Body-safe materials: how to read the label like a pro
"Body-safe" gets printed on everything these days — and because the term isn't regulated, it can mean a lot or absolutely nothing. The good news: once you know a handful of materials and label terms, you can judge any toy in seconds. Here's the full picture.
1.The materials cheat sheet
Ignore the marketing on the front of the box and find the materials list. Then check it against this table:
| Material | Verdict | What you need to know |
|---|---|---|
| Medical-grade silicone | Yes — the gold standard | Non-porous, hypoallergenic and sterilisable. Soft-touch finish, holds temperature well, lasts for years with basic care. |
| Borosilicate glass | Yes | Completely non-porous and shatter-resistant. Great for temperature play — warm it or cool it in water before use. |
| Stainless steel | Yes | Non-porous, weighty and incredibly easy to clean. Look for 304 or 316 surgical-grade steel on the label. |
| ABS plastic | Yes | Hard, non-porous plastic used in quality vibrator housings. Body-safe, though less forgiving than silicone. |
| Jelly rubber / PVC | Avoid | Porous and usually softened with phthalates. Traps bacteria, degrades over time and can irritate skin. A 'novelty use only' sticker is a red flag. |
| TPE / TPR | Use with caution | Softer and cheaper than silicone but porous — it can never be fully sterilised. If you own one, wash thoroughly, let it dry completely and replace it regularly. |
2.Label terms, translated
Packaging loves a buzzword. Here's what the most common claims on sex toy labels actually mean — and which ones should make you suspicious:
“Phthalate-free”
No phthalate softeners were used. This is the bare minimum you should accept — phthalates are linked to skin irritation and are banned in children's toys across the UK and EU.
“Body-safe”
An unregulated marketing term. On its own it means very little — always check which actual material is named on the packaging. 'Body-safe silicone' is meaningful; 'body-safe' alone is not.
“Medical-grade / platinum-cured silicone”
Silicone cured with platinum rather than peroxide, leaving no residue. The highest quality you can buy — non-porous, odourless and fully sterilisable.
“Non-porous”
The surface has no microscopic holes, so bacteria can't hide in it and it washes completely clean. Silicone, glass, steel and ABS are non-porous; jelly, PVC and TPE are not.
“Hypoallergenic”
Unlikely to cause an allergic reaction. Useful shorthand, but if you have a known latex or nickel allergy, still check the full materials list on anything that touches your skin.
“For novelty use only”
A legal dodge. It usually means the manufacturer hasn't certified the product as safe for intimate use. Treat it as a warning, not a joke.
3.Porous vs non-porous — the one rule that matters most
If you remember one thing from this guide, make it this: porous materials can never be fully cleaned. Jelly rubber, PVC and TPE have microscopic holes that trap bacteria no matter how carefully you wash them. Non-porous materials — silicone, glass, stainless steel, ABS — wash completely clean with soap and water.
A quick field test: genuinely non-porous silicone is odourless and doesn't feel tacky or greasy. If a toy smells strongly of chemicals out of the packaging, that's the material off-gassing — send it back. It's why everything we stock is non-porous and phthalate-free, no exceptions.
4.Match your lube to your toy
The wrong lubricant can ruin a good toy — or worse. The rules are simple:
- ◆Water-based lube is safe with every material. When in doubt, reach for water-based.
- ◆Silicone-based lube should never touch silicone toys — it degrades the surface, making it sticky and porous over time.
- ◆Oil-based products are fine with glass and steel but weaken latex — keep them away from condoms and latex accessories.
- ◆Hybrid lubes (water + silicone) follow the same rule as silicone: keep them off silicone toys.
5.Know your allergies
Some items — particularly certain restraints, garments and accessories — may contain latex. If you have a latex allergy, check the packaging before use and get in touch with us before ordering; we'll confirm exactly what's in your box. The same goes for nickel in cheaper metal accessories: look for stainless steel or nickel-free on the label.
Next: keep them clean
Body-safe materials only stay safe with the right cleaning routine.