Body-Safe Sex Toy Materials
Not all sex toys are made from safe materials. Here's how to tell the difference — and why it matters for your health.
The short answer
The only genuinely body-safe sex toy materials are 100% medical-grade silicone, borosilicate glass, surgical-grade stainless steel, and ABS hard plastic. These are non-porous (won't trap bacteria), chemically stable (won't leach chemicals into your body), and can be fully sanitized. Avoid jelly rubber, PVC, TPE/TPR, and anything labeled "silicone blend" or "novelty material."
Most people assume that if a product is sold as a sex toy, it must be safe to put on or in your body.
That assumption is wrong.
The sex toy industry is largely unregulated. There's no mandatory safety standard, no required testing, and no legal definition of "body-safe." A manufacturer can use industrial-grade plastics, add softening chemicals linked to hormone disruption, and sell the result in a bright box with zero warnings.
This isn't fear-mongering. It's the reality of a market where a €15 jelly dildo sits next to a €60 medical-grade silicone toy on the same shelf, and most shoppers can't tell the difference.
Here's how to tell the difference — and why it matters.
What "body-safe" actually means
A material is body-safe when it meets four criteria:
- Non-porous. The surface has no microscopic holes where bacteria, lube, and bodily fluids can hide. Porous materials can never be fully cleaned, no matter how much you scrub.
- Non-toxic. The material doesn't contain or leach harmful chemicals — phthalates, BPA, lead, cadmium, or other plasticizers linked to hormone disruption and irritation.
- Hypoallergenic. It won't cause allergic reactions or contact dermatitis during normal use. This matters especially for internal toys and people with sensitive skin.
- Chemically stable. The material doesn't break down, melt, or react when it touches other materials, lubricants, or cleaning products.
If a material fails any one of these — especially non-porous and non-toxic — it's not body-safe. Full stop.
The 4 body-safe materials
100% Medical-Grade Silicone
The gold standard. Silicone is the only body-safe material that can also be soft and flexible. It's non-porous, hypoallergenic, and easy to sanitize — you can boil it, run it through the dishwasher (no detergent), or wipe with a 10% bleach solution.
Key things to know:
- Must be "100% silicone" or "medical-grade" — not a "blend"
- Comes in different firmness levels, from super-soft to firm
- Use only water-based lube — silicone lube damages silicone toys
- Lasts years with proper care
Red flag: "Silicone blend." This almost always means silicone mixed with cheaper, unsafe plastics to cut costs.
Borosilicate Glass
The same glass used in laboratory equipment and high-end cookware. Completely non-porous, chemically inert, and can be sanitized by boiling or bleaching. Glass toys are excellent for temperature play — warm them in water or cool them in the fridge.
Key things to know:
- Borosilicate glass is shatter-resistant — not the same as regular glass
- Smooth, seamless surface — no places for bacteria to hide
- Heavier than silicone — some people prefer the weight, others don't
- Works with any lubricant type
Red flag: "Glass" without specifying borosilicate or soda-lime. Cheap glass toys can chip or shatter.
Surgical-Grade Stainless Steel
Grade 316 or 316L stainless steel — the same material used for surgical instruments and medical implants. The most durable option, completely non-porous, with a satisfying weight.
Key things to know:
- Look for "316" or "316L" grade — not just "stainless steel"
- Perfectly smooth, mirror-polished finish is essential
- Works with any lubricant
- Excellent for temperature play
Red flag: Cheap stainless toys under €20-30. These are usually plated steel over aluminum — the plating can chip and expose reactive metal underneath.
ABS Hard Plastic
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene — the same rigid plastic used in medical devices and LEGO bricks. Hard, non-porous, chemically stable, and often used for vibrator bodies and handles.
Key things to know:
- Always hard and rigid — never soft or flexible
- Often combined with silicone on vibrators (ABS body, silicone sleeve)
- Easy to clean with soap and water or toy cleaner
- More affordable than full silicone toys
Red flag: "Hard plastic" without specifying ABS. Generic hard plastics may contain unsafe additives.
