DIY Lube: How to Make Natural Homemade Lube (With Recipes!)

If you’re a sexual lubricant enthusiast, you may wonder: Can I make DIY lube?

Yes, you can! 

And if you’re in the mood to concoct a reliable homemade lube using ingredients in your pantry, you’ve come to the right place. 

In this post, we’ll uncover what homemade lube is and some of the best household items (plus DIY recipes) you can use for lube

We’ll also reveal a fantastic natural personal lube option made specifically for your delicate bits.

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What Is a Homemade Lube?

As the name suggests, homemade lube is a lubricant made from scratch using staples available around the house.

These ingredients could include natural oils (like coconut, avocado, jojoba, or olive oil), cocoa butter, shea butter, or even cannabis oil.

Mix these and other ingredients with wax (like beeswax) and essential oil to make a gel-like substance that reduces friction during sexual intercourse. (More about some great DIY personal lubricant recipes later.)

Question is: How does homemade lubricant differ from commercial lubricant? 

Store-bought lubricants can often contain harmful additives, like parabens, fragrances, glycerin, and other ingredients that can irritate the skin (no, thanks!).

This is why many avid lube users have turned to making their own DIY lubricant. 

A homemade lubricant using natural ingredients can reduce friction and discomfort, so your sexual experience is smoother.

Whether you enjoy sexual play solo, with a partner, or with adult toys, a personal lubricant is always a good nightstand companion.

That being said, it’s essential to note an important factor: 

Finding (or, in this case, making) a lube alternative that works well for you and your partner is an intimate exercise. And it may require trial and error. 

So you must research all ingredients before making a lube at home.

Here’s the deal: 

You or your partner may be allergic to some ingredients - even if they are organic or natural. 

Besides, some ingredients may pose a risk of infection, such as bacterial vaginosis or yeast infections (Yikes!). 

Read more: Heard of coconut oil as a lube? Here’s an Easy Coconut Oil Lube Recipe for a Sexy Time in Bed.

While we prefer buying a body-safe natural personal lubricant, you could use a household item as a natural lube alternative when you run out of your favorite commercial lubricant.

9 Best Household Items to Use for Homemade Lube

Certain pantry staples can double up as a cooking condiment and a moisturizer (we’re looking at you, olive oil). 

The cherry on top? 

Many of these ingredients can also be used as an alternative to personal lube! 

While most household items listed below are usually safe to use in the vagina and anus, we recommend performing a patch test beforehand. 

This way, you’ll know of any allergies BEFORE using them on your delicate bits. 

Important:

Each of the oils mentioned below are NOT compatible with latex condoms. 

But you’re perfectly safe if they're polyurethane, nitrile, or natural membrane (lambskin) condoms.

Here are 9 safe household ingredients, plus a DIY recipe for each, to try as an alternative to your personal lube:

1. Virgin Coconut Oil

Virgin oil made from coconut (organic coconut oil) is a natural, edible product that improves skin elasticity and provides excellent hydration.

This natural oil is also a popular option for relieving vaginal dryness and as an oil for massage.

The thick consistency of virgin coconut oil enables it to stay longer on the skin, making penetration smoother. Hence, it works as a good lubricant for anal sex.

High-quality, cold-pressed coconut oil is also compatible with silicone-based sex toys like butt plugs, dildos, and vibrators.

But, if you plan to use a latex condom, dental dam, or a latex-based sex toy, this coconut oil lubricant recipe isn’t for you.

Oils tend to weaken latex material, making condoms susceptible to breakage. It also damages latex sex toys.

Another limitation: 

In some people, coconut oil may cause allergic reactions and can cause clogged pores, bumps, and irritation to the skin.

DIY Lube Recipe with Virgin Coconut Oil

Ready to get down and dirty using a homemade, oil based lube? 

Ingredients:

  • 1/3 cup organic coconut oil
  • 1 tablespoon beeswax
  • 5 drops of essential oil (Ylang Ylang, Patchouli, Lavender, Peppermint oil, or any other fragrance you love)

Method:

  1. Use a double boiler to melt the coconut oil and beeswax.

  2. Once melted, add the essential oil (Lavender has calming properties, while YlangYlang works as an aphrodisiac, but you can choose any essential oil.)

