Sinclair Institute®'s Guide to Sex Toy Materials
PUBLISHED BY:N/A
Technology's a wonderful thing, especially when it's applied to sex toys. You can choose from Jelly, Silicone, Plastic, Glass, Stainless Steel and even Sterling Silver, all of them with a different feel. It's great, but here's where it gets tricky: what the heck are CyberSkin®, UR3®, PleasureSkin®, or Jel-Lee? What lubes do you use with them? And how do you take care of each one? Here's our guide to materials, to help you get the best use and longest life out of your toy investment.
IMPORTANT NOTES: Some toys store best when given a light dusting of cornstarch. Never use talc or talcum powder, which has been linked to cervical cancer. If cleaning with alcohol is recommended with some materials, rinse the toy with water before using it on your sensitive "hot spots"!
| ABS Plastic |
|
| Type: |
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) |
| Look & Feel: |
Smooth, rigid, lightweight. Pthalate-free and hypoallergenic. |
| Lube: |
Water-based or silicone |
| Cleaning: |
Non-porous and easy to clean with soap and water or toy cleaner. |
| Acrylic, Lucite |
|
| Type: |
Plastic, wears well, non-porous |
| Look & Feel: |
Hard, smooth and shiny, looks like glass. |
| Lube: |
Water-based or silicone |
| Cleaning: |
Cleans easily with soap & water or toy cleaner. |
| Aluminum |
|
| Type: |
Natural earth element, chemical-free, non-rusting metal, non-porous |
| Look & Feel: |
Very smooth and lightweight. Warms and cools easily for temperature play. |
| Lube: |
Water-based or silicone |
| Cleaning: |
Wash with soap & water. Dry immediately because it can water-spot. Dishwasher-safe in the top rack. |
| AquaGel™, Jelly, Jel-Lee® |
|
| Type: |
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) |
| Look & Feel: |
Soft, smooth, rubbery, flexible, bendable. |
| Lube: |
Water-based or silicone |
| Cleaning: |
Mild soap & warm (not hot!) water or toy cleaner. Can not be sterilized. Don't share jelly toys unless you use a condom on them – which makes for easier cleanup. |
| Storage Notes: |
Store away from sunlight. Dust lightly with cornstarch before storage. |
| Better-Than-Real |
|
| Type: |
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) |
| Look & Feel: |
Looks and feels like real skin. |
| Lube: |
Water-based or silicone |
| Cleaning: |
Porous, so best to use them with a condom. Clean with mild soap & water. |
| Storage Notes: |
Store away from sunlight, dust lightly with cornstarch. |
| Ceramic |
|
| Type: |
Clay, usually coated/colored with pigmented glass and fired in a high-temperature kiln. Similar to ceramic tablewear. |
| Look & Feel: |
Very hard and smooth, strong, durable, but it can crack or break if dropped on a hard surface. Warms and cools for temperature play. |
| Lube: |
Water-based or silicone |
| Cleaning: |
Non-porous. Wash with soap and warm water. |
| Chrome |
|
| Type: |
Metal |
| Look & Feel: |
Smooth, hard and shiny, weighty. Heats and cools easily for temperature play. Very durable. |
| Lube: |
Water-based or silicone |
| Cleaning: |
Soap and water, boiling, bleach and water, dishwasher safe. |
| Crystalessence™ |
|
| Type: |
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) rubber |
| Look & Feel: |
Soft, flexible, glossy |
| Lube: |
Water-based or silicone |
| Cleaning: |
Warm soapy water, or just rinse in water |
| CyberSkin® |
|
| Type: |
Thermal Plastic Elastomer (PVC and Silicone) |
| Look & Feel: |
Soft, looks and feels like real skin. |
| Lube: |
Water-based ONLY |
| Cleaning: |
Very porous and almost impossible to disinfect. Clean before and after each use with warm water and antibacterial soap or toy cleaner. Best used protected with a condom. After use and before storage, dust these toys with a light coating of cornstarch or CyberSkin® Renew Powder, never talc. |
