Material & Safety Guide: What's Really in Your Toy
Not all sex toy materials are created equal — and what your toy is made of matters just as much as how it feels. This guide breaks down the science of body-safe materials so you can shop (and play) with confidence.
Why Material Safety Matters
The skin around your genitals is more absorbent and more sensitive than skin elsewhere on your body. Toys made from low-quality or porous materials can:
- Harbor bacteria that regular cleaning can't fully remove
- Leach chemicals (like phthalates) into your body over repeated use
- Break down over time, becoming sticky, discolored, or textured in ways that trap more bacteria
Understanding what "body-safe" actually means helps you make informed choices — not just for RIDINGX products, but for any toy you own.
Body-Safe Materials: What to Look For
100% Silicone (Platinum-Cured) This is the gold standard for sex toy material. Platinum-cured silicone is:
- Non-porous, meaning bacteria can't burrow into the surface
- Hypoallergenic and safe for sensitive skin
- Phthalate-free by nature
- Durable and easy to fully sanitize
- Compatible with water-based and hybrid lubricants (never silicone-based — more on that in our [Lubricant Compatibility Guide])
All RIDINGX dildos are made from platinum-grade silicone for exactly these reasons.
Medical-Grade Stainless Steel & Borosilicate Glass Also non-porous and body-safe, these materials are hypoallergenic and can even be boiled or sanitized in a dishwasher for a full disinfect — though they're less common for realistic-feel dildos due to their rigidity.
ABS Plastic / Hard Plastic Non-porous and body-safe when used for the exterior of a toy (such as a vibrator's shell), though not typically used for the insertable body of realistic dildos.
Materials to Be Cautious Of
"Jelly" Rubber or PVC These softer, often semi-translucent materials are porous, meaning bacteria can live inside microscopic cracks that no amount of washing will fully remove. They're also more likely to contain phthalates — chemical softeners linked to hormone disruption with prolonged exposure.
"Silicone Blend" or "Skin-Safe" Materials (that aren't 100% silicone) Some toys are marketed as having a silicone-like feel but are actually a blend with other, less body-safe materials. If a product doesn't explicitly say "100% platinum-cured silicone," it's worth double-checking before assuming it carries all the same benefits.
Unspecified "TPE" or "TPR" Thermoplastic elastomers can vary widely in quality. Some are body-safe and porous-resistant when manufactured correctly, but quality control varies a lot between brands — always check for phthalate-free certification.
A Simple Way to Spot-Check Silicone
If you're ever unsure whether a solid, non-motorized toy is genuinely 100% silicone, there's a quick test some experts recommend: briefly hold a lighter flame near a small area of the toy — genuine silicone won't melt, bubble, or produce a strong chemical smell. (This test should never be used on toys with electronic or motorized components.) This isn't necessary with RIDINGX products, since all of our dildos are certified 100% platinum-cured silicone, but it's a useful trick for evaluating other toys in your collection.
What "Phthalate-Free" Actually Means
Phthalates are chemical plasticizers used to soften certain plastics. In sex toys, they've been linked to skin irritation, hormone disruption, and other health concerns with repeated exposure over time. Reputable brands, including RIDINGX, use materials that are inherently phthalate-free (like platinum silicone) rather than plastics that require phthalates to stay soft — meaning there's nothing harmful to leach out in the first place.
Our Commitment
Every RIDINGX toy is crafted from platinum-grade, body-safe silicone — tested for quality, free from phthalates, and built to give you both a realistic feel and genuine peace of mind. When you invest in a toy, you deserve to know exactly what you're bringing into such an intimate part of your life.
Questions about the specific materials used in a RIDINGX product? Check the product description for full material details, or reach out to our customer care team.