  3. Next, remove it from the heat and let it cool completely. At this stage, the mixture will be hard. Refrigerate the mixture if it doesn’t harden at room temperature.

  4. Then whip the concoction till it’s light and fluffy and store it in a glass bottle or mason jar.

  5. When you want to apply the lube, rub it between your palms, and it will become slippery. This lotion can also act as a DIY massage oil.

Hot Tips: 

  • If you use fractionated coconut oil, it will remain in liquid form in the fridge. 
  • If you’re allergic to coconut oil, use MCT oil instead (extracted from coconut oil).

2. Sweet Almond Oil

Sweet almond oil, typically used to moisturize dry and sensitive skin, is considered safe to eat. So, it’s an enticing option for oral sex. You can also use this oil to give a sensual massage.

The icing on the cake? 

It stays on longer and smells incredible. So sweet almond oil can also be used as an excellent household anal lube option due to its staying power.

However, like any oil, it cannot be used with a latex condom. All oils and oil based lube cause condoms to break. So, reserve using sweet almond oil for a monogamous relationship where you don’t have to worry about STIs.

Also, with no condom involved, you need to be sure that pregnancy is not a concern.

Another limitation: 

Using this oil could cause an allergic reaction if you have a nut allergy.

DIY Lube Recipe with Sweet Almond Oil

Here’s an oil based DIY personal lubricant recipe using sweet almond oil: 

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup sweet almond oil
  • A few drops of your favorite essential oils 

Method:

  1. Mix almond oil and essential oil drops in a mason jar or glass bottle and shake to combine. 

  2. Once the ingredients have been mixed well, store your DIY lubricant in a cool, dark place like your pantry or refrigerator.

Look: 

Sweet almond oil has a sweet, nutty aroma. If you like the smell and taste, use almond oil without adding essential oils.

3. Corn Starch

Cornstarch, or corn flour, is a carbohydrate extracted from corn. This white powdery substance is most frequently used as a thickening agent in the kitchen. 

But that's not all cornstarch can do. 

Cornstarch can also be a cost-effective remedy for skin irritation, sunburn, and skin itchiness. 

Thanks to its Vitamin A, B1, and B2 content, cornstarch can help stimulate the regeneration of healthy skin cells and maintain healthy skin functioning.

So, by using cornstarch lube, you can offer yourself and your partner natural lubrication during penetrative sex. It’ll shield you from frictional injuries and ensure a pleasurable experience.

Additionally, because homemade cornstarch lube is water based, it’s safe to use with latex condoms and silicone sex toys. 

DIY Lube Recipe with Corn Starch

Here’s a simple condom-friendly, water based lube: 

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup of water
  • 4 teaspoons cornstarch

Method:

  1. Grab a saucepan, and mix the cornstarch with water till it dissolves.

  2. Slowly bring the mixture to a boil on low to medium heat.

  3. Stir frequently for about 30 seconds. Be careful about the consistency - see that it's not too thick. Store in a glass bottle.

That’s it. Your sex lube is ready!

Hot Tip: 

If you don’t have cornstarch in your pantry, you can opt for arrowroot powder to help with the consistency. 

4. Flax Seed

Flaxseed is a versatile ingredient loaded with nutrients. It’s also one of the world’s oldest crops. 

But what about using flax seeds as a personal lubricant? 

This nutritious food can act as a herbal cure for vaginal dryness. It’s rich in phytoestrogens and omega-3 fatty acids, increasing estrogen levels and promoting natural lubrication. 

DIY Lube Recipe with Flax Seed

Love a water based lubricant? 

Try this homemade lube recipe: 

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup flax seeds
  • 3 cups filtered water

Method:

  1. Add the flax seed to the boiling water and cook for ten minutes or until the flaxseeds are soft.

  2. Then, drain the water and discard the flaxseeds.

  3. Allow the mixture to cool before use.

The best part

This natural lubricant is condom safe, and you can refrigerate it for up to two weeks.

5. Aloe Vera

The Aloe vera plant is medicinal and has moisturizing, soothing, and cooling properties.

Often listed as an ingredient in many store-bought lubricants, aloe vera in gel form is a versatile ingredient. It can be used as a gentle lube for vagina and anal sex and as a natural treatment for vaginal dryness.

Even better?

