How to Find the Best Vaginal Moisturizers, Creams, and Lubes for Dryness

Vaginal dryness. If you ask women who deal with it, a more apt descriptor might be “sandpaper vagina.” Often, sensations of itching, burning, stinging, and downright pain are added to that discomfort. Vaginal dryness is incredibly common for women over age 50, so it’s helpful to understand why these uncomfortable conditions may develop in the first place. 

The main reason is the decline of the hormone estrogen that begins during midlife. Estrogen does a lot of things in a woman’s body, and one of them is to keep the vaginal tissues well-hydrated, supple, and elastic. 

In perimenopause, when estrogen starts to dip, the vaginal walls and vulvar tissues become progressively dryer and thinner, making them more prone to irritation and inflammation. Dryness can even lead to light bleeding from microtears, which can happen due to friction. By the time a woman hits menopause, symptoms may be in full swing, affecting not only the vagina (the canal that connects the cervix to the opening) but for some people, the vulva as well (the genital area outside the vaginal opening). Many women have dryness in both of these areas.

Yes, this is a natural progression, but you don’t have to suffer through it. You can find safe and effective products to combat dryness, so you’ll be able to do the things you enjoy—whether it’s a spin class, a walk with friends, or sex—minus the pain, the burn, and the intense itch. 

In this guide, we’ll talk about vaginal creams for dryness, and why the best one for you depends on where your symptoms are, not just the ingredients in the cream itself. We’ll also help you identify which vaginal moisturizer may give you the most relief. Itch and pain, begone.

Vaginal Moisturizers vs. Vaginal Lubricants: Know the Difference

There are two main types of OTC vaginal dryness products: moisturizers and lubricants.

• Vaginal moisturizers: Moisturizers come in different forms, such as suppositories (or tablets), gels, and creams. They’re long-acting products that increase the moisture in and suppleness of your vaginal tissue, which in turn dials down inflammation and pain. Vaginal moisturizers need to be used regularly—applied every few days—and it may take you a week or longer to experience some relief. 
• Vaginal lubricants: Lubricants are meant to be used right before sex to help make intimacy (solo or with a partner) less painful and more pleasurable. The gels or liquids sit on top of the skin and act as a lubricant (they aren’t absorbed into the tissue the same way that moisturizers are), so that touch or friction results in “ah” and not “ouch.” 

How Vaginal Moisturizers Work

Vaginal moisturizers have hydrating ingredients that adhere to the vaginal mucosa (the vagina’s inner lining), helping the tissue retain moisture and stay hydrated. 

The best moisturizers are formulated to work with the vaginal environment in two important ways:

• They maintain healthy pH levels: A healthy vagina needs a slightly acidic environment, with pH values between 3.5 and 4.5. If the pH goes too high or too low—due to irritants like spermicides or even antibiotics—that can spell trouble in the form of bacterial infections. 
• They have low or balanced osmolality: Osmolality is the technical term for how concentrated a solution is. The reason you want low or balanced osmolality—meaning less concentrated—is because a high-osmolality moisturizer can actually pull fluid from your tissues, damaging your vagina’s delicate cells and increasing your risk of infection. The ideal target is 380 milliosmoles per kilogram (mOsm/kg) or lower (though up to 1,200 mOsm/kg is acceptable in short intervals).

Ingredients to Look For—and Avoid

The magic of a good vaginal moisturizer lies in both the ingredients it has—and the ones it doesn’t.

Green light: Look for these ingredients

• Hyaluronic acid: This superhero ingredient is a multitasker— its molecules can hold a lot of water and, just as importantly, move that fluid into the cells. It’s very effective: Research suggests that vaginal moisturizers with hyaluronic acid significantly improve thinning, drying, and inflammation of vaginal tissue.  
• Polycarbophil: This is another powerhouse ingredient, which sticks to the cells of vaginal tissue and mucus to keep moisture locked in. The result: Your tissue becomes more supple and elastic over time. It’s as effective as hyaluronic acid. 

Note: Products usually contain either hyaluronic acid or polycarbophil, not both. It’s always a good idea to check with a healthcare professional, such as a Midi clinician, if you’re not sure whether a certain vaginal moisturizer would work for you.

