Most consumers often assume that all products they buy, including sex toys, are perfectly safe for use. We thought that too, once upon a time! Unfortunately, we don’t live in a perfect world and the sex toy industry isn’t as regulated as you would hope for it to be, especially considering how many of the products are literally designed to go inside of some of the most delicate parts of your body. There are many toxic sex toys on the market, which is partially why we wanted to start a non-toxic and eco-friendly sex toy company in the first place!
To help you weed out the toxic sex toys from your shopping cart, we’ve got a handy guide to non-toxic sex toys, where we explore everything you need to know about choosing safe and body-friendly options for your intimate enjoyment! This guide contains everything you need to know, from understanding what makes a material non-toxic, to tips on how to avoid harmful chemicals, and, of course, answers to your most pressing questions! Knowledge is power and we’re here to help you learn how to make informed decisions when shopping for sex toys, because when it comes to your pleasure, your safety and health should never be compromised.
What is a “toxic” sex toy?
To put it simply, a toxic sex toy is any kind of intimate toy that’s made from materials that can potentially harm your health or compromise your safety. These toys may contain harmful chemicals, such as phthalates or BPA, which have been linked to various health concerns, including skin irritation, hormonal disruption, and other more severe complications. Doesn’t sound too good for your sexual health, right?
On top of that, toxic sex toy materials can not only expose users to potentially damaging toxins, but they are usually also porous, meaning they can absorb and harbour bacteria, making them impossible to clean properly and therefore unsafe for repeated use. A porous sex toy is an unclean sex toy, and an unclean sex toy is an unsafe sex toy. Porous toys can lead to bacterial infections and can even transmit STIs (sexually transmitted infections) if you’re sharing your toys with others. Even if they’ve been cleaned before use!
Unfortunately, some of the most common sex toy materials out there are toxic and porous and actually unsafe for their intended use! And we’re not even being dramatic!
Why non-toxic, body-safe materials matter
Choosing sex toys with materials that are safe for your body will prevent you from being exposed to harmful chemicals and bacteria, which is so so so important for sexual health. Always remember that your body deserves the best care, especially the intimate areas of your body.
A non-toxic and body-safe sex toy will allow you to protect your health, optimise your pleasure and comfort during use and will give you peace of mind knowing your toy is designed to be safe for exactly what you’re going to use it for. Not only that, but due to being non-porous, your toy(s) will be really easy to clean, sanitise and maintain, and they’ll be better quality and more durable, ensuring they can stay hygienic and be used long term for many orgasms to come!
Sex toy materials to avoid
Here’s what to steer clear of when looking for non-toxic sex toys. None of the following materials should be considered safe on a sex toy:
- Jelly rubber: Much to our dismay, jelly rubber is one of the most common materials in the sex toy industry. As a high-quality sex toy company, we cannot stand it and you won’t find a single inch of the stuff on our website. Jelly rubber toys are often made with phthalates and they can emit a strong chemical smell (which is a red flag, if you hadn’t guessed). They’re also porous, meaning they absorb and trap bacteria – and can’t be sterilised. Doesn’t sound ideal, does it?
- PVC and other plastics besides ABS: Plastics other than ABS can often contain toxic additives, and again are usually porous, meaning they can absorb bacteria. Toys made of these plastics may be cheaper in price, but they’re still not worth it.
- Metals that aren’t sanitary-grade: Metals that aren’t sanitary/medical-grade may be prone to rust which, as you can imagine, is not safe for a sex toy.
- Silicone blends: While we highly recommend sanitary-grade silicone toys, there are many toys on the market made of “silicone blends”, which may be marketed to you as a fully silicone toy when actually they can be unsafe. These toys feature silicone combined with other (potentially toxic) materials in order to make them cheaper to produce, and in exchange they compromise on the safety of the toy. Silicone blends are another option that can frequently be porous, which is a firm NOPE for sex toy safety.
