NASAE.org- National Association For Sexual Awareness & Empowerment

Concerns come into play because the government has not been willing to work with the adult industry, rather they attack and repress it. Instead of acknowledging sex toys as being for sexual behavior they insist that manufacturers label them as novelties or medical devices (the latter being quite a challenge for sex toy manufacturers to achieve).

Because the U.S. Government is not requiring sex toy regulations, sex toy manufacturers classify their products as "novelties" and avoid having their products regulated as well as you might think. This is also why it is rare to find user manuals on how to actually use the products, as this would define them as something for sex, which affects their product classification.

What you end up having are companies that make sex toys and companies that make literature and videos about sex toys rather than having the ability to buy a sex toy with a manual for use. It cheats the consumer from really being able to fully enjoy their sex toy and be fully educated about it.

I hope that in the future the government will stop pretending that sexuality is not a natural and healthy part of who we are and begin giving consumers assistance in more easily obtaining quality sexual products with legislation that provides respect, acknowledgment, support and freedom for the adult industry and its consumers.

Phthalates (pronounced thal-ates) are "plasticizers" used to soften PVC vinyls. If vinyls do not have any softeners, they are basically very hard PVC plastic.

In 2006, the National Toxicology Program reviewed the science and concluded that:

"There is serious concern that certain intensive medical treatments of male infants may result in DEHP exposures levels that affect development of the male reproductive tract." "There is concern for adverse effects on development of the reproductive tract in male offspring of pregnant and breastfeeding women undergoing certain medical procedures that may result in exposure to high levels of DEHP."

Phthalate molecules are not chemically bound to the plastics they soften, and as such, phthalates can "break free" from plastic fairly easily, causing rubber and jelly toys to deteriorate over time. Some studies have reported that phthalates may mimic the female hormone estrogen.

Most recently, the Danish Environmental Protection Agency released a report on the safety of phthalates in sex toys. According to the report, titled Survey and Health Assessment of Chemical Substances in Sex Toys, using sex toys with phthalates for one hour a day or less poses no health risks unless you are pregnant or nursing.

At the same time, there is a move on the part of healthcare leaders in the U.S. and Europe to prefer products that don't contain phthalates in the interest of both patient and practitioner safety.

But the main reason sex toy manufacturers likely use phthalates is that it is inexpensive, and it is the way they�ve always done it. Unfortunately, the industry is rarely proactive about the health of their customers and instead responds only when there is strong pressure to do so.

The Coalition Against Toxic Toys, an adult-industry nonprofit organization advocating environmentally friendly and nonhazardous sex toys, has applauded the ban, which takes effect on Jan. 1, 2009. According to CATT President Jennifer Pritchett, the ban "is a step in the right direction and will, hopefully, alert consumers to the dangers of phthalates and other toxic materials in all types of toys."

Greenpeace has called on the European Union to ban the use of chemical plastic softeners in sex toys because they contained dangerous substances known as phthalates.

Many of adult sex toys contain the same toxic substances that the European Union banned from use in children's toys. Greenpeace tested some of the toys and found that seven of the eight sex toys it had tested contained between 24 and 51 percent of phthalates.

Phthalates can disrupt the human hormonal system, diminishes fertility and adversely affects the kidneys and liver. The substance is used to soften plastics and PVC plastic. Banning phthalates would just mean that manufacturers would need to make nontoxic alternatives which is pretty easy to do. They just cost a little more.

Until then, consumers like you have to rely on a few helpful sites, books and videos that educate you on these issues so that you can make good choices and protect yourself from harm.

Learning more about what sex toys are made of is a good step to ensuring that you buy not only a pleasure inducing toy, but also one that helps you to maintain your health. It is why we are so focused on certain sex toy manufacturers that make their toys with high quality parts and ingredients. Each material has benefits and drawbacks, let's take a look at what these are-

The fastest growing ingredient used in sex toys today is silicone. Latex and PVC are also pretty common as they are much lower in cost.

There are a lot of researchers that praise silicone as a great product, however, you should be aware that this does not apply to ALL silicone. What makes silicone so great in general is that it resists extreme temperatures and oxidation making it durable and easy to clean. Silicone can be made soft enough to mimic human skin and provides a wonderful sensation when used in a sex toy.

