Body-Safe Sex Toy Materials: A Plain-English Guide
Written by Maya Laurent, Research and Editorial, My Luxury Toys. Quotes and figures checked against the sources listed below on October 31, 2026.
Last updated October 31, 2026. Written under our Editorial Policy.
Short answer: the materials most often called body-safe are non-porous ones: 100% silicone, borosilicate glass, stainless steel and aluminium, and hard ABS plastic. Porous materials like TPE, TPR, jelly and PVC are harder to clean fully, so many people use them with a condom or replace them sooner. Always check the exact material listed on the product page.
What "body-safe" usually means
- Non-porous: a sealed surface with no tiny pores, so it can be cleaned fully.
- Clearly labelled: the exact material is named (e.g. "100% silicone", not "silicone blend").
- Phthalate-free: phthalates are chemicals used to soften some plastics. Many shoppers avoid them.
- Cleanable: the maker gives care and cleaning steps.
- "Body-safe" is a marketing term, not a regulated standard. The label and the material list matter more than the phrase. Our Google Trends study of body-safe searches in Canada shows how often people ask about it, by province.
Sex toy materials compared
| Material | Porous? | Cleaning | Lube to use | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100% silicone | No | Soap + warm water; some can be boiled (check maker) | Water-based | Soft, flexible, long-lasting. Avoid "blends". |
| Borosilicate glass | No | Soap + warm water | Any | Firm, smooth, can be warmed or cooled. Check for chips. |
| Stainless steel / aluminium | No | Soap + warm water | Any | Heavy, firm, holds temperature. |
| ABS plastic (hard) | No | Soap + warm water | Water- or silicone-based | Common on vibrator shells. |
| TPE / TPR | Yes | Soap + warm water; harder to clean fully | Water-based | Soft and cheaper. Many use a condom on it. |
| Jelly rubber / PVC | Yes | Hard to clean fully | Water-based | May contain phthalates unless labelled phthalate-free. |
| Wood (sealed) | Sealed surface only | Per maker | Water-based | Only if a body-safe finish is stated. |
Silicone vs TPE: the most common choice
- Silicone: non-porous, holds its shape, easy to clean. Usually costs more.
- TPE: porous, softer, lower price. Can get sticky with some oils and cleaners.
- Pick silicone if you want one toy that lasts and cleans easily.
- Pick TPE if price matters most. Clean it well after each use and consider a condom.
- Not sure what "silicone" means on a cheap toy? Do not rely on the word alone. Look for "100% silicone" or "platinum-cured silicone" from a named brand.
Which lube works with which material
- Water-based: works with every material and with condoms. Best default.
- Silicone-based: fine on glass, metal and hard plastic. It can damage some silicone toys. If you want to use it, spot-test on the base first or check the maker's guidance.
- Oil-based: avoid with latex condoms and with TPE/jelly toys.
- More detail: sex toy lubricant compatibility guide.
- Curious how Canadians search for lube and care terms? See our five-year Google Trends study of body-safe and care searches in Canada.
Label checklist before you buy
- The exact material is named (not just "body-safe").
- "Phthalate-free" is stated for any soft plastic.
- Care and cleaning steps are listed.
- The brand is named and has a support contact.
- Waterproof rating is listed if you plan to use it in water.
How to care for each material
- All toys: clean before and after use with mild soap and warm water, or a toy cleaner. Dry fully before storing.
- Silicone: store apart from other silicone toys, which can stick or mark each other.
- Glass: check for chips or cracks before each use. Stop using if damaged.
- Metal: dry fully to avoid water spots.
- TPE / jelly: store alone in a bag or box. Replace when it turns sticky, cloudy or torn.
- Motorised toys: never submerge unless labelled waterproof.
- Full steps: how to clean and store adult toys.
What regulators and standards actually say
- Health Canada: its guide says the Phthalates Regulations restrict DEHP, DBP and BBP "to not more than 1,000 milligrams per kilogram (0.1%)" "in the soft vinyl of toys and in the soft vinyl of child care articles." The Toys Regulations define a toy as "a product that is intended for use by a child under 14 years of age in learning or play." An adult product is not what those limits were written for.
- US FDA: its guidance says "Medical devices that come into direct contact or indirect contact with the human body" are evaluated "for the potential for an unacceptable adverse biological response resulting from contact of the component materials of the device with the body." That text is about medical devices. It is not a finding about any toy.
- ISO 10993-1: the title is "Biological evaluation of medical devices - Part 1: Evaluation and testing within a risk management process." If a listing mentions ISO 10993, ask the brand which product and which test report the claim refers to.
