Recently we have had a few customers ask us about Phthaletes in sex toys and if there are any dangers with using them.

So what are Phthaletes?

It is a family of chemicals used manly in plastics and some other products, such as medical instruments, pesticides and even perfumes. They are used to soften and increase the flexibility of plastic products. Hence why they have and are used in sex toys.

Some researches believe that they can be harmful and should be avoided. Whilst some people may experience irritation to the skin as a mild reaction others may not. But there have been studies that they believe that they can be far more harmful.

With all the information on the Internet and within the industry there is still not enough information to provide a complete informative response. Unfortunately, at present there is still no definitive answer if they are safe or harmful in sex toys. So with no real information available what are we supposed to do and whom do we believe.

If you are concerned about Phthaletes in your sex toys being a health risk, the best thing to do is quite simple. Look for toys that are labelled Phthaletes free or non-phthalete, as well as materials we know that don’t contain them.

They may cost a little bit more but, not only do they not contain the chemicals that we are still learning about but also they are also a better quality.

Materials to look for:

Silicone – Is a soft like material that is hypoallergenic warms to the body’s temperature non-porous and is easy to clean. Some may be boiled for sterilization to allow for sex toy sharing without the use of condoms. They are very durable and will last for many years.

Acrylic – Is a very hard material that is perfect for kegel exercising toys as well as prostate stimulating and firm dildos.

Glass – Clear medical grade glass also known as Borosilicate. Lead free crystal that is non-toxic and non-porous. Glass can withstand extreme heats from high to low’s which is ideal for temperature play as well as sterilized cleaning. And they are very stylish and long lasting.

Metal and Stainless Steel – Non-porous and warms to the body, some have a good weighted feeling and warms to the bodies temperature and will last forever.

Elastomers – A material that states of soft that has a product added to make it harder then is removed without any residue. No solvents or latex are used. This material is being used instead of Phthalates to still have the same kind of result.

With better quality materials available and the fact that many manufactures are moving away from using Phthaletes in their products, they have become more aware of what we as consumers are looking for.

As stated these materials are a little more expensive than their cheaper counterparts, but will last you a lot longer are stylish and make you feel amazing which is the ultimate outcome we all want with our sex toys.

More research is required to answer all our questions about and health risks with this chemical but the best thing to do is look for a toy that you are going to be happy with. And to make sure you have them for many years to come you must keep your toys in top condition. Check out our blog,  “Looking after your Sex Toys”