Technically, you can use Vaseline as lube, but it's a poor pick: it's 100% petroleum jelly, labeled "For external use only."[1] It damages latex and polyisoprene condoms.[2] In one study, vaginal use was linked to a higher chance of bacterial vaginosis.[3] A water-based lube or a silicone one is the safer swap, and both work with latex condoms.[4]
Can you use Vaseline as lube?
You can, but it wasn't made for sex. It's white petrolatum sold as a skin protectant, and the FDA hasn't approved petroleum jelly as a vaginal lubricant.[1][5]
Our verdict: keep it for chapped lips. It's hard on condoms, delicate tissue and silicone toys.[6][7][8]
Does Vaseline break condoms?
Yes, if the condom is latex or polyisoprene. The CDC says petroleum jelly, baby oil, lotion and cooking oil will cause condoms to break.[6] Latex-free doesn't mean oil-safe: oils damage polyisoprene too.[2] They may also harm diaphragms and latex dental dams.[9][7]
Polyurethane condoms are the exception. You can generally use oil-based lube with them, but check the package.[4]
About that "90% weaker in 60 seconds" stat: it's real, but it's about mineral oil.[10] In a 1989 lab test, a minute of mineral oil cut latex condoms' burst volume (how much air they hold before popping) by roughly 90%.[10]
The Vaseline product named in the study was Intensive Care lotion, not the jelly, and glycerol (the glycerin in many lubes) didn't significantly weaken condoms.[10] The jelly isn't off the hook, though. The CDC lists it alongside baby oil and lotion.[6]
Suzie's take: "Natural" doesn't mean condom-safe. Coconut oil, butter and vegetable oils damage latex and polyisoprene condoms.[2]
Is Vaseline safe to use inside the vagina?
We wouldn't use Vaseline inside the vagina. In one study of 141 women in Los Angeles, those who'd put petroleum jelly inside in the past month were 2.2 times more likely to test positive for bacterial vaginosis (BV).[3] That's a link, not proof, but it's enough to keep the jar out of the nightstand.[3]
Petroleum jelly can also irritate vaginal tissue and may raise infection risk.[5][7] MedlinePlus says to see a clinician if dryness, soreness, burning, itching or painful sex doesn't go away when you use a water-soluble lube.[9] We'd add unusual discharge or odor.
Can you use Vaseline as anal lube?
We'd skip Vaseline as anal lube, mostly because of condoms. Petroleum jelly can break down latex and polyisoprene condoms.[11] If a condom is your STI protection, that's the deal-breaker. We found no study of its anal infection risk, and the vaginal BV numbers don't carry over.
Your anus doesn't lubricate itself, so lube matters.[12] It makes anal feel better, and it cuts the friction that can cause tears, which can make STIs easier to get.[12][11] Rectal tissue is also more delicate than vaginal tissue.[13]
Use a water-based or silicone anal lube instead.[12][11]
- Pick toys with a base or handle so they can't go too far in, and start small.[12]
- Go slowly, check in with any partner, and stop if anything hurts.[12]
- Skip numbing gels. Pain is your cue to slow down or stop,[12] and lidocaine, a local anesthetic used for numbing, works by stopping nerves from sending pain signals.[14]
See a clinician if pain keeps going after anal sex or you notice bleeding. If you're pregnant, have recently given birth or had pelvic or genital surgery, ask your clinician before anal sex or using anything insertable.
Vaseline vs. coconut oil, baby oil, lotion and spit
Most of the bathroom cabinet fails on condoms.
| Option | Latex or polyisoprene condoms | Silicone toys | Vaginal use | Anal use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vaseline | No[6][2] | Not advised[8] | Linked to BV in one study; can irritate[3][7] | Not with latex condoms[11] |
| Coconut oil | No[2][15] | Not advised[8] | Little research; sources disagree[5][7][15] | Not with latex condoms[11] |
| Baby oil | No[6][2] | Not advised[8] | Can irritate; may raise infection risk[5][7] | Not with latex condoms[12] |
| Lotion | No[6][2] | — | Fragrances can irritate; dries fast[7] | Not with latex condoms[11] |
| Saliva | — | — | Mouth bacteria can lead to infection[7] | Linked to rectal gonorrhea in one study[16] |
| Water-based lube | Yes[4] | Yes, the safest pick[8] | Often least irritating; dries faster[7] | Yes[12] |
| Silicone lube | Yes[4][7] | No[8] | Lasts longer than water-based[7] | Yes[12] |
A dash means no reliable source. The toy column comes from a lube maker, which says oils can make silicone toys swell and soften.[8]
Is coconut oil a good lube?
