Hey, lovebirds! We all know that condoms are an important commodity for safe and responsible fun between the sheets, but not all of them are sharing the love. It’s time to unveil the not-so-sexy side of conventional condoms that may pose potential health risks and discover some non-toxic condom options for a healthier, safer, and more sustainable love life.
Below is a list of ingredients and materials to avoid in condoms:
Parabens: Parabens are preservatives often used in lubricated condoms to increase shelf life and prevent bacterial growth. The issue is that parabens have been linked to hormone disruption and their full health impacts are still somewhat unknown, so it may be preferable to limit exposure to parabens when possible. [1] Additionally, be cautious as products labeled paraben-free might include other harmful ingredients as substitutes or use less effective preservatives.
Spermicides: It has been found that some condoms are coated with spermicides (like Nonoxynol-9) to provide further protection against pregnancy. However, these coatings can cause irritation of tissues, enhance the likelihood of urinary tract infections (UTIs), and even increase the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). [2]
N-Nitrosamine: During the processing of latex, N-Nitrosamine is a chemical compound that can form. Recent studies have indicated that Nitrosamine is a carcinogen (cancer-causing) and could lead to other health issues. [3]
Glycerin: Glycerin is a standard additive in condoms with lubricant, but it may increase the risk of yeast infections, STIs, and other irritations, especially for those with sensitive skin. [4]
Artificial Fragrances & Dyes: Fragrances and dyes may be present in some condoms to mask odors or enhance appearance. These additives can lead to various health concerns such as skin irritation, disruption of hormone systems, and even cancer. [5]
Per- & Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS): Seek out products that are free of PFAS (it may take some digging since many companies do not test for them) as they are known as forever chemicals that can pose many health risks. [6]
Casein: This is a milk protein commonly added to condoms. If you have a dairy allergy, it’s best to stick with animal-product-free condom options. [7]
The above list is just a handful of some of the condom ingredients you should avoid exposing yourself and others to regularly. On top of that, most conventional condoms are harming the planet. Many condoms are made from synthetic materials and lubricant in addition to being packaged in non-biodegradable wrappers. This means they can hang around for years in landfills, polluting the environment. [8]
Top Non-Toxic Condoms
We can all agree that saving the planet while looking out for your health and the health of your partner(s) is sexy, right? That’s why the below selection provides healthier and more eco-friendly condom options than what many people may currently be enjoying.
Please note, while the options recommended below are better than many conventional condoms available, they are by no means perfect. And frankly, the condom industry needs to step up their game when it comes to being transparent and using clean ingredients/ materials. The good news is that the below options are blazing the trail for a better, healthier future.
XO! Ultra-Thin Vegan Condoms are made from natural rubber latex. They sustainably harvest their rubber, allowing the condoms to naturally biodegrade in landfills in under a year after disposal, which is much more sustainable compared to many conventional condoms that stick around for hundreds of years. These condoms are free from Lidocaine and Benzocaine, Nitrosamines, and Spermicides (Nonoxynol-9). Additionally, I followed up with them and they confirmed that they do not use PFAS and do testing for over 100 different chemicals, including PFAS, but they were not willing to share any documentation of their testing. Overall, I appreciate their dedication to eco-friendly condom materials and to creating a better condom option than many that are currently on the market.
XO! condom ingredients and materials (I was unable to attain the exact ingredient/ material list, so ingredients used in the processing/ manufacturing may not be listed):
80% Natural Rubber Latex
18% Silicone Oil (commonly used in condoms and is reviewed as safe, but be mindful as this may not be a desirable ingredient in certain products) [9] [10]
2% Cornstarch (Determined a low risk ingredient by the Environmental Working Group (EWG))
Sustain Natural’s condoms are ethically sourced and made with fair trade latex. These condoms are chemical-free and Nitrosamine free, alleviating some potential health concerns. The condoms are also tested electronically for safety and are FDA cleared. I reached out to learn more about their condoms and discovered that while they are not actively testing their products for PFAS, they do prohibit any PFAS in the products that they create or curate at Grove (sustainable marketplace) and they support legislation to ban PFAS. I appreciate the transparency of their product as they actually list all of the ingredients in the condoms including those that are present during the manufacturing process, which is uncommon in this industry. Though these condoms are not perfect, they do offer a healthier alternative to many condoms on the market.
