You might never think about what your sex toys are made of or any harm all the materials used in their construction may cause unless you or your partner have sensitive skin (especially in intimate areas). However, if you've reacted to unknown chemical additives or picked up an infection from poor cleaning, care, or storage of your sex toys, you'll know just how uncomfortable it can be.
Here, we'll look at what sex toys are made of, what 'body safe toys' are, and how to clean and store them - all while keeping you and your partner safe and healthy.
At a Glance
- The sex toy industry is unregulated, so choosing body-safe materials is crucial to avoid allergens, toxins, and bacteria buildup.
- Non-porous materials (silicone, glass, metal) are safer and easier to clean, while porous materials (TPE, PVC, latex) require extra care.
- Some materials, like phthalate-free silicone and ABS plastic, are hypoallergenic and safer for long-term use.
- Cleaning methods vary—non-porous toys can be boiled or dish washed, while porous toys need thorough washing and special care.
- Store toys separately to prevent material breakdown, and always check labels for safe and high-quality options.
Why Sex Toy Materials Matter
Even though some brands suggest FDA approval, the sex toy industry is remarkably unregulated. For such intimate-use products, you'd expect better control over which materials are and aren't 'body-safe,' clearing the market (and our bedroom drawers) of possibly unsafe toys.
Body-safe sex toys should be standard. They should be made from materials that mitigate health risks while still delivering the sensations and long-term durability we expect. And for those with higher sensitivity or allergies, packaging should clearly show the real materials used in their production.
What Makes a Material Body-Safe?
Most commercially available sex toys are quite safe for their intended use. However, everyone's body is unique, so for those who may be more sensitive to different materials or ingredients, it makes sense to avoid those that are likely to cause a reaction.
Regarding body-safe sex toy materials, the term body-safe typically refers to the lack of common allergens, dangerous phthalates, or other potentially harmful additives, or those that are more likely to harbor bacteria when they're not cleaned, stored, or looked after correctly.
Exploring the toxic materials used in sex toys, this study found the worst offenders to be those made from PET (the most toxic overall) and BBP (with the most toxic phthalates), having the potential to induce immunotoxicity from their use.
Non-Porous vs. Porous Materials
Porous materials feature tiny openings that create grippier, stickier surfaces. This allows fluids to penetrate the outer surface of your sex toys, giving bacteria the chance to grow if not cleaned properly. They also break down faster, meaning they'll need replacing more often.
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POROUS SEX TOY MATERIALS |
NON-POROUS SEX TOY MATERIALS |
| TPE/TPR | Glass, Stone, Ceramic, Wood |
| PVC | Metal/Stainless Steel |
| Latex | Medical Grade Silicone |
| Rubber, Rubber/Jelly | ABS Plastic |
While porous toys sound like bad news, they're not; it just means you need to ensure proper, thorough cleaning, especially when sharing with a new partner. Some of the best sex toys on the market are made from porous materials and are used safely every day.
Phthalate-Free and Hypoallergenic Materials
Phthalates are plasticizers used to add durability and flexibility. Although they get bad press in the sex toy industry, not all phthalates are bad. However, studies show some phthalates used in sex toys include hazardous toxic materials.
Guidance from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission lists those that shouldn't be used in the manufacture of children's toys, so, given the intimate nature of sex, it's imperative that toxic sex toys that use these chemicals and allergens are removed or clearly labeled to ensure user safety.
How to Spot Body-Safe Materials
While many sex toys are labeled 'body-safe,' it's still not a guarantee that you won't react to them. Likewise, there are plenty of ingredients in lubes that can trigger similar reactions and infections.
Regarding FDA approval, the closest to a list of safe body-contact materials are those used in food packaging and food contact materials. Reading—never mind digesting—those regulations from the FDA's information pages would be quite an undertaking.
To ensure sex toy safety, stick to recognized brands with strong reputations, always read the packaging and educate yourself about the different sex toy materials and how they work. And if you're ever unsure about them, there's nothing wrong with slipping a condom over any toy for added peace of mind.
Popular Sex Toy Materials and Their Benefits
While all kinds of materials are used to make sex toys, the following are the most common in today's market.
1. Silicone
- Non-porous
- Phthalate-free
- Firm or soft, with a smooth, luxurious finish
- Odour and taste-free
- Water-based lubricants only
Medical-grade silicone has set a standard in the sex toy industry. Regularly associated with high-end luxury brands, it's used for almost everything from the simplest cock rings to the most dynamic hi-tech vibrators, strokers, and prostate massagers.
When it comes to taking care of your silicone sex toys, be sure to stick to a thorough cleaning routine and store them away from other toys—otherwise, they can degrade and bond together over time.
Why choose silicone sex toys? They're non-porous, slick, tactile, and they retain heat to match your natural body temperature. They also feature hypoallergenic properties, are constructed from safe, soft material, and, with proper care, will offer years of reliable performance.
2. Glass and Stainless Steel
- Non-porous
- Phthalate-free
- Heat conductive for temperature play
- Rock hard
- Odour and taste-free
- Compatible with all lubricants
While many still have concerns about glass sex toys, they're usually made from borosilicate glass—the stuff they make scientific equipment with—guaranteeing their strength and safety.
