Materials Guide

     When you're browsing through any adult site or store pay special attention to the materials their products are made of. DO NOT trust any site that does not list the materials for each of their products, it is your right as a consumer to know exactly what is being put in/near your body. Listed below I created a list of some of the most popular materials, categorized by their safety, so you can understand exactly the characteristics of each material. It can be difficult buying online so I want to provide a resource for you to make a more informed decision.

You may hear me mention phthalates below, and rather often in my blog. Phthalates are chemicals added to plastics to soften them. They have been linked to breast cancer and a disruption in the endocrine system. Phthalates have been banned in most children's toys but are still present in many adult products.

Very Safe Materials: Very safe materials are totally non-porous and can be sanitized fully by boiling or wiping down in a 10% bleach solution. It is hypo-allergenic, latex free, and phthalates free. It's also very durable, if cared for properly these toys will last a lifetime.

Borosilicate Glass: This is the same glass that is used in Pyrex cook wear, it is not something that you need to worry about breaking. It does have some weight as it is solid glass and it is very firm so you need to be careful not to bruise yourself internally, it can be clear, colored, or feature beautiful swirls of color inside. The surface is so smooth that one might not even need lube, but if lube or even water is added it can be very slippery, if you do drop it onto a hard surface it might break but if it does it is designed to break into chunks as opposed to shattering. It should also be checked periodically for cracks and imperfections, and if you find one you should discontinue use.

Silicone: Silicone is a man made material, it's the softest and most common of the very safe materials, and it could have a smooth, velvety, or rubbery texture. Some companies have developed a dual density silicone, which has a firm core and a soft outer layer for a more realistic feel. Some toy companies may also make the frame of their toy out of plastic and coat it in silicone, this makes it safer and firmer than a toy that is made only out of silicone. You should not use silicone lubricants with silicone toys as there are specific chemicals in silicone lubricants that keeps the silicone in it's liquid state and when it comes in contact with your silicone toys it may have a chemical reaction causing the surface to become gummy and tacky and therefore unusable. They should also avoid contact with other toys that are not 100% silicone and should be stored in a cloth or pouch.


Stainless Steel: Stainless steel is as hard as glass but much heavier, you need to careful not to bruise yourself while thrusting with a stainless steel toy. It is also just as smooth as glass so one should exercise caution when adding lube or water. Other metals are slightly less safe but comparable.

Mostly Safe Materials: These materials are mostly non-porous but cannot be totally sanitized, they should not be shared without a condom. They are often phthalate-free but they also have a shorter lifespan then the very safe materials.

Elastomer: This material is very similar to a rubber, it begins soft and has chemicals added to make it harder so that it can be used to create a variety of textures. Be sure to check the box to see if they are phthalate-free.


Plastic: This firm material is non-porous and phthalate-free, it is very smooth and quite common in adult toys.

PU Coated Plastic: The PU coat on these plastic toys give them a velvety texture but it also creates microscopic, shallow cavities where fluids and bacteria can build up which makes them slightly less safe than not coated plastics.

Stone: Stone is a semi-porous firm material, it can be sanitized with a 10% bleach solution. Users should exercise great care when using stone toys as they can bruise the user's cervix.

TPR/TPE: This material is very similar to an elastomer, it begins soft and has chemicals added to make it harder.

Wood: Wood dildos are made beautify, they are firm but not quite as firm as metal or glass. Although wood is porous, when used in adult products it is coated with a thick seal to protect it. Do not boil it as the wood will change size with the temperature which would damage the seal. The seal should be inspected before use for any imperfections in the coating, as this would make the toy porous and unfit for use.

Unsafe Materials: These materials are porous and can easily harbor bacteria, they cannot be thoroughly cleaned and should not be used without a condom. They often have a very strong odor of chemicals.

Cyberskin/UR3/Pure Skin/Futurotic/Real Skin: These are the most realistic feeling toys that you can get for as low a price as these and are incredibly soft. They are a chemical mixture of pvc and silicone. They arrive coated in a powder and it is best to coat them in a corn starch after each use, this will help them stay soft, otherwise the surface may become tacky. Store them each in their own bag in a cool dark place where they cannot come into contact with other toys. It is only safe to use water based lubricants with these toys as any other would degrade them.

Jelly/Jel-Lee/AquaGel: Jelly toys are slightly less porous than Cyberskin but should still be covered with a condom. They have a rubbery feel and smell and come in a variety of colors.

