At Pleasure Curve, we understand you want to make the healthiest choices for your body, especially when it comes to your most intimate moments. That’s why our expert staff hand pick every single item we sell, judging it on its ingredients, materials, design, and potential for pleasure.
It always comes to a shock to people outside of the pleasure product industry that there is absolutely no regulatory body that determines types of materials manufacturers can use to make their products. Lucky for you, we at Pleasure Curve have years of experience navigating the world of sex toys and we pick only products that are wonderfully body safe.
Some important things to know about sex toy materials:
- The sex toy industry is self-regulated, which is why it's important to buy from reputable brands and the stores that carry them (like Pleasure Curve)
- There are many knock offs of reputable brands in places like Amazon where lesser quality components or unsafe materials may be used. Buyer beware
- Some materials require more caution and care than others
Some definitions you should know:
Porous: Some toy materials are porous, meaning there are tiny holes through which liquid can pass and germs can gather. We recommend using a condom on these types of toys to maintain optimal cleanliness
Non-Porous: These materials have no pores in which to harbor bacteria, making them perfect for body safe sex toys
Phthalates: These are harmful chemicals that can be used to make plastics soft and squishy, more transparent, or durable
Phthalate-Free: A sex toy with this designation uses methods other than phthalates to soften their plastics.
THE MOST POPULAR SEX TOY MATERIALS
SILICONE
Silicone is the most body safe and versatile of materials once used mainly for vibrators, but now found in all kinds of products from butt plugs to stroking sleeves.
Perks
- Non-porous, phthalate free, and easy to clean
- You can boil silicone dildos or put them in the dishwasher (top rack) for cleaning
- You can disinfect them with a bleach/water solution (1 part bleach to 10 parts water and soak for 10-15 minutes)
- Works well with most popular Toy Cleaners.
- The best, safest, softer option for anal play
- If you share toys with partners or use items both vaginally and anally, silicone (plus metal and glass) is a must-have so you can disinfect between each intimate encounter
Drawbacks
- Using silicone lubricant can damage some silicone toy materials. This is not a universal rule, but you should check the manufacturer’s recommendations for safe lubricants to use with your silicone toy (Silicone and water hybrid lubricants are fine since the amount of silicone is minimal in these lubes)
ABS PLASTIC
More commonly found in bullets and some firm vibrators, this is often a more affordable, body safe alternative to silicone coated vibrators
Perks
- ABS plastic is phthalate free and non-porous.
- You can thoroughly clean it with soap and warm water
- Plastic conducts vibrations extremely well
- It is compatible with any kind of lubricant
- Affordable and long lasting, if you are on a budget, there are lots of affordable plastic toys out there
Drawbacks
- Rigid and unforgiving, you may wish to avoid this material if you want some ‘squish’ to your sex toys
- Many plastic vibrators are not necessarily built to last and are often battery operated
GLASS
Glass sex toys are made of borosilicate glass which is specifically made to withstand extreme pressure, temperatures, and shock, therefore making it extremely safe for sex toys.
Perks
- Borosilicate glass is completely firm for intense stimulation
- Glass is completely non-porous, body safe, and easy to clean
- Glass can be used with any lubricant
- Heat in warm water or cool in ice for fantastic temperature play
- You can pop them in the dishwasher, bleach them, or just use soap and water to clean
Drawbacks
- The firmness of glass is not comfortable for some people’s bodies
- Glass toys are heavier than their silicone counterparts
- There are very few vibrating glass sex toys on the market
METAL / STAINLESS STEEL / ALUMINUM
Often coveted for their heft and glossy finish, metal sex toys are available in everything from dildos to butt plugs. There are many options in medical grade stainless steel, as well as lighter metals like polished aluminum
Perks
- Metal is completely non-porous, body safe, and easy to disinfect completely
- Like glass, metal can be heated or cooled for amazing sensory play
- Aluminum gives you that metal feel without the excess weight
- Metals are compatible with any type of lubricant
Drawbacks
- Stainless steel items can be extremely heavy and difficult to hold
- Their firmness is off-putting for some folks
- Pure stainless steel toys are expensive
- Some aluminum contains nickel which can be an allergen for some
TPR (Thermoplastic Rubber) and TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer)
TPR (Thermoplastic Rubber) and TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer) are synthetic materials popular for their elasticity and real skin feel. At Pleasure Curve, you will find these materials in some penis masturbators and cock rings. They are porous materials.
