New to sex toys? You might be wondering about speed, patterns, suction strength, and discreet shapes. But what about the materials? Most newcomers ignore the fundamental aspect of their sex toy which is the base substance it is made from. The “what’s it made of?” question matters a lot to your toy’s safety, feel, and longevity.
Table of Contents
Material affects your sex toy in four key areas
When something is going in or near your body, material matters. Here’s why:
- Safety: Some are body-safe; some can cause irritation, allergic reactions, and trap bacteria.
- Hygiene: Some can’t be fully cleaned and sanitized, raising your risk for infections.
- Durability: Some cheaper materials break down over time, lube, and heat.
- Feel: Some materials are silky-smooth, some tacky, some too squishy. Texture impacts toy pleasure.
- Price: The materials often make up the most expensive part of a toy’s cost.
You don’t need to break the bank to play, but knowing what you’re getting can help you make informed choices—and avoid wasting money on a toy that won’t be safe or last long.
Body-Safe vs. Questionable Materials: A Quick Overview
| Material | Body-Safe | Porous | Easy to Clean | Common in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical-grade Silicone | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | Premium vibrators, dildos |
| ABS Plastic | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | Bullets, vibes, hard toys |
| Borosilicate Glass | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | Dildos, anal toys |
| Stainless Steel | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | Plugs, dildos |
| TPE / TPR | ⚠️ Maybe | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | Cheap strokers, soft dildos |
| Jelly Rubber | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | Very cheap toys |
| PVC | ⚠️ Maybe | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | Low-end anal toys |
| Cyberskin/Fantasy Flesh | ⚠️ Maybe | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | Realistic strokers |
Let’s review some of the most common sex toy materials—what they feel like, how to care for them, and whether they’re safe for your body and your budget.
✅ Silicone: The Safer Sex Toy Standard
Always safe, long-lasting, and easy to find in many colors, forms, and densities. Silicone toys have become the sex toy standard for a good reason!
What it is:
Non-porous, flexible, body-safe material made of silicone.
Feels soft, stretchy, and velvety; warm to the touch.
Why it’s great:
- Made in hypoallergenic, non-toxic, and non-porous. Can be fully sanitized.
- Silicone sex toys are a versatile staple for beginners.
- Smooth or matte options.
- Available in many colors and densities.
- Long-lasting if properly cared for.
Care Tips:
- Clean with warm water and mild soap.
- You can boil it 5 minutes (if it doesn’t have a motor).
- Avoid silicone-based lubes (can degrade the surface).
Ideal For:
- Versatile: Vibrators, dildos, plugs, suction toys, cock rings
Caution:
If a silicone toy is SUPER cheap, it may be a silicone blend, not 100% silicone. Look for labels “100% medical-grade silicone” or “platinum-cured.”
✅ ABS Plastic: Hard But Safe
Another long-lasting and easy-to-clean material. It’s often used for bullet vibrators, outer toy casings, or buttons. The material is light, durable, and very hard (non-flexible).
What it is:
A hard plastic often used for bullet vibrators, outer casings, or buttons.
Why it’s great:
- Lightweight, durable, and non-porous.
- Pairs with motors very well to create strong vibration.
- Affordable and long-lasting.
Care Tips:
- Can be wiped with soapy water or toy cleaner.
- Never submerge a toy with electronics in water.
Ideal For:
- Bullet vibes, external toys, toy handles, couples’ toys.
Caution:
Not great for penetration due to its hard feel, but safe for external use or as a toy casing.
✅ Borosilicate Glass: Classy and Clean
What it is:
A non-porous, high-strength material that’s 100% body-safe and often surprisingly versatile. NOT to be confused with regular decorative glass, window glass, or glass that is more breakable.
Why it’s great:
- Non-porous, high-strength glass. Completely body-safe.
- Transparent or colored. Ultra-smooth for minimal friction.
- Excellent for non-penetrative pressure play.
Care Tips:
- Wash with soap and water or boil for 10 minutes
- Can be cleaned with alcohol or bleach solution (1:10).
- Can safely be chilled in the freezer or heated in hot water
Ideal For:
- Toy handles, dildos, anal plugs, temperature play toys
Caution:
Slippery when wet; hold on tight! And while it’s strong, dropping it on a tile floor is a bad idea.
✅ Stainless Steel: Sleek and Intense
Stainless steel toys are often heavy, hard, and made of medical-grade, non-porous steel. They’re a luxurious choice that holds firm heat and cold for more intense temperature play.
What it is:
- Made from medical-grade, heavy-duty, non-porous stainless steel.
- Often used for G-spot and prostate toys due to the firm texture.
- Very durable, body-safe, and feels more high-end.
Why it’s great:
- Body-safe, non-porous, and luxurious
- Adds weight and firmness
- Good for temperature play
- Extremely durable
Care Tips:
- Can be boiled, bleached, or wiped with alcohol.
- Can be used with any type of lube.
Ideal For:
- Dildos, anal toys, cock rings, plugs.
