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Body-safe sex toy materials

Silicone, ABS plastic, glass, and steel — plus materials to avoid and how to spot cheap knockoffs.

Updated June 2026

Your body absorbs what touches sensitive tissue. Body-safe materials are non-porous (or sealed), stable at body temperature, and free of phthalates in quality manufacturing.

Materials we recommend

Medical-grade silicone

The gold standard for most toys. Non-porous, flexible, warms to body temperature. Reputable brands: Dame, We-Vibe, LELO, Womanizer, Lovehoney own-brand silicone lines.

ABS plastic (hard shells)

Safe for external hard-shell devices and sealed bullet casings. Ensure any plastic touching skin is smooth, sealed, and from a known brand — not unbranded marketplace listings.

Glass and stainless steel

Non-porous, excellent for temperature play, easy to sterilize. Buy borosilicate glass from established retailers — cheap glass can have imperfections.

Materials to avoid

  • Jelly / TPE / TPR "mystery blend" — porous, can harbor bacteria, often contains plasticizers
  • Unbranded Amazon no-name toys — no material certification, inconsistent manufacturing
  • PVC — outdated, often porous or plasticizer-heavy

How to verify a toy is real silicone

  1. Buy from authorized retailers (Lovehoney, brand direct, Awin partners)
  2. Pinch-test: quality silicone should not hold a permanent dent
  3. Smell test: strong chemical odor on arrival = return it
  4. Check for a flammable warning — real silicone does not melt like jelly

Once you have body-safe gear, read how to clean sex toys before first use.

New to solo wellness? Start here