Top 6 Sex Toy Materials to Look For and Avoid

From this article, you will learn about different kinds of sex toys, materials they are made of, things to pay attention and to avoid. You will also get some maintenance guidelines and suggestions.

1. Inexpensive materials such as rubber and vinyl

Many sex toys on the market today are made of rubber, vinyl or PVC, also known as polyvinyl chloride. They are typically very inexpensive and affordable. Dildos, vibrators, butt plugs and penis sleeves made out of these materials come in a variety of colors, shapes, sizes, and styles.

When buying toys made of PVC, you want to make sure that the toys do not contain any phthalates. Some manufacturers add phthalates to PVC to make the material more pliable, but it turns out that phthalates also make the material toxic. There has been a lot of debate and coverage of phthalates in the news because items that contain the substance include many mass-market products such as toys for children and toys for animals. Sex toys made of PVC with added phthalates are very inexpensive and a lot of stores on the Internet still carry them.

Their texture makes them great for inserting, but the texture is also the reason why the toys that contain phthalates are toxic.

PVC with added phthalates is not a stable compound and the toys may start emitting an unpleasant odor or develop a film around the surface. If you use such toys, you are likely to get genital irritation. For this reason, you want to make sure that you are buying “phthalate-free” toys from reputable sellers.

Toys made of rubber, vinyl or PVC, even “phthalate-free” toys, are not long-term investments. Because of their low price points, they are a great way for you to try various toys and see what you like, but you will need to replace them after using them for several months.

These toys are porous and because of this, you should avoid sharing them. If you do share them, make sure to use a condom. When cleaning them, use soap and water.

2. Thermal plastics

Sex toys made of thermal plastics bring touch sensation that is very close to the real human skin. Such toys are very soft and typically have a very realistic look. Toys made of thermal plastics include dildos, vibrators and penis sleeves. They are usually sold under brand names such as SoftSkin, UltraSkin, and CyberSkin.

Most thermal plastics do not contain phthalates, but you still want to make sure that your toys are phthalate-free.

The biggest disadvantage of such toys is that they are hard to maintain and clean. Thermal plastic is a fragile material, which makes the toys prone to small nicks. When using toys made of thermal plastics, you should never use oil-based lube as it will damage the material. Only use water-based lubes.

3. Silicone

Silicone is a great material for sex toys because it is soft, flexible, durable and easy to clean. It also conducts body heat and vibration really well.

The disadvantage of silicone is that toys made from it can be expensive, but they will last you for years.

Silicone is not porous and you not only clean your toys, but also disinfect them by fully submerging them into a bleach solution. You can also place them in boiling water or in your dishwasher. If you do place your toys in a dishwasher, do not use a dishwasher detergent.

Another disadvantage of silicone toys is that you can’t use silicone lube with them as the lube is likely to bond with the toys and ruin them. For this reason, stick with water-based lube.

As silicone is becoming more and more popular, some manufacturers are now using low-grade quality silicone to produce their toys. Make sure you are buying your toys from reputable manufacturers because sex toy industry is not regulated in the way medical or manufacturing industries are. You want the toys that are made of medical-grade or platinum silicone. If a manufacturer is not disclosing the type of silicone, do not buy the toy. Companies such as Vixen Creations, Fun Factory, and some others pride themselves on using only the highest-quality materials and have an excellent customer satisfaction policy.

4. Hard Plastic

Toys made of hard plastic differ from toys made of rubber and soft plastic in that they do not bend and keep their solid texture at all times. Because of this, toys made of hard plastic are easy to clean. Some hard plastics do have pores while others don’t. Always check with the manufacturer or store to be sure. If you want a firm toy that will last for a long time, hard plastic is a good inexpensive alternative to glass or metal. However, toys made of medical grade hard plastic still can get expensive.

5. Glass

Glass toys include dildos, double-ended dildos, butt plugs and vibrators. They are usually very beautiful and smooth. Glass allows the manufacturers to create stunning color combinations, interesting textures and use artistic decorations. If you like firm pressure, glass may become one of your favorite materials.

Glass toys are compatible will all kinds of lubricants. One of the benefits of glass is that glass has incredibly firm surface and weight to it. The best glass toys are made of medical-grade borosilicate or Pyrex, which is a brand of glass resistant to shock and heat.

6. Metal

Sex toys made of metal are smooth, durable and firm. They come in a variety of weights and styles. Metal can easily conduct both heat and cold. Some toys are hollow while others are solid. Many toys on the market are made of aluminum or stainless steel. Similarly to glass toys, toys made of metal create a smooth sensation and work well with all types of lubes. Also like glass toys, metal toys are typically very expensive.