What Should Your Sex Toys Be Made Of?
When it comes to finding the perfect pleasure product to weave into your self-love routine, it’s vital to look beyond its size, shape, features, vibration patterns, and stimulation style. Equally important is the material it’s made with — which influences how the toy feels, how gently it interacts with your skin, and how well it can support your intimate moments over time.
In this guide, we’ll explore why the right sex toy material matters, dive into the most commonly used options, and offer guidance on how to choose a device that brings a new dimension of pleasure into your everyday wellness rituals.
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Why The Right Sex Toy Material Enhances Every Touch, Stroke, And Caress
Your pleasure is personal, and so is your comfort. Just like you pay attention to what goes into your skin and hair care formulas, the material of any pleasure product you’re considering deserves that same level of awareness and consideration. Since sex toys are used on sensitive, delicate skin that may be prone to irritation, selecting the right material becomes a meaningful step toward a safer, more satisfying connection with your body.
Whether you’re new to the world of pleasure and searching for your first device or looking to accentuate moments of passion with a partner, the best sex toy material allows you to focus entirely on exploration, sensation, and self-discovery without discomfort or distraction.
What Are Sex Toys Made Of? Get To Know The Best Material For Sex Toys
From silky smooth silicone and durable stainless steel to glass devices best suited for temperature play, each sex toy material offers its own unique feel and benefits. Choosing consciously allows your pleasure to become a natural extension of your self-care, which is exactly where it belongs.
Here's a closer look at some of the most common materials used so you can make confident choices that support your comfort, safety, and sensual well-being:
- Silicone
Pleasure products made from or encased in silicone are among the most widely recommended — and for a few good reasons. Often considered one of the best materials for sex toys, silicone is supple and flexible, offering a velvety soft feel against the skin and a smooth surface that gently adapts to the natural contours of your body.
Silicone is also incredibly versatile. It delivers vibrations seamlessly and retains warmth from the body for a more natural, comfortable experience. Many designs allow for varying textures and firmness levels — from silky-soft cushioning to more robust shapes that offer additional pressure and precision. No matter the stimulation style you desire, silicone pleasure products are dependable, go-to choices, offering excellent control and responsiveness.
Another benefit? Silicone is non-porous, meaning it resists absorbing bacteria or residue. This makes cleaning and caring for your toy simple — so it’s always ready when the mood strikes.
Silicone toys are best paired with water-based lubricants to reduce friction and support a comfortable glide from one pleasure point to the next. Silicone- or oil-based formulas can degrade the device’s surface over time or cause discoloration, so they’re best avoided.
- Glass
For those who appreciate a sleek, sculptural look or are drawn to firmer, more focused stimulation, glass toys offer a unique experience. Typically made from borosilicate glass (also known as Pyrex), these toys are known for their strength and smooth, weighty feel. Whether for internal or external stimulation, glass toys can be used with any type of lubricant and are easy to clean with mild soap and water, making them a hygienic and low-maintenance choice.
Glass toys can also handle temperature changes, so they’re ideal for anyone curious about warming or cooling their devices to create a more immersive, sensory experience during solo or partnered play. Gently heating the toy under warm water can invite a soothing, relaxing sensation, while cooling it in the fridge offers a refreshing, tingling contrast that heightens arousal.
With a sturdy, non-malleable construction, glass pleasure products offer precise movements and steady pressure for deeper, more targeted stimulation. That said, this sex toy material won’t flex or mold to the body’s internal contours, so it may not feel comfortable for beginners or anyone needing a gentle introduction to self-pleasure. Plus, glass can break, chip, or crack under pressure or if dropped, so it can’t be used again once it's damaged.
- Stainless Steel
With its mirror-like finish, satisfying weight, and often slim, narrow design, stainless steel toys offer a minimalist way to explore more focused, pinpoint pleasure. Most devices are made from medical-grade stainless steel — a non-porous, body-safe material that’s naturally cool to the touch, easy to clean, and compatible with all types of lubricants.
Stainless steel’s firmness and density allow for deep, consistent pressure, which is perfect for exploring with a G-spot vibrator or a smaller device for external stimulation. Like glass, it also retains temperature — offering warm or cool sensations that bring a new layer of depth and excitement to sensory play.
Despite these benefits, this sex toy material may not suit every body. The rigidity of steel means it won’t adapt to the body’s curves the way softer materials like silicone do. Its weight can also feel a little intense, especially for those new to intimate exploration or easing into deeper forms of stimulation.
Shop Thoughtfully Designed, Skin-Kind Sex Toys At iroha
Whether you’re enriching your self-love routine or deepening moments of connection with a partner, the sex toy materials you welcome into these experiences truly matter.
At iroha, we craft elegant, intuitive female sex toys that empower you to embrace your sensuality, explore deeper sensations, and nurture your desires — all with a soft, gentle touch. Many of our waterproof vibrators are encased in skin-kind silicone, one of the best materials for sex toys when it comes to a soothing feeling against delicate skin.
Ready to find your perfect match? Enrich your wellness routine and discover dynamic stimulation styles with our egg, clitoral, bullet, and G-spot vibrators, or enhance shared intimacy with our collection of partnered toys. To keep your pleasure products in optimal condition, explore our care guide to learn exactly how to clean each device in our collection.