Sustain condom ingredients and materials (includes ingredients in manufacturing and processing):
Natural Latex
Ammonia (commonly used to stabilize the liquid latex and typically evaporates during this process, but trace amounts may be present) [11]
Potassium Oleate (used as a binder with low use restrictions, low multiple, additive exposure sources, and low irritation when used in regulated amounts as determined by EWG)
Potassium Hydroxide (inorganic compound commonly used in manufacturing process and typically won’t be present after manufacturing, but be mindful as it does have high use restrictions, moderate non-reproductive organ system toxicity, and low irritation as determined by EWG) [12]
Emulgin B2/ Vulcastab (emulsifiers/ stabilizers that are generally consider safe in regulated amounts) [13] [14] [15]
LW Vultamol (dispersing agents and stabilizers that are safe in regulated amounts, but may be composed of other unwanted substances like formaldehyde, so be mindful of this ingredient) [16] [17]
Sulphur (naturally occurring element used for elasticity and flexible with high irritation with low overall hazard rating by EWG) [18]
Zinc Oxide (inorganic compound with moderate bioaccumulation, moderate non-reproductive organ system toxicity, and low ecotoxicology with low to moderate overall hazard rating by EWG in regulated amounts)
Zinc Dibutyl Dithiocarbamate (activator/ accelerator/ stabilizer that is generally safe, but may cause slight irritation for some individuals) [19]
Irganox 1330 (antioxidant that’s typically considered safe) [20]
Bentonite Clay (moderate use restriction in regulated amounts with low overall hazard as determined by EWG)
Silicone Lubricant
Calcium Carbonate and Magnesium Carbonate Powders (Calcium Carbonate is an inorganic salt with low irritation and low use restriction determined by EWG and Magnesium Carbonate is rated as low irritation and low use restrictions by EWG)
LOLA condoms are vegan and made with natural rubber latex. They are free of parabens, casein, glycerin, Nitrosamines, gluten, and synthetic flavor. Each condom is 100% electronically tested for safety and FDA 510(K) cleared. I have not received confirmation if they do testing for PFAS at this time, but they have been relatively transparent throughout my conversations with them.
LOLA condom ingredients and materials (ingredients used in the processing/ manufacturing may not be listed):
Natural Rubber Latex
Cornstarch Powder (Reviewed as a low hazard ingredient by EWG)
Silicone Oil (lubricant)
If you’re like me, you may have an aversion to latex. SKYNs offers essentially one of the only condoms on the market that is latex-free and is somewhat transparent about their ingredients. Though these condoms are not perfect, I confirmed with them that this product is free of glycerin, spermicides (unless mentioned on the label), parabens, dyes, and casein. I am not fully satisfied that these condoms are basically the only option available for people with latex allergies and they may be filled with some less than desirable ingredients. Not to fret, I am continuously doing research and searching for safer products including non-latex condoms, so keep checking back here for updates with more non-latex condom options. For now, these condoms are still a better option than others available.
SKYN condom ingredients and materials (Please note, this is not the full ingredient list (they won't provide it), but I have compiled a list of ingredients that I have been able to confirm):
SKYNFEEL® material (Polyisoprene is a non-latex material that’s rated as low hazard by EWG with moderate non-reproductive organ system toxicity)
N-Nitrosamine (controlled and below the authorized level in the industry)
Fragrances (they do use a fragrance/ masking agent)
Silicone-based Lubricant
I did reach out to a number of condom companies, but many did not get back to me even after attempting to contact them several times regarding the ingredients and manufacturing of their products. Though this list is short, I only included options from companies that answered all of my inquiries, are free of ingredients that pose the most health risks, and are relatively transparent about their product in hopes of offering you some better chemical-free condom options.
When it comes to safe sex, don't jeopardize your health or the planet's well-being. Opt for non-toxic, eco-friendly condoms that prioritize your pleasure while being more sustainable for the earth and better for your health. After all, a little lovin’ can go a long way when it's wrapped up in a non-toxic package!
References
[16] https://www.chempoint.com/products/basf/sokalan-acrylic-polymers/vultamol-dispersing-surfactants
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