How to Choose a Body-Safe Toy (and Spot an Unsafe One)
The trust-builder: what “body-safe” actually means, which materials to look for, and the red flags worth walking away from.
Not everything sold as a “toy” is made to sit safely against the most delicate skin on your body. The good news: the rules for choosing well are simple.
Look for non-porous materials
The gold standard is body-safe (medical-grade) silicone, glass or stainless steel. These are non-porous — they don’t harbour bacteria and are easy to keep genuinely clean. Everything in our collection, from the air-pulse Rose to the Wand and the rechargeable bullet, is body-safe silicone and phthalate-free.
Red flags to walk away from
- Strong chemical or “plastic” smells.
- Vague materials like “jelly”, “TPR/TPE” with no safety information, or no material listed at all.
- No cleaning guidance and no seller who can answer a simple “what is this made of?”
Care keeps it safe
Clean before and after use with warm water and a toy-safe cleanser, dry it, and store it somewhere clean. And always pair silicone toys with water-based lubricant — see Lubricant Myths, Gently Debunked for why.
Not sure which type suits you? Read Bullet vs Wand.
Intimova offers wellness products and general education, not medical advice.
Frequently asked
What does “body-safe” actually mean?
It means the material is non-porous and free of harmful chemicals like phthalates — so it doesn’t trap bacteria and is genuinely easy to keep clean. Medical-grade silicone, glass and stainless steel are the gold standards.
Are “jelly” or unlabelled TPE toys safe?
Be cautious. Porous materials and vaguely-labelled “jelly”/TPR/TPE items can harbour bacteria and sometimes contain softeners you don’t want against delicate skin. If a seller can’t tell you exactly what it’s made of, walk away.
How do I clean a body-safe toy?
Wash before and after use with warm water and a toy-safe cleanser, dry it, and store it somewhere clean. Always pair silicone toys with water-based lubricant to protect the material.
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