Is Numbing Lube Safe For Anal Sex? What Is The Alternative?

Are you looking for a numbing lube?

When indulging in anal play, reaching for a numbing lube seems like a good bet. A lube that desensitizes the anus can potentially ease the discomfort and pain associated with anal sex.

However, is it safe for your sensitive anal region?

Is a numbing anal lube safe for your partner?

And is there a better alternative?

In this post, I’ll give you all the answers.

Here's What I'll Cover:

• What Is Numbing Lube?
• Top 20 Numbing Lubes
• Why You May Need A Numbing Lube?
• Tips On Buying Numbing Lube
• What Are The Disadvantages Of Numbing Lubes?
• Should You Use A Numbing Lube?
• What’s Your Lube For Anal Sex?

What Is Numbing Lube?

Numbing lube is a water based lubricant that uses mild topical anesthetics to desensitize the region where it is applied.

The most common desensitizers used in the numbing lubricant are benzocaine or lidocaine. When these special additives get absorbed in the skin, it numbs the anus’ entrance to decrease sensitivity and allow pain-free anal penetration.

Lidocaine and benzocaine work almost like a local anesthetic - something your dentist also uses when you go for a root canal.

Some common numbing lubes available in the market include Power Glide’s Anal Numbing Personal Lubricant and LUBRICAINE® For Couples - Anal Desensitizer And Lubricant.

Since most numbing lubes are water based lube, you can use them with a condom and any sex toy or anal toy, including the silicone toy or butt plug.

What are the other types of lubricants?

Apart from water based lube, there is silicone lubricant, oil based lubricant, hybrid lubricant, and even flavored lube that can also be used as an anal lubricant.

So, don’t rush off to buy an anal numbing lube just yet!

A numbing lubricant is not a magical pill.

While the numbing effect of the numbing lubricant may reduce pain, to a certain degree, it will not bestow you with extraordinary powers to have great anal sex.

Sex is mostly about communication. If you really want to explore new erotic possibilities with your partner, you need to talk and understand each other. You need to discuss and plan what else can be done to make anal intercourse a success for both players.

However, there may be times when you need a numbing lube. (I’ll talk about that in a bit.)

First, let’s take a look at the top 20 numbing lubes on the market. (Not all of them have a numbing agent, but they are all great for anal play.) 

Top 20 Numbing Lubes to Try in 2023

1. Pjur Back Door Silicone Lube

Made with high-grade silicone to provide an extra glide, this lube also contains jojoba - that relaxes anal muscles. With no lidocaine or benzocaine, it is safe for daily use. 

Price: $19.58 for 3.4 fl oz

2. Master Series Ass Relax Desensitizing Lubricant

This lube’s active ingredient is lidocaine, which helps ease the potential discomfort of anal play. Glides on smoothly and creates a slight numbing effect.

Price: $14.95 for 4.25 fl oz

3. Master Series Desensitizing Invade Deep Fisting Cream

If you are looking to expand your horizons, this water-silicon-oil-based cream will help you gently numb the anus for painless playtime. Perfect for bigger anal toys or rough play sessions. 

Price: $34.99 for 8 fl Oz

4. Passion Lubes Maximum Strength Anal Desensitizing Lube

This water based lube is odorless and easy to clean up. Its extra-strength formula is fast-acting and has a long-lasting numb effect which helps increase your comfort level. 

Price: $30.00 for 8.25 fl oz

5. Power Glide: Anal Numbing Personal Lubricant

Formulated with 3.5% lidocaine, this lube helps make anal play more comfortable. Its numbing formula aims to provide temporary pain relief. This lube does not contain Dehydroacetic Acid or Benzyl Alcohol.

Price: $23.99 for 4 fl oz

6. Golden Girl Anal Jelly  

This oil based lube has unique desentizing ingredients that will make entry a bit easier. It offers a long-lasting, moist slickness for uninterrupted anal play. 

Price: $8.99 for 2 oz

7. Boy Butter Comfort Cream

This anal numbing cream is made with 5% Benzocaine.  Experience comfortable penetration with this creamy, non-sticky lube. Propylene Glycol lets this lube last longer and washes easily using just water. 

Price: $39.00 for 6 fl oz

8. Fifty Shades Of Grey at Ease Anal Lubricant

This water based lube is thick enough for anal play but not sticky at all. It is safe to use with latex condoms and silicone toys. Plus, it is approved by EL James, the author of Fifty Shades of Grey.

Price: $16.00 for 3.4 fl oz

9. Gun Oil Silicone Based Personal Lubricant

This high-quality lube is formulated with Vitamin E and Aloe Vera, which protects the skin and promotes natural healing. Great for beginners who want to experiment with anal playtime.