Non-toxic sex toy materials to say (or moan) “yes!” to
All of the following materials listed are completely non-toxic, body-safe and non-porous, meaning they won’t expose you to dangerous chemicals, they’re safe for your body, and they’re also durable and easy to clean and sanitise! These are the materials you want to look for in the description of any sex toys you’re thinking about buying:
Silicone
Sanitary-grade (or medical-grade) silicone is the pinnacle of quality when it comes to sex toys and is one of the most recommended materials by sex toy manufacturers and users alike. Velvety smooth to the touch, silicone toys feel high quality and simply opulent. Meanwhile, it’s a long-lasting and durable material, providing value for money. It’s also hypoallergenic! All of our vibrators and many of our other toys at The Natural Love Company are made with sanitary-grade silicone.
When purchasing silicone toys, it’s crucial to ensure that they’re made of sanitary/medical-grade silicone, and not a lower quality and potentially unsafe silicone blend.
Glass
We consider glass toys to be the epitome of elegance in the world of sex toys, offering sophistication, style and an aesthetic appeal. These toys are exceptionally smooth, firm, and ideal for temperature play, as they can be easily heated or cooled and will hold their temperature beautifully. Glass toys are also a perfect eco-friendly and sustainable choice since glass is infinitely recyclable, reusable and renewable! As a sex toy company committed to sustainability, this is really important to us, which is why we created a stunning range of premium borosilicate glass toys.
For safety, glass toys must be made from borosilicate glass, a durable, toy-safe material that won’t shatter. Always double-check the product details before purchasing.
Stainless steel and other sanitary-grade metals
For those who appreciate luxury and precision, stainless steel toys are an appealing choice. Stainless steel and other medical-grade metals are solid, smooth, and offer a satisfying weight. Similar to glass, metal toys are excellent for temperature play and can be chilled in the freezer for a cool sensation or heated in warm water for a comforting experience. Metal is another superb choice for those who care for the environment as it is widely recyclable and sustainably sourced from raw materials.
To reiterate, this is specific to sanitary/medical-grade metals, which not all metal sex toys are made of. Metals that aren’t sanitary grade may not be safe, so as always, double-check before making a purchase!
ABS hard plastic
This is a noteworthy choice of material for a sex toy, especially for those seeking a body-safe sex toy on a budget. ABS hard plastic is one of the few non-porous types of plastic, making it safe for intimate use. It is sturdy, smooth, and transmits vibrations exceptionally well, making it perfect for vibrating toys.
How to tell if a toy is non-toxic
With so many different brands and toys out there, knowing which ones are toxic and which ones aren’t can seem challenging, but we have some tips!
1. Only shop from trusted brands and look at the description
Reputable brands (like ours) will provide detailed information about the materials used for each toy in its description or on its packaging. Labels you should be looking for are medical-grade or sanitary-grade, phthalate-free and/or non-porous.
2. Look out for red flags
Some signs that a toy might be made of unsafe materials may be present at first sight in some cases (not all, though!). Some red flags include if the toy is squishy in texture, if the toy is “wet” or oily to the touch even when it’s clean, or if the toy has any kind of potent chemical smell. Avoid allllllll of that.
3. Check reviews
Customer feedback can give a lot of insight into the quality of a toy! Take a peek! Look for any potentially bad feedback about the texture, smell or any other issues with the material. At the same time, look for any positive feedback about similar things, as well as how easy the toy is to clean.
4. Dig deeper if you’re unsure
If you’re ever unsure whether or not a toy is made from body-safe materials, reach out to the manufacturer for more information! It’s better to be safe than sorry. If the manufacturer still can’t provide clear and precise answers, it’s best to steer clear.
5. The risk of cheap materials
The phrase “you get what you pay for” often rings true in the sex toy industry, and while the allure of cheap sex toys can be tempting, it’s vital to recognise that a suspiciously cheap sex toy might unfortunately be a sign that it’s been manufactured with less-than-ideal materials. However, this is not always the case so it’s worth checking all the same! In the same breath, be aware that higher price doesn’t always mean higher quality!
FAQs about toxic and non-toxic sex toys
What’s the best non-toxic sex toy material for beginners?
