If you're experiencing vaginal dryness, whether from menopause, breastfeeding, medication, painful sex, or simply wanting more comfort during intimacy, you're in the right place.
Dryness is one of the most common concerns we hear about, yet one of the least talked about. The right lubricant can make an enormous difference to everyday comfort, intimacy, and quality of life. The challenge is knowing where to start, especially when many mainstream lubricants contain ingredients that can irritate sensitive tissue or disrupt vaginal health.
This guide draws on pelvic health physiotherapy practice to walk you through every type of lubricant, explain which products suit which situations, and help you make a confident choice for your body and your life stage.
What is a personal lubricant, and do I need one?
A personal lubricant reduces friction and increases comfort during intimacy, pelvic floor therapy, or everyday vaginal care. The vagina naturally produces its own lubrication, but how much varies between individuals and changes with hormones, stress, medications, hydration, and where you are in your cycle or life stage. Needing lubricant is not a sign that something is wrong. It's a common experience with a practical solution.
Before we get into types, it's worth knowing the difference between a lubricant and a vaginal moisturiser, because they work differently. A lubricant is used in the moment — applied before or during intimacy or pelvic therapy to reduce friction. A vaginal moisturiser is used regularly, usually 3 to 5 times per week, to restore and maintain moisture in vaginal tissue over time. Healthdirect Australia recommends vaginal moisturisers for ongoing dryness and water-based lubricants for sex specifically. Many women use both, and for those going through menopause or postpartum recovery, combining them tends to give the best results. You'll find both types in our lubricants and vaginal moisturisers collection.
The different types of lubricants
1. Water-based lubricants
Water-based lubricants are the most versatile and widely recommended starting point. They feel natural and lightweight, closely mimicking the body's own lubrication. Safe with all condom types and silicone toys, compatible with vaginal dilators and pelvic wands, easy to clean, and gentle on sensitive skin. They may need reapplication during longer sessions and rinse away quickly in the shower.
Best for: Everyday intimacy, dilator therapy, pelvic wand use, sensitive skin, anyone using latex condoms or silicone toys. If you're unsure where to begin, water-based is almost always the right first choice.
Our picks: YES WB Water-Based Lubricant — certified organic, pH-balanced, glycerin-free | Sliquid H2O — clean, simple, glycerin and paraben free | Sliquid Sassy — ultra-thick, popular for dilator therapy | Sliquid Satin — moisturising formula for daily comfort and intimacy
Not sure whether water-based or silicone is right for you? We've compared both in our silicone vs water-based lube guide.
2. Silicone-based lubricants
Silicone lubricants are ultra-smooth, long-lasting, and waterproof. They don't absorb into the skin so you don't need to reapply. Safe with latex condoms and excellent for significant vaginal dryness. Not compatible with silicone sex toys or silicone vaginal dilators, and require soap to remove fully.
Best for: Shower or bath intimacy, longer sessions, significant menopausal dryness.
Our picks: Uberlube 55ml | Uberlube Luxury 112ml
For a detailed comparison see our silicone vs water-based guide.
3. Oil-based lubricants
Oil-based lubricants are long-lasting and nourishing, making them useful not only for intimacy but for daily vaginal moisturising as well. They condition vaginal tissue rather than just coating the surface. Not safe with latex or polyisoprene condoms, and not suitable with silicone toys or dilators.
Best for: Daily vaginal moisturising, menopause and perimenopause, postpartum dryness, intimate use where condoms are not required.
Our picks: Olive & Bee Intimate Cream — just olive oil and beeswax, Australian-made, physiotherapist-developed | YES OB Oil-Based Lubricant — certified organic | YES COCO Oil Applicators — properly formulated coconut-based lubricant for intimate use
Want to know more about Olive & Bee? Read our full Olive & Bee guide.
4. Aloe-based and hybrid lubricants
Aloe-based lubricants use aloe vera as their base rather than water alone. Aloe is naturally soothing, making these options particularly good for women with sensitive or irritated tissue. Hybrid lubricants combine water and silicone ingredients to give you the easy cleanup of a water-based product with the longer-lasting glide of silicone.
