Guide To Body-safe Sex Toy Materials

Imagine you have an event coming up and need to buy a new outfit. You’re browsing the options at your favorite online store and have shortlisted a few options. Are you the type of shopper who checks the product information to see what the clothing is made from so you know how it may feel against your skin and how easy it will be to clean and maintain?

Now, picture yourself at the supermarket wandering through the aisles looking for some packaged food to eat. Would you read the ingredients list before going to the checkout? Would your answer change if you knew you would share that meal with a partner who has a food sensitivity or allergy?

Let’s get more intimate and say you’re buying a new sex toy. Would you care about what it’s made from? If you find out the materials, would you know how this might affect the way it feels on your skin or inside your body? How about whether those materials are safe?

At SVAKOM we believe that sexual wellness is a necessity, so we design and manufacture sex toys accordingly. That means always using high-quality, body-safe materials. So what exactly are our products made from and how do they differ from other sex toys on the market? 

In this article, we'll get to the answers by covering the following categories commonly used for sex toy materials:

• Porous vs non-porous
• ABS plastic
• Glass
• Latex
• Metal
• PVC
• Silicone
• TPE and TPR

Porous vs non-porous sex toys

One of the broadest ways to categorize sex toy materials is according to whether they are porous or non-porous. Simply put, porous materials are full of tiny holes or openings so that liquid or air can pass through, similarly to a sponge. 

However, the porosity of sex toys isn’t always visible to the naked eye – just like you can’t see all the tiny holes in a chicken egg shell. But they do exist! That’s why eggs can pick up strong odors that might be stored near them in your refrigerator.  

Why does porosity matter when it comes to adult toys? Firstly, it can make them more difficult to clean. Dirt, bacteria or viruses that come into contact with porous sex toy materials can make the tiny holes their home. So, it’s ideal to use them with a condom if possible, and to clean them thoroughly according to the manufacturer’s directions before and after each use. 

Another potential concern is that porous sex toy materials may contain phthalates. This group of chemicals can be added to plastics, rubber coatings and adhesives to make them more flexible, transparent and durable. Phthalates can be found in not only sex toys but also a wide range of products, such as electronics, medical devices, food packaging, kitchen utensils and leather goods. However, some scientific research has shown that exposure to phthalates may have undesirable effects on the human body. The use of phthalates is therefore regulated in some areas and phased out by manufacturers.

By contrast, non-porous materials do not allow liquid or air to pass through them. This means that sex toys made from non-porous materials are generally easier to clean, making them a safer option. 

In summary, sex toy materials are either porous or non-porous. However, this will be rarely stated on product packaging so how do you know what you’re buying? To make it easier for you, we’ll guide you through the must-know facts about the main types of sex toy materials.

ABS plastic

ABS plastic is popular for making sex toys because it is smooth, hard, durable and glossy. It also transmits vibrations very effectively.

• How does it feel? Smooth, rigid and glossy although it can have a coating applied to change the texture. 
• How does it smell? Neutral.
• How does it taste? Neutral.
• Which lubricant/s are compatible? Any (water-based, silicone-based or hybrid).
• Is it porous or non-porous? Non-porous
• Other facts: ABS plastic transmits vibrations easily so the sensations can become relatively intense for some people. Being a hard plastic, ABS plastic sex toys do not flex with your body.

SVAKOM Pulse Lite Neo is an excellent example of how ABS plastic can be used to create a lightweight, durable and 100 per cent sex toy. This interactive clitoral stimulator as a smooth, rigid ABS plastic exterior that fits comfortably in your hand while the silicone nozzle is placed over the clitoris to deliver suction stimulation thanks to SVAKOM's patented Pulse Technology. 

Glass

Glass sex toys are usually made from borosilicate or soda lime because it is very durable, chip-resistant and shatterproof. This glass feels smooth, hard, and can be easily warmed or cooled in water for temperature play. 

• Is it porous or non-porous? Non-porous
• Which lubricant/s are compatible? Any (water-based, silicone-based or hybrid).
• How does it feel? Smooth and rigid
• How does it smell? Neutral.
• How does it taste? Neutral.
• Other facts: Glass is suitable for adults with sensitive skin and temperature play (as long as you avoid extreme heat and cold). Glass sex toys are rigid and will not flex with your body.

Latex

Latex is a protein that comes from the sap of a rubber tree grown in Africa and Southeast Asia. This sap can be used to make a wide range of products, including sex toys, fetish wear and condoms because it is very flexible.

• Is it porous or non-porous? Porous
• Which lubricant/s are compatible? Any (water-based, silicone-based or hybrid).
• How does it feel? Smooth, rubbery and flexible
• How does it smell? Somewhat rubbery.
• How does it taste? Somewhat rubbery.
• Other facts: Latex toys generally have enough flex to move with your body however they must be stored without touching each other to avoid deterioration over time. Some people have an allergic reaction if they come into contact with latex so care should be taken.