We’d say medical/sanitary-grade silicone is the best choice for beginners. It’s soft, gentle, body-safe, and unintimidating. ABS plastic is another good choice, although this doesn’t have the softness that silicone provides.
Why is there a lack of regulation for sex toy materials?
The lack of regulation for sex toy materials sadly stems from stigma around sexual health, the rapid growth of the market and inconsistent industry classification. Sex toys are often considered “novelty items” rather than health-related products, allowing manufacturers to easily bypass safety standards. Without sufficient regulation, consumers must unfortunately rely on their own research and reputable brands to ensure safe, body-friendly products suitable for purpose.
Are cheap sex toys always toxic?
Nope! Just as pricier toys are not always non-toxic! Cheap toys are more likely to be toxic due to inexpensive manufacturing costs and less budget for quality materials, but that doesn’t always mean they’re unsafe! It’s important to check the material of a toy thoroughly no matter the price point.
Are glass sex toys safe?
Yes! If you’re not familiar with glass toys, they can sound a little intimidating! They’re actually one of the safest options when it comes to sex toy materials. They’re made of super strong, body-safe borosilicate glass. And this glass will not break inside of you, we promise! At most, just check for any potential chips before use. Glass sex toys are non-porous, easy to clean as well as easy on the eye, and can offer unique sensations and an opportunity to play with temperature! We highly recommend! In fact, we have a whole range of gorgeous glass toys!
Are silicone sex toys always safe?
Unfortunately not! Safe silicone toys are made from pure sanitary/medical-grade silicone (like our silicone toys at TNLC!), while others are made from a blend of silicone and other less safe materials. The silicone blends are the ones you should avoid. Pure silicone is non-porous and body-safe, while blends may compromise safety. Be sure to check the description of any toys properly to ensure your toy is safe.
Are non-toxic sex toys eco-friendly?
Non-toxic sex toys are usually more eco-friendly than their toxic counterparts, but it’s not always the case that non-toxic options are made sustainably. If you’re looking for eco-friendly sex toys that are also non-toxic, look for a brand that prioritises both of those qualities in their products, like us at The Natural Love Company!
Our entire line of luxury sex toys are eco-friendly, made with non-toxic, body-safe materials and are packaged in totally plastic-free packaging. That includes our range of aesthetic glass toys as well as our Ocean Plastic range, which is a range of stunning vibrators with an inner structure crafted out of metal and recycled ocean plastic, each then enrobed in a velvety smooth sanitary-grade silicone exterior. Each and every toy from this range helps to protect marine life and decrease plastic waste. Better yet, when your beloved toys come to the end of their life cycle, we even have a sex toy recycling scheme, The Second Coming.
At TNLC, we also provide non-toxic, sustainable lubes and toy cleaners, which are bottled in compostable components. If you’re looking for something eco-conscious and sexy, you’ve come (pun intended) to the right place.
Can I use porous toys safely?
We advise against using porous sex toys, but if you already own them, you can use them safely by always covering the toy with a condom or using a barrier method, like a dental dam. Even with this precaution, it’s important to clean your toys thoroughly before and after each use. If you notice the material becoming sticky or showing signs of wear, we recommend discontinuing use and replacing the toy with a body-safe and non-toxic option.
Conclusion: Prioritise Pleasure and Safety
Your sexual health and well-being deserve the utmost care and consideration, which is why choosing non-toxic sex toys is so important. By understanding what materials to avoid and which to embrace, you can confidently select toys that are both safe and satisfying.
Opting for high-quality, body-safe materials not only ensures a healthier intimate experience but also supports better hygiene and long-term use. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned toy enthusiast, investing in non-toxic options is a choice that benefits your pleasure, health, and peace of mind.
At The Natural Love Company, we are proud to offer a range of eco-friendly, non-toxic sex toys designed with your safety, comfort, and enjoyment in mind. From elegant glass dildos to sustainable silicone vibrators, we believe in empowering your pleasure without compromising your health or the planet.
So, as you explore the world of intimacy and self-love, remember this: knowledge is power, and your pleasure is worth prioritising. Play safe, and stay sexy!