Price: $19.99 for 2 fl oz

10. Elbow Grease H2o Thick Gel Regular 

This water based lube doesn't dry out as quickly as other water based lubes. Its thick consistency provides an additional buffer against friction and makes it perfect for anal play.

Price: $29.99 for 16 fl oz

11. FAV Water-Based Lubricant

This lube is suitable for sensitive skin. It is designed to complement the body’s natural lubrication. Its long-lasting formula will enhance your pleasure of your most intimate experiences.

Price: $18.75 for 33.5 fl oz

12. ID Backslide

This lube was created using a superior thick silicone based formula. The thick, soft texture allows for easy penetration while not desensitizing your partner completely. A small amount goes a long way.

Price: $12.25 for 2.2 fl oz

13. Jo® Premium Anal

This silicon based personal lubricant is designed to moisturize and enhance intimate play. The buttery body offers a long-lasting glide and is ideal for adventurous play. No desensitizers that delay pleasure in this lube.

Price: $19.43 for 4 fl oz

14. Lovehoney Discover Water Based Anal Lube

This water based anal lube has a long-lasting formula for extra glide during anal play. It is compatible with condoms and sex toys, and it doesn’t stain fabric. 

Price: $12.99 for 3.4 fl oz

15. Please Gel Lubricant

This thicker based lube cuts down on the friction without taking away any pleasure or sensation. Please Gel provides glycerin-free, paraben-free lubrication during your amorous activities.

Price: $20.00 for 8 fl oz

16. Sliquid Sassy Water-Based Anal Lubricant

This lube is compatible with all sex toy materials and can be used anywhere on the body. With an extra thick texture, this lube is ideal for long-lasting, slippery anal fun. Sliquid also has an Organics Hybrid range for anal playtime.

Price: $16.99 for 4.2 fl oz

17. Swiss Navy Premium Anal Lubricant

This silicone based lube uses the highest grade of silicone available and contains Clove leaf oil. It has a silky, velvety texture that complements the body’s natural lubrication and enhances all experiences. 

Price: $22.32 for 8 fl oz

18. Überlube Luxury Lubricant

This silicone based lube has Vitamin E which leaves a soft, moisturized feel that melts across the skin. Perfect for sexual activity in the water while leaving no traces of scent and being completely flavorless.

Price: $28.00 for 3.3 fl oz

19. Wicked Sensual - Jelle

This water based lube is extra thick, never sticky, and long-lasting.  It provides extra cushion and is enhanced with Olive Leaf extract. To ensure safety, pleasure and sensation, Wicked Sensual never uses desensitizers.

Price: $16.99 for 4 fl oz

20. Woo More Play - Coconut Love Oil

This non-toxic lube, made from natural oils and ingredients, lasts a long time, and is a perfect addition for sex toys. This natural product has a mildly sweet taste and a slight vanilla smell.

Price: $25.00 for 3.3 fl oz

Why You May Need A Numbing Lube?

Anal play needs a lot of lubrication.

Why is that?

Simple: Lubrication allows for easy penetration during intercourse by reducing friction and irritation.

However, unlike a healthy vagina, the anus does not self lubricate when aroused.

The anal region has sensitive skin, similar to the vagina. Moreover, the tissue inside the anus is thinner and more likely to tear or bleed during penetration.

Hence, the need to keep a good tube of lube (store-bought or homemade) handy when engaging in anal massage or fisting (especially if this is your first time with anal play.)

Numbing lube is a good option if you want to quickly ease into anal play as the gel starts to work within 10-15 minutes of application. 

You can also use desensitizer condoms or a desensitizing spray to numb the anus.

But remember:

If you want your sexual encounter with this highly erogenous area to be more stimulating, pleasurable, and deeply satisfying, there are better options than numbing lubes.

Tips On Buying Numbing Lube

Ready to buy your lube?

Here’s what you need to look out for:

1. What type of lube do you want: If you do not plan to use toys or protection, you can use an oil based, silicone based, or hybrid lubricant. These are more long-lasting and effective. If you want to use toys or protection, then water based anal lubes are your best option.

2. Flavored or scented lubes: Some lubes will have a flavor or fragrance added to them. If you have sensitive skin, you should opt for a flavorless and odorless lube. 

3. Allergies or skin sensitivity: Go through the ingredients twice to make sure none of them would disrupt your vaginal ph or cause any allergic reaction. Make sure you know about your partner’s allergies before applying lube anywhere. 

What Are The Disadvantages Of Numbing Lubes?

