Natural Lubricant | Water Based & Oil Based

Choosing a Natural Lubricant

Personal lubricant isn't just for times when natural lubrication feels limited. Many people enjoy the extra glide and reduced friction it provides during intimacy. Preferences can also change over time, particularly with hormonal changes, medications and different life stages, including perimenopause and menopause. Choosing a natural lubricant comes down to finding a texture, formulation and ingredient combination that feels comfortable for you.

Water-Based vs Oil-Based Lubricant

Water-based lubricants generally have a smooth, lightweight texture and rinse away easily with water. They're a popular choice for everyday intimacy, particularly when using latex condoms or intimate toys. As the moisture gradually evaporates, you can refresh the glide with a little more lubricant. YES WB and Sylk are two of our most popular water-based options, each offering a different consistency and ingredient combination.

Oil-based lubricants use botanical oils, butters or waxes to create a richer, more substantial feel. They generally retain their slippery texture for longer and some formulations also double as moisturisers or massage products. Olive & Bee and YES OB are two distinctly different oil-based options worth considering. One important difference is compatibility: oil-based lubricants can weaken latex condoms, making a suitable water-based lubricant the better choice when using latex protection.

YES Organic Lubricants

YES Organic is a British brand specialising in intimate care products made with carefully selected natural and organic ingredients. Its two main lubricant formulations, YES WB and YES OB, offer different textures and experiences.

YES WB Water-Based Lubricant is a smooth, fragrance-free gel containing 96% organic ingredients. Its pH-balanced formulation includes aloe vera and flax extract, creating a lightweight lubricant that spreads easily and rinses away with water. Available in 50ml, 100ml and 150ml sizes, YES WB also comes in a convenient six-pack of 150ml bottles for regular customers.

Prefilled YES WB applicators provide another convenient format for internal application. These contain the same water-based lubricant and are separate from YES VM applicators, which contain the brand's dedicated vaginal moisturiser.

YES OB Oil-Based Lubricant offers a richer, creamier texture. Its botanical formulation combines sunflower seed oil, shea butter, sweet almond oil, beeswax, cocoa butter and vitamin E. The combination of oils, butters and wax creates a longer-lasting lubricating feel and also makes it suitable for personal massage. YES OB contains beeswax, so it isn't vegan, and its oil-based formulation is best suited to situations where latex condoms aren't being used.

Sylk Natural Personal Lubricant

Made in New Zealand, Sylk is a beautifully smooth, water-based lubricant featuring natural kiwifruit vine extract. The extract comes from the vines rather than the fruit and contributes to Sylk's distinctive silky consistency. The formulation is fragrance-free, vegan-friendly and pH-balanced to complement the naturally acidic vaginal environment.

Sylk has a special place in Shop Naturally's history. It was the very first natural personal lubricant we stocked, following a recommendation from a naturopathic doctor who used it exclusively in her clinic. We've been selling Sylk ever since.

Sylk comes in a 40g bottle and has a lightweight, non-greasy feel that rinses away easily with water. For customers who already know and love it, we also offer convenient two-packs and six-packs. They're a great way to keep a favourite lubricant on hand without needing to reorder one bottle at a time.

Olive & Bee Intimate Cream

Australian-made Olive & Bee Intimate Cream takes a completely different approach to natural lubrication, with a wonderfully simple formulation containing just two ingredients: extra virgin olive oil and beeswax.

The product was developed by Adelaide pelvic health physiotherapist Claire Osterstock, who recognised a need for a different kind of intimate lubricant through her work with patients experiencing pelvic pain. Working with a compounding pharmacist, Claire developed and tested 26 formulations before creating the finished Olive & Bee Intimate Cream.

Its rich, smooth texture softens and spreads easily against the warmth of the skin, providing long-lasting glide without the feel of a water-based gel. Although developed primarily as an intimate lubricant, Olive & Bee is a genuine multi-tasker that can also be used for personal massage, moisturising dry skin and softening rough areas such as hands and elbows. The brand also makes a separate, thicker Lip Balm specifically for lip care.

Olive & Bee is available in a handy 6ml mini and the regular 55ml tube, along with several convenient pack combinations. These include a 55ml tube with a 6ml mini, a twin pack of two 55ml tubes, a four-pack containing three 55ml tubes and one mini, and a six-pack of full-size tubes. The mini is a lovely way to experience the distinctive texture, while the larger packs are particularly popular with customers who already use Olive & Bee regularly.

As an oil-based product containing beeswax, Olive & Bee isn't vegan and is best used without latex condoms.

Other Natural Lubricants & Intimate Care Products

Noosa Basics Truly Natural Intimacy Oil offers another approach to oil-based lubrication. Made with coconut, grapeseed, sunflower and hemp seed oils, together with vitamin E, it's a scent-free, vegan and palm-oil-free formulation with a smooth botanical oil texture. It can also be used as a body oil, making it another versatile option for customers who enjoy multi-purpose products.

YES also offers intimate care packs that bring together complementary products from its range, including YES CLEANSE Intimate Wash, YES VM Vaginal Moisturiser and YES WB Water-Based Lubricant. Selected packs also include YES O YES, a separate oil-based arousal product.

These products serve different purposes. A personal lubricant provides additional glide and comfort during intimacy, while a vaginal moisturiser is formulated for ongoing moisture care. Intimate washes are designed for gentle external cleansing. Understanding these differences makes it easier to choose the products that complement your personal care routine.

Finding the Right Natural Lubricant for You

If you prefer something lightweight, silky and easy to rinse away, a water-based lubricant such as YES WB or Sylk is a great place to start. For a richer texture and longer-lasting glide, consider an oil-based formulation such as Olive & Bee or YES OB.

Your preferred ingredients, texture, how you plan to use the lubricant and whether you need condom or toy compatibility can all help narrow the choice. Shop Naturally has been specialising in natural personal lubricants for many years, and we're always happy to help you understand the differences between the products in our range.