To read a sex toy label, skip the reassuring adjectives on the front and find the name of the material. "Phthalate-free," "non-toxic" and "skin-safe" tell you what a toy isn't, or what the maker would like you to believe. A line that says "100% silicone" or "borosilicate glass" tells you what it is, and that is what actually predicts whether a toy can be kept clean.
Sex toys in the US are largely unregulated, so the words on the box are written by the people selling it.
What "phthalate-free" means
Phthalates are a family of chemicals used to make plastics softer and more durable. According to the CDC, some phthalates have affected the reproductive system in animal studies, while the effects of low-level exposure in people are less clear and still being researched.
Soft PVC toys were the main concern. When Denmark's Environmental Protection Agency tested sex toys in 2006, it found that "jelly" was usually plasticized PVC, with some samples containing up to 70 percent plasticizer. It also found far more plasticizer migrated out of the toys when they were used with oil-based lube than with water-based lube.
So "phthalate-free" beats the alternative. But it rules out only one group of softeners. A soft PVC or TPR toy can swap phthalates for a different plasticizer and still be porous, still trap bacteria, and still break down. The label answers a chemical question and skips the hygiene one.
What "non-toxic" means
Very little. There's no specific standard behind "non-toxic" on a sex toy. In practice it means the material isn't expected to harm you on contact, which is a low bar for something you put on or in your body.
It also says nothing about porosity. A porous toy can be non-toxic in the everyday sense and still soak up lube, fluids and bacteria, which is why we don't sell porous materials at all. The reasoning is in porous vs. non-porous materials.
What "skin-safe" and "body-safe" mean
These are the vaguest of the lot. Nobody certifies them, and they turn up on silicone toys and jelly toys alike. We give them no weight on their own.
The same goes for "for novelty use only," which you'll sometimes find in small print. It's the maker declining to say the product is meant for your body. Take them at their word.
Be wary of material names that sound technical but describe something soft and squishy. "Cyberskin", "realistic skin" and similar trademarked skin-like materials are typically TPE, TPR or PVC blends, not silicone. If the only material listed is a name you can't look up, assume it's porous until the maker says otherwise.
Even "silicone" deserves a second look. As we explained in silicone grades explained, a "silicone blend" is often silicone mixed with cheaper fillers, and "medical-grade" is only as trustworthy as the brand behind it.
What to look for on a sex toy label
Look for one of these non-porous materials, named plainly on the box or product page:
- 100% silicone (medical-grade if the brand can back it up)
- Borosilicate glass
- Stainless steel
- ABS plastic, the hard plastic used for bullet vibrators, handles and motor housings
None of these needs a chemical softener, so "phthalate-free" is simply true of them rather than a selling point. All four have closed, smooth surfaces that wash clean.
Washing is not the same as sterilizing, though. Warm water with a mild soap or toy cleaner is the everyday routine for all four. Solid silicone, glass and stainless steel toys with no electronics can usually be boiled as well, if the manufacturer's instructions allow it. ABS plastic and anything with a motor can't.
Then read the rest of the label: whether a vibrator is waterproof or only splash-proof, how it's powered, and which lubes the maker recommends. A silicone toy that comes with a note to avoid silicone lube is a small sign the brand knows its material. Our lube and toy care collection is sorted the same way, by what works with what.