Cyberskin and other realistic materials:
Realistic materials, including Cyberskin, are intended to mimic the feel of skin. Sex toys made from realistic materials such as Cyberskin, UR3, NewSkin, Ultraskin and others warm quickly and retain body heat which increases the realistic feel. They are a good choice if you're looking for something that feels soft like skin. The realistic materials are also porous and generally difficult if not impossible to disinfect - making them less than ideal for sharing with a partner unless you've both been tested for sexually transmitted diseases, require care when cleaning, and need an occasional dusting of corn starch or Cyberskin Renew, which is basically talc powder and is included with most realistic sex toys. You must also use a water-based lubricant because silicone lubes will damage the outer surface.
Glass:
Glass vibrators and glass dildos are made from chip-resistant Pyrex glass. Despite sounding dangerous they are safe for use. Glass is non-pourous and easy to disinfect, extremely hard and smooth, and can be boiled or run through the dishwasher without any adverse effects. Glass and other hard materials transfer vibrations very well and are a good choice if you want powerful vibrations and/or you like the feeling of hardness.
Jelly:
Sex toys made from jelly are soft, sometimes squishy, and are a good choice if you prefer a feel that's softer than materials like metal, glass or hard plastic. Jelly is relatively porous and cannot be disinfected, but general care and cleaning is easier than it is with most of the realistic materials. Sex toys made from jelly should be stored in a cool place with good circulation as they can be damaged by prolonged, excessive heat. We also recommend using a condom with your jelly toys.
Latex:
Latex is one of the original lifelike sex toy materials. It lost its place as a realistic material with the invention of Cyberskin, but latex sex toys are still popular. Latex is relatively inexpensive and easy to work with, and this is reflected in the price of most latex toys. Latex is porous and cannot be disinfected, so it may be a good idea to use a condom if you plan on sharing, or if you are concerned with germs. Some people are allergic to latex and cannot use latex sex toys. If you're concerned about allergies you may want to read our Q&A Article: "Do I have allergies to sex toys?" before buying a latex sex toy.
Plastic:
Plastic sex toys have been around for a long time. Plastic is generally hard and inflexible, which transfers vibrations from the vibrator to the user very efficiently, and its surface is relatively non-pourous. This means that it is a good choice for sharing with a partner because it can be disinfected between users to prevent infection. Plastic may be a good material if you like your sex toys to have a solid, hard feel to them. However, we use words like "generally" and "relatively" in our description of plastic because we want to be cautious. The adult toy industry and the materials they use to create their products are always changing. During the manufacturing process, additives that determine the final elasticity of the material are combined with the base plastics. These additives may produce a rigid vibrator that is hard to the touch, or they may produce a vibrator that bends and flexes with relative ease. Which additives are added and in what quantity is determined by the intended design and use of the final product by the manufacturer, and the sex toy's ultimate concept is partially determined by current trends, available technology and cost. These factors are constantly in motion, and as a result the adult products you buy are always changing.
Silicone:
Silicone is a popular material because it combines the best of both worlds. It's soft and supple like some of the realistic materials but it's also very durable. Silicone can be subjected to temperatures up to about 400 degrees before it will melt and silicone sex toys do not degrade over time. Silicone is a very stable material that can be disinfected if you're considering sharing your sex toys with a partner. The downside of silicone is that the raw material is expensive and that expense is reflected in the price of silicone toys.
Liquid Skin:
With the exception of the Chocolate version, the manufacturer of the Clone-A-Willy uses a material called Liquid Skin in their penis cloning kits. The cloning process requires the penis to be inserted into a cylindrical tube filled with a non-toxic seaweed-based powder. The Liquid Skin rubber material is then poured into the mold and allowed to set. When cured, the final product is a dildo that is an exact match of the penis it was molded from, and the manufacturer claims it is a "silicone-like material that is hypoallergenic and non-toxic". They also claim that this is the same material used by makeup and special effects artists on Hollywood actors to create lifelike masks and special effects. While we aren't able to verify these claims, we have no reason to doubt them. We have not heard of any negative side effects from the use of Liquid Skin or the Clone-A-Willy products. Unlike latex, Liquid Skin does not shrink while curing, which has obvious benefits when it comes to cloning a penis. Another benefit is that Liquid Skin is compatible with any type of sexual lubrication on the market, including silicone lube.
