Start with the product’s intended use, then compare its base, texture, ingredients and bottle size. Water-based, silicone, hybrid and oil formulas have different properties. Follow the manufacturer’s directions rather than treating all lubricants as interchangeable.

No. Check the lubricant label and the condom manufacturer’s instructions. Oil-based products should not be used with latex or polyisoprene condoms. Do not assume that a specialty gel or intimacy oil has the same compatibility as a regular lubricant.

Follow the toy manufacturer’s compatibility guidance and the lubricant label. Some materials, including silicone toys, may have specific restrictions. A general collection label does not replace the instructions for your particular toy.

This selection includes products whose catalog information specifically describes anal use. Compare the formula and ingredients, and follow the individual product directions. Specialty and desensitizing products are not the same as a plain lubricant.

No. Choose a flavored product only for the uses stated on its label. Check ingredients and directions, including condom compatibility, instead of assuming that a flavor means a product is suitable for every application.

Not necessarily. Some specialty products are intended only for external application and may not provide the same function or compatibility as an all-purpose lubricant. Read the product’s intended-use instructions before choosing.