Vaginal Dryness: Lubricants, Moisturisers and What to Look For
Short answer: lubricants and moisturisers are different products doing different jobs. A moisturiser is used regularly for ongoing dryness. A lubricant is used at the time, for comfort. Most people buy one when they needed the other.
Two selection criteria matter more than brand and almost nobody explains them: osmolality, and whether the product contains glycerin if you are prone to thrush.
- Moisturiser
- Used every few days, regardless of sex, to keep vaginal tissue hydrated over time. Hormone-free. Think of it as skincare for tissue rather than something for the moment.
- Lubricant
- Applied at the time, for comfort during sex. Does nothing for underlying tissue health.
- Water-based
- The default. Condom-safe, toy-safe, easy to wash off. Dries faster and may need reapplying.
- Silicone-based
- Longest-lasting, works in water, condom-safe. Not compatible with silicone toys.
- Oil-based
- Long-lasting and natural-feeling, but not safe with latex condoms — it degrades them.
- Osmolality
- How concentrated the formula is relative to your own cells. A very high-osmolality lubricant draws water out of vaginal tissue, which can leave it more irritated afterwards. "Osmolality-balanced" on a label is a genuine quality signal, not marketing.
- Glycerin
- A common humectant, and a sugar alcohol. If you are prone to yeast infections, glycerin-free is the safer choice — this is the single most useful selection rule in the category.
What actually causes it
- Low oestrogen — the most common driver. Menopause and perimenopause, but also breastfeeding, some contraceptives, and certain cancer treatments.
- Not enough arousal time. Unromantic but genuinely the most common cause in younger people, and the easiest to address.
- Over-cleaning. Soap and douching strip the tissue and disrupt the flora keeping it healthy. The routine that helps.
- Dehydration. A contributor rather than a cause, but a real one. The numbers.
- Medications — antihistamines and some antidepressants among them.
Persistent dryness with pain, bleeding or burning is worth a clinician rather than a shelf — it is treatable, and prescription options exist where over-the-counter products are not enough.
