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The difference between plastic and silicone, for example, is like night and day.
On one hand you have silicone which is soft, flexible and almost lifelike to the touch. On the other hand you have plastic which is hard, inflexible and as you can imagine doesn't feel much like human skin. So why are there so many choices?
It turns out that good old-fashioned materials like plastic are ideal for transmitting vibrations. A good analogy is that it's like riding in a sports car with a stiff suspension verses a luxury car with a soft, easy ride. The less flexibility there is between the source of a vibration and you the stronger the vibration will be. So carrying the analogy through to sex toys, a hard plastic vibrator is generally going to be more intense than a vibrator made of jelly. On the other hand, vibrators made from a combination of materials, say hard plastic and jelly for example, can offer more options than a vibrator made from just plastic. Clitoral stimulators, rotating beads and oscillating tips are features that require the use of several materials.
The ultimate goal is to find a toy that you like. Whether it ends up being plastic, silicone, jelly or any other material is probably secondary. We think it's useful, however, to be familiar with how different materials perform and then to apply that knowledge to your selection process. It will also help you to know that some sex toys have special cleaning requirements. Materials like plastic and glass are relatively non-porous and easy to clean while other's are quite porous and not suited towards sharing with a partner. NOTE: Click here if you're interested in seeing examples of toys made of the different materials. You will be linked to our online store where toys are listed by category - which includes listings by material. Select the material you're curious about to see those toys.
Plastic Sex Toys generally have hard, smooth exteriors. There are a few varieties that have textured shafts, but for the most part they're perfectly smooth. Plastic is a popular and traditional material for vibrators. You may be familiar with "bullet" or "slimline" varieties. There are as many ways to use a plastic vibrator as there are people who use them, but they seem to be particularly well suited for direct clitoral and external stimulation. They can also provide internal stimulation as well. As mentioned above, the rigidity of plastic vibrators helps transfer the vibrations directly from the motor to the vibrator resulting in stronger vibrations. Cleaning is easy. All you need is a wet washcloth, some sex toy cleaner, or a tissue and some rubbing alcohol. Most plastic vibrators are not waterproof, so they shouldn't be held under running water. If you'd prefer a vibrator you don't have to worry about getting wet, or if you would like one you can use in the tub, check out our waterproof vibrators section.
Silicone is the second most lifelike material available, behind materials such as Cyberskin or UR3. Do you want your vibrator or dildo to look and feel real? If so, silicone may be the way to go. One nice feature of silicone toys is that they tend to absorb body heat, making them feel like real skin. Silicone vibrators come in a variety of shapes, colors and sizes. Silicone also has a few advantages over its closest relatives - latex and jelly. To start, silicone is a relatively smooth and non-porous material, making it easy to clean and even sterilize. All you need is soap and hot water. Silicone dildos can actually be boiled or run through the dishwasher! We wouldn't recommend running a silicone vibrator through the dishwasher - the plastic components would likely not fare very well - but the silicone is tough enough to handle it. Another benefit to the non-porous nature of silicone is that if the toy is cleaned properly it is less likely to spread germs between users. We always recommend using a condom when you share sex toys, but if you don't, silicone might be the least likely to trap and spread germs. Silicone is generally more expensive than latex or jelly but it is a higher quality material that lasts longer.
Jelly sex toys are a wonderful combination of realistic features and affordability. Because jelly is easy to mold into virtually any shape you can imagine, jelly sex toys come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. Your (or the designer's) imagination is the only limit. Jelly can best be described as a soft and pliable material that feels smooth to the touch yet retains some rigidity. For many people the term "jelly" brings up images of strawberry preserves or a bowl of Jello. Jelly sex toys, however, are not as squishy as either of the two. Depending on the brand, the "softness" of jelly toys can range anywhere from the consistency of a hard-boiled egg to the consistency of a cold stick of butter (without the grease of course). Jelly is also an inexpensive material, but its not that much different from silicone. Most of our customers tell us that there is no real difference at all in feel. The cleaning differences between silicone and jelly toys, however, are significant. While silicone toys can be boiled, run through the dishwasher, micro waved and lathered up with harsh soaps without much detrimental effect, jelly is a much more delicate material that requires more careful cleaning. No boiling water, no harsh soaps, no running it through the dishwasher, and no microwave. Ideally, jelly toys should be cleaned with a little warm water and some Adult Toy Cleaner. If you're in a pinch you might be able to get away with using soap, but make sure it is very mild soap. Don't use dishwashing liquid soap, harsh oil-removing soaps etc. Use mild hand soap like Dove or a very mild liquid hand or facial soap with no harsh chemicals. Jelly is not as rugged as silicone and can become damaged easily. Never use rubbing or cleansing alcohol on jelly toys, and always use water-based lubrication. Rubbing alcohol and non water-based lubes will dissolve the jelly material, leaving you with a mess. The inability to thoroughly clean and disinfect jelly toys means that not only do you have to take a little more care during cleaning, but that they cannot be sterilized. They also contain phthalates, a chemical that gives jelly its softness. We recommend always using a condom with jelly toys.
Latex is a low cost alternative to silicone and jelly. While latex is soft, it is a bit less pliable than silicone and jelly. Are you unsure what type of toy you would enjoy? Latex is a popular choice for people experimenting with different shapes and sizes. Latex does not last quite as long as silicone or jelly and is quite porous and therefore not as easy to clean, but many people find latex toys enjoyable and satisfying. If you plan on sharing a latex toy, be sure to use a condom - it isn't practical to sterilize latex toys because the material tends to be damaged by harsh soaps and rubbing alcohol. Soap and warm water is the preferred way to clean a latex toy. If is also worth mentioning that some people have an allergic reaction to latex. If you or your partner is allergic to latex condoms, you might want to try a toy made of silicone or jelly.
Cyberskin is the most recent technological advancement in sex toy materials. This is the closest you can get to the look and feel of real skin. It is smooth, soft, flexible and well, feels like skin. It is porous like latex and jelly, so it must be cleaned carefully with soap and warm water, or with Cyberskin cleaning solution.
Glass: Glass sex toys (both dildos and vibrators) are made of Pyrex glass which is treated in such a way that the glass becomes extremely strong. These toys are chip and crack resistant and are generally considered safe. Glass offers a unique combination of durability, style and performance not found in other toys. For example, glass toys can be sterilized by boiling them in hot water -- something you don't want to try with other toys! They're so tough in fact that they can be run through the dishwasher without any ill effects. For this reason glass toys are ideal for sharing with a partner.
Ultra Skin is a new, lifelike material that feels similar to skin.