- ISO 3533: the 2021 standard is titled "Sex toys — Design and safety requirements for products in direct contact with genitalia, the anus, or both." The full text is sold by ISO. We have not read it, so we do not describe its requirements here.
- More on the law: are sex toys regulated?
What we list, by material
Active, published listings on myluxurytoys.com by the material recorded on each listing, counted October 31, 2026.
| Material on the listing | Listings |
|---|---|
| Silicone | 4,127 |
| ABS plastic | 2,392 |
| TPE | 1,730 |
| Metal | 847 |
| Vinyl | 570 |
| Glass | 247 |
- Total: 14,434 active, published listings on the same date. Materials such as fabric are not shown, and listings with no material recorded are not counted.
- Overlap: one listing can carry more than one material, so the rows do not add up to the total.
- Scope: the counts cover the whole catalog, including accessories, drinkware and other items that are not toys.
- What this is not: these are labels from our product data. We did not test any product, and "silicone" here does not mean 100% silicone. Check the product page.
- How we counted: a Shopify product search on our own catalog: status:active published_status:published metafields.myl.material:"Silicone", repeated for each material.
Shop by material
- Silicone vibrators — filter by material on the collection page.
- New to toys? Start with the beginner's guide to sex toys in Canada.
- Example 100% silicone pick: VeDO Inme Dual Vibe.
Common mistakes when choosing materials
- Trusting the word "silicone" alone: look for "100% silicone" or "platinum-cured silicone" from a named brand, not "silicone blend".
- Ignoring porosity: cheap, soft jelly, TPE or TPR toys are porous and harder to clean fully.
- Using the wrong lube: silicone-based lube can damage some silicone toys, so use water-based lube or spot-test first.
- Skipping the phthalate check: soft plastics should say "phthalate-free" on the label.
- Keeping a worn toy: stickiness, cloudiness, odor or tears mean it is time to replace it. Porous toys usually reach that point sooner than glass, metal or 100% silicone.
FAQ
Are vibrators body-safe?
Many are. Check the material: a silicone or hard ABS body is non-porous. Avoid unlabelled soft plastics.
Is 100% silicone safe for sex toys?
100% silicone is non-porous and easy to clean, which is why it's the most common choice for intimate toys. Check that it says "100%" and not "blend".
Can you use silicone lube on silicone toys?
It can damage some silicone toys. Use water-based lube, or spot-test silicone lube on the base first.
Is TPE body-safe?
TPE is porous, so it's harder to clean fully. Many people use it with a condom and replace it sooner.
Is PVC or jelly body-safe?
Only if it's labelled phthalate-free, and even then it's porous. Clean it well and store it alone.
What are phthalates?
Chemicals used to make some plastics softer. Many shoppers choose toys labelled phthalate-free.
What's the easiest material to clean?
Glass, stainless steel and 100% silicone. All are non-porous.
I have sensitive skin. What should I choose?
Many people with sensitive skin prefer non-porous materials like glass, metal or 100% silicone and a simple water-based lube. If you have a known allergy or irritation, ask a healthcare provider.
Sources
- Sipe JM, Amos JD, Swarthout RF, Turner A, Wiesner MR, Hendren CO. "Bringing sex toys out of the dark: exploring unmitigated risks." Microplastics and Nanoplastics 3, article 6 (2023). doi.org/10.1186/s43591-023-00054-6. Supports: phthalates were found in all the toys the authors tested. The authors note their sample is small and their abrasion tests do not match real use, so this is a reason to read labels, not a verdict on any one material.
- Government of Canada. Phthalates Regulations (SOR/2016-188). laws-lois.justice.gc.ca. Supports: Canada's phthalate limits apply to toys for children under 14 and child care articles, so "body-safe" on an adult product is a label claim, not a rule covered by these limits.
- Health Canada. Industry Guide to Health Canada's Safety Requirements for Children's Toys and Related Products. canada.ca. Supports: the phthalate limits and the definition of a toy quoted above.
- US FDA. Basics of Biocompatibility: Information Needed for Assessment by the FDA. fda.gov. Supports: the FDA wording and the ISO 10993-1 title quoted above.
- ISO 3533:2021. iso.org. Supports: the title only.
About this guide
- Method: the material comparison above is a plain-language summary of manufacturer care guidance and the sources listed here. We did not run lab tests.
- We are a retailer: My Luxury Toys sells adult products, so we benefit when you buy from us. See our Editorial Policy.
- AI use: AI tools helped with drafting and formatting. Quotes and figures were checked against the cited sources on October 31, 2026.
- This guide is general information, not medical advice.
- More guides and research: the My Luxury Toys Learn hub.