A delay spray is one of the simplest ways to last longer in bed. You apply it before sex, give it a few minutes to absorb, and it reduces sensitivity enough to give you more control without killing the experience entirely. If you've been searching for the best delay spray UK buyers can trust, this guide covers the products we stock, how they compare, and exactly how to use them - including with a condom.
Our overall pick is the EXS Reload. It's affordable, easy to use, and built on a natural botanical formula that takes the edge off without heavy numbing. If you want something more focused on stamina support rather than sensitivity reduction, the Skins Delay Natural is worth considering. And if you want the precision and reputation of the Pjur range, the Super Hero Performance Spray is the one to go for.
Browse our full delay spray range at Condoms.uk.
How Delay Sprays Work
Most delay sprays on the market use a topical local anaesthetic - typically lidocaine or benzocaine - to temporarily numb the penis and extend the time to climax. The products we stock take a different approach. Rather than pharmaceutical anaesthetics, they use botanical ingredients: plant extracts, adaptogens, and naturally occurring compounds that reduce oversensitivity and support stamina through a gentler mechanism.
Acmella oleracea (in the EXS Reload) is a good example. Known as the toothache plant, it produces a mild tingling-into-numbing effect through natural analgesic compounds. Witch hazel and panthenol (used in the Pjur range) calm and soothe the skin to reduce irritation-related oversensitivity. Adaptogens like panax ginseng, ginkgo biloba, and tribulus terrestris (in the Skins Delay) are included for their traditional use in supporting sexual endurance and circulation.
The result is a subtler reduction in sensation compared to a high-concentration anaesthetic spray - better suited to men who want to take the edge off rather than significantly numb the area, and with less risk of transferring unwanted numbness to a partner.
Natural formula sprays can generally be used more spontaneously than pharmaceutical alternatives. Most benefit from a couple of minutes to absorb, but you are not waiting 15 to 20 minutes for a full anaesthetic cycle to take effect.
Best Overall: EXS Reload Delay Spray
The EXS Reload Delay Spray is the most affordable spray in the range at £9.99 for 30ml, and it earns its place as the default recommendation for most buyers. The formula combines ginger root, acmella oleracea, wild mint, and aloe vera - a blend designed to reduce sensitivity through natural botanical action rather than pharmaceutical numbing.
Acmella oleracea is the lead active ingredient. It produces a mild tingling effect on contact with skin that transitions into gentle sensitivity reduction - similar in principle to a low-concentration anaesthetic, but derived from plant compounds. Ginger adds warmth, wild mint adds a cooling counterpoint, and aloe vera sits in the formula as a skin soother and carrier. The combination creates a noticeable sensory effect that is functional without being overwhelming.
At £9.99 for a 30ml bottle, the Reload delivers good value. It is compact, discreet, and available for immediate dispatch.
Key ingredients: Acmella oleracea, ginger root, wild mint, aloe vera
Size: 30ml
Price: £9.99
Best for: Anyone trying delay spray for the first time, or looking for a natural-formula option at an accessible price point
Best for Stamina Support: Skins Delay Natural Spray
The Skins Delay Natural Spray takes a different approach to the Reload. Where the Reload leans on acmella's mild analgesic properties, the Skins formula is built around adaptogens and botanicals traditionally associated with sexual endurance - panax ginseng, tribulus terrestris, epimedium, ginkgo biloba, saw palmetto, L-arginine, and L-carnitine, alongside chamomile and vitamins C, E, and B6.
This makes the Skins Delay more of a botanical performance formula than a straight desensitising spray. Rather than reducing sensation directly, it is designed to support the physiological conditions for lasting longer: improved circulation, better stamina response, and traditional endurance botanicals working together. If you find direct sensitivity reduction too blunt, or you want something that supports performance rather than numbs it, this is the one to try.
The formula is water-based and moisturising, which makes it comfortable to apply. The airless pump delivers precise application from any angle - a practical advantage over standard nozzle formats, particularly if discretion and ease of use matter.
Key ingredients: Panax ginseng, ginkgo biloba, tribulus terrestris, epimedium, L-arginine
Size: 30ml
Price: £13.99
Best for: Men who prefer an endurance-based approach rather than direct sensitivity reduction, or those who have found other sprays too strong
Pjur Super Hero Performance Spray
Pjur is one of the most established names in premium intimate products, and the Pjur Super Hero Performance Spray is their mainstream delay entry - a natural formula at £16.99 for 20ml that uses ginkgo biloba, aloe vera, panthenol, and mentha arvensis leaf oil.