Materials to avoid
| Material | Why it's unsafe | What to buy instead |
|---|---|---|
| Jelly rubber | Contains phthalates, extremely porous, can't be sanitized, often strong chemical smell | 100% silicone |
| PVC | Contains phthalates and plasticizers, porous, can leach chemicals | Silicone or ABS + silicone |
| TPE / TPR | Porous (can't be fully cleaned), some formulations contain phthalates, degrades fast | Silicone for softness, ABS for rigidity |
| "Silicone blend" | Unknown mix of silicone and cheaper plastics, usually porous and potentially toxic | 100% medical-grade silicone |
| Cyberskin / UR3 | Marketing names for porous TPE blends, trap bacteria permanently, degrade quickly | Dual-density silicone |
| Rubber (incl. "skin-safe") | Porous, often contains latex (allergy risk), degrades with cleaning | Silicone |
How to spot an unsafe toy before you buy
Red flags on the label
Green flags to look for
The smell test
Open the box. A strong chemical or plastic smell is a red flag. Quality silicone and ABS have little to no odor. If it smells like a new shower curtain, put it back.
The texture check
Jelly and cheap TPE feel tacky or slightly sticky — they attract dust and lint. Body-safe materials feel smooth and clean to the touch.
Why this matters more for sensitive skin
If you have sensitive skin, eczema, contact allergies, or recurrent irritation, material choice isn't optional — it's the difference between a good experience and a trip to the doctor.
Porous materials trap bacteria even after washing. When those bacteria come into contact with mucous membranes, they can cause infections, irritation, and pH imbalances. Phthalates and plasticizers can trigger contact dermatitis even in people without known allergies.
Silicone is the safest bet for sensitive users. It's the only soft, flexible material that's also non-porous and hypoallergenic. Glass and steel are equally safe but firm — great for some, not for everyone.
If you've ever had irritation after using a toy and blamed the lube or "being sensitive," check the toy material. It's often the toy, not the lube.
The quick material comparison
| Material | Body-safe? | Porosity | Feel | Cleaning | Durability | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical-grade silicone | Yes | Non-porous | Soft to firm | Boil, bleach, soap | 5-10+ years | €€-€€€ |
| Borosilicate glass | Yes | Non-porous | Hard, smooth | Boil, bleach, soap | Lifetime | €€-€€€ |
| 316 stainless steel | Yes | Non-porous | Hard, smooth | Boil, bleach, soap | Lifetime | €€€ |
| ABS plastic | Yes | Non-porous | Hard, rigid | Soap and water | 5+ years | €-€€ |
| TPE / TPR | No | Porous | Soft, squishy | Surface only | 6-12 months | € |
| Jelly rubber | No | Porous | Very soft, sticky | Can't sanitize | Weeks-months | € |
| PVC | No | Porous | Soft to firm | Surface only | 3-12 months | € |
FAQ
- Is silicone always body-safe?
- Only if it's 100% silicone — ideally medical-grade or platinum-cured. "Silicone blends" are not body-safe. Always check for the full material disclosure.
- Can I use silicone lube with silicone toys?
- No. Silicone lube bonds to silicone toys and creates permanent sticky, degraded patches. Use water-based or hybrid lubes with silicone toys. Glass and metal toys work with any lube.
- How do I know if my current toys are body-safe?
- Check the packaging or manufacturer's website for material disclosure. If they won't tell you what's in it, that's your answer. The flame test (medical silicone burns clean; blends melt and smell chemical) works as home verification — but only test a tiny spot, and never on a toy you plan to keep if it fails.
- Are expensive toys always safer?
- Not always. Some expensive toys use TPE and market it as "premium soft-touch material." And some affordable toys use genuine medical-grade silicone. Read the materials, not the price tag.
- What about "phthalate-free" TPE toys?
- Phthalate-free TPE is still porous. It can't be fully sanitized. For external-only use it's lower risk, but for anything internal, porous materials are never truly safe regardless of what they don't contain.
Every Cosara toy is made from 100% body-safe materials.
Browse the collection — medical-grade silicone, borosilicate glass, and ABS plastic. No blends, no jelly, no compromises.
Written by
Cosara Editorial Team
Product education editors focused on body-safe materials, adult wellness, and evidence-based toy guidance. This guide was reviewed for material safety accuracy, industry regulation context, and practical consumer advice.
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