Aloe is water based; therefore, aloe vera gel is compatible with all condoms - including latex and polyurethane condoms. It also plays well with all adult sex toys.

Just remember to buy pure, organic aloe vera gel from a reputed brand. It should be alcohol and paraben free. Alternatively, you can harvest a home-grown aloe plant for its gel.

DIY Lube Recipe with Aloe Vera 

This hybrid lube recipe uses a water based lube (aloe vera) and a plant-based oil (flax seed oil). 

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup aloe vera gel
  • 1/4 cup flax seed oil
  • 4 drops peppermint essential oil

Method:

  1. Mix the ingredients in a bowl. 

  2. Use the concoction as soon as possible.

Note:

This natural lube smells good, thanks to the peppermint oil.

6. Nagaimo

Nagaimo, or Chinese yam, is an exotic ingredient that may not feature in your pantry. But it could add some excitement to your homemade lube experiment. That is if you’re feeling adventurous!

Before cooking, remove the skin from the Nagaimo using gloves, as it can cause skin irritation. 

When cooked, cut, or grated, Nagaimo gets a super slippery, slimy texture, which provides excellent lubrication.

DIY Lube Recipe with Nagaimo

If you’re looking for a DIY lube recipe that you can experiment with, this one’s for you:

Ingredients:

  • Chinese yam
  • Coconut oil or almond oil (carrier oil) 
  • Lemon seed essential oil (or any other citrus essential oil) 

Method:

  1. Cut, cook or grate the Nagaimo. 

  2. Then, melt the coconut oil to liquid form and combine it with the Nagaimo.

  3. Finally, add a few drops of the essential oil and use it immediately. 

Hot Tip:

This recipe must be mixed with a carrier oil to make a usable concoction. You can experiment with your ratios for this recipe — but skip the oil if you’re using a condom. 

7. Olive Oil

Olive oil is a favorite in any kitchen. Experts consider this a “healthy fat” because it contains monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs). 

Like any other natural oil, this healthy oil adds moisture and reduces friction, making it an excellent natural lubricant! 

Opt for extra virgin olive oil, which generally doesn’t contain questionable chemicals or other ingredients.

Unfortunately, your skin will not absorb olive oil, so wash it off right after intercourse. 

Another limitation: 

You should also avoid a latex condom when you apply olive oil as a lube. 

DIY Lube Recipe with Olive Oil

Want a super simple DIY lube recipe? 

It doesn’t get much easier with this olive oil lube recipe. 

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • A few drops of essential oil 

Method:

  1. Combine extra virgin olive oil and essential oil drops in a glass bottle or mason jar and shake the mixture. 

  2. Once mixed well, store your homemade lube in a cool, dark place like your pantry.

8. Avocado Oil

If you thought the Avocado cappuccino phase was exciting, wait until you use avocado oil in the bedroom! 

It is smooth and lasts longer than you expect. Also, avocado oil has no taste or smell, making it handy for oral playtime

If you’re prone to yeast infections or bacterial vaginosis, using avocado oil as a lubricant may increase the risk of developing these conditions.

Another limitation: 

It’s less effective than sweet almond and coconut oils but will work when needed.

DIY Lube Recipe with Avocado Oil

Here’s an avocado oil based lubricant recipe that’ll keep you going!

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup avocado oil
  • 5 drops of your favorite essential oil 

Method:

  1. Add both the avocado and essential oil to a glass jar and shake well. 

  2. Once properly combined, store it in your pantry, away from direct sunlight.

9. Shea Butter

This option needs some work to make it safe to use as a homemade lube. 

Shea butter is in the same category as wax, so it will coat the surface of the vagina. This coating will stop it from breathing and performing properly. 

But if times are desperate, and shea butter is all you have, here’s a trick to properly use it as a lube: 

You must make sure it melts completely

You can melt the shea butter by using the heat of your hands. Rub it between your palms before placing it on a sex toy or a penis. 

Shea butter has a thick consistency and lasts longer, so you can use it as a natural anal lube. 

Another limitation: 

Shea butter is a type of oil that will degrade condoms made from latex or polyisoprene, putting you at risk of sexually transmitted infections or unwanted pregnancy. 

Look: 

We haven’t mentioned any recipes for weed lube or cannabis lube, as it is very risky to make homemade weed lube. 

