With so many natural options available, choosing the right vaginal lubricant can be tricky. Even when naturally derived, some ingredients can cause allergic reactions or irritation. Everyone's skin is also different, so "natural" doesn't automatically make a product safe. Here's what sexual health experts have to say about choosing the best natural lube, plus the best natural lubes to consider.

When a lubricant is labeled "natural," it means the ingredients are sourced from nature, not a lab. "This is a loose definition because there is no hard-and-fast rule about the requirements for a product to call itself natural," OB/GYN Heather Irobunda, M.D., tells mbg. "Sometimes, products with one or two natural ingredients can state that they are natural but may have lots of chemicals in them."

While organic products are always inherently natural, natural products are not always organic, osteopathic OB/GYN Anna Cabeca, D.O., says. For example, coconut oil always comes from a coconut (aka a natural source). How that coconut is grown—with or without pesticides—will distinguish whether the product is natural or natural and organic, Irobunda explains.

Some lubricants labeled "natural" might actually combine both natural and synthetic ingredients. To avoid that altogether, some people opt for DIY options. Here's a few other options you can consider:

Note: While essential oils can be added to DIY lubricants in very small amounts, Cabeca says they should never be applied directly to the vaginal or vulvar skin. Essential oils are generally not recommended for internal use, so make sure you know how to use essential oils safely and dilute them well before adding to any DIY lube. A few essential oils Cabeca recommends to soothe vaginal skin include rose, lavender, frankincense, and sandalwood.

Just because the products and ingredients listed above are natural doesn't mean they can't pose risks. Some products can lead to vaginal infections, including:

Always pay attention to how your body reacts to different lubricants and test any new substances on other parts of the body before applying to the genital area. See below for risks and how to test for reactions.

The studies regarding at-home lube options are mixed in terms of efficacy and safety, Irobunda says. "One of the big concerns with using many DIY natural lubes—especially oil-based lubricants—is that they decrease the effectiveness of condoms," she says. That can decrease protection against unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Before using any lube on your genitals, particularly natural or DIY options, sex therapist Cyndi Darnell, MHSc, MNT, recommends doing a spot test on your wrist. "Wait 24 hours to see if there is a reaction," she says. If you're in the clear after 48 hours, she recommends repeating the test on a small area of your vulva, penis, or around the anus.

"If you start to have vaginal itching or change in the scent of your discharge, you should stop using it and contact your medical provider," Irobunda says. "This may be a sign that you are having an allergic reaction or developing an infection from the natural lubricant that you are using."

Lastly, Irobunda says to choose a lubricant that you actually like. Remember, sex is supposed to be enjoyable! Play around with different options and decide what works best for you and your partner.