Thermoplastic Rubber (TPR):
If you were to ask a Plastics Engineer about TPR, they would likely tell you that it is a polymer blend or compound which, above its melt temperature, exhibits a thermoplastic character that allows it to be shaped and which, when the material is within its design temperature range, exhibits elastometric behavior without cross linking To you and I, Thermoplastic Rubber (TPR) is a material similar to latex but which does not contain any latex, is more durable, lasts longer and will not be damaged by silicone lubrication. There has been some controversy about the safety of adult toys made with latex and jelly because they, unlike most other consumer products, come in direct contact with the body for a prolonged period of time when used in the standard way. Many people have latex allergies and cannot use latex sex toys, and some people are concerned about the safety of adult toys made from jelly. Modern technology appears to have come to the rescue in the form of TPR. We consider Thermoplastic Rubber to fit somewhere above jelly but below silicone with regard to quality. TPR is also inexpensive compared to both latex and jelly, which makes it even more attractive as a sex toy material. We like what we've seen of this material so far, and if it continues to perform like we expect it will you're likely to see more and more sex toys with "TPR" in the material column.
Different sex toy materials have different sensual lubrication requirements. If you ever have doubt about which type of lubrication to use, a good rule of thumb is that water-based lubricants are always safe and will never damage your adult toys. In fact, water-based lubes are generally considered the best choice in most situations. Their lubricating abilities are far superior to oil and other petroleum-based products and they are much less likely to make a mess, cause infection or stain your sheets. There are, however, other lubricating options available that may be more appropriate for your situation. For example, water-based lubes are easy to clean because they're water soluble. Because they wash away so easily with water they make a poor lubrication for wet environments like pools or hot tubs. In this situation you would be better served by a silicone lube that does not easily wash away with water alone. A word of caution: Always be sure your lubrication selection is compatible with your sex toys, especially if you decide to try an alternative option.
Water-Based Lubrication:
This is the most commonly used type of sexual lubrication. Containing mostly water, water-based lubes will not stain your clothes or sheets, are safe with all sex toys, and are often pleasant tasting. They are available in flavored and non-flavored varieties, are long-lasting and very easy to clean. They also work very well and are extraordinarily popular. You've probably heard of Astroglide, which is an example of a water-based lube.
Silicone-Based Lubrication:
Silicone-based lubricants are high-tech versions of water-based lubrication. All of the ingredients are identical except for one. Silicone lubes do not contain any water and are completely waterproof. They don't dry out like water-based lubes and as a result they tend to last much longer. Silicone lubricants are safe to use with all sex toys except those made of silicone, Cyberskin and some latex. You will likely ruin a silicone or Cyberskin toy by exposing it to a silicone-based lubricant.
Oil-Based Lubrication:
Oil-based lubricants consist of common oils such as vegetable oil and is not recommended for use with sex toys. Oil-based lubricants are OK for masturbation and generally considered safe for human consumption, but they often leave an oily residue, can be difficult to wash off your body parts, may stain clothing and have been known to cause infection if allowed to stay in the vagina. Oil-based lubes are not compatible with latex based sex toys, condoms and some latex-based birth control devices.
Petroleum-Based Lubrication:
Petroleum-based lubricants are made with mineral oil or petroleum jelly. As their name implies, petroleum-based lubes contain primarily petroleum products. While they are commonly used for masturbation and anal play, petroleum-based lubes tend to stain sheets and clothing and are not easy to wash off hands and other body parts. Petroleum-based lubes include Vaseline, baby oil and K-Y Jelly. It is important to know that petroleum will dissolve latex and therefore should not be used with latex sex toys.
shopping
sex toy primer - vibrators 101
dildo guide - adult toys FAQ - sensual massage - Q&A - links
