The short version: if it is going anywhere near silicone, use water-based. If it is not, silicone-based lasts longer. Everything below is the reasoning.
Water-based
The versatile option, and the right one for most pelvic wellness routines.
- Natural feel, easy clean-up. Rinses off with water and washes out of fabric.
- Safe with every material. Silicone, rubber, glass, metal — no damage.
- Condom compatible, latex and polyurethane.
- The one to use with dilators, weights and menstrual discs, for comfort on insertion and removal.
Its one trade-off is that it absorbs and evaporates, so it needs reapplying. That is not much of a problem — reapplying is easy, and using too little is a far more common mistake than using too much.
Bodyotics water-based lubricant is paraben-free, glycerin-free and fragrance-free.
Silicone-based
Longer-lasting and water-resistant, which makes it the better choice in the shower or bath.
- Lasts far longer and needs much less reapplication
- Water-resistant — it stays put where water-based rinses away
- Smooth on sensitive skin
The important limitation
Silicone lubricant should not be used with silicone products — menstrual discs, pelvic floor weights, dilators. Over time it breaks down the surface of the silicone. For anything in that list, use water-based to protect the product.
Bodyotics silicone-based lubricant is hypoallergenic, unscented and free from glycerin and parabens. Note it does not rinse off with water alone — use soap.
Which to use, at a glance
| Use case | Choose |
|---|---|
| Pelvic floor weights, dilators | Water-based |
| Menstrual disc insertion or removal | Water-based |
| With condoms | Water-based |
| Shower or bath | Silicone-based |
| Long sessions, no silicone products involved | Silicone-based |
Why it matters: most menstrual discs and pelvic wellness tools are made from silicone, and silicone lubricant degrades them over time. Water-based keeps them intact.
Common questions
Is water-based lubricant safe with menstrual discs?
Yes. It is the right choice for discs and for any silicone tool.
Can I use silicone lube with silicone products?
No. It degrades them. Use water-based.
Which is better for sensitive skin?
Water-based is usually the gentler starting point, and both of ours are fragrance-free.
Which lasts longer?
Silicone-based, by a distance — it does not absorb or dry out the way water-based does.
Made your choice? Water-based is the everyday one and the only one to use with silicone. Silicone-based lasts longer, for everything else. Both come in single bottles or multipacks. See both →
