What are safe sex toy materials? Non porous. Phthalate free. Hypoallergenic. TPV. CyberSkin. PVC. 100% silicone. Body Safe… Things we see a lot on the labels on a sex toy packaging. Some of them are well known, some of them not at all.
But the most important thing for anyone when considering using sex toys (especially people partial to infections or people with sensitive skin) is to pay particular attention to what exactly it is that you are putting into your orifices.
We need to consider what is the porosity of a toy, and the chemicals used to make it.
Companies that Make Body Safe Sex Toys
Companies like Tantus, L’Amourose, LELO, Fun Factory, WeVibe and many others, make toys of a high quality toys that are body safe.
I define this as something which is not immediately (anything over time if not properly looked after can become harmful) harmful, irritating or damaging to the human body.
What to Look for With Safe Sex Toy Materials
Porosity
This is how absorbent a material is. More porous a sex toy is, the more it becomes a literal sponge soaking up bodily fluids. Or otherwise compared to a breading ground for bacteria.
Materials such as Jelly Rubber and PVC are EXTREMELY porous and WILL absorb bodily fluids. This makes sharing with a partner unsafe, due to repeatedly putting thriving bacteria into yours and your partners orifices repeatedly.
I know what you’re thinking… There are SO any PVC and Jelly sex toys on the market. They’re known for their squishy, forgiving, bendy, “lifelike” feeling materials. Because porous sex toys can’t be properly cleaned (boiled or sterilized) if you have one, wish to get one or wish to share one with a partner. Use always with a condom.
Nonporous
An adjective for not permeable to water, air, or other fluids.
Non-Porous toys have a smooth, impermeable surface and do not harbor bacteria in it’s surface. Some non-porous toys can be cleaned via dishwasher – hello 21st century! As well as being boiled or if you’re really fanatic about cleanliness you can mix with a part (and I mean really small mix) of bleach.
Non porous toys can be made from materials like glass, metals (steel, aluminium etc), wood, granite, high grade silicone and many more. Non-porous are Safe Sex Toys such as glass sex toys.
Phthalates
Some sex toys are made from materials that can cause burning, itching rash’s or in extreme cases tissue damage. Phthalates are a material used to cause elasticity in some sex toys (usually PVC). This is what makes them flexible, soft, squidgy and life like.
The EPA (environment protection authority) states that Phthalates inhibit possible human carcinogens. Meaning it has the potential to cause cancer as well as being linked to some reproductive issues. This is a little bit scary to me. Some claims of Phthalate Free on some sex toys can also be unverified. In this case, what can you do?
Despite sounding very scientific, Phthalates are usually easy enough to notice in a product.
Here are some tips for ‘sniffing’ out the good and the bad.
- Read the label to determine the materials the toy is made from. Look for terms like PVC, Rubber, Vinyl, Jelly etc.
- If a toy is bendy, super ridiculously squishy – it is likely that plasticizers have been used to soften the material. These could be (are most likely) Phthalates.
- Toy’s containing Pthalates can often be found with oily discharge or residue on the skin of the toy. This is the chemical degradation process of the toy material. This occurs naturally after an unspecified amount of time.
- A chemical or rubbery smell can often be omitted from a toy containing Phthalates. BUT – some toys may have this smell because they’re made from plastic. Though some people who have been exposed to the smell before say that there is a particular odour that Phthalates do have.
Phthalates are found in a lot of other day to day things. Again, to be safe – use a condom over the toy. Phthalate free are Safe Sex Toys
Recommended Sex Toy Brands
If you have sensitive skin, are prone to allergies or infections, or just worried about what materials are in some toys, sex toys made from any of the above mentioned materials are definitely for you.
Buying from manufacturers like WeVibe, LELO and Fun Factory ensure products that are made with medical grade, high quality materials.
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Tantus
If you want a squishy feeling toy that’s not rock hard without the risk of Phthalates – you need to try Tantus. They’re truly taking over the market with realistic and non realistic dildo’s that are medical grade, 100% silicone that can be boiled to sanitise – AND are squishy as hell. Sold? Because I am.
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Folks who crave firm stimulation are in luck.
All steels, woods (check the manufacturer and process of making the toys i.e what they used to seal the wood), granite and glass are perfect for temperature play, G Spot and P Spot stimulation.
Not only does their rigidity make them perfect for achieving female ejaculation, but they literally last FOREVER. You can’t break them without at least dropping it from a 20 storey building. With proper cleaning practices – they cannot breed bacteria.
Always do your homework
Understand what certain chemicals and materials are. But most importantly, ask the staff at your local sex store. If you’re unsure, staff at Adultsmart are aware of what Safe Sex Toys are made out of and which ones to be careful with.
Remember – condoms will make porous toys much safer, cleaner and safe to share with your partner! It is important to practice safe sex.
Jennifer is a marketer at Adultsmart! Embracing a non-judgmental stance, she believes in pleasure without limits—if it feels good and right, why not?