| Storage Notes: |
These toys should be kept away from toys made of other materials, because they can become sticky and discolored. They're best stored in cloth or plastic bags. |
| Elastomed, Elastomer |
|
| Type: |
Thermal plastic elastomer |
| Look & Feel: |
Various textures according to products added to the formula. Varies from soft to firm. |
| Lube: |
Water-based or silicone |
| Cleaning: |
Porous, so use condoms if sharing them.Can't be disinfected by boiling. Wash with warm, soapy water or toy cleaner. |
| Foam |
|
| Type: |
Usually polyurethane |
| Look & Feel: |
Soft, flexible, hypoallergenic. Used mainly for accessories like playful bondage restraints. |
| Lube: |
Foam toys are not insertable, so you should not use lube. |
| Cleaning: |
Clean before and after use with warm soapy water or toy cleaner. Foam inhibits mold or bacteria. |
| Futurotic™, Futurotic Plus |
|
| Type: |
Thermal Plastic Elastomer (PVC and Silicone) |
| Look & Feel: |
Soft, looks and feels like real skin |
| Lube: |
Water-based ONLY |
| Cleaning: |
Very porous and almost impossible to disinfect. Clean before and after each use with warm water and antibacterial soap or toy cleaner. Best used protected with a condom. After use and before storage, dust these toys with a light coating of cornstarch, never talc. |
| Storage Notes: |
These toys should be kept away from toys made of other materials, because they can become sticky and discolored. They're best stored in cloth or plastic bags. |
| Glass, Cyberglass™, E-Glass, Pyrex™ |
|
| Type: |
Very hard borosilicate glass that resists cracking or chipping. Transparent or translucent |
| Look & Feel: |
Super-smooth and non-porous, very slick with lube, nice weight, luxurious feel. Some glass sex toys are actually works of art incorporating colored or dichromatic glass effects. Heats and cools easily for temperature play. |
| Lube: |
Water-based or silicone, use sparingly. |
| Cleaning: |
Soap & water, top-rack dishwasher safe. |
| Lacquer Cote |
|
| Type: |
Resin dissolved in a solvent of naptha, xylene, toluene, ketones including acetone. |
| Look & Feel: |
Beautiful high-gloss finish material. Lacquer Cote is a coating on firm surfaces. Changes in temperature can ruin this finish. |
| Lube: |
Water-based or silicone |
| Cleaning: |
Mild soap and water, dry and polish with a soft cloth. |
| Lambskin Condoms |
|
| Type: |
Animal intestine |
| Look & Feel: |
Very thin with a natural feel. Unlike latex, these condoms DO NOT prevent transmission of STDs and HIV, but they do prevent pregnancy. |
| Lube: |
Water-based ONLY |
| Cleaning: |
None. Condoms should only be used once and then carefully disposed of. |
| Latex |
|
| Type: |
Synthetic, plant-based rubber |
| Look & Feel: |
Soft and very flexible. |
| Lube: |
Water-based or silicone |
| Cleaning: |
Very porous and hard to clean thoroughly. Wash with mild soap and water only. Best to use these toys with a condom over them. |
| Leather |
|
| Type: |
Natural animal hide |
| Look & Feel: |
Very durable, and softens with age and use. Used primarily for bondage gear and harnesses. |
| Lube: |
Leather toys are not insertable, so you don't need lube. |
| Cleaning: |
Damp cloth with mild soap and water, only if needed. |
| Metal |
|
| Type: |
Natural earth element |
| Look & Feel: |
Smooth, usually polished and shiny, warms and cools for temperature play, very durable and non-flexible. |
| Lube: |
Water-based or silicone |
| Cleaning: |
Soap and water, top-shelf dishwasher safe, may be boiled or bleached with a 10% solution. |
| Neoprene |
|
| Type: |
Synthetic rubber |
| Look & Feel: |
Very flexible and tough, usually found in harnesses and playful bondage toys. |
| Lube: |
Water-based or silicone |
| Cleaning: |
Resistant to dirt. Clean with water or wipe with a damp cloth. |
| New Supersoft |
|
| Type: |