Why choose glass, metal, or stainless steel? Not only do glass toys, stainless steel, and other metal toys look incredible, but they also conduct heat, making them perfect for temperature play. They're also easy to clean and sterilize in boiling water and should last forever.
3. ABS Plastic
- Non-porous
- Phthalate-free
- Firm or soft, with a smooth, luxurious finish
- Odour and taste-free
- Water-based lubricants only
ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene plastic) is a hard plastic that transfers vibrations incredibly well. This makes it a great option for lipstick, bullet, and classic vibrators.
Why choose ABS plastic toys? They're generally cheaper, making them ideal for beginners to experiment with. However, some ABS toys have softer coatings, including silicone and PU (polyurethane, which is often also made from ABS plastic), so make sure you check each material before it comes into contact with your body.
4. TPE/TPR
- Porous
- Check individual packaging for phthalates or latex
- Firm or soft, tactile, and one of the most popular and lifelike materials used in the sex toy industry
- New toys may have a slight rubbery odor and taste
- Water-based lubricants only
TPE (thermoplastic elastomer), TPR (thermoplastic rubber), and TPS (thermoset elastomer) **are the materials synonymous with realistic-feel masturbators, dildos, and high-end sex dolls.
Several major manufacturers have branded their own versions of TPE/TPRs, including Fleshlight’s Real Feel Super Skin, Pipedream’s Fanta Flesh, Doc Johnson's Ultraskyn, Loveclone RX, Cyberskin, and more.
Being porous, and with more intricate toys being quite tricky to clean (think about the incredible textures within masturbators), it's essential to pay the utmost attention to toy care and storage. TPE/TPR can be washed with warm water, mild soap, or a specialist sex toy cleaner and should also be treated with renewing powder to keep them in pristine condition.
Why choose TPE/TPR sex toys? Not only do TPE/TPR blends look and feel incredibly realistic, but they're pretty strong, too. Soft, flexible, and with high-tear strength, they make some of the best real-feel and lifelike sex toys.
Choosing the Best Material for You
Your preferred sex play and favorite toy types will dictate the ideal materials for your needs. For example:
Temperature Play
To explore how different temperatures create different sensations, heating up or cooling sex toys in cold or warm water is a popular sex play activity, especially in BDSM circles. Stainless steel and glass sex toys are a perfect fit, yet less common stone and ceramic toys are equally good.
Firmness vs. Flexibility
There'll be times when you want a soft, realistic feel masturbator, dildo, or anal toy with plenty of flexibility (think TPE/TPR or jelly rubber), while at others, you want the rock-hard feel of a plastic, glass, or metal sex toy. Variety is the spice of life, after all.
Before TPE/TPR and silicone—the standards in modern soft sex toy materials—became so popular, jelly rubber toys filled that corner of the market for years. While many of these contained what we now consider non-body-safe materials—including latex, phthalates, and other chemicals—there are still plenty of body-safe jelly rubber sex toys (and its alternative skin-safe rubber) readily available.
Texture and Sensation
From the silky-smooth surfaces of a bullet vibrator or beginner's prostate massager to the incredible complexities of a Fleshlight sleeve or Tenga Egg, texture and sensation drive how we choose our toys. You'd expect textured toys to be made from a soft material, but there are plenty of ridged, ribbed, and realistic-looking molded hard plastic toys to choose from. Again, it's all down to personal choice.
Cost
Corner-cutting budget toy manufacturers are often the leading offenders who scrimp on quality materials, but that doesn't mean all cheap toys are bad news. Many basic sex toys are perfectly safe and offer incredibly good value.
Cleaning and Caring for Different Materials
You wouldn't throw your red cotton socks in with your white woolen jumpers and best work shirts, and for your sex toy's durability, long lifespan, and your best health and safety, you should treat your sex toys in the same careful way.
To ensure proper care of your toys, always read the fine details and follow the manufacturer's instructions.
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PROPER SEX TOY CARE |
 INSTRUCTIONS |
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Cleaning Non-Porous Materials |
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Special Care for Porous Materials |
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Storage Solutions |
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NOTE: If you’re interested in cleaners designed for sex toys, you can check out our range of sex toy cleaners.
Choosing the Best Sex Toy Material For You: Summary
Whether you're looking for the rock-hard and weighty feel of glass or stainless steel sex toys or the softer, more realistic sensations associated with medical-grade silicone or jelly rubber, there's no reason why they shouldn't all be body-safe and non-toxic, given the huge range of models, materials, and sex tech in the modern sex toy market.
Whatever your tastes, there's no reason why hygiene, safety, and sexual pleasure should suffer if you maintain healthy cleaning and storage practices and always read the manufacturer's instructions to keep yourselves informed and educated.
Find expert advice for men's sexual wellness and hygiene
Visit our blog for guides to a healthier intimate life:
- Sex Toy Cleaner Collection
- Top 10 Best Sex Toy Cleaners for Men
- How to Clean Sex Toys According to Science
- A Guide to Sex Toy Storage: How To Safely Clean And Store Sex Toys
- Sexual And Genital Hygiene Tips for Men (+ 5-Step Daily Routine)
- How to Clean a Pocket Pussy | Proper Care for your Favorite Strokers
- Fleshlight Tips: Tricks for Using & Cleaning Your Masturbator