Yellow light: An ingredient with a caveat

• Glycerin: This is a very effective humectant—meaning, it pulls water from the environment into the tissue to prevent water loss. Glycerin is generally considered non-irritating. However, if you are prone to irritation or yeast infections, approach this ingredient with caution. Glycerin is a byproduct of sugar, which microbes can feed on.

Red light: Avoid these ingredients

• Parabens: These are a type of preservative that can be harmful to genital skin. Parabens can also be endocrine disruptors, and the last thing you need is an ingredient tinkering with your hormones. If the product lists methylparaben or propylparaben, it’s a no-go. 
• Phthalates: Phthalates are also endocrine disruptors. You won’t always see them listed in the ingredients, so look for products that say they’re phthalate-free or fragrance-free.
• Fragrance: Fragrance often contains phthalates, along with loads of other chemicals, some of which can irritate vaginal skin. 
• Essential oils: These are wonderful for aromatherapy or a spa massage, but you don’t want them in or on your vagina—they can cause burning and tissue irritation.

If you have sensitive skin, do a skin patch test first before you apply a moisturizer or lubricant to your entire vaginal area. And remember that “natural” doesn’t automatically mean gentler, especially for delicate vulvovaginal tissue.

How to Find the Best Vaginal Moisturizer for You

The best vaginal moisturizer for you depends on several factors. First, do a quick self-assessment to determine where you’re having discomfort: 

• mostly internal vaginal dryness
• mostly external vulvar dryness
• both internal and external symptoms

Some moisturizers are marketed for internal vaginal use, others for outer vulva comfort, and some can be used both vaginally and on the vulva. For external dryness, a cream or gel may be easier to apply. In addition, oil-based moisturizers—such as ones that use coconut oil or plant oil or ones that have vitamin E—are good for external use because they add a protective barrier to the skin to help reduce moisture loss. 

Keep in mind: There isn’t one universal “best” vaginal moisturizer for everyone. Our bodies—including our vaginas—are all unique, so the best option for you will depend on your symptoms and preferences (such as whether you’d like to use a cream, gel, or suppository), as well as which one feels comfortable and practical enough to use regularly as directed. 

How to Use a Vaginal Moisturizer, Step by Step

Here’s some detailed guidance on getting soothing results from a vaginal moisturizer:

Find a type that works for you

Moisturizers come in different forms—gels, suppositories, creams—and each one has its own strengths and drawbacks, depending on what you’re looking for:

• Suppositories: These are solid tablets that you insert into your vagina, where they melt, thanks to your body’s warmth. It’s best to stay horizontal after insertion (right before bed is a good time)—otherwise, they can leak out more easily than gels and creams. 
• Creams and gels: You insert these by hand or with a reusable applicator. They’re useful if you need to apply them to your outer genitalia, too, or if you want a dose during the day as well as at night. 

Overall, look for a product intended for internal use if you have internal vaginal dryness, or one formulated for external use to soothe the vulva and the area outside the vaginal opening. Some products can be used for both.

Make it a habit

You’ll want to establish a routine, because it takes time and consistent use for the hydration and elasticity of your vaginal tissue to improve. Most products recommend applying them 2 to 3 times per week—it depends on how long the product is formulated to last. Make sure to read the label or follow any specific instructions given by your clinician.

Layering is allowed

It’s perfectly fine to use a moisturizer and a lubricant within hours of each other—they serve somewhat different purposes, and one won’t cancel out the other. Still, the friction of sex, coupled with movement, can diminish the moisturizer’s absorption into tissues, so spacing them out a little is best.

Additional tips

Here are some more suggestions for using vaginal moisturizers:

• Start with clean hands: You don’t want to accidentally introduce bacteria into an already vulnerable environment.
• Start small: At the beginning, with a cream or gel, you can consider using a smaller amount if you’re concerned about leakage.
• Use a little lube if needed: Because it can be painful to insert anything into a parched, irritated vagina, you can put a small amount of lubricant on the tip of the applicator (or on your fingers) for easier insertion. 
• Consider nighttime application: For internal use, applying the moisturizer at night is often ideal, especially if you find that the product leaks a bit.

