We rely on condoms to be a safe, effective, and reliable form of contraception in our sex lives, and we should never have to worry about their potentially toxic chemicals leaching into the most sensitive parts of our bodies. The most popular brands of condoms today contain strange additives including (but not limited to) sugar alcohols, preservatives, local anesthetics, spermicides, and even carcinogens. Yet, there are so many brands in the market who have done adequate research in order to create the highest quality condom without any suspicious ingredients. The best part is, these companies want to be transparent with their customers, and will clearly state the ingredients they use on their packaging and on their website. These companies work hard to provide the best product at the best price, and most importantly, work to educate consumers so they know what?s in their personal care products. The following companies have created ethical, healthy, and uncompromisingly safe condoms for their consumers.
1. LOLA
This company first began by developing 100% organic cotton tampons once the founders realized what nasty chemicals exist in normal tampons. Soon enough, they spread into the all-natural condom market. LOLA?s condoms only have a few ingredients and have a lot of transparency about what is and isn?t in their product. This new company has
What I like:
- Only three ingredients listed ? natural rubber latex and cornstarch powder in the condom, and silicone oil as a lubricant.
- LOLA says their condoms are ?free of? parabens, nitrosamines, casein, gluten, glycerin, synthetic colorants, synthetic flavor, and fragrance
- In addition to condoms, they also have organic Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice lubricant and all-natural bamboo cleansing wipes available.
- The ability to have a subscription and get these delivered to your door.
Potential Problems:
- No certifications for the relatively new brand ? like a vegan certification, for example.
- It says the condom?s lubricants are ?made in the USA,? but doesn?t mention where the latex itself is grown and produced.
How much?
LOLA sells one box of condoms (12 in total) for $11 as a one-time purchase, or $10 if you subscribe to receiving condoms every four or eight weeks.
2. Sustain Natural
The company Sustain Natural produces vegan, fair-trade, non-GMO verified condoms. If there?s a certification out there, Sustain Natural has it. This company is similar to LOLA in that they also advertise their exclusion of potentially harmful ingredients ? but have a much longer list of ingredients in their condoms. The trailblazing woman who started this company is also the daughter of the man who started the reputable cleaning supply company Seventh Generation. In this family, human health and the environment are of utmost priority.
What I like:
- Certified Vegan, Non-GMO Verified, and Fair-Trade Rubber
- Advertise that they are committed to providing fair wages, free education, and healthcare for the entire community from which they source their rubber.
- Fifteen five-star reviews from past customers
- Display that their products never include parabens, nitrosamines, or gluten.
- The ability to subscribe to get these condoms delivered.
Potential Problems:
- The list of ingredients is fairly long, and there are several chemicals I don?t recognize right off the bat (i.e. Potassium Oleate, Potassium Hydroxide, Emulgin B2/Vulcastab, LWVultamol, Sulphur, Zinc Oxide, Zinc Di butyl Di thio Carbamate, Irganox 1330, etc).
How much?
If purchasing once, a box of 10 condoms costs $13.99. Yet, if you subscribe, you automatically save 15% on your order. If you increase your quantity to 40 or 144 condoms, the price decreases to as low as $1/condom.
3. Sir Richard?s Condoms
Sir Richard?s condom company sports a manly lumberjack-looking box, which is quite different than the last two companies who are women-owned businesses that aim at providing the best products particularly for women. Yet, Sir Richard?s has the same ethical values, and similarly displays their vegan certification for their all-natural latex condom and all-natural silicone lubricant ingredients on their website. Aside from their impressive condoms, Sir Richard?s also sports various sex accessories to spice up your life in the bedroom. Their main priority is for everyone to have safe and enjoyable sex.
What I Like:
- Approved by PETA and officially Vegan certified
- The website notes that their products never contain parabens, glycerin, spermicide, benzocaine, petrochemicals, and even Nonoxynol-9.
- They donate one condom to someone in need for every condom purchased
- Their blog that elaborates on several topics regarding their condoms and other products.
- These condoms are not only sold on their website, but are also available on Amazon for easy delivery.
Potential Problems:
- The full ingredient list was nowhere to be found, but the omitted ingredients were most of the ones I know are of concern.
- Nowhere on the website does it mention the omission of nitrosamines from their product, which is the most concerning of them all.
- In one blog post, they mention that their condoms may also include stabilizers such as corn starch, magnesium carbonate, and ammonia ? all of which have relatively unknown health effects.
- No sort of customer reviews on the website.
How much?
For a package of 36 condoms: $25 ? by far the cheapest of all the alternatives.
4. GLYDE America
As one of the first sustainable condom companies, GLYDE prides itself on being the first ethical, vegan & fair-trade condom company, according to their website. Additionally, the twenty-year old company prides itself in being free of all toxic chemicals and putting human health, environmental health, and ethical animal treatment above all else. They also have several outreach programs within the company to promote sexual safety, women?s education, and stopping the spread of disease.
What I Like:
- Certifications include The Vegan Society, PETA?s Caring Consumer Program, Ethiquette, the Green Business Network and B Corp.
- Their ingredients are sourced from worker owned and operated producers with fair trade and labor practices (i.e. fair and equal pay for men and women)
- Their natural rubber is sustainably grown in close proximity to their manufacturing facility, minimizing their carbon footprint.
- Their consumer packaging is made with recycled materials, soy and vegetable inks.
- Dozens of satisfied customer reviews
- States that their condoms are free of risky chemicals like benzocaine, casein, talc, parabens and spermicide (including Nonoxynol-9)
- Their products also include organically flavored condoms
Potential Problems:
- No transparent full list of ingredients
- Nowhere on the website does it mention the omission of nitrosamines from their product, which again, is the most concerning of all the chemicals.
How Much?
For a 12 pack it costs $14.99, and for a 36 pack it costs $34.99. Also, if you subscribe, you save 20% on your order each time no matter the size you choose.