Thermal Plastic Elastomer (PVC and Silicone) |
| Look & Feel: |
Soft, looks and feels like real skin. |
| Lube: |
Water-based ONLY |
| Cleaning: |
Very porous and almost impossible to disinfect. Clean before and after each use with warm water and antibacterial soap or toy cleaner. Best used protected with a condom. After use and before storage, dust these toys with a light coating of cornstarch, never talc. |
| Storage Notes: |
These toys should be kept away from toys made of other materials, because they can become sticky and discolored. They're best stored in cloth or plastic bags. |
| Non-Porous TPR |
|
| Type: |
High-quality, medical-grade Thermoplastic Rubber. Non-porous, phthalate-free, latex-free. |
| Look & Feel: |
Firm, usually with a velvety surface. |
| Lube: |
Water-based or silicone |
| Cleaning: |
Wash with mild soap and water |
| Nylon |
|
| Type: |
Synthetic polymer, thermoplastic |
| Look & Feel: |
Used in a wide range of fabric types from thin and light to heavy and leather-like. Used in lingerie all the way to harnesses. Hypoallergenic. |
| Lube: |
Water-based or silicone |
| Cleaning: |
Wash with mild soap and warm water |
| O2 |
|
| Type: |
Semi-organic polymer, silicone |
| Look & Feel: |
Smooth, non-porous, warms to body temperature and retains heat. May be cooled for temperature play. |
| Lube: |
Water-based ONLY |
| Cleaning: |
Disinfect by boiling for 3 minutes, top-rack dishwasher safe |
| Storage Notes: |
Store away from other toys, especially silicone toys. |
| PassionSkin™ |
|
| Type: |
Thermal Plastic Elastomer |
| Look & Feel: |
Flexible, looks and feels like real skin |
| Lube: |
Water-based ONLY |
| Cleaning: |
Very porous and hard to disinfect, best used with a condom. Clean after every use with warm water and antibacterial soap or toy cleaner. |
| Storage Notes: |
Store in a cool, dark place separate from other toys in a cloth or plastic bag. Give it a light dusting of cornstarch. |
| Plastic |
|
| Type: |
Synthetic or semi-synthetic polymer, phlalate-free, non-porous |
| Look & Feel: |
Smooth, shiny, firm, gets very slick with lubes. Very durable. |
| Lube: |
Water-based or silicone |
| Cleaning: |
Easy to clean with soap and water. May disinfect with isopropyl alcohol. |
| Private Touch™ |
|
| Type: |
Thermal Plastic Elastomer |
| Look & Feel: |
Flexible, looks and feels like real skin |
| Lube: |
Water-based ONLY |
| Cleaning: |
Very porous and hard to disinfect, best used with a condom. Clean after every use with warm water and antibacterial soap or toy cleaner. |
| Storage Notes: |
Store in a cool, dark place separate from other toys in a cloth or plastic bag. Give it a light dusting of cornstarch. |
| PureSkin™ |
|
| Type: |
Thermal Plastic Elastomer (PVC and Silicone) |
| Look & Feel: |
Soft, looks and feels like real skin |
| Lube: |
Water-based ONLY |
| Cleaning: |
Very porous and almost impossible to disinfect. Clean before and after each use with warm water and antibacterial soap or toy cleaner. Best used protected with a condom. After use and before storage, dust these toys with a light coating of cornstarch, never talc. |
| Storage Notes: |
These toys should be kept away from toys made of other materials, because they can become sticky and discolored. They're best stored in cloth or plastic bags. |
| RealSkin |
|
| Type: |
Thermal Plastic Elastomer (PVC and Silicone) |
| Look & Feel: |
Soft, looks and feels like real skin |
| Lube: |
Water-based ONLY |
| Cleaning: |
Very porous and almost impossible to disinfect. Clean before and after each use with warm water and antibacterial soap or toy cleaner. Best used protected with a condom. After use and before storage, dust these toys with a light coating of cornstarch, never talc. |
| Storage Notes: |
These toys should be kept away from toys made of other materials, because they can become sticky and discolored. They're best stored in cloth or plastic bags. |
