Here's something the industry doesn't advertise loudly enough: a lot of sex toys on the market are made with materials that genuinely aren't safe for your body.
We're not trying to scare you — we're trying to empower you. Because once you know what to look for (and what to avoid), shopping for pleasure products becomes a whole lot easier and a whole lot more fun.
This guide breaks it all down: the materials you want, the ones you absolutely don't, and how to tell the difference at a glance. Consider this your no-BS cheat sheet.
The Good Stuff: Materials You Can Trust
Body-safe materials share a few things in common: they're non-porous (meaning bacteria can't hide inside them), non-toxic, and hypoallergenic. Here's what to look for:
Medical-Grade Silicone 🥇
This is the gold standard, and for good reason. Medical-grade silicone is soft, flexible, non-porous, and incredibly easy to clean. It doesn't hold odors or harbour bacteria, and it's completely hypoallergenic — great news if you have sensitive skin.
Most of our bestselling vibrators and dildos are made from medical-grade silicone. Browse our silicone vibrators →
Glass 💎
Don't let it intimidate you — body-safe glass (borosilicate glass, specifically) is extremely durable, smooth, non-porous, and incredibly easy to sterilize. One of its coolest features? It responds to temperature, so you can warm or cool it for a totally different sensory experience.
Explore our Glass & Crystal Dildos collection → for beautiful, body-safe options.
Stainless Steel 💪
Heavy, firm, and non-porous — stainless steel toys are virtually indestructible and completely hygienic. They're also temperature-responsive like glass, and they're compatible with any type of lubricant, which is a nice bonus.
ABS Plastic ✅
You'll find ABS plastic used in vibrator exteriors, handles, and bullet vibes. When it's free of harmful additives (which reputable brands always ensure), it's a perfectly safe, hard-wearing, non-porous material. Most of our bullet and egg vibrators use ABS plastic — shop them here →.
The Bad Stuff: What to Avoid
This is the part nobody talks about enough. Cheap toys made from the wrong materials can release harmful chemicals, hold bacteria no matter how well you clean them, and cause irritation or worse. Here's what to steer clear of:
Phthalates ❌
Phthalates are chemical plasticizers used to make materials soft and flexible. They show up in a lot of cheap, jelly-style sex toys — and they've been linked to hormonal disruption and reproductive issues. Always check that a toy is explicitly labelled phthalate-free. If it doesn't say so, assume it isn't.
Jelly Rubber ❌
That squishy, almost-translucent material used in ultra-cheap toys? That's jelly rubber, and it's one of the worst offenders. It's porous — meaning bacteria live inside it permanently, no matter how often you clean it — and it can leach chemicals over time. It also often contains phthalates. Just avoid it entirely.
Mystery Materials / No Labelling ❌
If a toy's product description doesn't clearly state what it's made from, that's a red flag. Reputable brands are transparent about their materials. Vague terms like "skin-safe" or "premium material" without specifics are marketing language, not safety guarantees.
All products at Oh Sensa come from trusted brands that are fully transparent about materials — so you can shop without second-guessing.
How to Spot a Body-Safe Toy Before You Buy
Not sure where to start? Here's a quick checklist:
✔ Check the product description for specific materials (silicone, ABS plastic, borosilicate glass, stainless steel)
✔ Look for "phthalate-free" labelling — it should be explicitly stated
✔ Stick to recognised brands like Lelo, Lovense, Satisfyer, b-Vibe, and Tenga — they don't cut corners on materials
✔ If you're ever unsure, do the smell test: body-safe silicone has almost no scent. A strong chemical or rubbery odor is a warning sign
✔ Buy from retailers who curate their catalog — like us 😉
Taking Care of Your Toys (So They Last)
Body-safe materials make cleaning genuinely easy — which is one of the underrated perks of investing in quality.
Cleaning
Wash before and after every use with mild soap and warm water, or use a dedicated toy cleaner. Non-porous materials don't hold bacteria, so a thorough wash is all you need. Our Sex Toy Cleaners → are formulated specifically for this and are safe on all body-safe materials.
Storage
Keep toys in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Store them separately (silicone toys touching each other can degrade over time) — a fabric pouch or dedicated toy box is ideal. Check out our Sex Toy Storage collection → for options.
Lube Compatibility
One more thing worth knowing: silicone-based lube degrades silicone toys. Always use water-based lube with silicone toys. Glass and stainless steel are compatible with any lube type. Browse our Water-Based Lubes → to find the right match.
Ready to Shop Body-Safe?
Every product in the Oh Sensa catalog is sourced from brands we trust — brands that are transparent about materials and don't cut corners. Here are some great starting points:
→ Silicone Vibrators — our most popular category for a reason
→ Glass & Crystal Dildos — beautiful, body-safe, and temperature-play friendly
→ Silicone Dildos — soft, flexible, and available in every style
→ Bullet & Egg Vibrators — beginner-friendly ABS plastic options
→ Sex Toy Cleaners — keep everything hygienic and long-lasting
Your pleasure should never come at the cost of your health. Shop confidently at ohsensa.com — where every product is chosen with you in mind. 💕