Sexual Health Birth Control Condoms SKYN Condoms: A Non-Latex Condom Option Feeling, Ingredients, Price, and Benefits By Dawn Stacey, PhD, LMHC Dawn Stacey, PhD, LMHC LinkedIn Twitter Dawn Stacey, PhD, LMHC, is a published author, college professor, and mental health consultant with over 15 years of counseling experience. Learn about our editorial process Updated on June 15, 2022 Fact checked by Lisa Sullivan, MS Fact checked by Lisa Sullivan, MS Lisa Sullivan, MS, is a nutritionist and health and wellness educator with nearly 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry. Learn about our editorial process Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Material and Benefits Varieties and Sizes How to Use Frequently Asked Questions LifeStyles SKYN condoms are the original brand of non-latex condoms. These condoms are made of polyisoprene, a synthetic form of natural rubber latex. Polyisoprene is safe for those with a latex allergy and offers a natural feel during sex. SKYN condoms are designed to cover the penis or a sex toy during sexual intercourse and are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for birth control and STD protection. This article discusses the benefits of SKYN condoms. It also compares their use among condom alternatives touted as the best-feeling brands. Skyn SKYN Condom Material and Benefits Polyisoprene condoms are made without latex. This makes SKYN condoms a great alternative if you or your partner have a latex allergy, which may occur in up to 7.6% of the general population. According to manufacturer LifeStyles, its SKYNFEEL polyisoprene is created in the laboratory. The company produces these latex-free products in a totally separate facility from its other brands so that there's no possibility of contamination. The proprietary material changes how the SKYN brands perform and feel. When compared with polyurethane condoms, SKYN condoms are designed to be: SofterMore form-fittingMore stretchyMore resistant to breakage Some people who can use latex condoms still prefer to buy SKYN condoms because they offer a unique sensation and increased sensitivity. The brand's ingredients include: No animal-based derivatives, making them attractive for vegansFlavorings made from food-grade materials safe for humansDepending on the condom, the addition of aloe vera, glycerin, silicone, and other elementsNo Nonoxynol-9, an additive to kill sperm that may reduce contraceptive benefits Are Non-Latex Condoms Effective? Lifestyles assures users that SKYN condoms are as effective as latex condoms. Condom use overall offers an 86% to 97% protection rate, depending on how correctly they are used. Keep in mind that non-latex SKYN condoms have a shelf life of about three years for those with spermicide and five years for those without spermicide. Top 10 External Condom Facts Skyn Condom Varieties and Sizes SKYN condoms come in a range of varieties. They include: SKYN OriginalSKYN Elite (15% thinner than original variety)SKYN Elite LargeSKYN Elite Extra LubeSKYN Excitation (with studs and a cooling effect)SKYN Selection (assorted) SKYN condoms come in two different sizes: SKYN Original, Elite, Elite Lube, and Excitation condoms have a width of 53 millimeters (mm), which is about 2 inches.SKYN Elite Large condoms are longer and wider, with a width of 56 mm (or 2.2 inches). If you are not sure which condom size is right for you, use a condom size chart to help you find the right one. A properly fitting condom is important not just to comfort, but efficacy. Where Can I Buy SKYN Condoms? SKYN condoms are available online, either directly from the manufacturer or online retailers, as well as in drugstores. Expect to pay a little more for SKYN condoms than you might for latex types, but less than polyurethane options. The 8 Best Condoms of 2023 How to Use SKYN Condoms You use SKYN condoms like any other condom. Although SKYN condoms come pre-lubricated, if you prefer, you can safely add extra lubrication. Both water-based lubricants (like Wet Gellee and Astroglide) and silicone-based lubricants can be used with polyisoprene condoms. You should not use oil-based lubricants with SKYN condoms, as they can degrade the material. As with other condoms, correct use is important. Be sure that you: Are using the right condom product, checking the expiration date and air bubble in the package.Open the package carefully and choose the correct side.Unroll the condom onto the penis or sex toy, leaving space at the top for fluid if necessary.Hold the condom when removing it and safely discard it. Are Condoms Safe for Anal Sex? Lifestyles markets its SKYN products as safe for anal sex. However, the first condom specifically indicated to reduce STI transmission during anal sex was approved by the FDA in February 2022. The FDA says all other approved brands, including SKYN's, may continue to be used for pregnancy and STI prevention. Condom Effectiveness Against Pregnancy Summary SKYN condoms, a Lifestyles brand, are latex-free. This makes them a good option for people who have latex allergies or have sex with those who do. They're made with polyisoprene, a synthetic version of natural rubber latex. The SKYN brand comes in a range of varieties that offer protection against pregnancy and STIs. You can expect SKYN condoms to be as safe and effective as other types, provided they are used correctly and consistently when having sex. A Word From Verywell While other methods of contraception like birth control pills may protect against pregnancy, they cannot help prevent sexually transmitted infection transmission. SKYN brands and other condoms can help you and your sexual partners enjoy safer sex. If you don't know how to use a condom, don't be embarrassed to ask your healthcare provider. How to Choose Contraception Frequently Asked Questions How likely are SKYN condoms to break? The World Health Organization puts the estimate of condom failure due to breakage at 2%, but the real-world rates are much higher. It depends on what type of sex you have (anal sex may lead to more breakage) and what type of condom you use. Since SKYN condoms are very stretchy and fit well, they may not break as easily as other options. Learn More: What to Do If a Condom Breaks How much do SKYN condoms cost? The prices will vary based on where you shop, what style you purchase, and in what quantity. Generally speaking, you can expect to pay about $7 for a 12-count box. 9 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Beksinska M, Wong R, Smit J. Male and female condoms: Their key role in pregnancy and STI/HIV prevention. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol. 2020;66:55-67. doi:10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2019.12.001 Parisi CAS, Kelly KJ, Ansotegui IJ, Gonzalez-Díaz SN, Bilò MB, Cardona V, et al. Update on latex allergy: New insights into an old problem. World Allergy Organ J. 2021;14(8):100569. doi:10.1016/j.waojou.2021.100569 Skyn. Condoms: Frequently asked questions. Xu M, Zhao M, Li RHW, Lin Z, Chung JPW, Li TC, et al. Effects of nonoxynol-9 (N-9) on sperm functions: systematic review and meta-analysis. Reprod Fertil. 2022;3(1):R19-R33. doi:10.1530/RAF-21-0024 Marfatia YS, Pandya I, Mehta K. Condoms: past, present, and future. Indian J Sex Transm Dis AIDS. 2015;36(2):133–139. doi:10.4103/0253-7184.167135 SKYN. Condoms. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Male Condom Use. Food & Drug Administration. FDA Permits Marketing of First Condom Specifically Indicated for Anal Intercourse. Siegler AJ, Rosenthal EM, Sullivan PS, Ahlschlager L, Kelley CF, Mehta CC, et al. Double-Blind, Single-Center, Randomized Three-Way Crossover Trial of Fitted, Thin, and Standard Condoms for Vaginal and Anal Sex: C-PLEASURE Study Protocol and Baseline Data. JMIR Res Protoc. 2019;8(4):e12205. doi:10.2196/12205 Additional Reading American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Latex allergy. Wu M, McIntosh J, Liu J. Current prevalence rate of latex allergy: Why it remains a problem? J Occup Health. 2016;58(2):138–144. doi:10.1539/joh.15-0275-RA By Dawn Stacey, PhD, LMHC Dawn Stacey, PhD, LMHC, is a published author, college professor, and mental health consultant with over 15 years of counseling experience. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit