube with condoms and which types of lube to use. 

Water-Based Lubes and Their Benefits

When it comes to use with condoms, water-based lubes are extremely compatible. These lubes are made primarily from water, with the addition of thickening agents like:

• Glycerine: A natural sugar alcohol found in many personal care products
• Hydroxyethylcellulose: A common plant-based solvent 
• Xanthan gum or agar agar: Natural, plant-based thickeners
• Hyaluronic acid: A naturally occurring chemical that can hold 1,000 times its weight in water

Water-based lube is a versatile lubricant and is safe to use with most condoms, including latex and polyisoprene. However, it is not compatible with Durex nitrile condoms. Additional benefits of water-based lube include:

• Mimics natural lubrication: The vagina’s natural lubrication is mostly water, too. That means water-based lube is the most similar to natural lubrication. Many find this lubricant can blend in with their natural lubrication and feels almost as if there’s nothing there.
• Compatible with sex toys: Water-based lubricant is safe to use with sex toys, unlike silicone-based or oil-based lubricant, which can cause sex-toys to deteriorate, crack, and grow harmful bacteria.
• Easy to clean: These lubes are totally water-soluble, making them a fairly mess-free formula. While oil-based lubricants can set in and leave unsightly oil stains, there’s no need to worry about water-based lube staining your clothes, sheets, or other surfaces. They also won’t leave a greasy film on your skin. 

Silicone-Based Lubes and Condom Compatibility

Silicone-based lubes are made primarily of silicone for a personal lubricant that’s ultra-smooth. Just like water-based lubricants, silicone-based lubricants are compatible with every type of condom: latex, polyisoprene, polyurethane, nitrile, and lambskin. 

The upsides of silicone-based lube don’t stop there. In addition to being totally condom compatible, silicone-based lube offers the following perks: 

• Lasts longer: Silicone lubricants are longer lasting  compared to water and oil-based lubes, as the body can’t absorb silicone in the same way that it can absorb oil and water. Many find they don’t need to reapply silicone-based lubes during sex. 
• Hypoallergenic: Silicone may also be a good choice for those with sensitive skin.
• Waterproof: One of the drawbacks of water-based lubes is that it’s easily washed away by water, making it a poor choice for shower sex. Silicone-based lube is a much better option in wet situations. 

That said, silicone-based lubes shouldn’t be used with silicone sex toys. Though it sounds backward, the introduction of silicone-based lube to a silicone sex toy can cause the sex toy to soften and deteriorate, making a porous object that’s impossible to clean and may become a breeding ground for harmful bacteria. 

If you’re looking for a lube that’s easily compatible with your favorite sex toys, it’s best to stick to a water-based solution. 

Silicone lube can also stain sheets and clothing, so it’s best to put down a towel if you’re going this route. 

Lubes to Avoid with Condoms

If you’re looking to use lube with condoms, it’s best to avoid the oil-based lubricant route. Oil-based lubes are incompatible with both latex and polyisoprene condoms, two of the most popular condoms on the market. The oil can cause the condom material to deteriorate. This can put you at a higher risk of tears, leakage, and other concerns that can impact the effectiveness of your condom. 

If you’re planning on having vaginal sex, flavored lube is also a no-go. Flavored lubes can disrupt pH and more. 

How to Use Lube with a Condom

Ready to start using lube with your condoms? You may be surprised by the results. Follow these tips for the best outcome. 

Applying Lube before Putting on the Condom

If your condom doesn’t already come pre-lubricated inside, you may want to put some lubrication in it to reduce friction between the condom and your penis. But beware: keep it to just a few drops. Too much lubrication inside of your condom can increase the risk of your condom slipping off during sex, as can adding more lube inside already lubricated condoms.

Adding Lube after the Condom Is On

Once your condom is securely on, you can go to town on the lube. You can apply lube on top of the condom, to your partner’s vulva, and anywhere else you’d like it. No need to worry about whether you’re using already lubricated condoms or not. There’s really no risk of using too much lube after your condom is on, so lubricate to your heart’s content! 

Tips for Reapplying during Use

If you’re using water-based or oil-based lube with condoms, you may find your lubricant drying out over time. That’s because your body can absorb the water or oil in these lubricants. Worry not: it’s totally easy to reapply lube throughout sex. Just keep your lube nearby in case you need to add some more. 

Benefits of Using Lube with Condoms

Using lube with condoms is a matter of personal preference, but it does have its benefits! Read on to learn about why it’s a great idea to use lube with your condoms. 

Enhanced Comfort and Reduced Friction

Of course, one perk of using lube with your condoms is that it simply feels better. Lube supplements natural vaginal lubrication and creates a slippery and slide-y surface with less friction and more pleasure. Some lubricants even offer additional sensations, like warming, cooling, tingling, and more. Many find that using lube with condoms makes sex last longer and feel even better. 

Improved Protection and Condom Durability

Reduced friction isn’t just great for you, but for your condom’s durability, too. Friction can put your condom at the risk of tearing, rendering it useless and subjecting you to unplanned pregnancy or STIs. The less friction, the better chance that your condom won’t break. 

Concerns about Using Lube with Condoms

There are a few things to keep in mind when combining lube with your condoms. These are a few things you should be aware of. 

Allergies and Ingredient Sensitivities

As with any personal care product, some people may be sensitive to ingredients in lube, especially those that cause warming or tingling sensations or flavored or scented lubes. Some also may find that glycerin, a common ingredient in lubricants, can put them at a greater risk of yeast infection.

We recommend applying a small amount of lube to your non-genital skin prior to using it during sex to ensure you won’t have a reaction. 

Interactions between Lube and Condom Materials

As mentioned, oil-based lubricants can be incompatible with certain condom materials and cause deterioration. As such, it’s important to check your condom and lube’s compatibility before combining the two. If you plan on using lube with condoms regularly, stick to a silicone-based or water-based personal lubricant so you don’t need to worry about compatibility. 

Ready to discover what lube can add to your sex life? At K-Y, we offer an array of lubricants: water-based and silicone-based. Find viscosities ranging from liquid to jelly to suit every taste. For added sensation, explore warming, or tingling lubes.