Caution:
Does come with a slightly higher price tag—but with care, these toys can literally last a lifetime.
🚫 TPE / TPR (Thermoplastic Elastomer/Rubber)
A soft, jelly-like material often used in budget toys and strokers. While marketed as “phthalate-free”, it is a porous material that cannot be fully sanitized. Expect a “squishy” texture and very realistic feel.
What it is:
A soft, jelly-like material often used in budget toys and strokers. Marketed as “phthalate-free”, but it’s still porous and not fully body-safe.
Why it’s common:
- Super soft and squishy (very realistic feel).
- Flexible, stretchy, and body-hugging.
- Very inexpensive to manufacture.
Why it’s risky:
- Porous: traps bacteria and body fluids
- Breaks down over time
- Can feel sticky or oily after a few months of use
- Toy must be replaced regularly
Care Tips:
- Clean gently with soap and water
- Let air-dry fully
- Apply cornstarch (not talc) to reduce stickiness
Ideal For:
- Strokers, sleeves, some realistic dildos.
Caution:
Try not to use with multiple partners, even if you clean it thoroughly before and after. Swap it out every few months or so.
🚫 Jelly Rubber: Just Say No
Avoid this old-school, super cheap toy material whenever possible. It often smells funky, feels sticky, contains mystery ingredients, and may even contain phthalates (endocrine-disrupting toxins).
What it is:
A super cheap, old-school toy material that often smells funky, contains mystery ingredients, and can’t be fully cleaned or sanitized. Very porous, sticky material that can sometimes contain phthalates.
Why it’s a problem:
- Very porous: can’t be cleaned thoroughly.
- Smells weird due to plasticizers.
- Degrades quickly.
- May cause irritation.
Care Tips:
- Honestly, don’t bother. If you already own one, cover with a condom every time and plan to replace it soon.
Ideal For:
- Honestly? No one.
✅ Cyberskin, RealFeel, Superskin
These realistic, soft, and bouncy materials are extremely porous, often look (and smell) like jelly or latex, and should be used with condoms and replaced often. Real-feel and cyberskin are popular for penis sleeves and strokers, which are only recommended for solo play.
What it is:
Materials designed to mimic human skin: soft, bouncy, and incredibly realistic-feeling.
Why it’s great:
- Super soft and squishy
- Feels incredibly lifelike
- Popular in penis sleeves, Fleshlight-type toys.
Why it’s tricky:
- Extremely porous
- Breaks down with improper care.
- Requires very specific cleaning and drying.
Care Tips:
- Wash with warm water immediately after use.
- Let dry completely.
- Dust with cornstarch to maintain texture.
- Store separately from other toys.
Ideal For:
- Penis-focused toys, realistic dildos
Watch Out:
None of these materials are long-lasting—expect to replace every 6–12 months.
🤔 How to Tell What Your Toy is Made Of
Not all brands are that clear about their materials. If your toy:
Smells strongly of chemicals
Feels oily or sticky
Has no material indicated on the package
Was EXTREMELY cheap (under $10)
…it’s likely made of a porous or blended material. Avoid putting porous toys in your body without a condom, and plan to upgrade the toy when you can.
Tip: Only buy toys from reputable brands and retailers that list the full material specs. If it just says “silicone” but feels rubbery or tacky—it might be a blend.
Best Practices For Choosing Sex Toy Materials
- Choose non-porous toys (silicone, glass, steel) first to make cleaning easier.
- Use condoms on porous toys if you’re sharing or for anal play.
- Swap out cheaper toys more often, especially if they change color, smell, or texture.
- Avoid mystery blends—they’re not worth the risk.
- Store properly: porous toys should never touch silicone or glass ones in storage.
Final Thoughts: Material is the Foundation of a Great Toy
You could buy the most hyped sex toy on TikTok—but if it’s made of cheap material, it won’t feel as good, won’t last as long, and probably won’t be safe.
In a pinch, a reliable ABS plastic toy will beat a flimsy porous toy any day. When in doubt, go for 100% medical-grade silicone, ABS plastic, glass, or stainless steel.
These are the long-term friends you want in your sex toy life. If you’re on a budget and just can’t resist soft toys like TPE or other squishy toys, that’s OK—but just use them safely…and swap them out regularly.
Because your pleasure is worth protecting.
FAQ
Can I boil all my sex toys?
Only non-porous toys without electronics (e.g. 100% silicone, glass, steel). Never boil toys with motors or jelly-like textures.
How can I make a porous toy safer?
Use a condom during play and clean thoroughly after. Replace when it starts to change texture or smell.
What’s the best toy material for beginners?
Silicone! It’s safe, soft, and easy to clean. Great for all kinds of play.
Why do some toys smell weird out of the box?
That’s usually a sign of lower-quality materials or plasticizers. Body-safe silicone and glass should be odorless.
Do sex toy materials expire?
Not exactly, but porous or soft toys like TPE and cyberskin break down faster. Look for stickiness, discoloration, or cracking.