Not with latex or polyisoprene condoms, ever.[2][15] For vaginal use, research is thin.[15] Planned Parenthood says "we don't know for sure" whether it can cause yeast or other infections.[15]
Cleveland Clinic's doctors split: one is fine with natural oils if no latex is involved, another says don't.[7][5] In the BV study, women who used oils vaginally were more likely to carry Candida yeast (44.4% compared with 5%, before accounting for other factors).[3] If you try it, use plain coconut oil and stop if it irritates.[15]
Can you use baby oil as lube?
No. The baby oil in that 1989 condom test (Johnson's) is almost pure mineral oil.[10] It can also irritate vaginal tissue.[7]
Can you use lotion as lube?
Also no. It's on the CDC's list of condom-breakers, and mineral oil is a common lotion ingredient.[6][10] Lotions also tend to carry fragrances and irritants, and they dry out fast.[7]
Is spit OK as lube?
Not really. Mouth bacteria differ from vaginal bacteria and can lead to an infection.[7] For anal sex, one study of 1,312 men who have sex with men linked using a partner's saliva as lube to rectal gonorrhea.[16]
What to use instead of Vaseline
A water-based lube is the easiest swap. It's often the least irritating, works with any condom and is the safest pick for silicone toys.[4][7][8] It dries faster, though.[7]
- Water-based: where we'd start. Sliquid Organics Natural Gel (4.2oz) is aloe-based, free of glycerin and propylene glycol, silicone-toy friendly, and currently $19.99.
- Silicone: lasts longer, but not for silicone toys.[7][8] Sliquid Naturals Silver Silicone (2oz), $21.99, is 100% waterproof and may stain sheets.
- Hybrid: the middle ground. Sliquid Naturals Silk Hybrid (2oz) blends water and silicone, is safe with some platinum-cured silicone toys (check yours) and costs $13.99. Browse more silicone and hybrid lubes.
- Anal: Sliquid Naturals Sassy Anal H2O (4.2oz) is an ultra-thick water-based gel, glycerin-free, unscented and $16.99.
More in our guide to water-based lubes.
What is glycerin-free lube, and do you need it?
It means no glycerin (glycerol). Glycerin and propylene glycol keep lube from drying out, but they also push up its osmolality, a measure of how many dissolved particles it holds.[13] Too high, and cells can shrink, die and slough off, leaving vaginal or rectal tissue irritated and more open to infection.[13]
Vaginal fluid measures 260-370 mOsm/kg and semen 250-380 mOsm/kg.[13] Most lubes run 2,000-6,000 mOsm/kg, and WHO recommends that agencies buying lube in bulk choose ones under 1,200 mOsm/kg.[13] In one study of 10 people, a high-osmolality gel damaged the rectal lining more than a body-matched one.[17]
Cleveland Clinic's articles disagree: one warns glycerin may lead to a yeast infection, another suggests lubes that contain it.[7][5] We'd call glycerin-free a sensible pick if you're prone to yeast infections or irritation, not a guarantee.
Can lube cause a yeast infection?
Possibly, but the evidence is thin. Glycerin may play a part,[7] and Planned Parenthood warns that sugars and fragrances added to coconut oil could cause yeast or other infections.[15]
Small studies link lube use with BV and STIs, though they can't show the lube caused them.[13][18] If itching, burning or soreness hangs around after switching to a water-soluble lube, see a clinician.[9] Unusual discharge or odor is worth a visit too.
