Good chemistry in most personal lubricants
A review of the ingredient lists of 43 personal lubricants shows that the vast majority are free from unwanted chemicals.
Personal lubricants can reduce friction and make intimate moments smoother. However, they can also introduce unwanted guests in the form of substances that may cause allergies or suspected endocrine disruptors.
Fortunately, our latest review of 43 products on the Danish market shows that most are free from mood-killing and eczema-causing substances. In fact, 30 of the products receive the best chemical rating, an A-rating.
Six of the products receive a B-rating because they contain fragrance and/or substances that may be environmentally harmful.
This includes flavored lubricants that contain fragrance. Using flavored lubricant is not necessarily problematic, but your risk of developing an allergy increases with greater exposure. You may therefore want to consider whether the flavor is worth the exposure.
Unwanted silicone substances in some personal lubricants
Seven of the lubricants in the test contain suspected endocrine disruptors. This results in the lowest rating in our chemical assessment, a C-rating.
These substances are:
- Cyclopentasiloxane: A suspected endocrine disruptor. It is also problematic for the environment. The substance was found in six products in the test – all silicone-based.
- Sodium methylparaben: A suspected endocrine disruptor. The substance was found in one water-based product in the test.
In addition, we found another silicone substance, cyclohexasiloxane, in one product. Like the other silicone substance, it is problematic for the environment because it does not biodegrade.
Some personal lubricants can damage sex toys and condoms
Personal lubricants can be water-based, oil-based, or silicone-based.
Not all types of personal lubricants can be used with sex toys or condoms
Silicone-based lubricants should not be used with silicone sex toys, as they may damage the silicone in the product.
Water-based lubricants are often a good chemical choice. Remember to follow the instructions on the products.
About the test
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In January 2026, we purchased 43 different personal lubricants from Danish retail stores and Danish webshops. We selected different types – water-based, silicone-based, and oil-based – to broadly represent the market.
We conducted a declaration review, examining the ingredient lists for allergens, suspected endocrine disruptors, or environmentally harmful substances.
Product names and ingredient lists were sent to the manufacturers to ensure that the ingredient lists are accurate and to give them the opportunity to comment on the test findings.
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Many personal lubricants are marketed as cosmetics, while some are marketed as medical devices. In this test, we have assessed them in the same way, even though they may be subject to different regulations.
Unwanted chemicals found in the test
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Several personal lubricants are flavored, which means they contain added fragrance. The more you are exposed to fragrance, the greater your risk of developing an allergy over time. Consider how much fragrance you are exposed to in your daily life, and reduce your use where it makes sense. In general, it is not a single personal lubricant that is the problem in itself, but rather your overall level of exposure in everyday life.
Products containing fragrance receive a B-rating in the test. We identified five personal lubricants that were fragranced.
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In the test, we identified suspected endocrine disruptors in 7 out of 43 personal lubricants. These substances receive the lowest rating in our assessment – a C-rating.
- Cyclopentasiloxane is a silicone substance and a suspected endocrine disruptor. It is also environmentally harmful. The substance was found in six products in the test – all silicone-based.
- Sodium methylparaben is a suspected endocrine disruptor. The substance was found in one water-based product in the test.
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In the test, eight products contain substances that may be environmentally harmful:
- Cyclopentasiloxane is a silicone substance that is environmentally harmful because it does not biodegrade. It is also a suspected endocrine disruptor. The substance was found in six products in the test.
- Cyclohexasiloxane is a silicone substance that is environmentally harmful because it does not biodegrade. The substance was found in one product in the test.
Both of these siloxanes receive a C-rating, as they do not biodegrade.
In addition, we found:
- EDTA, which may be environmentally harmful. The substance was found in one product in the test.
- Tetrasodium EDTA, which may be environmentally harmful. The substance was found in one product in the test.
- Benzalkonium chloride, which may be environmentally harmful. The substance was found in one product in the test.
These substances receive a B-rating in the test.