Can You Use Baby Oil as Lube? No. Here Are 3 Safer Swaps

No, baby oil is not safe to use as lube. It often contains petroleum-based mineral oil, which can irritate sensitive skin, is hard to wash off, and degrades latex condoms.

Run out of your go-to sex lube and looking for a quick substitute? We’ll cover why baby oil is risky for masturbation, vaginal sex, and anal sex, and help you determine what should (and shouldn’t) be applied down there.

Can You Use Baby Oil As Lube?

Baby oil smells great, is affordable, and will make your skin feel wonderfully moisturized.

But, it’s not safe to use as a sex lube.

Why?
Baby oil often contains petroleum-based mineral oil or vegetable oil, making it unsafe to use as a personal lubricant. And as it isn’t water-soluble, you can’t wash it off, which can cause skin irritation.

It will also degrade a latex condom. The CDC lists baby oil among the oil-based products that cause condoms to break, putting you at risk of becoming pregnant or contracting STIs.

What Are The Risks Of Using Baby Oil?

Using a suitable personal lubricant matters, because what you put on intimate skin can affect both comfort and vaginal health.

Here are a few reasons why you should not be reaching for that bottle of baby oil as a sexual lubricant:

1. Can Irritate The Vulva

The skin of the vulva (the outer part of the vaginal area) is sensitive. According to Cleveland Clinic, it can react to lotions, scented products and even sexual lubricants with irritation or an allergic reaction. Baby oil was never made for this skin.

Signs to watch for include itching, burning, swelling and changes in discharge.

2. Linked To Vaginal Infections

A 2013 study of 141 women in the US found that those who had used petroleum jelly inside the vagina in the past month were 2.2 times more likely to test positive for bacterial vaginosis (BV), a common vaginal infection.

The same study found that women who used oils inside the vagina were far more likely to test positive for Candida, the yeast behind yeast infections (44% compared with 5%). Baby oil was not tested on its own, so read this as a warning sign rather than proof. And the last thing you want is to deal with a pesky and painful infection when trying to have a great time in bed.

3. Breaks Down Latex Condoms (And Isn’t Diaphragm-Safe)

A 1989 lab study found that just 60 seconds of contact with mineral oil cut the strength of latex condoms by about 90%. Baby oil, which is almost pure mineral oil, was one of the products tested, and it weakened the condoms too.

Diaphragms need the same care. Oil weakens latex, and the maker of the Caya silicone diaphragm says to use only water-soluble lubricants with it.

When a condom breaks, you risk catching a sexually transmitted infection or getting pregnant.

4. Too Slippery

Baby oil stays slick for a long time, which is part of its appeal on skin. With a latex condom, though, there is no safe amount: the oil that makes it slick is the same oil that weakens the latex.

5. Hard To Wash Off

Baby oil acts as a barrier on the skin and isn’t water-soluble, so it can be tough to wash off, even with soap and water. That means it can linger on sensitive skin long after you’re done.

6. Damages Sex Toys

Oil can damage toys made of rubber or latex, the same way it weakens a latex condom. Check your toy’s care instructions before using any oil with it.

What Lubricants Can You Safely Use For Sex?

The safest option for your sexual health is to use a personal lubricant specially designed for vaginal and anal sex.

Many lubes in the market are:

• Made with natural ingredients
• Great to use with a sex toy
• Helpful in alleviating vaginal dryness.

Here are a few to consider for any sexual activity:

1. Water Based Lubricants

New to the world of lube?
A water based lube like Coconu, K Y Jelly, Lola Personal Lubricant, or Almost Naked Organic Personal Lubricant is great if you’re just starting out.

Pros:

• A water based lubricant can be used safely with a condom, diaphragm, and sex toy.
• It’s ideal for masturbation, vaginal sex, and anal sex.
• It washes off easily and doesn’t stain clothes or sheets.

• Water based lubricant dries out fast and requires frequent reapplication for extended play.

• The Coconu Water Based Personal Lubricant has a silky feel and is made with organic coconut water.

2. Silicone Based Lubricants

If you want a long-lasting play session, opt for a silicone lube.

Pros:

• It’s long-lasting and doesn’t wash off, so it’s great for extended play and shower sex.
• You can use it for vaginal sex and anal sex.
• It works with non-silicone toys and with many condoms. Check both labels first: in an FDA lab study, 2 of 4 silicone lubes tested made latex condoms swell.

• It can damage silicone toys and silicone diaphragms. The maker of the Caya diaphragm warns that silicone lubricants harm products made of silicone rubber.
• It’s tough to wash off and will stain sheets.

3. Oil Based Lubricants

A suitable oil based lube also works well for extended sex.

Pros:

• Oil based lube is ideal for an intimate massage.
• It’s a fun addition for long-lasting penetrative vaginal and anal sex, oral sex, and masturbation.
• It works well in the shower.

• Avoid using an oil based lubricant with latex products, particularly if the ingredients include sweet almond oil, sunflower oil, or coconut oil.
• It stains sheets and doesn’t wash off easily.

• The Coconu Oil Based Personal Lubricant is an organic lube with coconut oil, sunflower seed oil, cocoa seed butter, shea butter, almond oil, and more. It is not compatible with latex or polyisoprene condoms. For use with latex condoms, choose Coconu Water-Based Lubricant.

• The Coconu Hemp Body Oil works on three fronts as a pre-lubricant, lubricant, and massage oil. It contains broad-spectrum hemp. It is not compatible with latex condoms. For use with latex condoms, choose Coconu Water-Based Lubricant.

Other Lube Alternatives

We get it. Sometimes you just need a lubricant alternative to stand in during an emergency steamy situation!

Consider the following options when you’re in a pinch and out of your favorite personal lube.

Caution: Don’t use any ingredient if you are allergic to them.

You can find most of these lube alternatives in your home pantry:

• Argan Oil
• Pure Aloe Vera Gel
• Avocado Oil
• Vitamin E Oil
• Extra Virgin (or Cold Pressed) Coconut Oil
• Extra Virgin (or Cold Pressed) Olive Oil
• Shea Butter

Except for aloe vera gel, these are all oils or butters, so keep them away from latex condoms. A review of the research notes that products containing vegetable oil were also found to weaken latex. And remember to wash up thoroughly after playtime.

What Products Should You Avoid Using As Lube?

• Cooking oil
• Vegetable oil
• Honey
• Whipped cream
• Shampoo
• Moisturizer
• Butter
• Saliva

Have A Wild (And Safe Time) Under The Sheets!

Sources

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). How to Use a Condom.
2. Cleveland Clinic. Vaginitis: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention.
3. Brown JM, Hess KL, Brown S, et al. Intravaginal practices and risk of bacterial vaginosis and candidiasis infection among a cohort of women in the United States. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2013;121(4):773-780.
4. Voeller B, Coulson AH, Bernstein GS, Nakamura RM. Mineral oil lubricants cause rapid deterioration of latex condoms. Contraception, 1989;39(1):95-102.
5. Caya. Instruction manual: Caya contraceptive diaphragm (US).
6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Condom Use: An Overview.
7. Sarkar Das S, Coburn JC, Tack C, et al. Exposure of natural rubber to personal lubricants: swelling and stress relaxation as potential indicators of reduced seal integrity of non-lubricated male condoms. Contraception, 2014;90(1):86-93.
8. Geibel S. Condoms and condiments: compatibility and safety of personal lubricants and their use in Africa. Journal of the International AIDS Society, 2013;16(1):18531.