Not the flashiest topic in the category, but one of the most important ones. Every toy a customer buys is going to spend time in close contact with their skin, sometimes inside their body, so it's worth knowing exactly what it's made of. People already pay attention to what's in their skincare or their food. The same logic applies here. Here's something worth knowing upfront: the adult toy industry is largely unregulated. Sex toys are generally classified as "novelty devices," which means there's no government agency running standardized quality control on them. That sounds alarming, but in practice, the industry polices itself fairly strictly. Unsafe manufacturing or shoddy design tends to get a brand blacklisted by retailers and reviewers quickly. What this means for both retailers and shoppers is simple: material transparency matters. A responsible retailer lists materials, care instructions, and any relevant safety notes clearly on the product page, and is able to answer follow-up questions when a customer or buyer asks. That's the standard worth holding suppliers to. With that out of the way, here's a breakdown of the most common materials used in adult toys today. SILICONE Silicone is the material most retailers lead with, for good reason. It's smooth, odorless, tasteless, non-porous, body-safe, durable, and easy to keep hygienic. The non-porous part matters most: porosity refers to microscopic openings in a material's surface that can trap bacteria, old lubricant, or bodily fluids over time. Silicone doesn't have that problem, so while it still needs regular cleaning, there's no risk of buildup hiding beneath the surface. Silicone toys can be washed with warm water and antibacterial soap, or a dedicated toy cleaner. If a silicone toy has no mechanical or electronic parts, it can even be boiled or run through a dishwasher cycle for a deeper clean. Because it cleans so thoroughly, silicone is generally considered safe to share between partners, though a condom is still the safer call. Silicone is chemically inert, meaning it doesn't react with the natural chemicals in skin, which is why it's hypoallergenic. It does, however, react with other silicone, so silicone-based lubricants should be avoided; water-based lube is the safe default. Silicone toys also respond well to temperature, warming or cooling quickly if soaked in hot or cold water before use. Pros: odorless and tasteless, hypoallergenic, hygienic, boilable/sterilizable (non-vibrating), non-porous, temperature-responsive Cons: only compatible with water-based lubricants, should be stored away from other silicone items Note for buyers and retailers: some listings say "silicone" or "silicon" when the product is actually a blend, often with TPE or TPR added. Reputable listings will disclose this. GLASS Glass toys (borosilicate or pyrex) share silicone's core benefits, body-safe, odorless, non-porous, hypoallergenic, with one obvious difference: they're rigid rather than soft. That firmness and precision makes glass a strong choice for targeted G-spot or prostate stimulation. Like silicone, non-vibrating glass toys can be boiled or bleached, and glass is even more temperature-responsive. Glass also has an edge silicone doesn't: it's compatible with any lubricant type, including silicone-based. Breakage is rare but worth being aware of. Glass toys should be stored carefully, away from abrasive surfaces, and inspected before each use. Pros: compatible with any lubricant, hypoallergenic, hygienic, boilable/sterilizable (non-vibrating), non-porous, temperature-responsive, odorless and tasteless Cons: may be too firm for some users, requires careful storage STAINLESS STEEL / ALUMINUM Unpainted stainless steel and aluminum toys are non-porous, easy to clean, and generally safe for all skin types, similar in profile to glass. Look for "stainless steel" specifically in the product specs for confidence in quality. Like glass, metal toys are very firm, temperature-responsive, and well suited to G-spot or prostate play. They're compatible with any lubricant and can be boiled or bleached if fully sealed and non-vibrating. Breakage isn't a concern, but surface condition is: scratches or chipping can pose a risk, so metal toys should be stored carefully and checked periodically. Buyers should also be wary of cheaper metal toys with a painted or coated finish; plain, uncoated metal is the safer standard. Some metal toys contain nickel, which can trigger allergic reactions, so "nickel-free" in the spec sheet is worth checking for. Pros: hygienic, hypoallergenic, boilable/sterilizable (non-vibrating), non-porous, temperature-responsive, very durable, compatible with any lubricant, generally odorless and tasteless Cons: very firm, can be heavy, requires careful storage ABS PLASTIC / ACRYLIC Hard plastic and acrylic have a smooth surface that resists bacteria and dirt reasonably well, though it's not fully non-porous, so sharing isn't recommended without thorough cleaning. It's common in bullet vibrators and frequently used as an accent material (bases, handles, trim) on silicone or TPE/TPR toys. Pros: usually very smooth, fairly easy to clean, transmits vibration well, compatible with all lubricants Cons: inflexible, slightly porous THERMOPLASTIC RUBBER (TPR) AND THERMOPLASTIC ELASTOMER (TPE) TPR and TPE cover the softer end of the material spectrum, ranging from lightly flexible to very squishy. These materials were at the center of a well-known safety concern a few years back, tied to phthalates. Phthalates are chemical softeners some manufacturers use to make rubber or plastic easier to mold into shape. Unlike inert materials like silicone, phthalates can react with skin and potentially leach out of a toy's surface over time, which is why they're considered a safety concern. A telltale sign is a strong rubbery smell or a slightly slimy texture. The good news: most TPR and TPE toys on the market today are phthalate-free, and reputable manufacturers and retailers will state this clearly on the listing. If a soft-material product's description doesn't explicitly say "phthalate-free," it's worth treating that as an open question rather than assuming it's safe. TPR and TPE are both porous, so these toys shouldn't be shared, regardless of phthalate content. Clean with warm soapy water or a dedicated toy cleaner, dry fully before storing, and keep separate from other soft-material toys, since contact between certain materials can cause damage. Water-based lubricant is the safest choice, even though these materials are technically compatible with silicone-based lube too. Pros: soft and pliable, moldable into almost any shape, lifelike feel, usually phthalate- and latex-free Cons: may have a mild rubbery smell, porous, not shareable, needs separate storage from other soft materials PVC / RUBBER The same phthalate considerations apply here. Unless a listing specifically states otherwise, it's reasonable to assume PVC or rubber toys may contain phthalates. If a customer chooses a PVC or rubber toy, a condom over the toy (or over the body) adds a layer of protection, since the interaction between phthalate-containing chemicals and skin isn't something to leave to chance. Cleaning follows the standard approach, warm soapy water or a toy cleaner, but these materials remain porous no matter how thoroughly they're cleaned, so they shouldn't be shared. Pros: soft and pliable, easily molded, compatible with water or silicone lube Cons: may have a rubbery smell, may contain phthalates, porous, not shareable, needs separate storage REALISTIC MATERIALS Branded blends like ULTRASKYN, UR3, Cyberskin, PureSkin, and LoveSkin are designed to mimic the look and feel of human skin, and are common in masturbators and realistic dildos. Manufacturers typically keep their exact formulas proprietary, but these blends generally combine TPR, TPE, silicone, and sometimes latex or PVC. Phthalate content varies by product and should be checked on the listing. Because these materials are highly porous, thorough cleaning before and after use matters even more than usual, warm soapy water with antibacterial soap, or a full coating of toy cleanser, followed by complete drying before storage. Water-based lubricant is the safest and most broadly compatible option. Pros: soft and pliable, easily molded, lifelike feel, temperature-responsive Cons: may have a rubbery smell, may contain phthalates, porous, not shareable, needs separate storage LATEX Latex has largely fallen out of favor in toy manufacturing. It's soft and easy to mold, but it's also porous, prone to odor, not especially durable, and a common allergen. Where latex is used, a condom over the toy is a sensible precaution, and sharing isn't recommended. Latex is compatible with both water- and silicone-based lubricants, and cleans with warm soapy water or a toy cleaner. Pros: very soft, inexpensive Cons: noticeable smell, limited durability, allergy risk