Lube, explained: water, silicone or oil
Water, silicone or oil: what each one is good at, what it spoils, and how to choose between them.
Most lube questions come down to three bases: water, silicone and oil. Each one behaves differently, and the right choice depends on what you are using it with and how long you want it to last.
Water-based
Water-based lube is the most common and the easiest to live with. It rinses off with water, it works with every kind of toy and condom, and it is safe to use with nearly anything. Its weakness is that it dries out. Most water-based lubes need reapplying during longer sessions, and some thicken or become sticky as they dry.
Silicone-based
Silicone lube lasts much longer than water-based, and it stays slick in the shower and the bath, where water-based lube washes away. It is the usual choice for long sessions. The trade-off is that it can damage silicone toys, so check the label before you use it on one.
Oil-based
Oil-based lube is rich and long-lasting, and some people prefer how it feels. It is not suitable with latex condoms, because oil breaks the latex down, and it can be hard to clean from fabric and sheets. Keep oil-based lube for use without condoms and toys made of materials that oil does not affect.
Read the label on the toy first, and then the label on the lube.
Choosing
For a first bottle, water-based is the sensible choice: it is forgiving, easy to clean and safe with most things. Once you know what you like, a silicone lube suits longer sessions and shower play, as long as your toys are not silicone. Keep any lube away from sheets and fabric until you know how it behaves on them.