Body-Safe Materials: What to Look For

Stay away from these materials:

• Jelly Rubber / Jelly - Contains phthalates (hormone disruptors), porous, harbours bacteria, degrades quickly, has chemical smell.
• PVC - Often contains phthalates, porous, can cause allergic reactions.
• Vinyl - Similar issues to PVC, contains plasticisers that can leach.
• TPE/TPR without certification - Can be safe if certified phthalate-free, but many cheap versions are not. Only buy from reputable brands.
• Rubber - Porous, can cause latex allergies, harbours bacteria.
• Cyberskin / Realistic Feel Materials - Extremely porous, degrades quickly, difficult to fully clean.

Warning: If a product smells strongly of chemicals when you open it, do not use it. Body-safe materials should have little to no odour.

• Check the product description - Reputable sellers clearly state materials used
• Look for certifications - Medical-grade, FDA-approved, phthalate-free labels
• Buy from trusted brands - Established companies stake reputation on safety
• Price is a clue - If it seems too cheap, the materials are probably low quality
• Smell test - Strong chemical odours indicate unsafe materials
• Touch test - Jelly-like, very soft, or sticky texture often means unsafe materials

Non-porous materials (silicone, glass, metal, sealed ABS plastic) have a smooth, sealed surface. Bacteria cannot penetrate these materials, making them safe to fully clean and sterilise.

Porous materials (jelly, rubber, TPE, cyberskin) have microscopic holes that trap bacteria, fluids, and soap residue. You cannot fully clean these materials, even with thorough washing. This is why they are not body-safe.

Important: Never share porous products between partners, even with washing. Always use condoms over porous materials if you must use them.

TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) and TPR (thermoplastic rubber) exist in a grey area. When certified phthalate-free and produced by reputable manufacturers, they can be relatively safe. However, they are still porous.

If you buy TPE/TPR products:

• Only buy from established, reputable brands
• Look for phthalate-free certification
• Replace products regularly (every 6-12 months)
• Never share without using a condom barrier
• Clean thoroughly before and after every use

For long-term health and product lifespan, silicone is still the better choice.

Different materials require different care. Read our complete cleaning guide for detailed instructions, but here are the basics:

• Silicone: Wash with mild soap and water, can be boiled for sterilisation (if no motors)
• Glass & Steel: Wash with soap and water, dishwasher safe (top rack), can be boiled
• ABS Plastic: Wash with mild soap and water or toy cleaner
• Porous materials: Clean gently with mild soap, dry completely, store separately