Water-Based Lubricant Ingredients Water-based lubricants have generally been considered one of the safer choices of lubricant. They usually consist of water with the addition of glycerin, Hydroxyethyl Cellulose, Phenoxyethanol, Propylene Glycol Benefits of Water-Based Lubricant:  Readily cleaned making them less likely to host infection-causing bacteria compared with other lubricants Less likely to cause painful symptoms with sexual activity than silicone …