Can You Use Vegetable Oil As Lube? (Plus 6 Other Natural Alternatives)

Have you ever run out of your favorite lube right before things got steamy? 

There’s nothing worse than having to rummage through your pantry looking for a suitable lubricant substitute.

But, ‘fret not, for we’ve done the research, so you don’t have to. 

So if you’re ever in a pinch, wondering something un-sexy like ‘can you use vegetable oil as a lube?’ or what lube alternative you can use, we’ve got you covered.

(And FYI, we’re not talking about lube like bar oil, chain oil, motor oil, chainsaw oil, or engine oil.)

Can You Use Vegetable Oil As Lube?

Although many people have used vegetable oil for anal sex, the health pros recommend NOT putting this anywhere near your vagina. 

Here’s why:

• Vegetable oil and other refined cooking oil variations undergo considerable processing like bleaching, chemical treatments, and heating. 
• A refined oil like vegetable oil isn’t natural.
• Vegetable oil (e.g., canola oil and palm oil) leaves residue on your sheets and body.
• Using veggie oil in your vagina can increase your chances of catching a nasty infection.
• Generally, oil does not play well with a latex condom and even plastic and silicone toys.

While vegetable oil may not be a good idea to apply down there, some food oils (among other ingredients) can be suitable lube alternatives.

6 Natural Lube Alternatives To Use In A Pinch

Here are a few natural lubricant substitutes you can use:

1. Sweet Almond Oil

Pros:

• Sweet almond oil is safe for oral, vaginal, and anal sex. 
• It also serves as a moisturizer, particularly for sensitive skin. 
• Since it is an oil, it will last throughout your sexual activity.

Cons: 

• Don’t use sweet almond oil with a latex condom.

It can cause bedsheet stains.

2. Avocado Oil

Pros:

• Avocado oil has no flavor or aroma, which makes it an excellent option for oral sex.
• It doesn’t require reapplication, so it’s ideal for extended play.

Cons:

• As with most oils, avoid using this with a latex condom.
• It can stain your sheets and clothes.

3. Virgin Coconut Oil

Pros:

• Coconut oil is a popular choice of natural lubricant, but make sure you use virgin (or extra virgin) coconut oil.
• Coconut oil has antifungal and antibacterial properties.
• It smells great and applies well to your skin.

Cons:

• It can stain your sheets.
• Avoid using it with a latex condom.

4. Aloe Vera

Pros: 

• Aloe vera offers some fantastic benefits for hair and skin. But it can also be used as a lubricant substitute thanks to its gel-like consistency and soothing properties. 
• You can use it with a condom and a silicone sex toy.
• It reduces irritation and offers hydration. Try a safe commercial lubricant like Aloe Cadabra.
• You can use it for all types of sexual activity.

Cons:

• You may have to reapply this if you’re having an extended sex sesh.
• If you plan to use store-bought aloe vera, watch out for additional ingredients like alcohol which can dry out the vagina and cause irritation.

5. Olive Oil

Pros:

• Olive oil adds moisture to the vaginal walls. 
• It’s best to use extra virgin olive oil during any intercourse.

Cons:

• Olive oil can alter the pH balance of the vagina, leading to a potential yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis. 
• The smell sometimes puts off people.

Don’t use olive oil with a latex condom, silicone sex toy, or dental dam.

6. Corn Starch

Pros:

• Corn starch is considered safe for your vagina. 
• You need only corn starch and water for a safe lube.
• It works well on both a condom and a silicone sex toy. 

Cons:

You need a little patience to make and cool it before using it. You boil two teaspoons of corn starch with one cup of water to make a DIY lube.

7 Products To Never Use As Lube

Some products should never go near your sensitive lady bits, no matter how dire the circumstances:

1. Shampoo

You know how shampoo stings when you accidentally get some in your eyes? Imagine that happening to your vagina. 

Shampoo has many artificial additives and fragrances that are just terrible for your vagina. You run an extreme risk of getting a vaginal infection, so avoid it at all costs.

2. Petroleum Jelly

Petroleum jelly like Vaseline is a well-known skin moisturizer, but it’s not a good sex lubricant option because of its viscosity. 

Vaseline will stain and stick to your sheets and body. But, more importantly, you’re likely to get an infection or bacterial vaginosis.

3. Baby Oil

If it’s made for babies, it has to be safe, right? Wrong. 

You don’t want to put this (or any mineral oil) anywhere near your vagina. 

Baby oil can also cause infections, it’s not compatible with latex, and it’s hard to wash off.

4. Honey

If you use honey as lube, you’re going to find it very sticky down there. It will be hard to get that slip-and-slide effect with honey. 

Besides, the sugar can disrupt your vaginal pH balance and cause infection and irritation.

5. Moisturizer

Like shampoos, moisturizers and lotions contain a lot of chemicals like paraben and glycerin. 

They all contribute to irritation and potential infections. You really don’t need that in your life.

6. Butter

A dairy product like butter is not the best option for a sex lube. You see, if you insert butter into your vag (or anus) and don’t clean properly afterward, it can get spoiled and nasty. 

Do yourself a favor and don’t do it, so you don’t have to worry about getting an infection.

7. Saliva

Yes, saliva or spit is convenient in the heat of the moment, but it’s not the best solution. 

Medical professionals say that your mouth has more bacteria growing than your vagina, so the risk of getting an infection is high. 

Plus, saliva dries up pretty fast, so it’s not the safest option if you’re trying to reduce friction.

The Coconu Personal Lubricant Range

If you want a natural lube alternative, Coconu has three great personal lubricants made with organic ingredients. 

The packaging is plastic-free and sustainable, plus discreet to leave openly on your bedside table. 

Here are a few more stellar features of the product range:

• They’re 100% cruelty-free.
• The lubes are also totally edible, making them great for oral sex.
• They’re hypoallergenic - great for people who are prone to allergies!
• The formula is pH balanced for a healthy vagina.
• The formula is also designed to be long-lasting and moisturize dry tissues.
• There are no genetically modified organisms. 
• They also don’t have:
• Alcohol
• Paraben
• Petroleum
• Gluten
• Glycerin
• Phylates
• Dyes and fragrances

Let’s take a quick look at the products:

1. Coconu Water Based Lube

The Coconu water based lubricant is made with organic coconut water and has a silky, sexy feel. 

You can also use this as a vaginal moisturizer and a lube.

2. Coconu Oil Based Lubricant

This Coconu oil based lube formula works to push your body to produce natural lubrication. 

Unlike most oil based lubricants, Coconu’s oil lube doesn’t stain bedsheets and absorbs nicely into your body.

The formula includes USDA-certified organic coconut oil along with power-packed ingredients like sunflower seed oil, beeswax, shea butter, sea buckthorn oil, sweet almond oil, and more.

3. Coconu Hemp Infused Body Oil

This hemp-infused body oil is the perfect product if you want a body oil, massage oil, pre-lube oil, and personal lubricant all rolled into one.

The hemp extract will ease pain, tension, and discomfort, increase sensation, and nourish and relax the body. It’s entirely safe for use, and there is no risk of getting high. 

Other organic ingredients include coconut oil, beeswax, cocoa seed butter, and sweet almond oil.

Vagina-Friendly Lube

The next time you’re in a steamy pinch, make an informed choice and reach for vagina-friendly lubricants instead of something that can potentially cause you irritation and infections.