Looking for an alternative to chemical-laden condoms out there? Call us biased, but we believe the more natural the better when it comes to anything that's going anywhere near your private parts. Whether you're looking for a change from hormonal contraception or changing brands, here's why you should switch to natural condoms.
 

What are natural condoms?

Natural condoms are condoms which don’t contain any artificial and unnecessary chemicals. 

Why are natural condoms good for you?

Real talk: we’re all pretty sensitive down there. Vaginas have their own ecosystem and we need to ensure that natural balance is protected and nurtured, avoiding unnecessary products, services and ‘treatments’. That means no douching, no vagina deodorant (they exist sadly) and switching to natural condoms and organic condoms. Designed without any added chemicals that can put your natural balance at risk, these can help you maintain your natural flora without getting in the way of the fun. 

What are HANX condoms made from?

We knew when we were traipsing around latex factories, trying to find a manufacturer who shared our vision for sensitive condoms, that we were going to do things differently to mainstream sexual wellness brands:

• HANX condoms are made from natural rubber, cornstarch powder and silicon oil, & we use a vegetable binder extract.
• Our rubber has been vulcanised from natural rubber latex using sulphur, zinc oxide, accelerators and soap.
• Our chemical input is the bare minimum and is the exact level needed to ensure our condoms are safe. As with any rubber products there are traces of nitrosamines in HANX, though these are minimal and we regularly test for the presence of nitrosamines.
• Aside from these necessary traces, HANX is free of glycerin, spermicides, benzocaine, and casein. HANX is also free from parabens, synthetic colorants and fragrances.

Can vegans use condoms?

Of course, vegans can use condoms. Our plant-based pals need to be aware that just like that wonder serum or those unassuming razors, condoms aren’t automatically vegan. Years ago, condoms were usually made from lamb intestine and while this is increasingly less common (and popular), there are still some brands out there who manufacture condoms made from lambskin. For those looking for condoms without animal by-products, keep your eye out for an ingredient called casein. It's a protein derived from animals and is used to make condoms smooth. Heads up if you’re a lube user, scan the ingredients for lactoperoxidase: an enzyme derived from dairy. We're proud to have developed HANX condoms and lubricant to be free from animal by-products and officially certified by The Vegan Society. 

Can you find natural condoms without spermicide?

It doesn't need to be a faff, or an epic Frodo and Sam style adventure to find natural condoms without spermicide anymore. Make sure to check the ingredients list before you buy. With our Co-Founder Dr Sarah Welsh's gynaecology expertise, we designed our condoms without harsh spermicides which can irritate delicate vaginal tissue. You can find HANX condoms when you're shopping at Boots, getting a speedy delivery from Zapp or picking up condoms with your weekly shop (hi Ocado, Tesco and Sainsbury’s!). 

Which other ingredients should I avoid in condoms?

• Glycerin is a very popular lubricant added to condoms that when left in the vagina can transform into sugar, which feeds yeast. Legally, condom brands don’t have to state the use of glucose on their packaging or ingredients list, so if you’re experiencing frequent yeast infections and UTIs, it's possible that this could be the cause. Listen to your body and try switching to natural condoms and lubricant.
• Nitrosamine can trigger tumour growth - although research hasn’t yet found that it can cause cancer. The use of Nitrosamine has even attracted the attention of the WHO (World Health Organisation) who have previously requested that condom brands consider removing this potentially harmful ingredient from their manufacturing process, as it’s actually an unnecessary element.
• Benzocaine is a local anaesthetic. It’s added to condoms to make people with penises last longer as it minimises sensitivity down there. It is also an endocrine disruptor, meaning it messes with the hormone messaging system that regulates some bodily functions like sleep and more relevantly, your sex drive. Unfortunately, the more you’re exposed to this ingredient, the greater the impact on your hormones.
• Spermicides like Nonoxynol. Designed to kill sperm and block the cervix, Nonoxynol also damages healthy cells along the vaginal wall making you more susceptible to STIs, HIV and UTIs as a result.
   

Which condoms are good for sensitive skin? 

Type ‘natural condoms’ into any search engine and you’ll be besieged by condoms of every size, length and err-flavour, purporting to be natural but which condoms are actually kind to your body? When we started HANX all the way back in 2017, we set out to make the very best natural condoms for sensitive skin - that means transparency in our ingredient list.

Our condoms are developed with medical professionals to be pH-balanced, are made from natural rubber, cornstarch powder and silicon oil and we use a vegetable binder extract. Our rubber has been vulcanised from natural rubber latex using sulphur, zinc oxide, accelerators and soap and our chemical input is the bare minimum - the exact level needed to ensure our condoms are safe. As with any rubber products there are traces of nitrosamines in HANX, though these are minimal and we regularly test for the presence of nitrosamines.  

Aside from these necessary traces, HANX is free of glycerin (hello UTIs), spermicides and benzocaine. HANX condoms are also free from parabens, synthetic colorants and fragrances. In fact, our condoms made Marie Claire’s ‘15 best condoms to *add to basket*: shop the brands that can actually make sex better’ feature, with journalist Ally Head stating, “if you ever suffer from UTI's after sex, you'll want to try HANX condoms.”

Can I use natural condoms and lubricant together?

Yes, you can - but make sure you're using the right pairing as certain lubricants can break down latex, leaving you at risk of STIs and/or pregnancy. There's no greater pleasure than johnnies and lube together, so we've created a guide to getting it on with condoms and lubricant. Read more.

Want more?

• Find out more about HANX natural condoms and lubricant here and bone up our ultimate guide to vegan condoms now.
• Get our ultimate guide to vegan sex and dating.
• Discover which nasties to avoid in mainstream condoms.