This is the third in a series of blog post regarding 2010 Earth Day news items I receive from companies’ or their PR reps touting a green product, cause or event.  As with the others, I’m looking for the unique or different story and not the run-of-the-mill story.  This week’s story represents the notion that green products are everywhere and available for all occasions, including the bedroom.

Last week, I received a notice from my friends at 5W Public Relations in New York City, introducing me to one of their client’s Earth Day announcements about two of its products, LifeStyles® SKYN Condoms and Natural Desire, an all-natural personal lubricant.  And what was the company’s Earth Day message?  ‘You may have already swapped out your old lights for compact fluorescent light bulbs in honor of Earth Day, but how green is your sex life?’ 

The company claims to have the first new condom material introduced to the market since non-latex polyurethane condoms became available in the 1990s. LifeStyles® SKYN Condoms are made from a synthetic material called polyisoprene or better known as natural rubber. Polyisoprene is not plastic, but synthetic latex that is designed chemically to mimic natural rubber latex, but because of its chemical make-up, is more consistent in quality and control than natural rubber latex. Polyisoprene has no latex proteins and is safe for those with latex allergies, but it is also a stretchy and more comfortable fit material than polyurethane. 

The release also goes on to give a little history of the original polyisoprene. It was discovered by the ancient Mayans and Aztecs, who harvested the then unnamed polyisoprene from the sap of the hevea tree and used it to make waterproof boots and balls to play a game similar to basketball.  But unlike its ancestral counterparts, no hevea trees are harmed in the making of SKYN. In the modern day, polyisoprene is created in a laboratory and specially treated to give it crosslinks, which allows the rubber to stretch more and also helps the condom recover its shape after being stretched.  (No, this feature couldn’t be for reuse purposes? Now that’s a little over the top.) The company also claims with the crosslinks, the SKYN condom is resistant to breakage during intercourse.  SKYN® gives the strength of premium latex with the sensitivity of an ultra-thin condom. 

The other product, LifeStyles Natural Desire is personal lubricant that’s dermatologist-tested and made with 99% natural ingredients. Formulated for a smooth, long-lasting and silky sensation, Natural Desire is paraben and fragrance free, pH Balanced, and latex compatible.

So it’s pretty obvious that consumers are very cautious about what they put in their bodies, with a growing number of individuals preferring all-natural and organic foods, beauty products, and even bed sheets. But do women know what they’re putting… down there?

Filed under: Good Green Stuff, Green Business