If you're pregnant, using a vaginal or anal medicine, or getting repeat yeast infections or BV, ask your clinician or pharmacist which lubes and condoms suit you. Our vaginal health basics guide has more.
Quick answers
Can I use Vaseline as external lube for masturbation?
Not ideal. It's lower stakes than putting it inside, but it still isn't sold as a lube: its label lists minor cuts, scrapes, burns and chapped skin.[1] The BV link came from vaginal use.[3] Outside, it can irritate delicate tissue,[7] and if a condom joins in, the condom problem applies.[6]
Is Vaseline lotion different from Vaseline jelly?
Yes, and neither is a lube. The jelly is 100% white petrolatum,[1] while the Vaseline Intensive Care Lotion in the 1989 test contained mineral oil and affected condom integrity.[10]
Does lube protect against STIs?
No lubricant has ever been shown to protect against HIV or STIs.[13] Its job is helping condoms stay on and intact, and cutting friction that can cause tears.[4][12]
What lube is safe to use with condoms?
Water-based lube works with every condom material.[4] Silicone lube is fine with latex and polyisoprene condoms; for polyurethane, check the packages.[4][7][13]
So buy lube when you buy condoms, and keep them in the same drawer. Sliquid Naturals Satin H20 (4.2oz) is glycerin-free, latex and silicone-toy friendly, and currently $17.99.
Sources
- VASELINE (HEALING JELLY) JELLY: Drug Facts label, DailyMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine (label submitted by Conopco Inc. d/b/a Unilever)
- Why can’t you use baby oil with a condom? (Ask the Experts, May 1, 2024), Planned Parenthood Federation of America
- Brown JM, et al. Intravaginal practices and risk of bacterial vaginosis and candidiasis infection among a cohort of women in the United States. Obstet Gynecol. 2013;121(4):773-780, Obstetrics & Gynecology (via PubMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine)
- How do you use lube with condoms? (Ask the Experts, April 22, 2024), Planned Parenthood Federation of America
- What Works for Vaginal Dryness, and Is Natural Best?, Cleveland Clinic (Health Essentials, Feb 15, 2022; Swapna Kollikonda, MD)
- How to Use a Condom | Condom Use | CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Lubricant Alternatives: What To Use and What To Avoid, Cleveland Clinic (Health Essentials, March 28, 2023; Talia Crawford, MD)
- What Lubricant to Use for Silicone Toys? | K-Y, K-Y (lubricant manufacturer)
- Vaginal dryness, MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine (A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia, review date 7/3/2025)
- Voeller B, et al. Mineral oil lubricants cause rapid deterioration of latex condoms. Contraception. 1989;39(1):95-102, Contraception (via PubMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine)
- What’s the best way to use protection during anal sex? (Ask the Experts), Planned Parenthood Federation of America
- What's anal sex? What are the risks of it? (Ask the Experts, Jan 31, 2025), Planned Parenthood Federation of America
- Safe lubricants for all: Procurement specifications for lubricants used with male and female condoms (Technical brief, May 2022), UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund), with WHO/UNFPA specifications
- Lidocaine Transdermal Patch: MedlinePlus Drug Information, MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine (drug information page, last revised 09/15/2026)
- Is it safe to use coconut oil as lube? (Ask the Experts, Aug 20, 2024), Planned Parenthood Federation of America
- Chow EPF, et al. Saliva use as a lubricant for anal sex is a risk factor for rectal gonorrhoea among men who have sex with men, a new public health message: a cross-sectional survey. Sex Transm Infect. 2016;92(7):532-536, Sexually Transmitted Infections (BMJ), via PubMed
- Fuchs EJ, et al. Hyperosmolar sexual lubricant causes epithelial damage in the distal colon: potential implication for HIV transmission. J Infect Dis. 2007;195(5):703-10, Journal of Infectious Diseases, via PubMed
- Gorbach PM, et al. The slippery slope: lubricant use and rectal sexually transmitted infections: a newly identified risk. Sex Transm Dis. 2012;39(1):59-64, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, via PubMed