Metal

Metal is a broad category including stainless steel, aluminum, silver and gold. Sex toys can be made from a single metal or an alloy, which combines different types of metal.

• Is it porous or non-porous? Non-porous
• Which lubricant/s are compatible? Any (water-based, silicone-based or hybrid).
• How does it feel? Smooth, hard and ranging in weight from light (for example, alumium) to heavy (for example, stainless steel)
• How does it smell? Neutral.
• How does it taste? Neutral.
• Other facts: Metal sex toys are suitable for temperature play (remember to avoid extreme heat and cold). They are too rigid to move with your body and beginners in particular should take the weight into account because this can affect ease of use. Some metal sex toys may contain nickel and should be avoided by adults who are sensitive to this substance.

PVC

PVC is a versatile plastic that can be blended with other materials, such as rubber or silicone, to change its texture or other properties. It can vary from smooth to textured, hard to soft, and can appear lifelike.

• Is it porous or non-porous? Can be porous
• Which lubricant/s are compatible? Any (water-based, silicone-based or hybrid).
• How does it feel? Varies from smooth to textured, hard to soft, depending on the composition
• How does it smell? Plastic.
• How does it taste? Plastic.
• Other facts: PVC can be porous, particularly if it is soft rather than hard, so sex toys made from this material should be used with a condom if possible. PVC products should be stored without touching each other to avoid deterioration over time. Sex toys made from PVC can have a lifelike appearance depending on the composition of materials and product design.

Silicone

Silicone is often considered the best sex toy material because it is non-porous, easy to clean, durable and transmits vibrations effectively. Silicone toys can vary from soft and flexible to hard and rigid depending on the composition and overall product design.

It’s important to note that silicone varies in quality and some toys supposedly made from silicone actually contain fillers, resulting in a porous item. At SVAKOM we value our customers’ health and wellbeing so we use high-quality silicone that is 100 percent body-safe.

• Is it porous or non-porous? Non-porous
• Which lubricant/s are compatible? Water-based only.
• How does it feel? Smooth and varies from soft and flexible to hard and rigid. 
• How does it smell? Neutral.
• How does it taste? Neutral.
• Other facts: Silicone transmits vibrations effectively and may or may not move with your body depending on the overall design of your sex toy. High-quality silicone is suitable for adults with sensitive skin. It warms quickly and retains heat well for a comfortable experience. Never use silicone sex toys with silicone-based lubricant because it will damage the materials.

Best-selling sex toys made from silicone include SVAKOM Erica. This wearable vibrator is made from liquid silicone, so many users say the way it feels against their skin is similar to sleeping on silk sheets. Subtle ribbing on the silicone enhance vibrating sensations, however you use this sex toy.

Designed for comfortable wear, SVAKOM Erica can inserted vaginally with the external attachment stimulating the clitoris. It can also be inserted anally, so the external section tantalises the perineum. Erica is a highly versatile gender-neutral sex toy that's also compatible with the SVAKOM App so you can customise the settings and use it while interacting with a partner located anywhere.

TPE and TPR

Without getting too scientific, TPE is a type of plastic that includes TPR as a sub-category. TPE and TPR are made from a mixture of PVC and silicone, and TPE tends to be firmer. Both are commonly used to make sex toys because they can feel similar to human skin. 

• Is it porous or non-porous? Somewhat porous.
• Which lubricant/s are compatible? Water-based only.
• How does it feel? Smooth and lifelike but can be sticky or tacky and vary from soft to firm.
• How does it smell? Varies from neutral to nail polish.
• How does it taste? Varies from neutral to rubbery.
• Other facts: TPE or TPR sex toys can usually flex with your body when used in lifelike designs. Sex toys made from these materials should be stored without touching another toy to deteriorate over time.

Many SVAKOM mastubrators have a sleeve made from 100 percent body-safe TPE, which is the ideal material because it can stretch to fit different penis girths and has a plush, realistic feel.

One example is SVAKOM Alex Neo 2. This interactive thrusting masturbator has a thick sleeve lined with soft domes that massage the penis while thrusting technology mimics sex rhythms. It can also sync with adult video content or be used to monetize performances via webcam thanks to compatibility and FeelTechnology.

Putting your safety first

Now that we’ve covered the main types of sex toy materials, use the facts to make an informed decision next time you shop. Using adult toys should be a pleasurable and safe experience, so ensure that you choose products free from substances that you may be sensitive or allergic to and that are 100 percent body-safe. Also check the cleaning and maintenance directions so that you’re able to love your toy as much as it loves you!