Are Sex Toys Safe? A Pharmacist Explains What to Avoid

A Science-Based Guide to Body-Safe Intimate Products

(By Wendy, Pharmacist & Founder of Conscious Play Co.)

Are Sex Toys Safe and Non-Toxic? (Quick Answer)

Sex toys can be safe and free from toxins—but not all of them are.

Safety depends on:

• The manufacturing process

• The materials used

• Whether the product is non-porous

• Whether it has been tested for harmful chemicals

• How it is cleaned and maintained

  
  

Because the industry is largely unregulated, many products on the market are sold without verified safety testing.

This means you need to be an informed consumer.

The Question Most People Aren’t Asking

When we think about wellness, we often focus on:

• What we eat

• What we put on our skin

• What medications we take

• What cookware we use

  
  

But rarely do we ask: What are we putting on—and inside—our most sensitive and absorbent tissue?

As a licensed clinical pharmacist, this is where my concern begins. From a medical perspective, this matters more than most people realize. This is one of the most important questions when learning about body-safe sex toys and non-toxic intimate products.

Let’s answer this honestly and clearly.

The Regulation Problem Most People Don’t Know About

In the U.S., most sex toys are classified as “novelty items”, not medical devices.

That means:

• No required safety testing

• No standardized material regulations

• Limited or no ingredient disclosure

• Limited regulations on manufacturing

  
  

Compare this to:

• Skincare (regulated)

• Medical devices (heavily regulated)

• Medications (heavily regulated)

• Items that come into contact with our food (regulated)

  
  

Yet there is no regulation for items that we use on our highly vascularized and extremely absorbent intimate parts. This gap is where risk enters.

Why Many Brands Don’t Test Their Products

Bottom line: Testing is expensive and reduces profits.

It involves:

• Third-party lab analysis

• Heavy metal screening

• Phthalate testing

• Certification documentation

  
  

Since it’s not legally required, many companies skip it—especially lower-cost brands. This doesn’t automatically mean a product is unsafe, but it does mean many ingredient lists and safety claims are not verified.

This means that sex toy companies can state “body-safe,” “Medical Grade,” “100% Silicone,” etc., and it doesn’t have to be true!

Why Material Safety Matters (Pharmacist Perspective)

Vaginal, penile, and rectal tissues are:

• Highly absorbent

• Highly vascular

• More permeable than skin

  
  

This is why, in medicine, we use these routes for fast drug absorption. For example, rectal medications can stop seizures faster than oral medications.

So when you place a product on or inside these tissues, absorption matters.

What to Avoid: Materials & Chemicals of Concern

1. Phthalates (Plasticizers)

Phthalates are used to soften plastics. They’ve been linked to:

• Endocrine disruption – testosterone reduction

• Hormone interference – thyroid dysfunction

• Developmental concerns observed in some studies

• Development of cancer – breast cancer

  
  

The use of phthalates is restricted in medical devices, children’s toys, cosmetics, food packaging, etc.—but not consistently in adult novelty products due to the lack of laws and regulations.

2. Porous Materials (PVC, Jelly, Rubber)

These materials contain microscopic holes that can:

• Trap bacteria and viruses

• Degrade over time

• Cannot be fully sanitized

  
  

Even with significant cleaning, microorganisms can remain. Additionally, these types of materials can contain phthalates and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are harmful to humans. This is both a toxicology and hygiene issue.

3. Low-Quality or Poorly Cured Silicone

Not all silicone is equal. Types include:

• Platinum-cured

• Peroxide-cured

• Tin-cured

  
  

Platinum-cured silicone is the most stable and safest because it creates a near 100% pure silicone product that is non-porous and doesn’t leach chemicals into the body. This type of silicone is also inert, meaning that it will not react with other chemicals such as lubricants and oils. Lower-quality silicone (which is cheaper to produce) can:

• Retain toxic, chemical byproducts

• Break down over time

• Develop odor

  
  

4. Unknown or Undisclosed Materials

If a company cannot clearly tell you:

• What it’s made of

• Whether it’s non-porous

• Whether it’s tested by a third party

• Whether third-party testing can be verified

  
  

Consider this a red flag. I believe that transparency is a critical safety feature.