While the long term answers are still uncertain, the short term observations show that they are relatively safe. Silicone sex toys have only been around since the late 1980's but there are still no thorough studies conducted or published on the subject. However, because silicone is an "inert" substance, it is fairly reasonable to deduce that it will not have a chemical reaction with your body when used in this capacity

So far there haven't been any recorded cases of someone dying from a silicone sex toy, but this doesn't take into account allergic reactions or symptoms which might occur. Right now there is no conclusive data. Since many manufacturers mix different materials with silicone, one should be careful and select name brands.

When you purchase a silicone sex toy make sure to purchase ones that are 100% food or medical grade silicone. Medical grade silicone is hypoallergenic, hygienic, boilable, bleachable, and even dishwasher safe.

Check the packaging to be sure, companies who use high quality silicone tend to announce this fact prominently. Retailers who sell sex toys should provide this information in a straightforward and easy manner as well, so do your research before you buy.

Can You Use Silicone Sex Toys With Silicone Lubricants?

A common myth is that silicone sex toys can never be used with silicone-based lubricants and that silicone sex toys should not come into contact with other silicone sex toys. However, we have not found either of these points to be completely true.

As for 100% silicone sex toys, you will not find such problems unless it is not 100% silicone. It is also fine to use silicone lubes with condoms of just about any kind.

You have to be sure that it is made from 100% silicone, otherwise it may destroy the sex toy and break it down.

The issue is that there are many "silicone" toys on the market are a blend of silicone and other less expensive materials or a lesser grade of silicone called "tin" silicone.

Because sex toys are not regulated by the FDA, manufacturers do not have to list all materials used. One way to tell if a toy that says it's silicone but is only partly silicone is if it emits a chemical smell. 100% silicone toys will not have a smell.

If a toy is silicone mixed with another material there is a chance that using a silicone lubricant will cause the material to break down over time and release chemicals. Also, the only thing that bonds to silicone is silicone; so using silicone lube with lower-quality silicone toys can gum up the surface.

Since sex toys are used on intimate parts you will want to make sure any sex toy you use is a high quality product and as chemical free as possible. The high quality sex toy brands that you can trust are Vibratex, Fun Factory, Erotic Embrace, Jollies, Tantus and Lelo to name a few all of which we carry on our site. You can see that most of our products list whether or not something is phthalate free, non-toxic, hypoallergenic, or 100% medical grade silicone. If you are unsure, feel free to contact us and we will clarify any of the questions you may have about it.

As for lubricants, we recommend glycerin, paraben free, waterbased lubricant because it is closer to your body chemistry and less likely to cause a reaction. Sliquid H20 is a glycerin, paraben free waterbased lubricant that emulates your body's own natural lubrication and tends to be less sticky. Because this type of lubricant is water-based, they dehydrate (dry up), but remember that the slippery ingredients are still there... so a quick dunk of your hand in a glass of water on your bedside table, touch the lubed area, and you're back in business.

If you decide you prefer a silicone lubricant, we highly recommend Sliquid Silicone Lubricant due to the high quality ingredients and texture. Sliquid also makes a hybrid, Sliquid Silk, that is comprised of a combination of waterbased and silicone ingredients. The Sliquid company has long been ahead of their time regarding research of ingredients and quality and composition of their lubricants. All Sliquid products are hypoallergenic and nontoxic

Do Not Use With Jelly Sex Toys

It is the jelly toys that you will find this to be true... the reason for this reaction is that jelly toys are not 100% silicone, and the melting happens because they are made of lesser materials that have additives to make them soft. Those chemical additives, called phthalates, emit from the toys over time, and as this happens, they make each other even softer, seen as "melting".

Do Not Use With Cyberskin Sex Toys

Silicone or any petroleum or oil-based lubricant will destroy CyberSkin.

Jelly sex toys are often made from a mixture of PVC and rubber, resulting in a soft jelly-like texture and feel. This material is one of the cheapest materials available and may contain toxins. However, there are also jelly like materials call Elastomers, which we understand to be safe and a much higher quality. Read about the difference below-

Jelly often looks translucent and has a strong rubber odor due to its porous nature. One of the issues with Jelly sex toys is that they are made with phthalates (pronounced "thal-eights"). Phthalates are plastic softeners which give jelly its unique properties. Studies have been conducted on the health risks of products containing phthalates, such as children's teething rings and other household items and there are efforts to ban their use in such products.

