When you're choosing between Skyn and Durex, one fact makes the decision much simpler than it might look: SKYN condoms are made from polyisoprene, a synthetic material with no natural rubber latex. Most Durex condoms are latex. That single difference dictates who should choose which brand - and everything else, from feel to price to lube compatibility, follows from it.
If you have a latex allergy or sensitivity, SKYN is the answer before you read another word. If you're fine with latex and want the widest range of sizes and types from one brand, Durex has the edge. For everyone else, the choice comes down to feel, fit, and budget - and that's what this guide covers.
Both brands offer genuine protection. Used correctly, condoms from either brand are 98% effective at preventing pregnancy and reducing STI transmission. The difference is in the experience, not the safety record.
Table of Contents
- Skyn vs Durex: Quick Comparison
- Material and Feel: The Key Difference
- Latex Allergy and Sensitivity
- Thickness: How Do They Compare?
- Size and Fit
- Lubrication: What to Use With Each
- Price
- Which Should You Choose?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Skyn vs Durex: Quick Comparison
| Feature | SKYN | Durex |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Polyisoprene (SKYNFEEL) | Latex (most products) |
| Latex-free | Yes - all products | Durex Real Feel only |
| Thinnest option | 0.05mm (SKYN Elite) | 0.045mm (Thin Feel Ultra Thin) |
| Width range | 53mm and 56mm only | 52mm, 53mm, 54mm, 56mm, 60mm |
| Pre-lube type | Silicone-based with aloe vera | Silicone-based |
| Spermicide-free | Yes | Yes |
| Vegan-certified | Yes - all products | Non-latex range only |
| Price from | £9.99 for 10 | £9.99 for 12 |
| Best for | Latex allergy, natural feel, vegans | Size range, variety, larger fits |
Material and Feel: The Key Difference
SKYN's SKYNFEEL material is a proprietary form of polyisoprene - a synthetic rubber that matches the elasticity of natural latex without the proteins that trigger allergic reactions. It's odourless and tasteless, which alone is enough reason for plenty of people to switch.
The more interesting difference is heat transfer. Latex creates a slight thermal barrier between partners; polyisoprene transfers body heat more naturally, which is why many users describe SKYN as the closest thing to no condom at all. It's not a dramatic effect - but it's real enough to notice, and it's what sits behind the brand's "skin-on-skin" claim.
Durex's standard latex range has a noticeably different feel: a faint latex smell, a slightly firmer texture, and somewhat less warmth transmission. For many people this doesn't matter - latex has worked reliably for a century and most users are entirely comfortable with it. But if you've only ever used latex, the polyisoprene feel is worth trying once.
Durex does sell a polyisoprene option: Durex Real Feel is a non-latex condom at 0.065mm and 52mm width, priced at £14.99 for 12. If you want the Durex brand without latex, that's your route - though at a narrower width than most SKYN options.
Latex Allergy and Sensitivity
Between 1% and 6% of the general UK population are sensitised to natural rubber latex, according to NHS and HSE data. Many sensitised people have no obvious symptoms, but reactions can include itching, swelling, or discomfort during and after sex.
If you or your partner experience those symptoms with latex condoms, switching to SKYN is the most direct fix. SKYN products are manufactured in a facility that produces no latex at all - there's no cross-contamination risk.
The non-latex condoms category is wider than just SKYN, but SKYN is the most established polyisoprene brand in the UK and the one most commonly recommended for latex sensitivity. Durex Real Feel covers the same need for those who prefer the Durex brand.
Thickness: How Do They Compare?
Thickness varies a lot within each brand's range - the headline brand name tells you very little. Here's the data:
SKYN thickness by product:
| Product | Width | Thickness |
|---|---|---|
| SKYN Elite Non-Latex | 53mm | 0.05mm |
| SKYN Original Non-Latex | 53mm | 0.065mm |
| SKYN Intense Feel Non-Latex | 53mm | 0.065mm |
| SKYN Extra Lubricated Non-Latex | 53mm | 0.065mm |
| SKYN Large Non-Latex | 56mm | 0.065mm |
Durex thickness by product:
| Product | Width | Thickness |
|---|---|---|
| Durex Thin Feel Ultra Thin | 54mm | 0.045mm |
| Durex Thin Feel | 54mm | 0.055mm |
| Durex Originals | 52mm | 0.065mm |
| Durex Extra Safe | 56mm | 0.08mm |
In raw millimetres, Durex Thin Feel Ultra Thin at 0.045mm is the thinnest option between the two brands. SKYN Elite at 0.05mm is a close second - and because polyisoprene conducts body heat more naturally than latex, many users find SKYN Elite feels thinner in practice than the number suggests. If ultra-thin is your priority, our ultra-thin condoms collection covers both brands.
Size and Fit
Durex has a clear advantage here: five width options across the range versus SKYN's two. This matters if you're not a standard 53mm fit.
SKYN comes in 53mm (Original, Elite, Intense Feel, Extra Lube) and 56mm (Large). If you need a snugger 52mm fit or anything above 56mm, SKYN doesn't have a product for you.
