Sex Toy Materials – What to Look For and What to Avoid
Sex Toy Materials – What to Look For and What to Avoid
The material a sex toy is made from affects how it feels, how safe it is to use on your body, how easy it is to clean, and how long it will last. It’s worth understanding the main categories before buying – especially for anything used internally or against sensitive skin.
Silicone
Medical-grade silicone is the gold standard for sex toy materials, and for clear reasons. It’s non-porous, which means bacteria can’t get into the surface of the material – it can be cleaned thoroughly and sterilised. It’s hypoallergenic, odourless, tasteless, and free from phthalates and latex. It’s soft enough to be comfortable on insertion but firm enough to retain shape and provide effective stimulation. It’s also durable – a silicone toy properly cared for will last years rather than months.
One practical consideration: silicone is not compatible with silicone-based lubricants. The lubricant can degrade the surface of the toy over time. Use water-based lubricant with silicone toys.
If the material is listed as “body-safe silicone” or “medical-grade silicone,” that’s what you want. If it just says “silicone” without qualification, check other markers of quality. Cheap toys sometimes use the word silicone loosely to describe blended materials that don’t carry the same properties.
Glass
Glass dildos and accessories are made from borosilicate glass – the same toughened material used in laboratory equipment and quality cookware. It’s non-porous, completely body-safe, and exceptionally easy to clean – it can go in the dishwasher or be boiled. It’s free from all chemical additives, has no smell or taste, and is hypoallergenic.
The unique properties of glass are temperature responsiveness: glass toys can be warmed in hot water or cooled in a bowl of ice water to create temperature-based sensation, which no other material replicates as effectively. They’re also firm, which suits people who prefer rigidity over flexibility.
Glass compatible with: both water-based and silicone lubricants.
ABS Plastic
Hard ABS plastic is non-porous, body-safe, and easy to clean. It’s typically used for the hard outer casing of vibrators and for some toy bodies. It doesn’t have the warmth or flexibility of silicone but is entirely safe, durable, and compatible with both water-based and silicone lubricants. Most mid-range vibrators have at least some ABS plastic components.
Jelly Rubber
Jelly rubber is soft, flexible, inexpensive, and widely used in budget sex toys. It’s also porous, which means bacteria can get into the material and can’t be fully removed by cleaning – only the surface is cleaned, not the interior of the material. Jelly toys can also contain phthalates, a category of chemical added to plastics to make them flexible, which some research suggests may be harmful with repeated exposure.
The practical conclusion: jelly toys are fine for occasional external use with a condom over them. For direct skin contact, internal use, or regular use, they’re not the right choice. Spend slightly more and get silicone.
TPE and TPR
Thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) and thermoplastic rubber (TPR) are softer, more realistic-feeling materials often used in male masturbators and some vibrators. They’re phthalate-free but are still porous – they can’t be fully sterilised, and bacteria can accumulate in the material over time. They’re a better choice than jelly rubber but not as good as silicone for regular internal use. Using a condom over TPE/TPR toys, or replacing them periodically, is advisable.
Latex
Latex is flexible, durable, and commonly used in adult products including strap-on harnesses and some toy sleeves. The significant caveat is latex allergies – these are common and can range from mild skin irritation to severe reactions. If you have a latex allergy or sensitivity, avoid latex products entirely and look for latex-free alternatives, which are widely available.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel adult toys are non-porous, exceptionally durable, and completely body-safe. Like glass, they respond to temperature and can be warmed or cooled for temperature play. They’re firm and heavy, which provides distinctive sensation. They’re compatible with all lubricant types and can be sterilised completely. The drawback is cost – quality stainless steel toys tend to be expensive – and the firmness, which suits some people and not others.
The Simple Rule
For internal use or any toy that will be in direct contact with mucous membranes: stick to silicone, glass, stainless steel, or ABS plastic. Avoid jelly rubber for regular internal use. Check for latex allergies before using latex products. The material should always be listed clearly on the product – if it isn’t, that’s a reason to be cautious.
