Body-safe materials: what's safe and what isn't

Most people assume that products sold for intimate use meet some basic safety standard. For sex toys, in most countries, that assumption is wrong. The industry is minimally regulated, and manufacturers routinely use a labeling loophole — marking products "for novelty use only" — to sidestep the safety testing that would apply if the item were officially sold for its actual purpose. This means the responsibility for choosing safe materials falls on the buyer, and it's worth understanding, because some of what's on the market is genuinely not safe to put in or on your body.

The core concept: porous vs non-porous

The single most important distinction in toy materials is whether a material is porous or non-porous, because it determines whether the toy can actually be cleaned.

Non-porous materials have a sealed surface with no microscopic holes. Bacteria, fungi, and residue sit on the surface and can be fully washed away. These toys can be properly cleaned and safely reused, sometimes even shared (with cleaning between uses).

Porous materials have microscopic holes that trap bacteria, bodily fluids, and residue where cleaning can't reach. No amount of washing fully sterilizes them, so they harbor microbes over time and can become a source of irritation or infection. Porous toys also degrade — they can change texture, become sticky, or break down. They cannot be safely shared, and even for solo use they have a limited safe lifespan.

This one distinction resolves most material questions: prefer non-porous, be cautious with porous.

The safe materials

Medical-grade silicone. The gold standard for most toys: non-porous, durable, body-safe, and available in a range of firmnesses. It can be thoroughly cleaned and lasts for years. The main care rule is that silicone lubricant can degrade silicone toys, so pair silicone toys with water-based lube. Look for "100% silicone" or "medical-grade silicone" from reputable brands (some cheap toys claim silicone but are blends).

Borosilicate glass. Non-porous, completely sealed, extremely easy to clean, and compatible with any lubricant. Quality glass toys (borosilicate, the same type as lab glassware) are strong and safe. They also hold temperature, which some people like. Buy from reputable makers — quality glass toys are manufactured to not shatter in normal use.

Stainless steel. Non-porous, durable, easy to sterilize, compatible with all lubes. Heavier and firmer than other options, which suits some preferences. Very long-lasting.

ABS plastic. A hard, non-porous plastic used for many vibrators' bodies. Body-safe and easy to clean. Common and reliable for external toys.

The materials to avoid

Jelly rubber. Soft, cheap, often brightly colored — and porous, frequently containing phthalates. Usually has a distinct chemical smell. Best avoided entirely.

PVC. Sometimes used for cheaper toys; can contain phthalate plasticizers and is porous. Avoid.

"TPR/TPE" of unknown quality. Thermoplastic rubber/elastomer is porous. Some is marketed as body-safe, but quality varies enormously and it can't be fully sterilized regardless. Treat with caution; if used, treat as limited-lifespan and non-shareable, and cover with a condom.

Anything with a strong chemical smell. A persistent chemical or plastic odor is a warning sign — it often indicates off-gassing plasticizers like phthalates. Body-safe materials don't have a strong chemical smell.

Anything labeled "novelty use only" with no material information. This labeling exists specifically to avoid safety accountability. If a product won't tell you clearly what it's made of, that's a reason to skip it.

Phthalates: the specific concern

Phthalates are plasticizer chemicals used to make some materials soft and flexible. They've been linked in research to endocrine disruption and other health concerns, and they can leach out of porous toys over time — which is a particular concern for products used on mucous membranes. Several studies analyzing sex toys have found phthalate concentrations in some soft, porous products. Choosing non-porous, phthalate-free materials (which reputable silicone, glass, and steel toys are) sidesteps this entirely.

How to shop safely

The practical rules are simple. Buy from reputable retailers and brands that clearly state their materials. Prefer 100% silicone, borosilicate glass, stainless steel, or ABS plastic. Avoid soft porous materials, anything with a chemical smell, and anything that hides what it's made of behind "novelty" labeling. If you already own porous toys, use them with a condom, don't share them, and replace them if they change texture or smell. When in doubt, non-porous is the safe default — and it lasts longer, cleans easier, and works with any lube, so it's usually the better value anyway.