What does a good sex toy feel like? Rare pleasures

What a good sex toy feels like

Working in this industry, it’s easy to forget that people might not know Information about sex toy materialsMaybe one in ten customers has concerns about the materials of a particular toy, and as a sex educator I try to indicate the materials of each toy I describe, but rarely go beyond that. Good sex toys are often very different in quality and function from cheap toys.

I thought it would be helpful to share some brief observations that I think are essential to the materials many of today’s sex toys are made of. I will cover any issues you may encounter when using these materials and how to best clean them.

Sex Toy Materials and Allergies and Cleaning

As a consumer, you may be concerned about allergies, and common materials in sex toys that people are allergic to include but are not limited to latex, nickel, and even MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivity). MCS sounds worse than it actually is, and it’s basically a general description for people with sensitive skin.

Of course, this will vary from person to person and to varying degrees. Another area of ​​concern is cleanliness. Some materials are more likely to harbor bacteria, and these toys tend to be porous, with tiny holes where microorganisms can inhabit and grow. Extra care needs to be taken when cleaning these toys, and they should be changed more often. It’s also important to use condoms if you’re sharing these toys with someone else.

What are phthalates?

Recently, there has been a growing fear about phthalates.

Let’s discuss what phthalates are. Specifically, they are a group of chemicals that, when combined together, help soften plastics and increase their flexibility. There are no conclusive studies telling us at what amounts phthalates become harmful. Further research is needed to determine what amounts of phthalates are considered non-toxic. Some of the side effects of phthalates have been linked to effects on: egg and sperm fertility, breast cancer, and hormones. Again, these side effects are not necessarily direct effects.

It’s important to remember that a label that says “phthalate-free” refers only to the specific materials in the toy itself. This means that any add-ons on the toy, such as handles, buttons, or painted details, may not be phthalate-free.

What are the most common sex toy materials?

Now that you know what issues you might need to be concerned about, read the most common materials.

Silicone

Many people consider this to be the most realistic and durable material. Silicone is non-toxic, is also considered hypoallergenic, and has the potential to last a lifetime. Silicone is non-porous, so there is no worry about bacteria making a home on your favorite toy. One of the main drawbacks of silicone toys is that they cannot be stored together. Each toy must be stored in its own bag. This will prevent the silicone from degrading each other and also help prevent lint from getting on the toys.

Since silicone reacts with other silicones, you’ll want to avoid using silicone or mixed lubricants with these toys. It’s best to use a water-based lubricant, like the new “WICKED Aqua” now available at Oh Zone stores!

Network Skin

For those who prefer to live in reality, Cyberskin might be what you have been looking for. This material has the most realistic texture and even heats up like real flesh when used. Cyberskin is a group of chemical materials that produce a soft, flesh-like material. This material does not contain phthalates, however, no studies have been conducted on the long-term effects of specific materials. Cyberskin is very flexible and surprisingly durable. Like silicone, Cyberskin must be stored separately from other toys as it tends to stick to or almost melt into other toys. In addition, only water-based lubricants are effective.

Stainless steel/aluminum

The most durable toy material. Stainless steel is easy to care for and easy to use. Suitable for all lubricants, easy to care for, just wash with warm soapy water, or you can use Favorite Antibacterial Sex Toy CleanersMy choice is Tom of Finland Sex Toy Cleaner from Adultsmart.

Since it is a dense metal, we can rest assured that these toys are phthalate-free and will not have pores to harbor bacteria (if the toy has ridges or grooves, you must be careful when cleaning it). These toys can be relatively heavy, but the prices are generally in the mid-range for those who are interested.

One thing you need to consider before using stainless steel toys is that they may contain trace amounts of nickel, so if you are allergic to nickel, it’s best to avoid them.

If you are concerned about the nickel in stainless steel, you can try aluminum toys. Aluminum is much lighter than stainless steel and is more easily damaged. However, they are not porous and are easy to clean.

PVC

PVC has long been a favorite toy material because it is soft and flexible. It is latex-free, but very porous. Due to the porosity of PVC, it cannot be guaranteed to be phthalate-free. The actual composition of PVC does not contain phthalates.

When playing with PVC toys, it is best to use a water-based lubricant. Another easy way to clean your toys is to use warm soapy water or a good quality antibacterial toy cleaner is recommended.

TPR and TPE (Plastic)

These two materials are widely used for their benefits during the manufacturing process. Both are heat-reactive plastics, with TPE becoming more flexible and offering great durability. TPR is a lot like rubber and has a high tear threshold. TPR is considered hypoallergenic. Because these materials are soft, no phthalates are added during processing and they are also latex-free.

However, these materials are porous and require care when cleaning. Like silicone, TPR and TPE toys Do not store with other toys of similar materials as they will react with each other.

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These toys tend to be cheap to make, so they sell well. While the popularity of rubber toys is declining and other toys like hypoallergenic toys are hitting the shelves, these toys are still great. Perfect for first-time toy players who want to try something new before spending a fortune.

Since rubber is naturally soft and flexible, there are no phthalates added to the material, but it does contain latex. Rubber itself is also very porous and requires extra cleaning care. Due to its porous nature, I would not recommend keeping these toys for too long.

This is not a comprehensive list of all materials, but I think it should give the reader a better idea of ​​what to look for or at least what to avoid. Don’t forget that all Oh Zone store employees are willing and eager to answer any questions you may have.

About the Author: KrizPatrick BA(Hon) Psychology – Human Sexualitysave

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Wisdom from Patrick Kriz, a graduate in psychology and human sexuality. He is an articulate and well-educated expert whose work enriches sexual health and lifestyle.