With your anal region numbed, you may not feel any pain or intense sensations until the gel has worn off. 

Since pain is an indicator of potential long term injury, you need to be cautious of hard manual stimulation when using desensitizing lubes.

The lidocaine gel and benzocaine used in numbing lubes may sometimes cause tingling, irritation, itching, or burning sensations.

You should also be careful of numbing lubes with synthetic glycerin or sugar - this can increase the chances of allergies and yeast infections. Glycerin may also increase the possibility of transmission of genital herpes.

Another word of caution:

If you have applied a numbing lube to the anal region and it gets transferred to your partner’s penis or mouth, it can numb those regions as well.

Not a great idea, if oral sex was part of the play!

Should You Use A Numbing Lube?

Short answer: No.

For great anal sex, you need proper lubrication, lots of practice, and communication between partners (yes, dirty talk works wonders!).

Whether indulging in vaginal sex, finger play, anal massage, or a game with an anal toy like the butt plug, the numbing effect of a desensitizing lube is unnecessary.

A flavored lube, on the other hand, could be a game-changer. Even a basic silicone lubricant could take your sex experience up a notch.

There are tons of lubricants in the market that are made of organic and natural ingredients, specifically designed to be safe and reliable for your sensitive anal tissues.

An anal lube can also be a hybrid lube that combines water and silicone bases to make a perfectly thick, smooth, and long-lasting lube. A hybrid lubricant with silicone also works well for fisting.

A hybrid lube is also a multifunctional lubricant - it can be used for vaginal sex as well as to treat vaginal dryness and vaginismus.

The pure silicone lube can also double up as anal lube. But, there are many other choices than just the silicone based lube for anal sex.

If you want some great anal lubricant options, check out my post on The 5 Best Anal Lubes for 2023 (With Features & Pricing).

So, is this the end of the story for the numbing lube?

Not really!

A numbing lube could work well for men suffering from premature ejaculation.

Premature ejaculation is where a man ejaculates too quickly during penetrative sexual intercourse which can be detrimental to his mental and sexual health.

There are several desensitizing condoms and numbing lubricants in the market designed to make your man last longer by slightly desensitizing the penis. These numbing lubes are rubbed on the tip of the penis as well as the shaft.

When the penis is numbed, it blocks the signal sent by the penis to the brain and spinal cord when stimulated. The result is that this signal blocking delays the time taken by a man to reach orgasm.

What’s Your Lube For Anal Sex? 

You already know that a safe and reliable lubricant is a must-have when engaging in erotic pleasures.

It is even better if your lubricant is made from organic and natural ingredients.

A bigger plus?

If it has been tested for compatibility with sex barriers and adult toys, it doesn’t give you vaginal infections and can be used straight from the tube.

Which lube can do it all?

Coconu personal lubricants.

Coconu personal lubricant comes in two varieties - one using coconut water, and the other made from a hydrating coconut oil base.

Both are great alternatives to numbing lubes for anal penetration.

When using a condom and other sex barriers, opt for Coconu coconut water-based lubricant during your anal play.

This hypoallergenic coconut water-based lubricant is vegan and long-lasting - ideal for long steamy sessions!

Its lightweight feel will moisturize the sensitive skin around the anus while stimulating you during your most intimate moments. It works well for vaginal dryness too!

Since this lubricant is made with coconut water, you don’t have to worry about stains on your best sheets or any sticky residue in your anal or vaginal area.

If you are looking for an anal lubricant that can double up as the perfect massage oil, go for Coconu coconut oil-based lube.

The oil based lubricant formula is USDA-certified organic and made with fully edible and natural ingredients like coconut oil and cocoa butter.

Natural ingredients ensure you’ll never face yeast infections or allergic reactions from this oil based lube.

The coconut oil-based formula is designed to protect and moisturize sensitive skin like anal and vaginal tissues. It is also non-greasy, making it a great option for foreplay.

What’s more?

Although it’s not compatible with a latex condom, it does work with polyurethane condoms.

Even better?

Coconu’s lubricants automatically stimulate your body’s natural lubrication, so you get to enjoy anal intercourse or anal masturbation with abandon.

You can even use the Coconu lube with your sex toy and silicone toy. For instance, the silicone vibrator or a dildo can be used as a massager with the Coconu lubes to heighten the sensations. You cannot use silicone lube with a silicone based sex toy.

Both these high-quality natural lubes are 100% natural, hypoallergenic, and 100% edible. They are free from genetically modified organisms, alcohol, petroleum, parabens, gluten, phylates, fragrances, and dyes.

Ready to pursue your wildest anal fantasies in your sex life - worry-free?

Go forth and conquer!