None of them are well regulated by the government, even though they supposedly fall under the government’s purview.
The result is products that make false claims at best and at worse can cause serious harm.
It’s easy to assume that some all-knowing, altruistic defender of human health and safety regulates the products we buy.
Unfortunately, that is often not the case. From foods and beauty products to the sex toys in your bedside drawer, cash is king, and many companies are more interested in their profits than the safety of the items they are selling.
While most markets have at least some regulation, it's basically crickets in the world of sex toys.
There are no lab-coat-clad researchers at the FDA doing tests on the newest dildos to hit the market, and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) only half-heartedly looks into claims should someone happen to make a complaint. I bet you can guess how often that happens…again, crickets.
Meanwhile, according to a 2017 study of sexual behavior, about 50% of the US population has used a sex toy like a vibrator or dildo in their lifetime; about 20% have used one last month.
And the numbers are likely even higher than that. Given the taboo surrounding sex, it’s safe to assume that some people didn’t report their actual use.
What’s the deal with the government refusing to keep sex toys safe for a product that is so widely used?
Well, without going into a 6,000 word tangent on the puritanical roots of sexuality in the United States… we don’t regulate sex toys largely because we don’t like talking about sex in this country. For the most part, it’s still a taboo topic.
To sweep the issue under the rug, sex toys are simply considered a “novelty item.”
This means that they can be packaged and sold with the “understanding” that they are not actually “meant to be used,” which means health and safety regulators can turn a blind eye.
For most people scrolling through the various internet sex toy offerings or walking through the isles at their local shop, safety is likely not the first thing on their minds.
Unfortunately, this is something that we should all be giving a lot more thought to because, as it turns out, sex toys are a minefield of toxic chemicals, bacteria-harboring materials, and poor designs that can turn harmful.
Terrifying, right?! Yes and no.
It’s definitely something you should be concerned about, but you can purchase with a little information with a little confidence.
Sex toys are supposed to be fun! They’re called sex toys, after all. Let’s take a look at what you can do to keep your sex toy shopping safe, simple, and enjoyable.
Consider the material
Sex toys are made out of a variety of materials, some of which can have harmful components.
Taking a few extra minutes to consider what your toys are made out of can keep you out of harm’s way.
Unsafe materials include polyvinyl chloride or “PVC,” vinyl, rubber, and jelly rubber. All of these are likely to contain phthalates and other unsavory chemicals.
Phthalates (pronounced “THAL-ates”) are a group of chemicals used to make plastics more flexible.
The FDA actually sites Phthalates as a “probable human carcinogen” (read: cancer!).
Again, the lack of industry regulation means that this terrible chemical is still making its way into the products we insert into our bodies.
How do you know if a sex toy has Phthalates in it? The short answer is, you don’t!
But remember, phthalates soften plastic. This means toys that are bendable or have a jelly-like feel are suspect.
Another simple tip—smell it. Unsafe toys usually have a chemical, rubbery or plastic smell.
This is because they are leeching their chemical components into the air and should use it internally, into your body. Stay away!
Is it Porous? The final thing to be thoughtful about is whether a sex toy is porous or not.
Porous materials have tiny holes, or pores, that allow the external matter to find a way inside.
This can be a perfect breeding ground for micro-organisms like bacteria and viruses.
Porous sex toys are impossible to sterilize or even fully clean.
Even if you’re careful to clean sex toys made out of porous materials, they can still cause infection because no cleaning amount will get into all those pores.
All of the unsafe, chemical-laden materials we listed before are also porous. Double danger!
There are, however, “body-safe” materials that are also porous.
Elastomer (TPE) and phthalate-free TPR are two common materials considered body-safe but are porous and cannot be sterilized.
Toys made out of these materials simply need to be covered with a condom when in use. The condom acts as a barrier between the porous (and potentially bacteria-harboring) material and your body.
Good to know because a lot of less expensive sex toys are made from just these materials. So what materials are safe?
The safest materials to look for include pure or “medical grade” silicone, stainless steel, aluminum, and borosilicate (or “Pyrex”) glass.
Toys made out of these materials are typically top of the line and rather pricey; however, ABS Plastic and Elastomed (just medical-grade plastic) are less pricey but still considered body-safe and nonporous.
LELO SONA 2 Cruise Sonic Clitoral Massager - Cerise
$149.00
LELO SONA 2 Cruise SONA 2 Cruise is a pleasure toy that combines all the best features of LELO's technology, innovation, and pleasure-making. This is a sonic massager that stimulates 75% more of the user's clitoris and not only on… Read More
The glass that is not borosilicate is also generally considered safe; you just have to be a little more careful with it because it’s not as sturdy.
We’re not saying it’s going to break inside of you as you’re using it; just don’t drop it.
And make sure there are no thin necks that are part of the design. These become stress points and are actually more likely to break.
In the world of dildos, you’re basically safe because the whole design is a thick piece of glass.
Gläs Candy Land Juicer Glass Dildo
$26.99
$28.99
Gläs Candy Land Juicer Glass Dildo Crank up the intensity of your orgasms with the Glas Candy Land Juicer. Featuring a unique rotary handle and extra thick torque plate, the Candy Land Juicer can be safely twirled while inside of… Read More
It’s butt plugs that you’d want to be wary of in the world of cheaper glass products.
These products sometimes have a thinner neck that connects their flared bottom to their bulbous top.
If you’re like many people, you’ve surely skimmed through this article and are now murmuring quietly to yourself, “Pthalawhat?! Enough with the science! Just give me some examples already!” Fair enough.
The following are brands that you can feel pretty comfortable trusting. They are body-conscious companies that strive to create safe, pleasurable products.
Brands generally regarded as body-safe:
- Lelo: This company is all about body safety, and their products reflect that.
- Fun Factory: Their toys are made from the highest quality body-safe materials, like medical-grade silicone and a patented non-porous plastic.
- We-Vibe: Their products are made from the highest quality, safe materials covered by 100% medical-grade silicone or body-safe plastics.
Lelo Elise 2 Large Vibrator with Dual Motors - Black
$199.00
Sculptural simplicity and tactile qualities are the defining elements of Elise's personality. Well in tune with the natural curves of the female body, the stem forms a soft arc for easy access to all those special places. The gentleness of… Read More
We-Vibe Tango X Cherry Red Bullet Vibrator
$79.00
We-Vibe has continued to innovate this much loved bullet, creating a motor that is extremely powerful, vibrations that are deeper, and a shape that is optimized for maximum pleasure. Tango X is petite, precise and a lot of power that… Read More
Here’s what you need to remember:
- Go for 100% silicone, glass, or steel from a reputable brand if you can afford it.
- Remember that sex toys aren’t regulated. Companies can say whatever they want to on their packaging. If you’re unsure about a product, talk to the knowledgeable folks at your local sex toy store.
- If you see the phrase “for novelty use only” or “adult novelty item” or some such variation on the packaging of a pleasure item, consider it a red flag. That toy is probably not body-safe.
- If it’s squishy or bendable, it’s either porous or has harmful plastic softeners in it.
- When in doubt, use a condom. This is always true for porous toys. You don’t want to get an infection. With jelly toys and the like…get rid of it! Fine…use a condom for your farewell moment with it, but then, just get rid of it!
Save up a little more money and get a better toy than you know is safe. Be good to yourself; you deserve it!