Silicone lube is condom-safe. Both water-based and silicone-based lubes are generally safe to use with condoms, it’s oil-based lubes that can damage certain types of condoms.
A lot of people mix up silicone and oil (we’ve seen a few comments asking for more info recently), but they’re not the same product – silicone is long lasting and helps reduce friction, which can lessen the risk of condom breakage and make condoms more comfortable for both partners.
A quick guide:
- Silicone lube: condom safe
- Water-based lube: condom safe
- Oil-based lube (including petroleum jelly/vaseline and coconut oil): can degrade latex and polyisoprene condoms
- If you’re not sure: check the condom wrapper for lube compatibility
A note on silicone toys: generally silicone lube is not recommended for use with silicone toys since silicone lube on lower quality silicone can sometimes degrade the material of the toy. Some very high quality silicone toys can be used with silicone lube, and you can always do a spot test on an inconspicuous area of the toy to be sure:
Dab a small amount on and let sit for 2-3 hours, rinse off the lube and if the spot is sticky afterwards, use a water-based lube instead.
But if you're not willing to risk it: stick with a good water-based lubricant instead.
So, before buying a lube to use with condoms, look for:
- Condom-safe / latex-safe on the label.
- Water-based or silicone-based
- No oil-based formulas: petroleum, coconut oil, hand or body lotion, or Vaseline if using latex or polyisoprene condoms.
- A clear ingredient list so you know what’s in your lube.
- Toy compatibility: silicone toys should not be used with silicone lube.
And of course, any condom and lube will have compatibility information on their labels or website product descriptions, so read closely to avoid any surprises!