Sex Toy Safety: A Guide to Materials

Walking into an adult store can be overwhelming for anyone. Walls of all sorts of products, in different materials and different shapes and sizes, all vying for your attention like dogs at the pound; the old, faithful ones that look their age, the cute ones that turn out to have behavioral issues, and, somewhere in there, a hidden gem that may prove to be just the right fit. 

Thanks to my experience working in an adult store, I feel competent enough to guide most anyone through this journey. But go in knowing that everyone is different; I can tell you what to look for, but I can’t guarantee you’ll like what it does or how it does it. 

Another consideration, as always, is that companies can say whatever they’d like about their products. They can claim that a sex toy is made of a material it isn’t. They can claim it has strong and powerful vibrations when, in actuality, the vibration is more like a tinny whine. They can claim the product does not contain potentially harmful materials like phthalateseven when, in reality, it's loaded with them. In fact, sex toy manufacturers can pretty much claim anything they want except that their products cure or treat an illness or health issue.

Wait - companies can lie about the materials they use in their products? If you weren't worried about what your toys are made up, perhaps you are now. Here we'll take a look at sex toy materials, which ones are safe and how you can ensure that your play is pure, non-toxic fun. 

Porous Vs. Non-Porous

Sex toy materials fall into two major categories: porous and non-porous. 

Porous products are generally soft. Although this group can contain some hard plastics, it’s good to assume that if a product doesn’t use ABS hard plastic, it’s porous. The problem with these toys is that they can trap dirt and bacteria that can never be removed. What that means is that porous sex toys, if used without a condom, can re-infect you with a previous bacterial or yeast infection, cause an outbreak in a pre-existing STI and - if shared without a condom or other barrier - can even spread STIs, bacterial infections and yeast infections between partners. They can be kept cleaner for a longer period of time with the use of a condom, but the inability to truly sterilize them is a major drawback. 

All materials that include phthalates fall under the porous category. Although not all porous materials have phthalates in them there’s a high possibility they do. In case you aren't familiar with the term, phthalates are a plastic softener that destabilizes the plastic, making it off-gas and leak a greasy film of chemicals that are trying to bond with something to become stable and whole again. These chemicals are potentially very harmful to your health, and many people experience allergic reactions and chemical reactions when they come in contact with them. Exposure to phthalates can therefore be unpleasant - and may even pose more serious health consequences. 

Non-porous materials are generally of a higher quality and also generally more expensive. However, because they’re not porous, they don’t harbor dirt and bacteria and are completely sterilizable. Most non-porous materials are harder, and include glass, metal and specially treated wood. You might be surprised to learn that silicone is non-porous too, but unlike the materials listed above, it can also be very soft, which makes it an awesome material for those who want to stay safe and clean but aren’t as big a fan of hard toys.

Sex Toy Materials: A Breakdown

So which material's best? That's actually pretty personal, as they all deliver a different feel, and have different benefits and drawbacks. Let's take a look at the key materials used in sex toys, and some of the best manufacturers using them.

Silicone 
Silicone is the soft, silky side of non-porous materials, although it does range from very soft to very firm depending on how it’s formulated. Silicone holds body temperature well, transfers vibrations without being buzzy, and can be boiled to be sterilized. A good silicone product will last a lifetime with proper use and care. Keep in mind that many companies will claim to use silicone, when their toys are really made out of a mix of elastomer and TPR4. This means they may still be somewhat porous, although far less so than your typical jelly toy. These silicone-like toys are safer than some materials, but still can't be completely sterilized. If you’re not sure if the toy is 100 percent silicone, assume it isn’t. Or, you could check out Dildology.org, a site that's working on testing and verifying sex toy materials and safety. 

When it comes to silicone, I recommend the following manufacturers:

• Tantus
• Fun Factory
• B Swish
• We-Vibe
• Laid

Fun Factory Curve silicone dildo, Joujou.com.au

ABS Hard Plastic 
ABS is a non-porous hard plastic used by a lot of middle-of-the-road and high-end manufacturers. It’s easy to clean and generally smooth (although some lower quality toys will have seams), but it can be a little buzzy when transferring vibrations.

When it comes to hard plastic toys, I recommend:

• B Swish
• Fun Factory
• We-Vibe

We-Vibe, PC-ABS thermoplastic, Joujou.com.au

Glass 
Glass is hard, smooth, heavy and often very beautiful. It makes for fantastic products that can be easily cleaned and hold temperature well; you can even dip them in warm or cool water for easy temperature play. (Never extreme hot or cold; this can damage glass and also potentially harm your delicate tissues. Eek!) 

Glass toys are usually made of borosilicate (Pyrex) or soda lime. Soda lime is what you’ll get from an artist or glass blower most of the time; borosilicate is much more common in sex toys because it can withstand more extreme temperature changes and is stronger. Soda Lime is still very hardy and heavier than borosilicate. 

When it comes to glass and metal toys, check out:

• Pipedream Icicles

Icicles No 28 glass dildo, Joujou.com.au

By Caitlin M ,