Though no conclusive studies on jelly sex toys have been done, you should still be careful about what goes into your body. For peace of mind, a condom can be placed over the jelly sex toy in question for added protection.

Cleaning a jelly toy is similar to CyberSkin, which is to say use a mild soap and warm water, taking care to dry the object and store it in a cool, dry place away from other objects - especially other jelly toys. Use only water-based lubricants.

Elastomer is a compound that does not contain phthalates. As you may have been told, phthalates are "plasticizers" used to soften PVC vinyls. If vinyls do not have any softeners, they are basically very hard PVC plastic. There are different grades of vinyls, from food grade for your plastic food storage containers or baggies (which don�t give off a smell) to economical grade that are used in some lower end athletic shoes and other products.

You can tell the grade of the vinyls and quantity of plasticizers (phthalates) used by the smell. The more you smell, the lower the grade and the more phthalates used. You are probably aware of the terrible chemical smell that many of the "jelly" vibrators give off. This is basically the vinyl off-gassing the large amounts of phthalates.

Elastomers are a completely different material. They start out soft and have product added to make them harder. This product is then removed by high vacuum so there are no residual hardeners. No solvents are used in this process and there is no latex. This type of material is ideal for manufacturing a variety of textures.

While latex is quite a bit firmer than silicone or jelly toys, rubber toys are still soft and somewhat flexible. Latex rubber is very popular because of its low cost, versatility and resilience. Latex toys wear out much faster than silicone or jelly toys because they are very porous. Rubber toys can be very hard to clean properly, so no sharing without a condom.

Some people are allergic to latex and can't use it at all. Because of allergies to latex resulting in anaphylactic shock and other problems, synthetic versions of latex have been developed and are in many ways superior to natural latex.

The most common sex products using latex are condoms, dildos, fake vaginas, dolls, and fetish clothing. Latex toys are inexpensive, so don't expect them to last more than a year or two, even with the best of care. However, if price is a concern and you plan to upgrade your toys often, latex can be the best choice. Cleaning should be done with mild soap and water and NEVER use alcohol or household cleaners.

CyberSkin™, Futurotic, Ultra-Realistic, Soft Skin
Different Names For A Similar Skin Like Material

Thermal plastic variations make up all kinds of trade marked lines such as CyberSkin™, Futurotic, Ultra-Realistic, Soft Skin and many others. Toys made from this material become warm with use and are the closest thing to skin-to-skin sensation you'll find in a sex toy. These products work best when used with the included powder and lubricant which has been specially formulated to work with them. Corn starch and a soft cloth may also be used to bring the toy back to life. (Do not use Talcum powder as talcum powder has been implicated as a possible cause of ovarian cancer.) These materials are extremely sensitive and should be cleaned with warm water and a mild soap.

CyberSkin is also more durable than latex, it can be used in many more and interesting ways, such as cock rings, eggs, and even human-looking robots!

If you decide to purchase a CyberSkin (or similar) product, it is important to stress the proper care of them. CyberSkin is VERY porous and tends to discolor and tear easily. After use, clean your toy thoroughly with a mild anti-bacterial soap and, as with latex, do not use alcohol-based or household cleansers as they will damage the material. Once cleaned, allow your CyberSkin product to dry and apply a light coating of either cornstarch or fine talcum powder. This will prevent discoloration and protect your toy when not in use.

One final precaution is to ONLY USE WATER BASED LUBRICANTS with CyberSkin sex toys! Silicone or any petroleum or oil-based lubricant will destroy CyberSkin.

Plastic is one of the least expensive and most common materials used in vibrators. They are easy to clean, lubricant friendly and a great conductor of vibrations. There's something about the cool, sleek casing and the strong internal vibe. Plastic vibes aren't a top pick for internal use or in-out thrusting, but they make wonderful clitoral teasers.

To clean a plastic toy, soak a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol and wipe down your toy. If you're nervous about bringing alcohol in contact with your sensitive genitalia, you can follow the alcohol wipe with a gentle water wipe-down.

Glass
Pyrex

Pyrex has no pores and absorbs nothing so when sanitized it is unable to transmit disease, or smell. It does not stain and is not only a durable toy that will last a life time but is also pretty to look at!