The spray is designed to absorb into the top layer of the skin quickly, producing its effect without leaving surface residue. The mint oil in the formula gives it a noticeable cooling sensation on application. Ginkgo biloba is included for its traditional role as a circulatory adaptogen. If you are already using Pjur lubricants, the Super Hero spray is compatible with their water-based range.
Key ingredients: Ginkgo biloba, aloe vera, panthenol, mentha arvensis leaf oil
Size: 20ml
Price: £16.99
Best for: Premium buyers who want an established brand and a fast-absorbing natural formula
Pjur Med Pro-Long Spray
The Pjur Med Pro-Long Spray is priced at £11.49 (down from £15.95 RRP). It uses a formula built around witch hazel, millet seed extract, aloe vera, and tannic acid - all chosen for their skin-soothing and anti-inflammatory properties.
The "Med" positioning signals that Pjur designed this specifically for men who experience premature ejaculation due to physical oversensitivity. Witch hazel is the lead active ingredient - it has well-documented astringent and anti-inflammatory properties. Millet seed extract stimulates blood vessels, and the panthenol and tannic acid combination helps address surface sensitivity. The formula contains no synthetic anaesthetics and is described by Pjur as vegan and made from natural ingredients only.
Key ingredients: Witch hazel, millet seed extract, aloe vera, panthenol, tannic acid
Size: 20ml
Price: £11.49 (RRP £15.95)
Best for: Men who experience oversensitivity-related PE and want a targeted, skin-focused natural formula
How to Use Delay Spray Safely With a Condom
Using a delay spray and a condom together is straightforward, particularly with the natural-formula sprays stocked here. Because none of the products contain lidocaine or benzocaine, there is no risk of significant anaesthetic transfer to a partner - the main concern with pharmaceutical delay sprays.
Here is the method:
- Make sure the penis is clean and dry before you start. The formula absorbs better into dry skin.
- Apply one or two sprays to the head of the penis. Start with one and build up once you know how the product works for you.
- Gently massage the spray in with a fingertip to aid absorption.
- Wait a few minutes. Natural formulas absorb more quickly than high-concentration anaesthetic sprays, but a couple of minutes improves the effect.
- Put the condom on as normal.
If you are using the spray without a condom, allow the formula to fully absorb before contact with a partner's skin. Test alone first if you have not used delay spray before - working out the right amount without the pressure of the moment makes the experience more reliable.
Browse our full delay spray selection if you're ready to buy.
FAQ
Does delay spray really work?
It depends on the type. Conventional delay sprays using lidocaine or benzocaine have solid clinical evidence showing they extend time to ejaculation. The natural botanical formulas in this range work through different mechanisms - reduced oversensitivity via plant extracts, adaptogens, and skin-calming ingredients. Results are more variable and subtler. Starting with one or two sprays and adjusting based on your experience is the right approach.
Can I use delay spray with a condom?
Yes. None of the sprays in this range contain lidocaine or benzocaine, so there is no significant anaesthetic transfer risk to manage. Apply the spray first, allow a couple of minutes to absorb, then put the condom on as normal.
Will my partner feel anything?
Natural-formula sprays carry minimal risk of any numbing transfer to a partner. The botanical ingredients absorb into the skin and do not accumulate on the surface in the same way as a pharmaceutical spray. As a general precaution, allow the formula to absorb fully before any partner contact.
Are there side effects?
These products use natural and botanical ingredients that are generally well tolerated. If you have sensitive skin or known allergies to any of the listed plant extracts, check the ingredient lists before using. Discontinue if you notice irritation.
What is the difference between natural and anaesthetic delay sprays?
Anaesthetic sprays (lidocaine or benzocaine) produce a measurable numbing effect by temporarily blocking nerve signals. They are more potent and faster-acting, but carry a risk of reducing sensation more than intended, or transferring numbness to a partner if not applied carefully. Natural botanical formulas work more gently - using plant extracts and adaptogens to reduce oversensitivity or support stamina without pharmaceutical numbing. The products stocked here all use the natural approach.
