Quick answer: Water-based lubricant is safe with every sex toy material, silicone, glass, steel, ABS plastic, TPE, everything. Silicone-based lube is safe with glass, steel, and ABS plastic toys, but should not be used with silicone toys (it degrades the surface). Oil-based lube is safe with non-porous toy materials (silicone, glass, steel) but can damage porous materials (TPE, jelly) and is harder to clean from textured surfaces. When in doubt, water-based is always the right answer.
There's one rule about lube and sex toys that most people learn the hard way: silicone lube and silicone toys don't get along. It's not dramatic, no explosions, no melting. Just a slow degradation of the surface that turns your smooth, body-safe vibrator into something tacky and rough. Once it happens, it's irreversible. This guide makes sure it doesn't.
The golden rule: silicone lube + silicone toys = bad
This is the single most important thing in this article. If you take away nothing else, take this: do not use silicone-based lubricant with silicone sex toys.
Silicone lube contains silicone polymers (dimethicone, cyclomethicone) that can chemically interact with the surface of silicone toys. The lube's molecules bond with the toy's surface, causing it to swell, become rough or tacky, and eventually degrade. It's not immediate — you might not notice after one use. But over time, the damage accumulates and it's permanent. No amount of cleaning reverses it. This is also why storing silicone toys touching each other is a bad idea (see our storage guide).
Every VUSH vibrator is made from medical-grade silicone. That means water-based lube is your go-to for any VUSH toy. Full stop.
Lube compatibility by toy material
Medical-grade silicone toys
Use: water-based lube.
Avoid: silicone-based lube, oil-based lube (hard to fully remove from silicone and can trap bacteria in micro-textures).
This covers most quality vibrators, dildos, and plugs on the market, including everything in the VUSH collection. Medical-grade silicone is non-porous and body-safe (more on materials in our materials guide), but its surface chemistry reacts poorly with silicone-based lubricants.
Water-based lube is the only universally safe option here. Apply it to the toy and to yourself for best results.
Stainless steel toys
Use: any lube type, water-based, silicone-based, or oil-based.
Steel is completely non-reactive with all lubricant formulas. It won't absorb anything, won't degrade, and cleans up easily regardless of what you put on it. This is one of the perks of steel toys, zero compatibility concerns.
Silicone-based lube is a popular choice with steel toys because the long-lasting formula pairs well with a material that can handle it. For anal play with steel plugs, silicone-based is an excellent match.
Borosilicate glass toys
Use: any lube type.
Same story as steel. Glass is non-porous, non-reactive, and compatible with every lubricant formula. It's also the smoothest surface of any toy material, which means it needs less lube to begin with, but always use some. Glass without lube can create uncomfortable friction, especially for insertable toys.
ABS plastic toys
Use: water-based or silicone-based.
Avoid: oil-based (some oils can cloud or weaken certain plastics over time).
ABS plastic is the hard plastic used in most vibrator handles and some bullet vibes. It's non-porous and body-safe. Water-based is the safest option; silicone-based is fine too. Oil-based won't cause a dramatic failure, but it's harder to clean off plastic surfaces and some oils can interact with certain plastic formulations over extended contact.
TPE and TPR toys
Use: water-based lube only.
Avoid: silicone-based (can degrade porous surfaces), oil-based (absorbed into pores, nearly impossible to clean out).
TPE and TPR are porous materials, which means they have microscopic holes in the surface. Oil-based lubricants get absorbed into these pores and can't be fully washed out, creating a breeding ground for bacteria. Silicone-based lube can also interact poorly with these materials. Water-based is the only safe choice.
If you're using a TPE toy, we'd also recommend using a condom over it as an extra barrier, and considering an upgrade to silicone when it's time to replace, see our when to replace your sex toy guide.
Jelly rubber and PVC toys
Use: water-based lube + a condom over the toy.
These materials are porous and often contain phthalates. The lube recommendation is water-based only, but we'd go further: use a condom over the toy to create a non-porous barrier between the material and your body. And consider replacing the toy with something body-safe when you can.
What about hybrid lubes?
Hybrid lubricants blend water and silicone. They aim to give you longer-lasting slip with easier cleanup. Most hybrids contain a small enough percentage of silicone that they're generally considered safe with silicone toys, but this isn't guaranteed across all formulas.
If you want to try a hybrid lube with a silicone toy, do a patch test first: apply a small amount to the base of the toy (not the part that contacts your body), leave it for 15-20 minutes, then wipe it off and feel the surface. If the surface has become tacky or rough, that hybrid isn't compatible. If it's unchanged, you're likely fine.
How much lube to use with toys
Apply lube to both the toy and yourself. Don't rely on just putting it on one surface, you want a continuous slippery layer between skin and toy. For vibrators used externally, a coin-sized amount is usually enough to start. For insertable toys, be more generous.
