What Are Condoms Made Of?

Most condoms are made from latex, a natural rubber that is strong, stretchy and very effective as a barrier. For people who cannot use latex, condoms are also made from synthetic materials such as polyisoprene and polyurethane, which work in the same way. A far less common type is made from natural lambskin membrane, which prevents pregnancy but does not protect against sexually transmitted infections because it is porous. Knowing what a condom is made of matters, because the material affects comfort, allergy risk, which lubricants are safe and how well it protects.

This guide explains each material, its strengths and limits and how to choose one that suits your body and your needs.

The Main Condom Materials

Each material has a different character. The table below compares them on the points that matter most.

The key point is that latex and synthetic condoms protect against infections while lambskin does not. Our guide on What Are Non-Latex Condoms covers the latex-free options in full.

Latex and Its Care

Latex is the most widely used material for good reason, being strong, elastic and effective. Its one weakness is that oil-based products, such as body lotions, petroleum jelly and some massage oils, weaken it and can cause it to break. For that reason only water-based or silicone-based lubricants should be used with latex condoms. If you like an ultra-thin feel, latex is also used for the thinnest condoms available. Our guide on What Are the Thinnest Condoms looks at those.

Non-Latex Options

Synthetic condoms exist mainly for people with a latex allergy but many others choose them for their feel. Polyisoprene is a soft synthetic rubber that stretches much like latex, while polyurethane is thinner, conducts warmth well and can be used with oil-based lube. Both protect against pregnancy and infections just as latex does. Our guides on Can You Be Allergic to Condoms and Are Condoms Vegan cover allergy and vegan considerations, since some materials suit those needs better than others.

Why the Material Matters for You

Choosing the right material is about comfort, safety and values. If you have a latex allergy, a synthetic condom is essential. If you want the thinnest possible feel, latex or polyurethane lead the way. If you prefer to avoid animal-derived products, it is worth knowing that some latex condoms use a milk protein in processing, so a certified vegan option may suit you better. And whatever you choose, matching your lubricant to the material keeps the condom strong. The chart below shows what tends to matter most to people when choosing.

A Word on Lambskin Condoms

Lambskin condoms, made from natural membrane, deserve a special mention because they carry an important limitation. While they do prevent pregnancy and some people like their natural feel and warmth, the material contains tiny pores that are small enough to stop sperm but large enough to let viruses and bacteria through. This means lambskin condoms do not protect against sexually transmitted infections. For that reason they are only a sensible choice for couples who have no infection risk to consider, such as long-term monogamous partners who have both been tested.

For everyone else, a latex or synthetic condom is the safer choice, since only these guard against infection as well as pregnancy. If the natural feel is what appeals to you, an ultra-thin latex or polyurethane condom offers a similar sensation without giving up STI protection. When protection against infection matters at all, it is wise to steer clear of lambskin and choose latex or a synthetic material instead.

Browse the complete Condoms User Guides library for help choosing a condom material that suits you.

Matching Lube to Material

Because the wrong lubricant can ruin a condom, this is worth spelling out. Latex and polyisoprene condoms must only be used with water-based or silicone-based lubricants, never oil-based ones, which weaken the material and can cause a break. Polyurethane is more tolerant and can be used with oil-based lube. If in doubt, a water-based lubricant is safe with every kind of condom. Our guide on Why Condoms Break or Split explains how the wrong lube causes failures.

When you want the right condom for your needs, you can explore the Ava Noir condom collection delivered discreetly across the UK.

The Short Answer

Condoms are mostly made of latex, with synthetic polyisoprene and polyurethane for those who cannot use it, all of which protect against pregnancy and infections. Lambskin condoms prevent pregnancy but not STIs because they are porous. The material affects comfort, allergy risk and which lubricants are safe, so latex and polyisoprene need water-based or silicone lube rather than oil.