Durex covers 52mm, 54mm, 56mm, and 60mm - with Durex Originals XL being the only 60mm option from either brand. For anyone who needs a larger fit, Durex is the only route between these two. The full selection is in our large condoms collection.
Not sure which size you need? Our guide to what size condoms to buy explains how to measure, and the dedicated Durex size chart walks through their full range. Getting fit right matters more than brand loyalty - a condom that doesn't fit correctly is less reliable regardless of who made it.
Lubrication: What to Use With Each
Both SKYN and Durex condoms are pre-lubricated, and neither brand uses spermicide in their standard lubricants. Our guides to Durex and spermicide and non-spermicidal condoms cover the detail if you want it.
For extra lube, the same rule applies to both brands: water-based or silicone-based is fine, oil-based is not. Oil degrades both polyisoprene and latex, so avoid it regardless of which brand you're using.
There's a widespread misunderstanding that silicone lube isn't safe with polyisoprene. It is. Unlike oil, silicone doesn't break down the polyisoprene material, so SKYN's own All Night Long silicone lubricant is compatible with all SKYN condoms - and with Durex latex condoms too.
SKYN Extra Lubricated carries around 40% more lubricant than the Original, worth knowing if dryness is a factor. Durex Thin Feel Extra Lubricated does the same job in a slightly thinner (0.055mm) condom.
Price
Both brands start at £9.99 on condoms.uk - but the pack sizes differ. SKYN's £9.99 entry-level price gets you 10 condoms; Durex's £9.99 gets you 12. That's a meaningful difference if you're buying regularly.
Bulk packs reduce the cost significantly on both sides. SKYN Original is available in a 144-condom pack, which works out considerably cheaper per unit. Most Durex product lines go up to 36 in a single pack.
Neither brand is expensive for what you get, and the price difference between them at standard pack sizes is marginal.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose SKYN if:
- You or your partner have a latex allergy or sensitivity - this is the one situation where SKYN has no competition
- You want a fully vegan-certified product across the whole range, not just selected lines
- You want the softest, most natural-feeling option and fit comfortably in a 53mm or 56mm width
- The absence of latex smell matters to you
Choose Durex if:
- You need a width outside 53-56mm - especially a 60mm XL fit, where Durex Originals XL is your only option between these two brands
- You want the widest selection of types from one brand (ribbed, dotted, delay, flavoured, extra safe, close fit)
- Budget per condom is a priority and you're not buying in the large SKYN bulk packs
Either works well if:
- You want an ultra-thin option (SKYN Elite at 0.05mm and Durex Thin Feel Ultra Thin at 0.045mm are both strong choices)
- You want extra lubrication (both brands offer it)
- You're not affected by latex and a standard 53-54mm fit works for you
The short version: latex allergy settles the question in favour of SKYN. Need a 60mm fit - Durex. Everyone else should seriously consider trying SKYN's polyisoprene feel if they haven't already, but Durex's per-pack value and range depth are real reasons to stick with it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are SKYN condoms better than Durex?
Neither brand is objectively better across the board. SKYN is better for latex allergy sufferers and for people who want the most natural-feeling option. Durex is better for people who need a wider range of widths or more variety in type. Which is better depends on what you're looking for.
Can you use silicone lube with SKYN condoms?
Yes. Polyisoprene is not broken down by silicone-based lubricant, so silicone lube is safe to use with SKYN condoms. SKYN's own All Night Long lubricant is silicone-based and fully compatible. The lube to avoid is oil-based, which degrades both polyisoprene and latex.
Are SKYN condoms vegan?
Yes. SKYN condoms are certified by The Vegan Society, and all their products are free from animal-derived ingredients including casein, which is used in many latex condoms. The factory is entirely latex-free.
Do Durex make non-latex condoms?
Yes. Durex Real Feel is Durex's polyisoprene condom - latex-free and suitable for people with latex allergies. It's available in a 52mm regular fit at 0.065mm thickness. Durex also produces a Latex Free range. Both are vegan-friendly.
Which is thinner - SKYN or Durex?
In absolute numbers, Durex Thin Feel Ultra Thin at 0.045mm is thinner than the thinnest SKYN option (Elite at 0.05mm). But polyisoprene transmits body heat more naturally than latex, so SKYN Elite often feels thinner during use than the measurements suggest. If the number is what matters, Durex Ultra Thin wins. If the in-use sensation is what matters, many people actually prefer SKYN Elite.
Are SKYN condoms good for people with latex allergies?
Yes - that's what they were designed for. SKYN condoms are made from polyisoprene with no natural rubber latex, and the manufacturing facility is entirely latex-free with no cross-contamination risk. SKYN is one of the most widely recommended latex-free options in the UK.
Can I use the same lube with both SKYN and Durex condoms?
In most cases, yes. Water-based lube works with both. Silicone-based lube works with both. The only lube to avoid with either brand is oil-based, which breaks down both polyisoprene and latex. So if you switch between brands, your lube doesn't need to change.
