Unlike the vagina, the anus doesn't produce natural lubricants during sex. That means you're going to have to lube up if you plan on sticking anything inside your or your partner's behind. Typically for anal sex involving a penis as opposed to, say, pegging , you want to use thicker lube that doesn't require constant reapplication, explains Alicia Sinclair, founder of sex toy brand b-Vibe. Most people find that they prefer a thicker lubricant for anal play because it gives some extra cushion to protect delicate body parts. A warning about silicone-based lubes: You can't use 'em on sex toys. You'll notice the majority of lubricants on the list are silicone-based—the rest are either hybrids meaning they're water- and silicone-based , or specific creams for anal stretching i.