Most condoms out there are made from latex. That’s due to its perfect elastic properties and strength. But latex has also always had some drawbacks – for some people at least. Many people out there suffer from latex allergy, which makes it virtually impossible to wear latex condoms. Polyurethane on the other hand is expensive, not as elastic and soft as latex.
Now there’s a new promising technology being launched by LifeStyles Condoms called SKYN promising to provide skin-to-skin sensation. It’s made from a new non-latex, polyisoprene formula which focuses on sensitivity. But it has the advantages of latex.
LifeStyles claims that this formula has made it possible to provide improved sensitivity. They are the first condom brand to introduce a clinically tested (and FDA approved) polyisoprene condom.
One tenth (almost) of the American Population is afflicted with latex allergies, the Skyn polyisoprene has just like polyurethane no latex that would cause allergic reactions. But compared to the polyurethane condoms the Skyn products are softer and therefore adapt more easily to the form of its wearer. It’s also stretchier and more resistant to breakage.
Let us quickly do a short history lesson. The use for the original polyisoprene was discovered by the ancient Mayans and Aztecs who harvested the, then unnamed polyisoprene from the sap of the hevea tree and used it to make waterproof boots and the balls which they used to play a game similar to basketball.
Polyisoprene the Material
The Skyn is an interesting example to show how long it takes for such a product to be marketed and sold in stores. The patent for a polyisoprene condom was filed in 2002 that’s when the development of the material was more or less finished.
Unlike it’s ancestral counterparts, the hevea trees are not harmed in the making of Skyn. Today polyisoprene is created in a laboratory and specially treated to give it crosslinks, which allows the material to stretch more and helps to recover the original shape after being stretched.
A little comparison with polyurethane makes it obvious that the new skyn technology might be a serious leap forward. Because polyurethane condoms are stiff and unstretchable to certain extent and they don’t conform to the body. They’ve got the clear color and the “no latex allergens” in common.
The picture you see above is a scanning electron micrograph image of the surface of a polyisoprene condom.
LifeStyles SKYN Unboxing
For everyone who’d like to see more about the product we do what I call unboxings. A short video sequence of the condom box being opened, so you can see what hides inside. Click the image or here to watch the Skyn unboxing.
The box in question was a LifeStyles Skyn 3-pack. 3 condoms and a user manual printed on the package in English and Spanish are hiding inside.
More Info about LifeStyles Skyn
A short summary of our findings:
- Name of the product: Skyn LifeStyles 3 Piece Box
- Brand origin and date of formation: USA 1985
- Producer: Ansell Healthcare Products LLC
- Pricing: About 2.50 Dollars (3-pack) and 12.99 Dollars (12-pack)
- Color: Natural
- Length: 190mm +/- 10mm
- Width: 53mm
- Manual Languages: English, Spanish
- Quality: FDA approved
- Plus +: No Latex Allergens
That’s it. The new product from LifeStyles unboxed for you. Now it’s your turn. What are your findings?
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Just used the new Skyn condoms… and from a females perspective, they’re very good. My partner on the other hand, complained about the fit…. The way I see it after reading the above article, he was either trying to have unprotected sex or he wanted 2 feel “bigger” than he is.
Posted by: Angela | December 15, 2008 at 3:18 am
Thanks Angela for the first review on the SKYN condoms. Interesting thoughts though there;)
Posted by: Simon | December 15, 2008 at 10:50 am
I have recently gone through some of the Skyn condoms. First, these condoms are nearly impossible to break. I’ve put them through their paces, so to say, where others have sometimes failed. I’ve had 0 breaks, and am fully confident in these. Second, the feeling is phenomenally better than regular latex, polyurethane, or sheepskin. These have found a permanent place in my bedside drawer. Highly recommended.
Posted by: Dave | January 19, 2009 at 8:30 am
We only hear good stuff about Skyn, which is a great sign. Glad you enjoyed them Dave.
Posted by: Simon | January 21, 2009 at 8:50 pm
I actually have a question about these condoms. Do you know if they can be used with oil-based products? I know that latex condoms cannot, but since this is a synthetic material I was wondering.
Posted by: Kristen | February 25, 2009 at 3:01 am
Hey Kristen, yes you’re right, I think they can also be used with oil based products because of their synthetic base. You can also have a closer look at the specifications and polyurethane/polyisopren differences here. However water based lubricants are today considered to be safest all-purpose solution.
Posted by: Simon | February 25, 2009 at 9:33 am
There was a previous question about if you could use oil based lubes with these rubbers and no you can’t it says so on the inside of the package it says to use water based.
Posted by: jason | April 15, 2009 at 3:12 am
I just used Skyn condoms fof the first time last night. They were amazing. I am allergic to latex and dont like the feel of the sheepskin condoms. Even my boyfriend said that he liked the feel of these much better. I have to say that these are the best yet!
Posted by: Taylor | May 3, 2009 at 6:45 pm
Does anyone make a non-latex condom that is not lubricated? My wife and I are specifically looking for a condom for oral use but she has a latex allergy. Can someone help?