Our picks: Sliquid Organics Natural — certified organic aloe-based | Sliquid Organics Natural Gel — thicker aloe formula, popular for dilator use | Sliquid Naturals Silk — water and silicone hybrid | Sliquid Organics Silk — organic aloe and silicone hybrid
Choosing the right lubricant for your situation
For menopause and perimenopause
Falling oestrogen levels cause the vaginal lining to thin and produce less natural lubrication. According to Healthdirect Australia, vaginal dryness affects more than 1 in 2 women after menopause. The Australasian Menopause Society estimates symptoms affect between 40% and 90% of menopausal women, yet most don't mention it to their doctor. For intimacy, silicone lubricants like Uberlube provide long-lasting coverage. For daily comfort, oil-based options like Olive & Bee or YES OB work well used regularly throughout the week. For persistent symptoms, speak with your GP about vaginal oestrogen therapy.
Recommended: Olive & Bee, YES OB, YES VM, Uberlube | Shop menopause collection | Full menopause lubricant guide
For postpartum and breastfeeding
A study of 832 postpartum women found that 43% reported vaginal dryness at six months, with breastfeeding doubling the risk. Prolactin (the hormone responsible for milk production) suppresses oestrogen, and low oestrogen means less vaginal lubrication, often for the entire nursing period. This has nothing to do with arousal or desire. It's hormonal and resolves once feeding reduces or stops.
Recommended: YES WB, Sliquid Organics Natural, Olive & Bee, YES VM | Full postpartum lubricant guide
For vaginismus and dilator therapy
If you're using vaginal dilators as part of pelvic floor therapy, lubricant is not optional. Water-based lubricant is the recommended type for silicone dilators — silicone lubricant should never be used with silicone dilators as it can degrade the device surface. Apply to both the vaginal entrance and the tip of the dilator before insertion.
Recommended: YES WB, Sliquid H2O, Sliquid Organics Natural Gel | Full dilator lubricant guide
For sensitive skin
If commercial lubricants have irritated you before, the cause is almost certainly an ingredient rather than lubricant in general. Avoid glycerin, parabens, chlorhexidine, fragrances, and warming or tingling agents.
Recommended: Sliquid Organics Natural, YES WB, Olive & Bee
After cancer treatment
Hormone therapies for breast and gynaecological cancers often cause vaginal dryness more pronounced than natural menopause. Using both a regular vaginal moisturiser and a lubricant for intimacy is commonly recommended. Always check with your oncology or gynaecology team before introducing new products.
Recommended: YES VM Vaginal Moisturiser, YES WB, Olive & Bee
When trying to conceive
Many standard lubricants can affect sperm motility. If you have fertility concerns, look for a product specifically labelled fertility-friendly with a pH between 7.2 and 8.5, or ask your GP or fertility specialist for a recommendation.
Lubricant ingredients to avoid
Glycerin (glycerol): The WHO advises glycerol content should not exceed 9.9% by weight. Higher concentrations can damage vaginal epithelial cells and trigger thrush in susceptible women.
Parabens: Synthetic preservatives (methylparaben, propylparaben) that research has shown can inhibit beneficial vaginal Lactobacillus bacteria.
Chlorhexidine gluconate: Kills beneficial vaginal bacteria. Worth specifically checking for as it appears in some seemingly reputable products including standard K-Y Jelly.
Petroleum-based ingredients: Not designed for vaginal use; associated with higher rates of bacterial vaginosis; not compatible with latex condoms.
Fragrances and flavourings: Common irritants including warming, tingling, and cooling agents.
High osmolality: Pulls water out of vaginal cells and damages the epithelial barrier. The WHO recommends osmolality below 1,200 mOsm/kg. Avoiding glycols is the most practical way to stay within safe ranges.
Every lubricant in the Blossom collection is free from these ingredients. Read our full ingredients guide.
Is it normal to need lubricant even when aroused?
Completely normal. Natural lubrication varies significantly between individuals and is influenced by hormones, cycle phase, medications, stress, and age. Needing lubricant reflects your hormonal state, not your level of arousal.
Shop our lubricant range
Every product in our collection is chosen for ingredient quality, clinical appropriateness, and suitability for sensitive tissue. No parabens, no glycerin, no synthetic fragrances.
Shop all lubricants and vaginal moisturisers
Menopause | Painful sex | Vaginal dilators | Postpartum recovery
If persistent dryness, pain during sex, or pelvic floor concerns aren't resolving with lubricant alone, speaking with a pelvic health physiotherapist is a worthwhile next step. These are common, treatable conditions.