Read more: Try these 15 Edible Massage Oils for an intimate playtime with your partner!

Household Ingredients to Avoid for DIY Lube

Many household products may seem like great lube alternatives but are harmful to your vagina and anus health.

Here's the uncensored list of items to avoid when using homemade lube:

  • Baby Oil (or anything with mineral oil): Using baby oil as a lube can increase your chances of getting bacterial vaginosis.
  • Petroleum Jelly (like Vaseline): Unsafe with condoms, petroleum jelly can cause vaginal infection and bacterial vaginosis.
  • Glycerin: Using Glycerin may increase the transmission of genital herpes.
  • Refined Cooking Oil (vegetable oil): Cooking oils like sunflower oil and vegetable oil are treated with chemicals, which can cause a buildup in the vagina, increasing the risk of yeast-related infection.
  • Chocolate, Shortening, and Cream: Applying anything that has sugar or dairy to your vagina can cause yeast infections.
  • Honey: As delicious as it sounds, the sugar content found in honey will create the perfect environment for many bacteria to thrive. 
  • Egg Whites: Using unrefrigerated egg whites can carry salmonella, which could lead to genital salmonella infection.
  • Lotion or Soap: Some lotions and soaps contain parabens and propylene glycols (preservatives and perfume). These can cause swelling and general irritation in your genitals.
  • Sugar: Anything that contains sugar will cause a yeast infection. This means peanut butter and Nutella are definitely off the list for a fun time in the bedroom.
  • Vitamin E Cream: Some time ago, Khloe Kardashian claimed that she uses Vitamin E cream to “strengthen the tissue” of her vagina. Experts have since then confirmed that this is not true!

  • Spit: While this natural lubrication may seem harmless, saliva can spread gonorrhea.

Note: 

You may find cocoa butter listed in many store-bought lubricants. This is safe. Cocoa butter used in lubricants is fat from cocoa beans and is not the same as cooking butter or lard.

Read more: Not sure how to take things to the next level? Here are 9 Steamy Ways To Arouse Your Lover.

What Is the Best Natural Lubricant?

A personal lubricant that uses safe, organic, and natural ingredients perfectly enhances your erotic pleasures.

What’s even better is if the lube has been tested for compatibility with condoms and adult toys and will not give you a yeast infection.

Here’s the deal: 

Body-safe lubes are free of irritants like parabens, glycerin (usually found in flavored lubes), yeast, and isopropyl alcohol.

Read more: If you want some body-safe natural personal lubricants, check out The 15 Best Natural Lubricants for 2023.

You could also opt for one of Coconu’s sensational personal lubricants.

Just take a look at two of Coconu’s best lubricants:

  • The Coconu Water Based Personal Lubricant: This Water Based Personal Lube is the gift that’ll keep you going all night long!  

It’s an all natural lube made with organic coconut water that’s entirely edible (perfect for oral sex!) and cruelty-free. 

Best of all?

Coconu’s water based lubricant is compatible with condoms and sex toys. 

It’s also free from alcohol, paraben, petroleum, glycerin, dyes, and other harmful chemicals. Plus, it’s pH balanced (a value of 5.0) to preserve your vaginal and sexual health. 

  • The Coconu Oil Based Personal Lubricant: This Oil Based Personal Lube is a natural lubricant that nourishes dry and sensitive skin.

It’s made using a USDA-certified organic formula featuring coconut oil. It’s also hypoallergenic and free from GMOs and other harmful ingredients.

It works perfectly as a vaginal and anal lube and doubles as a luxurious massage oil. 

And don’t worry about making a mess — this lube doesn’t stain sheets or clothing, unlike other oil based lubricants.

Spice up Your Sex Life With Natural Lubricant 

Pairing sex with lube is always a good idea. Less friction and a lot of pleasure — what more could you ask for? 

And, while reaching for a homemade lube during times of desperation can work, it’s always better to opt for a store-bought lube. These are tested for safety and are made from certified natural and organic ingredients.

So why not try a sex lube with natural ingredients that are petroleum-free, paraben-free, and chemical-free?

Say no more!

Check out the Coconu Oil-Based Make a Date Bundle and take your sex life to new heights! It has a full-size oil based lubricant, three single-packet on-the-go lubes, and a few other spoils!