Best Vaginal Lubricant for Menopausal Women (Lube 101)

When it comes to libido killers, pain is right up there. Up to half of women over age 40 report having dyspareunia, the medical term for painful sex. While there are a number of reasons for it (including infections and endometriosis), the number one culprit is vaginal dryness and tissue thinning brought on by waning estrogen. Added to this is the fact that the glands that secrete fluid during arousal start to slow down on the job in midlife. 

Vaginal lubricants can help. They’re formulated to mimic slippery arousal fluids and protect delicate tissue during intercourse or masturbation. There are three types of lubricants, which are generally equally effective but have some important caveats. 

Here, the pros and cons of each type, plus our top picks in each category:

Water-based lubricants 

• Pros: Many people report that water-based lubricants feel the most like “the real thing.” They play well with both latex and non-latex condoms (meaning, they don’t cause the condom’s protective barrier to break down), as well as with all types of sex toys, including silicone ones. 
• Cons: They tend to dry out more quickly than silicone-based lubricants, so you might have to reapply them more often. Some research also shows that many water-based lubricants are more likely to have high osmolality—meaning, they are very concentrated with ingredients—and this can have an overall drying effect on your vagina. That not only may make sex uncomfortable, but it can also lead to microtears in vaginal tissue—and that may make you more susceptible to infections. Be sure to check the packaging, and use water-based lubricants with an osmolality below 1,200 mOsm/kg only.

Silicone-based lubricants

• Pros: For lubrication that lasts, silicone-based lube has the edge. Silicones such as dimethicone are generally recognized as safe and unlikely to cause any irritation. Like water-based lubricants, they are safe to use with condoms. 
• Cons: They’re more likely to stain sheets, and some people may find them too sticky. Plus, they shouldn’t be used with silicone sex toys (the lube can wear down the material). 

Oil-based lubricants

• Pros: Certain oil-based lubricants, such as ones with coconut or almond oil, can be safe and non-irritating (do a skin patch test first). And because they’re thicker, they can last longer than water-based lubricants.
• Cons: Even though “au natural” options may seem the gentlest option, they are the least recommended lube by many experts because oils can irritate both partners’ skin. And the oil can degrade latex condoms, making them more prone to breakage, as well as possibly increase the growth of Candida, leading to yeast infections.

Lubricant Ingredients to Look For—and What to Skip

You’ll want your lubricant to meet the same healthy standards as a good vaginal moisturizer. That means:

• a pH between 3.5 and 4.5
• osmolality below 1,200 mOsm/kg (ideally 380 mOsm/kg) 
• no fragrances, parabens, or phthalates
• no “warming” or “tingling” features—warming lubes have ingredients like capsaicin (that’s the same thing that gives a chili pepper its zing!), which can be especially irritating to already inflamed tissue 

What not to use: Some liquids and products seem as if they’d make great vaginal moisturizers, but the following can disrupt your vagina’s pH or cause irritation, so we recommend avoiding them:

• petroleum jelly and 100% petrolatum internally
• saliva (which dries out too quickly, plus can introduce oral bacteria to the vagina)
• flavored or warming products
• fragranced body moisturizers
• essential oils

When Non-Hormonal Options Aren’t Enough

If your vaginal dryness symptoms are mild to moderate, there’s a good chance that you can get near-complete relief with OTC products. But if your symptoms are more severe, especially if you have a condition called genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM)—which involves urinary tract symptoms such as UTIs or burning while peeing—a prescription for low-dose vaginal estrogen could help. 

Available as a tablet, cream, or ring, vaginal estrogen is an effective treatment for any degree of vaginal dryness associated with the menopause transition and GSM. Most women with GSM will do best with a combination treatment: estrogen cream twice per week, moisturizer on other days, and a lubricant for intimacy. 

Even for women with a history of estrogen-positive breast cancer, local estrogen may be a safe option if OTC methods aren’t cutting it—but this depends on each woman’s individual risk factors. Low-dose local vaginal estrogen, as opposed to systemic estrogen treatment, is thought to be safe for most, especially if symptoms are not improving on OTC options. An in-depth conversation with a specialist about the benefits and drawbacks is the first step.

Another prescription option is DHEA cream (such as Midi’s DHEA / Estradiol Cream), which can improve blood flow, lubrication, and pH balance.

If your vaginal dryness is persistent, or you’re experiencing consistently painful penetration or recurrent UTIs, talk with your clinician. Vaginal moisturizer or lubricant alone may not be enough.