| Rubber |
|
| Type: |
Processed sap from rubber trees or plants. Can also be produced chemically. |
| Look & Feel: |
Usually very flexible and smooth, but can also be produced with varying degrees of firmness and texture. Porous and durable. |
| Lube: |
Water-based or silicone |
| Cleaning: |
A very porous material and hard to clean, rubber can also pick up stains from coming in contact with dyes. It's best to use a condom over rubber toys. |
| Rubber Cote, Velvet Cote™ |
|
| Type: |
Synthetic polymerization product. |
| Look & Feel: |
Velvety-soft. A popular coating over sex toys made of other materials, giving them a great feel and making them easier to grip when coated with lube. |
| Lube: |
Water-based or silicone |
| Cleaning: |
Non-porous and easy to clean with soap and water, toy cleaner, or isopropyl alcohol. |
| SensaFirm™ |
|
| Type: |
Thermal Plastic Elastomer |
| Look & Feel: |
Flexible, looks and feels like real skin |
| Lube: |
Water-based ONLY |
| Cleaning: |
Very porous and hard to disinfect, best used with a condom. Clean after every use with warm water and antibacterial soap or toy cleaner. |
| Storage Notes: |
Store in a cool, dark place separate from other toys in a cloth or plastic bag. Give it a light dusting of cornstarch. |
| SoftSkins® |
|
| Type: |
Thermal Plastic Elastomer (PVC and Silicone) |
| Look & Feel: |
Soft, looks and feels like real skin |
| Lube: |
Water-based ONLY |
| Cleaning: |
Very porous and almost impossible to disinfect. Clean before and after each use with warm water and antibacterial soap or toy cleaner. Best used protected with a condom. After use and before storage, dust these toys with a light coating of cornstarch, never talc. |
| Storage Notes: |
These toys should be kept away from toys made of other materials, because they can become sticky and discolored. They're best stored in cloth or plastic bags. |
| SoftTouch™ |
|
| Type: |
Thermal Plastic Elastomer (PVC and Silicone) |
| Look & Feel: |
Soft, looks and feels like real skin |
| Lube: |
Water-based ONLY |
| Cleaning: |
Very porous and almost impossible to disinfect. Clean before and after each use with warm water and antibacterial soap or toy cleaner. Best used protected with a condom. After use and before storage, dust these toys with a light coating of cornstarch, never talc. |
| Storage Notes: |
These toys should be kept away from toys made of other materials, because they can become sticky and discolored. They're best stored in cloth or plastic bags. |
| Stainless Steel |
|
| Type: |
Ferrous alloy with 10.5% chromium |
| Look & Feel: |
Smooth, hard, usually polished metal. Great for temperature play because it warms and cools easily. |
| Lube: |
Water-based or silicone |
| Cleaning: |
A very durable, non-porous material that cleans very well by boiling, soaking in bleach and water solution, or in the dishwasher. |
| Sterling Silver |
|
| Type: |
Precious metal, an alloy of 92.5% silver mixed with other metals. |
| Look & Feel: |
Highly polished and beautiful, toys made of sterling silver are usually works of art and highly prized. |
| Lube: |
Water-based or silicone |
| Cleaning: |
Non-porous. Sterilize it or wipe it with alcohol or bleach and water solution. Sterling silver can tarnish, so you can clean it with silver polish, but be sure to wash it thoroughly with soap and water after cleaning to avoid any harsh chemicals coming into contact with your body. |
| Storage Notes: |
To avoid scratching these toys, store them in a soft cloth or bag. |
| Techno-Skin |
|
| Type: |
Thermal Plastic Elastomer |
| Look & Feel: |
Flexible, looks and feels like real skin |
| Lube: |
Water-based ONLY |
| Cleaning: |
Very porous and hard to disinfect, best used with a condom. Clean after every use with warm water and antibacterial soap or toy cleaner. |