Reapply whenever things start to feel less smooth. With water-based lube, adding a few drops of water can reactivate it temporarily without needing to reach for the bottle.
For anal toys, use significantly more than you think you need. The rectum doesn't produce its own lubrication, so you're providing all of it. Apply lube to the toy, to yourself, and keep the bottle within arm's reach.
Cleaning lube off your toys
After use, clean your toy thoroughly. Water-based lube rinses off easily with warm water and mild soap. Silicone-based lube requires soap, water alone won't cut it. Oil-based needs a proper soap wash and possibly a second rinse. For a full cleaning routine by toy type, see our cleaning guide.
Don't skip this step. Leftover lube residue (especially oil-based) can harbour bacteria and affect the toy's surface over time. A two-minute wash after every use keeps your toys in good shape and your body safe.
VUSH toys and lube: the short version
Every VUSH product is made with medical-grade silicone. That means: use water-based lube with all VUSH toys. That applies to the Empress Tidal, the Muse, the Luna, and everything else in the range. Water-based, always.
Lube ingredients that can harm toys
Beyond the silicone-on-silicone issue, some lube ingredients can affect toy surfaces over time.
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Oil-based ingredients on porous materials: Oils soak into TPE, jelly, and other porous materials and can't be washed out. Over time, this causes the material to swell, discolour, and harbour bacteria. Even "natural" oils like coconut do this.
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Fragrances and flavourings on silicone: Some flavoured or scented lubes contain compounds that can leave residue on silicone surfaces. If you're using a novelty lube with a silicone toy, wash the toy immediately after use rather than letting it sit.
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Warming and cooling agents: Capsaicin, menthol, and similar sensation agents don't damage toys, but they can linger on porous materials even after cleaning, leading to unexpected sensations next time you use the toy.
Lube application tips for different toy types
External vibrators
Apply a small amount of water-based lube to the contact surface of the toy and a little to yourself. For clitoral vibrators, lube helps the toy glide across skin without catching or dragging, which means the vibrations transmit more evenly. You don't need a lot, start with less than you think and add more if needed.
Insertable toys (dildos, internal vibrators)
Be more generous. Apply lube along the full length of the toy and externally to yourself. For textured toys with ridges or curves, make sure lube gets into the grooves, dry spots on a textured surface can create uncomfortable friction. Reapply during use if things start to feel less smooth.
Anal toys (plugs, beads, prostate massagers)
Use considerably more than you would for vaginal play. The rectum doesn't self-lubricate, so every bit of moisture comes from the lube you provide. Apply to the toy, apply externally, and keep the bottle close by. For longer sessions, you'll almost certainly need to reapply at least once. Water-based is the standard here if your toy is silicone; silicone-based works well with steel or glass anal toys.
Related reads
More from this series: The Complete Lubricant Guide · Lube Beginner's Guide · Water vs Silicone vs Oil Lube
FAQs
I accidentally used silicone lube on my silicone toy. Is it ruined?
Probably not after one use. Wash the toy thoroughly with warm soapy water and let it dry completely. Feel the surface, if it's still smooth and not tacky, it's likely fine. The damage from silicone-on-silicone contact is cumulative, so one mistake usually isn't catastrophic. Just don't make it a habit.
Can I do a patch test to check compatibility?
Yes. Apply a small drop of lube to the base or an inconspicuous part of the toy. Wait 15-20 minutes, then wipe it off and check the surface. If it's changed texture (tacky, rough, swollen), don't use that lube with that toy. If the surface is unchanged, it's compatible.
Is coconut oil safe with silicone toys?
Coconut oil won't cause the same chemical reaction as silicone lube, but it's not ideal. Oil-based lubes can be difficult to fully remove from silicone surfaces, especially textured ones, and residual oil can trap bacteria. For silicone toys, water-based is still the best option.
Why does my water-based lube get sticky during use?
As the water evaporates, the thickening agents in the formula concentrate and can feel tacky. This is normal for water-based lubes. Reactivate it by adding a few drops of water, or reapply fresh lube. Different brands have different drying rates, if stickiness is a consistent issue, try a different formula.
Do I need lube for external vibrator use?
You don't strictly need it, but it makes a noticeable difference. Lube reduces drag between the vibrator and your skin, which lets the vibrations transmit more effectively and feels smoother. Even for external-only toys, a small amount of water-based lube improves the experience.
Sources
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Herbenick, D. et al. (2013). Lubricant use during most recent sexual event. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 10(suppl 5), 59-72.
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Anderson, D.J. et al. (2014). Durability and degradation of silicone elastomers in biomedical applications. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B, 102(6), 1298-1310.
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Dezzutti, C.S. et al. (2012). Is wetter better? An evaluation of over-the-counter personal lubricants. PLoS ONE, 7(11), e48328.
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NHS Sexual Health Services — sexual health support in the UK.