What Is Considered Body-Safe?

Now that you know the sex toy industry is unregulated, you may wonder which products are safe.

Safer materials include:

• Platinum-cured silicone

• Stainless steel

• Borosilicate glass

• ABS plastic

  
  

These are:

• Non-porous

• Stable

• Easier to clean

  
  

But remember, the following terms are often marketing language unless verified:

• Medical-grade

• FDA approved is often misused in marketing, as most intimate products are not regulated as medical devices.

• 100% silicone

• Body-safe

  
  

What the Science Tells Us

While direct research on sex toys is limited, we know:

• Phthalates disrupt hormones and are dangerous

• The tissue in and around our sex organs is highly absorbent

• Porous materials harbor microbes

• Plastics and poorly made silicone can degrade over time

  
  

From a pharmacological standpoint: If safer options exist, choose them.

Practical Checklist: How to Choose a Safe Product

When evaluating a product, ask:

✔ Is the material clearly listed?

✔ Is it non-porous?

✔ Is it free from phthalates?

✔ Does the company provide testing transparency?

✔ Is it easy to clean?

✔ Does it feel durable and high quality?

If any of these answers are “no,” reconsider.

Want to Learn How to Identify Safe Products Instantly?

If you would like a more in-depth guide, this is your next step:

👉 Download the Free Intimate Product Safety Guide

Inside, you’ll learn:

• How to quickly identify toxic vs. safe materials

• What most brands don’t disclose

• How to shop confidently

  
  

This will be sent directly to your inbox.

Cleaning and Hygiene Still Matter

Even safe materials require care:

• Clean before and after use

• Use mild, fragrance-free soap

• Dry completely

• Store properly

• Avoid sharing unless using protection

  
  

Material safety + hygiene = full protection.

The Bigger Conversation: Safety Without Fear

This is not about fear. It’s about informed consent with your own body. You deserve:

• Pleasure

• Safety

• Confidence

  
  

And those things can coexist.

Related Reading

If you're exploring the connection between body safety and emotional safety, this is also important:

👉 What Is Anxious Attachment? Signs, Causes, and How to Heal (coming soon)

Because feeling safe in your body and relationships are deeply connected.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Are sex toys regulated in the U.S.?

Most are classified as novelty items and are not regulated.

What is the safest material for sex toys?

Platinum-cured silicone, stainless steel, and glass are considered among the safest.

Are phthalates dangerous?

Some phthalates are known endocrine disruptors and may interfere with hormones. They have also been linked to infertility and breast cancer.

Can sex toys cause infections?

Yes—especially porous materials that trap bacteria. Sex toys must be properly cleaned.

How do I know if a product is body-safe?

Look for transparency, non-porous materials, and ideally third-party testing.

Final Thoughts from a Pharmacist

If you wouldn’t knowingly apply a toxic chemical to your face, it makes sense not to place it on highly absorbent tissue. Safety doesn’t require fear. It requires awareness. When you choose intentionally, you’re not just protecting your health—you’re enhancing your experience of pleasure.

💬 I’d Love to Hear From You

Was any of this new or surprising to you? What questions do you still have about product safety, ingredients, or what to look for?

I created this space to make these conversations more open, informed, and judgment-free—and your questions help guide what I create next. If something in this post resonated with you, or if there’s something you’d like me to explain more clearly, I’d genuinely love to hear from you. I personally read every message.

💛 You’re Not Alone in This

Learning about this can feel overwhelming at first—but it’s also incredibly empowering. Every step you take toward understanding what you’re putting in and on your body is a step toward deeper trust, safety, and confidence. And I’m here to support you through that.

With love,

Wendy