| Storage Notes: |
Store in a cool, dark place separate from other toys in a cloth or plastic bag. Give it a light dusting of cornstarch. |
| TPE |
|
| Type: |
Thermoplastic elastomer |
| Look & Feel: |
No solvents, latex or phlalates, so TPE is perfect for people with allergies. TPE has a range of textures and hardness, and is a very popular material for sex toys. |
| Lube: |
Water-based ONLY |
| Cleaning: |
Soap and water or toy cleaner. Can't be sterilized, so use a condom over this toy if you're sharing it. |
| TPR |
|
| Type: |
Thermoplastic Rubber |
| Look & Feel: |
Hypoallergenic, non-toxic, phthalate-free. Like TPE, it has a range of textures and hardness. Porous. |
| Lube: |
Water-based or silicone |
| Cleaning: |
Soap and water or toy cleaner. Can't be sterilized, so use a condom if sharing these sex toys. |
| TPR Silicone |
|
| Type: |
Thermoplastic rubber-based silicone |
| Look & Feel: |
Hypoallergenic, phthalate-free. Varying textures and hardness. |
| Lube: |
Water-based ONLY |
| Cleaning: |
Soap and water or toy cleaner |
| Trueskin |
|
| Type: |
Thermal Plastic Elastomer |
| Look & Feel: |
Flexible, looks and feels like real skin |
| Lube: |
Water-based ONLY |
| Cleaning: |
Very porous and hard to disinfect, best used with a condom. Clean after every use with warm water and antibacterial soap or toy cleaner. |
| Storage Notes: |
Store in a cool, dark place separate from other toys in a cloth or plastic bag. Give it a light dusting of cornstarch. |
| Ultra Realistic 3.0 UR3® |
|
| Type: |
Thermal Plastic Elastomer (PVC and Silicone) |
| Look & Feel: |
Soft, looks and feels like real skin |
| Lube: |
Water-based ONLY |
| Cleaning: |
Very porous and almost impossible to disinfect. Clean before and after each use with warm water and antibacterial soap or toy cleaner. Best used protected with a condom. After use and before storage, dust these toys with a light coating of cornstarch, never talc. |
| Storage Notes: |
These toys should be kept away from toys made of other materials, because they can become sticky and discolored. They're best stored in cloth or plastic bags. |
| Vinyl |
|
| Type: |
Petrochemical-based plastic |
| Look & Feel: |
Depends on the manufacturing method. Can be very soft and flexible or harder. Smooth and shiny. Porous. |
| Lube: |
Water-based or silicone |
| Cleaning: |
Soap and water or toy cleaner. Best to use a condom over porous vinyl toys. |
| Vinyl Rubber |
|
| Type: |
Synthetic polymer, or plant-derived emulsion. |
| Look & Feel: |
Rubber-like, flexible, smooth. Very long-lasting toys. May contain phthalates or latex, so use a condom over these toys. They can also have a strong chemical odor, so air them out before use. |
| Lube: |
Water-based or silicone |
| Cleaning: |
Very porous. Can't be sterilized. Soap and water or toy cleaner after each use, or use a condom |
| Storage Notes: |
Store in a bag or wrapped in a cloth, since vinyl rubber can absorb other materials it comes in contact with. |
| Vinyl, Food-Grade |
|
| Type: |
PVC plastic, used to make food containers. |
| Look & Feel: |
Soft, flexible, can be manufactured to be very firm. High-end food-grade vinyl is hypoallergenic and phlalate-free. |
| Lube: |
Water-based or silicone |
| Cleaning: |
Soap and water or sex toy cleaner. |
| Wood |
|
| Type: |
Natural material from trees or woody plants |
| Look & Feel: |
Beautiful wood grain and warm natural color, can be worked into a silky-smooth polish and is a preferred material for artistic pieces. Usually has a protective finish. Hypoallergenic. Warms easily to body temperature. |
| Lube: |
Water-based or silicone |
| Cleaning: |
Wood absorbs water, so don't soak these toys. Clean with soap and water or toy cleaner, wipe down with alcohol or peroxide. Dry completely with a soft cloth before storage. |
