Anal sex needs lubricant in a way vaginal sex does not. The rectum produces none of its own — there is no self-lubrication mechanism at all. Everything about this shelf follows from that single fact.
What makes a lubricant "anal"
Two things, and neither is magic.
Thickness. A thicker gel cushions, stays where it is put, and does not run. That is most of the difference between an anal formula and a standard one. The Fistan Lubrifist and the ID Backslide are both built this way.
Longevity. Reapplying mid-act is disruptive, so anal formulas are made to last. That is why so much of this shelf is silicone-based — silicone does not evaporate.
Choosing a base
Silicone lasts longest and is the usual recommendation for anal. pjur Original and Eros Anal Glide are the standards. 🚫 Never with a silicone toy — it bonds to the surface and ruins it permanently.
Water-based is safe with every toy material. It needs reapplying more often, so use a thick one: pjur Back Door contains panthenol, and the moisturising version is the larger bottle.
Hybrid splits the difference. ID Silk lasts longer than water-based and washes off more easily than silicone.
🚫 A warning about numbing products
Some anal lubricants contain a mild anaesthetic — usually lidocaine or benzocaine. We would advise against them.
Pain during anal sex is information. It tells you to slow down, use more lubricant, or stop. Numbing removes that signal without removing the cause, and tearing you cannot feel is exactly the injury people end up in A&E with.
If discomfort is the problem, the answer is more preparation and more lubricant, not less sensation. Relaxing sprays that work by relaxing muscle rather than blocking nerves are a different proposition.
How much is enough
More than you think, and then some more. The usual guidance is to apply generously to both the toy or penis and the opening, and to reapply before you think you need to rather than after.
Single-dose applicators like the Black Hole applier place the lubricant internally rather than only at the entrance, which is genuinely more effective. Single-dose packs do the same job.
Sizes
30–50 ml is a trial. 100–250 ml is the practical bottle. The 1-litre pjur is by far the cheapest per use if you already know it suits you.
Related: plugs, anal showers, and the whole lubricants shelf.
Can I use a normal lubricant for anal?
Yes, but you will use more of it and reapply more often. A thicker formula is more comfortable.
Is oil or petroleum jelly ever acceptable?
No. Oil degrades latex condoms and is very difficult to wash out of the rectum.
How do I know I have used enough?
If there is any drag or friction, there is not enough. It should feel effortless.
Does anal lubricant expire?
Yes — check the date. Silicone keeps longest; water-based formulations have preservatives that eventually fail.
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