For adults 18+ · Discreet packaging · Honest reviews — even when the best pick isn't ours
Best-of · Menopause & women's health

Best lubricants for menopause & vaginal dryness (UK, 2026)

We tested popular options for comfort, body-safety and ingredients — judged on the same criteria, whether they're ours or not. Here's what eased dryness best.

Medically reviewed By [Author name] · Reviewed by Dr [Name], GP Updated June 2026 How we test ↓
Affiliate disclosure. We may earn a commission if you buy through some links here, at no extra cost to you. It never affects our scores — we rate our own products by the same criteria as everyone else's. Links that earn us a commission are marked AD. Learn more

How we tested

Every product is scored against the same five criteria, with hands-on use over at least two weeks. We don't score on price alone, and we apply identical standards to Wellnesty products and rivals.

Base type (water / silicone / oil) Body-safe (no glycerin / irritants) pH & osmolality friendly Comfort & longevity Value for money

Full methodology on our how we test page. Scores below are illustrative placeholders for this template — replace with your real tested products.

At a glance

Five options, same yardstick. Scroll for the full comparison.

ProductOur scoreBaseBody-safeBest forPriceWhere
AquaCalm pH-BalancedIndependent pick 4.7WaterYesSensitive tissue£14Check price
Wellnesty Comfort GlideOur pick 4.5WaterYesBest value£11Buy direct
SilkGlide Silicone 4.4SiliconeYesLongevity£16Check price
PureAloe Natural 4.1Water/aloeYesVery sensitive£13Check price
EverSmooth Hybrid 3.9HybridMostlyRunner-up£12Check price

The picks in detail

★ Best overall
Independent pick

AquaCalm pH-Balanced

Water-based · £14 · 100ml
★★★★★4.7 / 5
  • Closest pH and osmolality to body-safe ranges in our set
  • Slick, long-lasting comfort without stickiness
  • Pricier than our own option
  • Smaller bottle
Honest verdict: for pure comfort on sensitive, menopausal tissue, this rival edged out our own glide — and we'd rather tell you that than bury it. If budget is tight, our pick below is close behind.
Check price (AD) How we scored this
★ Best value
Our pick

Wellnesty Comfort Glide

Water-based · £11 · 150ml
★★★★★4.5 / 5
  • Best comfort-per-pound in the test
  • Glycerin-free, fragrance-free, bigger bottle
  • Needs reapplying sooner than silicone
  • Just shy of the top pick on longevity
Honest verdict: the one we'd buy on a budget. We held it to the same scoring as everyone else — it earns its place, but doesn't get a free pass for being ours.
Buy direct How we scored this
★ Best for longevity

SilkGlide Silicone

Silicone-based · £16 · 100ml
★★★★☆4.4 / 5
  • Lasts longest — little reapplication
  • Excellent for dryness during longer sessions
  • Not for use with silicone toys
  • Harder to wash off
Honest verdict: the comfort champion if reapplying is your main frustration — just mind the silicone-toy caveat.
Check price (AD) How we scored this
A note on comfort vs treatment. Lubricants ease friction and can make dryness more comfortable — they don't treat the cause. If dryness is persistent or affecting your life, your GP can discuss options such as vaginal oestrogen. See our guide on vaginal dryness in menopause.

FAQ

What's the difference between a lubricant and a vaginal moisturiser?

A lubricant is used at the time of sex to reduce friction; a moisturiser is used regularly to keep tissues comfortable day to day. Many people use both — see our moisturisers vs lubricants guide.

Water, silicone or oil — which is best for menopause?

Water-based suits most people and is toy- and condom-friendly; silicone lasts longest but isn't for silicone toys; oil-based can affect condoms. For sensitive, menopausal tissue, a body-safe water-based option is a good starting point.

What should I avoid in a lubricant?

Many people find glycerin, fragrance and warming agents irritating, especially with menopausal dryness. We favour fragrance-free, glycerin-free, body-safe formulations with friendly pH and osmolality.

Will a lubricant fix vaginal dryness?

It eases comfort but doesn't treat the underlying cause. For persistent dryness, speak to your GP about options such as vaginal oestrogen.

Related reading

Guide

Vaginal dryness in menopause: what helps

 Buying guide

How to choose a lubricant in menopause

 Best-of

Best vaginal moisturisers UK