There’s been a lot of talk on social media about condom safety these days and that’s a good thing. Unfortunately, there is also a lot of misinformation. Let’s make things clear!

Any product made with water requires a preservative. It is to prevent bacteria, mold, fungus or other bugs from growing on the product. Condoms are needed to prevent contamination. Let’s talk specifically about the preservative, Phenoxyethanol.

It rates a four on the Cosmetic Safety Database (scale of 0 to 10, with four being measured at its most concentrated and isolated level, meaning not measured in a product). Pretty good, considering most other condoms measure around a seven or more.

So let’s put it in perspective. Penoxyethanol is approved at 1% in products (Canada, Japan and the European Union). When you consider that the toxicity is relative to the dose, 1% makes this a very low risk. (Look at your label and your preservative should be the last item on the list. Ingredients are listed in percentage order, highest to lowest. So the last ingredient on the list basically means it’s the one with the most low on your product).

It is also important to know how to decipher the information you read about. Sometimes it’s easy to panic when you see a list of warnings, restrictions, numbers on scales, and jumping to conclusions.

Penoxyethanol is a safe preservative that is approved for use at a very low dosage rate (1%). Think of it in a 240ml/8oz bottle of lotion, for example. At 1%, that’s not much of a condom in your product.

Certain chemicals on their own can be worrisome, but when combined they are harmless. Let’s use Lye’s example. Horrible stuff on its own, but mix it with water and oil and soap is created. Add olive oil and now you have a soap that is mild enough for children!

And… beware of those who might suggest that “if you can’t pronounce it, it shouldn’t be in your skincare. After all, penoxyethanol is certainly not an easy word to pronounce; it’s best to keep this in your care.” of “natural” or “clean” leather, to withstand the many other chemicals available and so frequently used.

Finally, read labels, ask questions, and remember… Just because there’s a recipe on the internet for a great body scrub doesn’t make everyone a chemist.