Sex Toy Safety: A Guide to Materials

Locating producers committed to pure, non-toxic fun is part of selecting the correct toy.

Purchasing a sex toy can be difficult. It's overwhelming. However, many people forget a very crucial component of the sex toy they select: the material it is made of, when deciding on its size, shape, texture, and features. You may begin to understand the significance of such materials; nevertheless, when you take into account that the majority of sex toys are applied to or placed into some incredibly delicate and membrane-bound areas of our bodies. Chemical-laden plastics and jelly rubbers may have negative health impacts. Chemical burns are also.

The bottom line? You're capable of more.

Here, we'll examine the components of sex toys, potential risks, and safety precautions.

Porous Vs. Non-Porous Sex Toy Materials

The two main types of materials used in sex toys are porous and non-porous.

In general, porous materials are pliable. It's safe to conclude that a product is porous if it doesn't employ ABS hard plastic, even though this group may include some complex polymers. These toys have the drawback of being able to retain bacteria and dirt that is impossible to get rid of. This means that if you use porous sex toys without a condom, you could get a bacterial or yeast infection again, get a recurrent STI, or even spread STIs, bacterial infections, and yeast infections between partners if you share them without a condom or other barrier. The inability to thoroughly sanitize them is a significant disadvantage, even though using a condom helps keep them cleaner for longer.

What's the next thing you should know? Phthalates. The porous category also includes all materials containing phthalates. Plastics are bound together and made flexible by the chemical agent phthalates. They may potentially cause cancer because they are known to be endocrine disruptors. Consequently 2008, they were prohibited from being used in children's toys. However, producers are primarily responsible for keeping them out of sex toys due to the unregulated nature of the business.

Phthalates are likely present in porous materials, even though they are not present in all of them. These compounds have the potential to be highly hazardous to your health, and many people who come into contact with them suffer from chemical and allergic reactions. Phthalate exposure can be disagreeable and potentially have more detrimental effects on one's health.

Generally speaking, non-porous materials are more costly and of higher quality. However, they are sterilizable and do not retain dirt or bacteria because they are not porous. Most non-porous materials, such as metal, glass, and carefully treated wood, are tougher. It may surprise you to hear that silicone is also non-porous, but unlike the materials mentioned above, it can also be exceptionally soft. This makes silicone an excellent material for people who don't like hard toys but still want to be safe and clean.

Sex Toy Materials: A Breakdown

What is the best material, then? Since each has a unique feel and a range of advantages and disadvantages, it is pretty personal. Let's examine the main components of sex toys and some of the top producers that use them.

Silicone Sex Toys

The smooth, silky side of non-porous materials is silicone, albeit its formulation can vary from extremely soft to extremely stiff. As long as the toy has no motor, silicone can be boiled to sanitize, transfer vibrations without buzzing, and retain body temperature properly. A high-quality silicone product can last a lifetime when used and maintained correctly. Remember that many businesses will say that their toys are made of silicone, but in reality, they are constructed of a combination of thermoplastic rubber (TPR) and elastomer. This implies they still have some porosity, albeit less than a normal jelly toy. Although they can't be fully sanitized, these silicone-like toys are safer than certain other materials. Selecting toys from a reputable, high-quality manufacturer is the best method to ensure your toy is safe. Recently, Blush Novelties pledged to do material safety testing on every product in their portfolio. Hopefully, other manufacturers will do the same!

Sex Toys Made of Hard (ABS) Plastic

Many middle-range and luxury sex toy producers employ ABS, a non-porous hard material. Although some lower-quality sex toys have seams, they're usually smooth and easy to clean; however, they can be a little buzzy when transmitting vibrations. Nevertheless, these devices are generally affordable, safe for the body, and some individuals enjoy the strong vibrations they produce.

Glass Sex Toys

Glass is smooth, complex, weighty, and frequently incredibly beautiful. It produces excellent goods that are easy to clean and maintain, and you can even dip them in either warm or cold water to play with the temperature. Avoid extremely hot or cold temperatures since they can break glass and possibly injure sensitive tissues. Eek!

Typically, glass toys contain soda lime or borosilicate (Pyrex). Both are safe to use.

Metal Sex Toys

Toys made of metal are smooth, complex, and usually have a pleasant weight. They can be used for temperature play and are readily cleaned like glass. Although some high-end toys are made of gold and silver, the majority of these toys are constructed of aluminum or stainless steel.

Wood and Stone Sex Toys

Sex toys made of other non-porous materials, such as stone or properly treated wood, are less frequent. In addition to being safe for the body, these toys are lovely and distinctive.

Is this sex toy toxic?

As we have stated, it isn't easy to know. There are a few tells, though.

Greasy Residue or Smell

Because toxic toys are often off-gassing, they may leave a greasy residue or smell like shower curtains. When you unwrap actual silicone, it could smell like production, but it should be almost odorless after it's aired out. A toy is most likely unsafe if it smells.

Low Price Point

More and more manufacturers are offering high-quality toys at affordable prices, but if a price looks too good to be true, it most often is. To find out which brands offer affordable, body-safe vibrators, see our list of the Best Low-Cost, Luxury Vibrators.

Invisible Manufacturer

Businesses concerned about consumer safety and product quality stand behind their creations. Locate a sex toy maker who is open about how customers may contact them, is independently vetted, and has a presence both online and in physical stores. Anybody can claim that their toys are made of silicone. You should purchase from businesses that support such claims.

Fly-by-Night Retailer

Good retailers stand behind their products, just as good producers do. They have high-quality supplies in store and are ready to assist when something goes wrong. The top shops are also dedicated to carrying goods from reliable producers in terms of quality and safety. This is also the reason we usually advise against making purchases on Amazon. You do not know where those toys are made or if they are safe.

The Bottom Line on Avoiding Toxic Toys

Although the safety of sex toys has dramatically improved in recent years, users are still responsible for conducting due diligence and making sure the product they are purchasing is safe. As a result, toys that are safe and of excellent quality typically function better and last longer. You can enjoy more orgasms in addition to avoiding the possibility of any adverse health impacts. Win-win!