Pyrex is the trademark name for any class of hypoallergenic, heat- and chemical-resistant glassware products of varying composition. It's strong, and perfect to make high quality sex toys with!

A Non-Pyrex brand Color can be added inside the clear Pyrex BUT a thick layer of Pyrex Brand Glass MUST be added to Coat over the color making it SAFE TO USE. In a several step process of Twisting True Colored Glass deep inside the Solid, Clear Pyrex glass then coating it with an additional layers of thick Pyrex glass is the only safe way to have a functional and safe sex toy. This can only be accomplished with the skills and talents of Master Glass Artisans. Anything less could make the glass weak.

Caution:
Some of you may have seen some sites that look like they SPRAY PAINTED the surface of their glass with color, a process known as glass painting. This is not to be viewed as a safe process to use and can be Very Toxic if used as a sex toy. If they have to spray paint the surface to make it look good and make them quickly, What other things do you think they cover up with the paint? Anyone can bend a piece of glass, spray paint the flaws and call it a dildo. It takes talent, skill and experience to make a clean, safe and functional sex toy for your PERSONAL USE. When it comes to those you care about. SHOP and COMPARE. You will see the difference.

~ A slippery surface allows for easy penetration vaginally, anally or orally.
~ Because it has no pores to absorb lubricant it minimizes the need for it.
~ It's ability to be sterilized between uses and partners makes it unique.
~ It's odor resistant.
~ It's hypoallergenic.
~ Visually stimulating.
~ With many unique designs.

You can use nonabrasive antibacterial hand or dish soap, rubbing alcohol (Isopropyl), bleach, or even boiling water. Make sure the water is at room temperature before adding or removing Pyrex glass as sudden, drastic temperature changes may, on rare occasions, crack the glass. The easiest is just to put it in the dishwasher although if you have kids or company remember you put it in there or you could have some fast "'splanin' to do!" Rinse well with warm water after any kind of cleaning.

Due to the non-porous, chemical and odor resistant properties of Pyrex glass, almost any cleaner may be used. Remember to stay away from abrasives so as not to scratch it.

Since Pyrex glass insulates and holds temperatures, warming your piece may provide additional sensory stimulation. The most safe and proper way to heat your Pyrex glass takes about 30 minutes. Make sure your Pyrex glass is at room temperature to start. Get a large bowl or pan and add very warm tap water directly from the sink to bowl. Completely submerge the Pyrex glass in warm water for about 5 minutes. Carefully pour out 1/2 to 2/3rds of the water from the bowl, leaving the glass partially under water. Fill remainder of bowl with boiling water and allow it to set for 20-25 minutes away from heat. Always test temperature before using Pyrex glass as it can burn skin at high heat. Remember, it holds its heat very well.

Freezing Pyrex toys is not a good idea. It may stick to skin or crack if thawed too rapidly. Avoid extreme cooling or freezing methods. Use the same process to safely cool your toy as you use to heat it. Just substitute cool water for the very warm tap water and use ice water with ice cubes instead of boiling water. This Process should also take about a half an hour.

Pyrex is a superior material for sex toys. Each toy is literally a work of art and makes a wonderful gift for yourself or your lover. They are fairly expensive, as they range in price from about $100 to $275 dollars. The key as I mentioned before is that they are Pyrex, you can find others that are at a lower cost, but none will come close to the quality of Pyrex.

The casting material used in the CLONE A WILLY & Make Your Own Dildo Kits is a proprietary, highly specialized, organic thermoset polymer that is actually much safer than many of the adult toys currently on the market due to it�s stability when cured. It resists break down even when exposed to silicone or petroleum based lubricants, heat, cold, or other extremes. While your Clone A Willy is drying, however, you may experience a slight out-gassing (smell) until it reaches its full, cured properties (it usually takes a few days for complete cure). It�s a sweet-like smell, which is actually an amine. Amines are commonly found in ingestible drugs, and are completely safe. A polymer very similar to Clone A Willy�s is currently being used in condoms and in the bags that enclose silicone in breast implants.

Used mostly by S&M aficionados, metal toys are rare and some can be potentially harmful. Phallix sells chrome alloy sex toys which we like.

Similar to rubber, this inexpensive and non-porous material is a favorite with fetishists.

This hard material provides firm pressure, making it a favorite for prostate and g-spot stimulating toys.