Perks
- TPE in particular can be soft and elastic and can mimic the look and feel of real flesh. For this reason, these materials make for flexible and realistic penis strokers and extension sleeves
- Generally, more affordable than silicone
- Many manufacturers now make latex-free and phthalate-free TPR and TPE
Drawbacks
- TPE and TPR are both porous materials meaning they can harbor bacteria, mildew, fungus, and germs which you cannot 100% eradicated with cleaning
- Pleasure Curve recommends using a non-latex condom on these toys if you are inserting them in your body (the oils in TPR/TPE are not compatible with latex condoms and can degrade or tear them)
- Do not use them for anal play or switch between vaginal and anal play without a fresh non-latex condom for each use
- Use an antibacterial cleaning spray or antibacterial soap and water before and after every use.
- You can’t boil or bleach this material.
- Dry thoroughly and store not touching other toys to maintain the material's integrity
- There can be a strong rubber or chemical smell to these materials that often does not fade with time
- These materials will degrade over time and can become cracked or rip
CYBERSKIN / FANTA FLESH / REALSKING / ULTRASKIN / UR3
These are names manufacturers give to their soft, squishy TPR and TPE based materials, primarily found in realistic dildos, masturbators and cock rings.
Perks
- Like TPR and TPE, these materials can look and feel incredibly lifelike
- They are extremely flexible, making them a preferred material for penis masturbators and sleeves
- Pleasure Curve only carries phthalate-free versions of these materials from reputable manufacturers
Drawbacks
- These materials are porous and can harbor bacteria, germs, mold etc.
- Each material type is a specific recipe created by its manufacturer and usually includes a combination of ingredients that could irritate those with sensitivities
- You can use a non-latex condom to try and keep bacteria from reaching your skin but there is no scientific evidence that this is effective (the oils in TPR/TPE are not compatible with latex condoms and can degrade or tear them)
- Do not use them for anal play or switch between vaginal and anal play without a fresh non-latex condom for each use
- These materials need extra care and upkeep to maintain the integrity of the toy, including dusting them with corn starch or specialty renewing powders
- Make sure you clean them thoroughly after every use with the method recommended by the manufacturer
- Must be stored separately from other toys. The material will break down (crack or change shape) if it touches other materials
- There can be a strong rubber or chemical smell to these materials that often does not fade with time
- Some manufacturers add fragrance to their materials to offset the plastic smell
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
This is a polyvinyl chloride which is made pliable with the use of plasticizers. It can range from soft to extremely firm depending on the formulation.
Perks
- Pleasure Curve carries only phthalate free PVC toys from reputable manufacturers
- Firm PVC makes for great, affordable fetish items like spankers and floggers
- Softer PVC can be used in strap-on harnesses as a more affordable alternative to leather
Drawbacks
- PVC is a porous material which cannot be completely disinfected and cleaned.
- Pleasure Curve recommends using a non-latex condom on these toys (the oils in PVC are not compatible with latex condoms and can degrade or tear them)
- Do not use them for anal play or switch between vaginal and anal play without a fresh non-latex condom for each use
- Although some PVC may not contain phthalates, it is still chemically softened
- Many PVC toys can have an off-putting plastic smell that will not fade
- Must be stored separately from other toys. The material will break down (crack or change shape) if it touches other materials
JELLY / RUBBER
Jelly is usually another term for rubber. It can be very pliable and colorful, but there are many drawbacks. If you browse around our site, you will notice that we don’t carry jelly toys. There are several reasons for this.
- Jelly is porous and often low quality and can contain phthalates
- Jelly material breaks down quickly and can crack or melt.
- Many top manufacturers no longer use jelly materials