Your clinician may refer you for pelvic floor physical therapy, where you can consider other treatments, such as vaginal dilator therapy to improve comfort with penetration or other devices that reduce pain with penetrative sex. 

When to Seek Care

You want to err on the side of caution if you experience any unusual symptoms or if discomfort doesn’t improve with the use of a vaginal moisturizer or lubricant. You may be dealing with a condition that needs a different approach, so consult a healthcare professional, like a Midi clinician, if you have any of these symptoms:

• bleeding after sex, severe pain, a new strong odor, green or gray discharge, or fever— which may together indicate a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or bacterial vaginosis; if accompanied by abdominal pain, these symptoms might also indicate pelvic inflammatory disease
• persistent irritation or itching that doesn’t significantly improve with estrogen or lubricants
• recurrent UTIs, an urgency to pee, or burning when urinating (which could signal a UTI that may require antibiotics to clear up)
• persistent pain during sex despite regular moisturizer and lubricant use—you could have persistent dyspareunia (with this, throbbing can last for hours after intercourse); your clinician may suggest other treatments, including hormones, pain relievers, and pelvic floor therapy
• symptoms that are not improving, despite regular moisturizer and lubricant use
• ongoing pain with penetration or lingering pain afterward

Key Takeaways

• Vaginal dryness is common in perimenopause and menopause, due to declining estrogen. Lower estrogen levels thin and dehydrate vaginal tissue, leading to itching, burning, painful sex (dyspareunia), and even microtears. Symptoms rarely resolve on their own but are highly treatable.
• Vaginal moisturizers and lubricants serve different purposes. Moisturizers are long-acting treatments used several times per week to restore hydration and improve tissue health, while lubricants provide short-term relief during sex by reducing friction.
• The best vaginal moisturizer supports healthy pH (3.5 to 4.5) and low osmolality (ideally under 380 mOsm/kg). Look for hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or polycarbophil, and avoid parabens, phthalates, fragrance, and essential oils, which can irritate delicate tissue.
• Water-based and silicone-based lubricants are safest for menopausal women. Choose formulas that are fragrance-free, condom-safe, and have osmolality under 1,200 mOsm/kg. Avoid oil-based lubricants if you’re using latex condoms or if you’re prone to yeast infections.
• If OTC products aren’t enough, prescription vaginal estrogen or DHEA may help. Women with GSM, recurrent UTIs, or persistent pain should speak with a clinician about low-dose vaginal estrogen or other targeted treatments.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I use a vaginal moisturizer on the vulva too?

Where your symptoms are located matters when you’re looking for the right treatment for you, and dryness can often affect the vulva. Some vaginal moisturizers may be used externally, but check the product directions to make sure before applying.

What lubricants do gynecologists recommend?

There are two types of lubricants that many gynecologists recommend: water-based lubricants and silicone-based lubricants. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages, but both can be used to ease painful sex.

What is the best moisturizer for a private area?

The best vaginal moisturizer will contain one of two superpower ingredients: hyaluronic acid, which draws water into the cells, or polycarbophil, which keeps moisture locked in. Look for one of those ingredients on the label.

What cream is best for vaginal dryness?

One cream that’s often used to treat vaginal dryness is low-dose vaginal estrogen, available by prescription. (It’s also available via tablet or a ring that you insert in your vagina.) Vaginal estrogen is considered the gold-standard treatment for all women with vaginal dryness, pain with sex, or increased urinary symptoms during perimenopause or menopause. 

How do I know whether I need a moisturizer, a lubricant, or both?

Consider your symptoms. A moisturizer is good for supporting vaginal tissue hydration and is applied every few days regularly. A lubricant is used before sex; it helps reduce friction and improve comfort. Most women with GSM will benefit from using all three: estrogen, a moisturizer, and a lubricant for intimacy.

When is dryness a sign that I should ask about prescription treatment?

If your symptoms are not improving with OTC care, you may be a good candidate for a stronger prescription treatment. There are several options, including a vaginal ring (Estring), vaginal insert (Vagifem), and DHEA/estradiol cream. Since vaginal estrogen is safe for most and carries additional benefits (for example, UTI prevention), it should be considered by women with genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) in addition to moisturizers and lubricants.