There are many different materials used in the adult toy industry. From metals to plastics, industry-grade to everyday materials – each with their own particular qualities – your humble vibrator could be made out of any number of things. Knowing what your body is coming into contact with is important, and adult toys are no exception.
- Silicone. Soft and smooth, silicone sex toys are hygienic, hypoallergenic and body-heat-retaining. They will last longer than latex or jelly as silicone is an industry-grade material. Silicone can range from very pliable to firm, but are always soft and yielding and easy to clean.
- Plastic. Offering powerful precision, plastic sex toys tend to be solid and sturdy and can last along time if treated correctly. Plastic is an ideal material for vibrators, as the material’s solid nature allows vibrations to travel much more effectively than the more pliable materials. They are less porous than latex, so cleaning is easier, but they do seem to make an awful lot of noise.
- Cyberskin. Touted as realer than real, Cyberskin is material made from silicone and rubber that mimics the feel of real human skin incredibly accurately. The material is high-maintenance, needing special treatment when in storage or the skin may turn gummy or crack.
- Glass. It may seem strange to have glass included in this list of sex toy materials, but glass is a top-of-the-line high-quality material in the adult toy industry. Temperature-retaining and luxurious, glass toys are safe, simple to clean and hypoallergenic. The only downside is that glass will not bend in any way. Often glass toys will come with ridges and curves to compensate for this.
- Jelly. Comfortable and conforming, jelly moulds to the shape of your body, giving you a warm, full feeling. Jelly is a very porous material and requires thorough cleaning after use. Jelly vibrators are much quieter than plastic vibrators, but the vibrations are not as strong due to the jelly’s absorption.
- Latex. Firm but flexible, latex is relatively inexpensive, making it a popular choice for first sex toys before investing in something in a sturdier material. Latex is a porous material, meaning it is foamy-soft to the touch. This provides great sensations, but also can lead to a layer of harmful bacteria growing on the toy so the toys will need to be cleaned thoroughly.
- Vinyl rubber. Sleek and solid, vinyl’s quality is mid-range between silicone and latex. It is known for it’s solid build, making it ideal for sex toys where flexibility is not that important, such as butt plugs. It is a porous material and will need to be properly and thoroughly cleaned.
- Danger: Pthalates! A lot of jelly sex toys are made with a pthalates, and oil-based chemical used to make the toy firmer. It can be dangerous with prolonged use, but occasional use should be fine. Many products will specify clearly if they contain no pthalates, but if you’re worried, talk to your friendly shop assistant.
What is your toy made of? Like choosing shape and size, choosing the right material for your sex toy is a primary consideration. Each material can give a very different effect, so it may be wise to try them all.
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