Types of Sex Toys

When you're on many adult sites, or in adult stores, there is typically an endless list of "categories" or "types of toys" and when you are buying your first toy this can be a bit overwhelming. This is why I figured it would be a great idea to break down each type of toy for you here to help you make a better educated decision.

Dildo: A dildo is a phallic shaped toy designed for vaginal or anal insertion. It may be vibrating or non-vibrating, realistic or non-realistic.

Vibrator: A vibrator can be any object that vibrates, realistic or non-realistic, designed for clitoral stimulation or insertion or both. If it vibrates its a vibrator!

Realistic Toys: Realistic toys are designed in flesh tones and feature a prominent phallic head, may or may not feature veins along the shaft and may or may not feature testicles.

Non-Realistic Toys: When people think of sex toys they often imagine a huge plastic or rubbery cock, but there is any number of non-realistic toys in various colors and designs.

Clitoral Vibrator: A Clitoral vibrator is a vibrator designed to be used specifically on the clitoris, often these are known as bullets as the shape may resemble a bullet but there are any number of other shapes available as well. They are often too small or too awkwardly shaped to be inserted but any vibrator designed to be inserted may also be used clitorally.

Traditional Toys: Traditional toys are designed very simply, they are cylindrical in shape and often have a rounded head and very little texture. They are great toys for beginners because they can be used internally or externally and are very simplistic.

G-Spot Toy: These toys are designed, as one might expect, to stimulate the G-Spot. The tip should be curved with a flat or rounded head, you may even see some with a more pointed tip. These toys are best when made out of a firm material so as to apply adequate pressure to the G-Spot. Having knowledge of where your G-Spot is located will help you find a toy that fits your body best.

Dual Stimulation: Dual stimulation toys are often also known as "Rabbit Vibrators." They may feature one or two motors but typically have two "heads" or points of stimulation. One portion that is designed to be inserted and another that would rest against the clitoris while the larger end is inserted. I have even seen Triple Stimulation toys that stimulate internally, clitorally, and anally. The best multiple stimulation toys typically have one motor for each area but there are plenty of good toys dual stimulation with one or even no motors. Anatomy is very important with these toys as they must fit your body quite well to be effective.

Double Penetration: These are toys with two (vibrating or non-vibrating)shafts designed to be inserted anally and vaginally at the same time. As I have mentioned, a persons anatomy my affect how toys work with their bodies and this is more important here than in any other type of toy.

Harness Compatible: A harness compatible toy is one that has a flared base which can be inserted into a harness for gender-play, pegging, trans-men, or for any other reason you may desire.

Kegel Exercisers: Kegel exercisers are toys designed to exercise the muscles of the pelvic floor, the most common type are kegel balls (which are designed so that the user would flex their muscles to keep the balls inserted) but I have seen any other unique designs as well.

Anal Safe Toy: An anal safe toy is any toy that has a flared base and can be inserted safely anally. The anus has two rings of muscles, one can be controlled but the other cannot and may attempt to pull anything inserted inside. The vaginal canal has an end (the cervix) but the anal cavity does not, so anything lost anally usually requires a trip to the ER. This is why it is important to be sure that anything you insert anally has a flared base to keep in anchored outside the body. It also helps to get your anal toys it a very body safe, non-porous material (see more on materials in a later post), to keep it sanitary.

Butt Plug: A butt plug is a specific type of anal safe toy that is designed to be inserted and remain inserted during sex, masturbation, or any other type of play. Some can even be worn long term under clothing. They feature a flared base and a thin neck, usually with a bulbous head, this helps to keep it inserted and locked into place.

Anal Beads: These look exactly like a string of beads, with a flared base, that is designed to be inserted anally. Try pulling them out during orgasm (slowly, you're not starting a lawnmower!) for a unique popping sensation.

Prostate Massagers: Prostate massagers are shaped similarly to G-Spot toys but are instead designed to be inserted anally (with a flared base) and massage the male prostate.

Masturbation Sleeves: These are textured sleeves that are designed for the penis to be inserted into during masturbation. They may have one or two open ends, those with two open ends can be used during fellatio, using the sleeve to stimulate the shaft while the partner might stimulate the tip.

Cock Rings: These are restrictive bands that come in many different materials varying in stretchy-ness they are designed to be wrapped around either just the shaft or around the shaft and balls. They are designed to restrict blood flowing out of an erect penis, this keeps the erection harder for longer and also make the orgasm more intense. They may also house a vibrator or other devise for stimulation of a female partners clitoris.