Back

8 modern (and chic) lube brands for the modern woman

The sex-positive picks we're loving

By Briar Clark

BEAUTYcrew Beauty Editor / March 31 2023

Having a vagina is a full-time job because let’s be real – she fussy.

When it comes to the bedroom in particular, the vagina can be affected by a plethora of things that can make her a little drier than is ideal when it comes to enjoying pleasure.

For example, while your antidepressants may be a mood stabiliser for you, they can have the opposite effect on your lady bits. And for trans women who’re unable to self-lubricate during arousal, a good lube is not only a must for an enjoyable rendezvous but it’s actually recommended by doctors to maximise satisfaction in the bedroom.

In fact, when it comes down to enjoying sex with your partner or a bit of solo play with a sex toy, without proper lubrication, we think we can all agree, the whole thing tends to lose some of its appeal.

And so with all things wet and wonderful in mind, we’ve collated some of the modern lube formulas we can’t get enough of so you can get your slip ‘n slide on. Enjoy!

LOVERS Real Love Lube

Does traditional lube (or sex in general) leave you with thrush, BV or an imbalanced vaginal pH? Real Love Lube was formulated with boric acid, which helps to maintain a healthy pH, and eases itch, burning and odour.

$74 at LOVERS

LBDO Essensual Lube

This water-based lube is like skin care for down there. The hydrating, pH-balanced formula contains aloe vera, native Australian kakadu plum extract and quandong extract.

$29.95 at LBDO

My ilo Slip Lube

Boasting a plant-based formula that’s free from parabens, synthetic fragrances, artificial colours and silicones, the Slip Lube from My ilo includes hydrating ingredients like vitamin E for lubrication that lasts. Or at least that’s what one reviewer said after she tried this water-based pick: “This lube is amazing! Ive been trying to find an all natural lube that still has long lasting lubricancy and I have found it!! I definitely recommend!”

$24 at my ilo

FIGR™ Slip

We sat down with FIGR founders Eloise O’Sullivan and Eloise McCullough to chat all things lube. The Melbourne-based female-founded brand sells lubricant with the modern woman in mind, delivering a formula that mimics the body’s natural lubrication process. FIGR™ Slip features Australian botanicals and, according to the brand’s website, it’s also “latex friendly, silicone toy safe, [has] zero sticky residue, fragrance-free, and vegan.” Phew, what can’t she do?

$40 at FIGR

Get Frenchie oh la la love lube

This natural, pH-balanced, water-based aloe formula features a range of impressive Australian botanicals with antibacterial and antifungal properties, while also helping with keeping skin moisturised. According to one reviewer, “It's the first lube I've used that hasn't given me a burning sensation (sensitive snatch problems!), including all those marketed as 'organic' and 'natural'. This product is the holy grail”. The easy to use pump bottle sure doesn’t hurt either (though the brand’s website insists that one pump is more than enough for optimum enjoyment).

$24.95 at Love Honey

Dame Alu

Formulated to match your vagina’s natural pH, this aloe-based lube will have you looking like the somewhat adorable, somewhat comical O-face emoji on the side of the bottle thanks to a formula that includes natural plant extracts. Mushroom extract promotes blood flow for increased stimulation during playtime, while linseed and oat kernel extract promote that moisturised feeling you’re after.

$27.95 at Nourished Life

uberlube uberlube

Can’t stand the mess that traditional lubricants leave behind? Then this thin and silky pick is for you. Featuring a handy spray nozzle for easy application, this multi-tasking formula is completely odourless and tasteless and won’t leave behind any sticky residue. In fact, you can also use this little guy as a hair serum, makeup primer, massage oil, moisturiser and shoe polish. Yep, you read that correctly, you can shine your shoes with this.

$29.95 at Oz Hair & Beauty

LELO Personal Moisturiser

This dual-use lube also doubles as a body moisturiser making it our top pick if you’re after something discreet. Safe for use with toys or latex, this glycerine-free, paraben-free and unscented pick has been formulated with body-safe ingredients as well as aloe for long-lasting moisture. What more could you want?

$43.90 at Adore Beauty

We don't know about you, but there's nothing that gets us in the mood quite like a sexy scent. These are the 5 most alluring evening fragrances.

Main image credit: @thefigrcom

Briar Clark

Briar Clark got her start in the media industry in 2017, as an intern for Marie Claire and InStyle. Since then, her keen interest in fashion and beauty has landed her gigs as a Digital Content Producer and Beauty Editor with titles like Girlfriend, Refinery29, BEAUTYcrew and beautyheaven. She loves the way seemingly innocuous topics like skin care and style have the ability to put a smile on people’s faces or make them think about themselves a little differently. A big believer in self love and experimentation, Briar has made a point of becoming the Australian beauty industry’s unofficial guinea pig for unusual treatments and daring hair trends. When she’s not testing out the latest beauty launches, Briar is big on broadening her horizons, mostly in the form of food but she’s also partial to travelling to new destinations both near and far (and of course, allocating an extra bag to bring their best beauty offerings home with her).