Sex Toy Material Guide
It’s always important to know what you are putting in your body! We hear that time after time when it comes to eating, but the same goes for your sex toys! They always say ” You are what you eat!”, thankfully you won’t turn into a giant dildo. We know not all material is created equal and we what you help you break down what goes into your toys!
Porous: Tiny pores for bacteria to grow and can not be properly sterilized. If you choose to use a porous sex toy, use it with a condom, and never share between partners. Soap-and-Water is the best cleaning method.
Nonporous: Tend to be smoother and have a water-resistant surface. It can be sterilized with boiling water, bleach, or in a dishwasher.
Best Materials To Look For:
- Silicone
- ABS (Hard Plastics)
- Glass / Steel
- Wood / Ceramic
Other Materials To Look For:
- Realistic Materials
- Thermoplastics (TPR)
- Jelly
- Rubber
- PVC and Vinyl
Silicone
Considered to be the most hygienic material in the adult market, silicone is widely used due to its nonporous and inert physical nature, durability, the ability to be thoroughly cleaned, and lack of phthalates. Silicone is a great replacement to PVC because it mimics a lot of the capabilities, softness, and flexibility; while being more attractive to the more health-conscious consumer. Silicone is often more expensive than other materials due to its exceptional qualities and the process in which it is used to make products. ~Taken from Doc Johnson, School of Doc.
Features of Silicone: Hypoallergenic, Phthalate Free, Warms to Body Temperature, Life-like Feel, Easy to Clean, Nonporous, Transfers Vibration Well
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)
ABS is the most well-known hard plastic. The primary properties of ABS are impact resistance and toughness. ABS is lightweight and used in a wide selection of products. Due to the fact that ABS is always in a hard state, it does not contain any plasticizers, which makes if phthalate-free and nonporous. ~Taken from Doc Johnson, School of Doc
Features of ABS: Hard Body, Durable, Nonporous, Phthalate Free, Transfers Vibration Well, Compatible with all types of lubricants, Should be cleaned with mild soap or toy cleaner.
Glass
Toys made from “glass” are really just like your Pyrex casserole dish in your cupboard… but always provide a deliciously happy ending! In other words, glass toys are made from borosilicate glass (“hard glass”). Borosilicate glass is a type of glass that is more resistant to breaking, non-toxic, and will withstand extreme temperatures without cracking. It is a very hygienic material (it can often be cleaned in the dishwasher) and is used more than any other material for “thermal play”, which means is can be warmed or cooled for a change in play.
Features of Glass: Hypoallergenic, Phthalate Free, Nonporous, Can be cooled or warmed to extreme temperatures, Easy to clean, Transfers Vibration Well
Metal / Steel
Items made with metal are most often stainless steel. Metal is hygienic, nonporous, and easy to clean. They are also a great conductor of heat and cold, therefore often used in thermal play. Please Note: Not all metal is nickel-free, please read descriptions carefully if nickel sensitive. Also, avoid abrasive cleaners to prevent scratching
TPE / TPR (Thermoplastic Elastomer/Rubber)
Also known as Senso (California Exotic items)
Combining the best of rubber and plastic qualities, TPE/TPR has the ability to be used in a wide array of products. It does not need plasticizers to soften the material; therefore it is always non-phthalate. With strong tear strength, TPE/TPR can be made very soft without the threat of breaking down. ~Taken from Doc Johnson, School of Doc.
TPE/TPR Features: Various degrees of hardness (very soft {Senso} to very hard), Phthalate Free, Latex Free, Durable, Transfers Vibration Well, Compatible with Water Based Lubricants
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
PVC is one of the most widely used materials in the world. In the adult market PVC allows the flexibility to make the toys soft (Jelly), medium, or firm. PVC also allows for a beautiful array of fun colors. PVC can be made into the largest variety of toys from vibrators to butt plugs. Please Note: PVC is often made abroad, but can also be found in toys made in the USA. Toys made in the USA of PVC are often phthalate and latex-free.
Features of PVC: Various degrees of hardness (very soft to very hard), Transfers Vibration Well, Should be cleaned with mild soap or toy cleaner, Compatible with all types of lubricants
Cyberskin (found only in items made by TopCo):
Meticulously designed to mimic real human flesh, Cyberskin warms to body temperature with a small amount of friction and is the closest material you can find to simulate the feel of true skin to skin contact. With both the elasticity and softness of actual skin, only Cyberskin renders virtually lifelike replicas of your favorite adult stars. The physical composition of Cyberskin includes atoms bound with flexible, spring-like, high resiliency bonds allowing Cyberskin products to be malleable, like real flesh, and to instantly recover to their original shape. They are created to retain their shape, Cyberskin products outlast their competition. Cyberskin products contain no PVC, phthalates or latex.
With the added feature of Dual Density, the molding process that varies the density, some CyberSkin products simulate both the softness of real human skin and its firmness, all within one piece. Virtual Touch gives CyberSkin an extremely realistic feel. If you close your eyes you can’t tell the difference between touching CyberSkin and the human body. Items that offer the Dual Density feature are often more expensive than items that are just made of Cyberskin.
How to Care for Cyberskin: For a lifetime of use, wash Cyberskin products with only warm water and a clear, liquid anti-bacterial soap; allow to air dry; apply cornstarch or Cyberskin Renew and store individually in a cool, dark place. Do NOT use mineral oil or oil-based products as a lubricant as they may cause deterioration of Cyberskin. Water-based lubricants are ideal. If any other lubricant is used, clean the toy immediately after use to prevent deterioration. Add Renew to extend the life of the toy.
Doc Johnson Materials:
Sil-A-Gel
Sil-A-Gel is an antibacterial compound that Doc Johnson adds to all of its Made-in-the-USA products (ABS, PVC, UR3). It is not a coating or a separate material. Added into the material in the raw mixing phase so that the antibacterial agents are actually engrained in the product and will not wash away with use. Sil-A-Gel helps stop the spread of unwanted and potentially bad bacteria forming on your favorite products. ~Taken from Doc Johnson, School of Doc.
UR3 (Ultra Realistic 3D)
UR3 is the 3rd version of Doc’s Ultra-Realistic family of products. It’s by far the most lifelike material in the industry. Perfectly mimics the feel and touch of human skin. It is a form of TPE (please see TPE information). ~Taken from Doc Johnson, School of Doc.
TPE/TPR Features: Various degrees of hardness (very soft {Senso} to very hard), Phthalate Free, Latex Free, Durable, Transfers Vibration Well, Compatible with Water Based Lubricants
R5
R5 is Doc’s 5th generation Realistic material that is specifically used for their Realistic Cocks. They believe that it perfectly blends the right amount of softness and rigidity, complementing each other and delivering the realistic feel of an erect penis. R5 is made from PVC (see PVC information), is non-phthalate, and always proudly made in America.