Posted by: Scott | May 23, 2009 at 6:16 am
These condoms are horrible. Don’t waste any money, please. The first time we used one it came off inside and got stuck, which completely negates the purpose of a condom. It’s tight, so that’s not the problem. We decided to give it another try the other day and the same thing happened.
Skyn condoms are completely useless.
Posted by: Sarah | May 30, 2009 at 6:23 am
These condoms do not fall off during sex as another poster mentioned. They are slightly larger then regular Trojan condoms. Which is actually a good thing, personally I always thought the others were too tight and uncomfortable. SKYN is the best condom I have used. The lube is much better than the lube on Trojans as well.
Posted by: Ethan | June 2, 2009 at 7:09 pm
WARNING! These condoms BROKE on us! Please be careful to all who use them!
Posted by: meg and william | June 8, 2009 at 2:09 am
These condoms are amazing. I just recently used them and I thought they had a much more natural feel than the latex and they fit so much better and I like that they are thicker than regular condoms and still stretch more and feel better. I think these will be what is used from now on. Better feel and protection. I would recommend anyone give these a try
Posted by: Tyler | June 9, 2009 at 4:27 pm
I have a huge question… I am highly allergic to latex, and the first time i tried a condom, thats how i found out i was allergic. Im a little scared about trying something else,.. has anybody had an allergic reaction to this product before?
Posted by: Rhonda | July 6, 2009 at 5:35 am
Polyisoprene/Polyurethane is a lot less allergic. But if you’re scared just go and see a doctor/an expert.
Posted by: Simon | July 6, 2009 at 12:58 pm
My wife is very allergic to latex as well, and we actually found out the same way as you, Rhonda. So we have been using non-latex condoms for a while and we decided to give the skyn condoms a try. They do feel very interesting, but unfortunately my wife reacted to them. It wasn’t as bad as the first latex condom reaction, but never-the-less, they will not work for us. So, I would say to probably stick with the polyurethane ones for now if your allergy is severe.
Posted by: Jesse | July 19, 2009 at 1:37 am
Thanks for sharing Jesse.
Posted by: Simon | July 19, 2009 at 11:07 am
We also would like to chime in on this subject
http://condomelite.com/condoms/2009/08/02/2-best-condoms-for-people-with-allergy-to-latex/
Posted by: CondomElite | August 14, 2009 at 4:16 am
Are these sold in Australia, or can they be shipped there?
Posted by: Wanda | August 20, 2009 at 11:57 pm
You can purchase them on my site. Delivery within USA is free.
Posted by: CondomElite | August 23, 2009 at 10:22 pm
Question: I have used a polyurethene brand which is 0.02mm thick. How thick are these condoms?
Posted by: Benjamin Hodgetts | September 2, 2009 at 10:22 am
There are several types of latex allergy, with various triggers and severity. Most people have type I or II sensitivity to natural latex. Other types, such as type IV, are sensitive to many types of rubber products and/or processing chemicals.
Personally I’m in the latter group. Latex causes pretty bad irritation and even polyurethane though a bit less. I’ve tried the polyisoprene ones quite a few times too. They’re better, but not perfect. I can tolerate them on me without too much discomfort. But they’re still a problem for internal use in my case.
So if you’re severely sensitive you shoud probably do a bit of testing (preferably where you can jump into a shower quick) before you try a real world test of these.
They’re definitely better, but not perfect. Haven’t had break or slip issues more than with other kinds though, on box #3 now.
Posted by: Gldm | September 15, 2009 at 2:33 pm
SKYN is 0,1 mm thick.
Posted by: CondomElite | September 17, 2009 at 4:21 pm
If It breaks or falls off… your using it wrong.
Posted by: durr | October 11, 2009 at 8:36 am
Are these comfortable for a well endowed guy?
Posted by: Morgan B. | December 4, 2009 at 4:22 am
I don’t think there’s a good answer for that Morgan! As for all of these products only testing can give you an absolute certainty.
Posted by: Simon | December 7, 2009 at 6:45 pm
Severe latex allergy here, also highly sensitive to various lubrications, etc. Tried these condoms and like another poster, it came off, but not because of improper fit/use. Within hours I began to develop severe irritation, not unlike the reaction I’d had with latex. Being highly sensitive, I can’t use these condoms.
Posted by: Crystal | December 29, 2009 at 5:36 pm
How about Trojan Natural Lamb, Crystal? I think you should find out if you have an allergy to latex or to lubricants? What are the components of lubricants you have an allergy to? Maybe your best bet is to use non lubricated condoms?
Posted by: CondomElite | December 30, 2009 at 2:34 am
I have been using these condoms with my boyfriend recently. He likes the sensation they give him. However, we also have experienced slippage – which had nothing to do with size or improper use. I think it’s just the material itself that’s a bit more “slippery” to begin with.
Posted by: princess | January 2, 2010 at 1:23 am
My husband and I used Durex Avanti Bare for oral sex. I usually HATE condom lube and think it tastes nasty almost without exception. These are minimally lubed, but I found them inoffensive. The smell is not at all unpleasant (unlike latex) and the taste of the lube was very neutral.
Posted by: Scott | March 4, 2010 at 11:40 pm