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Best Dildo Materials: What’s Body-Safe, Comfortable & Built for Pleasure?
When shopping for a dildo, size and shape matter — but material matters just as much. The right dildo material affects comfort, hygiene, body safety, longevity, and pleasure. And here’s the truth: not all sex toy materials are created equal.
Some materials are body-safe, non-porous, and designed to last, while others can harbour bacteria, smell unpleasant, or contain harmful chemicals. So before you click add to basket, it’s worth knowing exactly what you’re putting in (or on) your body.
Short answer:
→ Silicone is the best dildo material.
→ Jelly rubber is a hard no.
Let’s break down why — and help you choose the safest, most pleasurable dildo material for your needs.
What Is the Best Dildo Material?
Silicone is the best dildo material — full stop.
High-quality silicone dildos are:
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Smooth, soft and skin-friendly
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Odour-free
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Non-porous and easy to clean
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Firm enough for penetration, yet flexible where it counts
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Quick to warm to body temperature
Silicone feels dry and “strokable” rather than sticky, which makes it comfortable for longer play sessions and ideal for both vaginal and anal use.
At Sh!, we hand-make our silicone dildos in the UK. That means fewer toy miles, more ethical production, and better quality control. Silicone is an expensive raw material and temperamental to work with (much like us Brits — too hot or too cold and it simply refuses to cooperate), but the result is worth it: beautiful, body-safe dildos built for real pleasure.
What Is the Most Body-Safe Dildo Material?
Silicone is the most body-safe dildo material.
It is:
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Latex-free
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Hypoallergenic
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Phthalate-free
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Non-porous
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Easy to properly clean and sterilise
Because silicone doesn’t absorb fluids or bacteria, silicone dildos can be shared between partners or pleasure zones as long as they’re cleaned properly between uses (or covered with a condom).
Other body-safe dildo materials include:
These materials are also non-porous and hygienic, though firmer and better suited to experienced toy users.
⚠ Porous materials, on the other hand, absorb bodily fluids and lube. Bacteria cling to the tiny pores and can contribute to infections such as Bacterial Vaginosis (BV). If you use a porous dildo, always cover it with a condom and never move it between orifices without protection.
Are Jelly PVC Dildos Body-Safe?
No. Jelly dildos are not body-safe.
Jelly rubber often contains phthalates, chemicals used to soften plastics. Phthalates are potentially carcinogenic and have been linked to hormone disruption. Jelly toys are also porous, difficult to clean, and notorious for their strong chemical smell.
If you’ve got an old jelly dildo lurking in a drawer somewhere - it’s time to let it go. Your body deserves better.
We don’t stock jelly PVC toys. Ever.
Can You Be Allergic to a Dildo?
Yes — some people can react to certain sex toy materials, especially latex or jelly PVC rubber. Reactions can range from mild irritation to rashes or itching.
Silicone is hypoallergenic and the safest choice for most people. While silicone allergies are extremely rare, they can happen. If you know you’re sensitive, always check material info carefully.
If you’re reacting to a porous toy and can’t replace it immediately, using a condom can reduce irritation — but upgrading to a body-safe material is always the better long-term solution.
(Orgasms are great. Allergic reactions? Not so much.)
How Do You Clean a Dildo Properly?
Cleaning depends entirely on the material.
How to Clean a Silicone Dildo
Silicone is non-porous, so cleaning is simple:
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Wash with warm water and antibacterial soap, or
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Use a dedicated sex toy cleaner and rinse thoroughly
For a deeper clean, silicone dildos can be boiled for a few minutes to fully sterilise them (as long as there’s no motor inside).
Cleaning Porous Dildo Materials
Porous and semi-porous materials can never be fully cleaned, no matter how hard you try. Wash with soap or toy cleaner, rinse well, and allow to air dry — but always use condoms to reduce bacterial risk.
What Are TPE and TPR Dildos?
TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer) and TPR (Thermoplastic Rubber) are commonly used in cheaper sex toys.
They are:
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Soft and flexible
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Phthalate-free
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Semi-porous
Because TPE/TPR materials have microscopic pores, they absorb fluids and bacteria, making them impossible to fully sanitise. Many vulva owners report developing BV after using TPE/TPR toys.
There may also be a mild smell when first unboxed, which usually fades with airing.
→If you use TPE or TPR dildos, always use condoms.
What About SilaSkin or CyberSkin?
SilaSkin is a blend of silicone and TPR. It’s soft and stretchy, often used for cock rings. However:
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It’s porous
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Less durable than silicone
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Must be stored separately from other toys
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Reacts badly with latex condoms
Cyberskin is designed to feel like human skin and offers a realistic texture. However, it is also porous, harder to clean, and requires extra care.
Neither material is ideal if hygiene and longevity are priorities.
Are Rubber or PVC Dildos Safe?
Rubber dildos are not recommended.
They are porous, prone to bacteria build-up, often smell unpleasant, and can trigger BV. While rubber toys may feel solid and weighty, they degrade easily and aren’t hygienic long-term.
PVC/jelly rubber dildos are the worst offenders — cheap, smelly, porous, and potentially harmful.
Dildo Materials Comparison: Safety, Feel & Hygiene
| Material | Body-Safe | Porous | Feel | Cleaning | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silicone | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | Soft, smooth, flexible | ⭐ Easy | Beginners, regular use |
| Glass | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | Very firm, weighty | ⭐ Easy | Experienced users |
| Steel | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | Ultra-smooth, rigid | ⭐ Easy | Advanced play |
| TPE / TPR | ⚠️ Mixed | ⚠️ Semi | Soft, squishy | ⚠️ Hard | Use with condoms |
| SilaSkin | ⚠️ Mixed | ⚠️ Yes | Stretchy, very soft | ⚠️ Tricky | External play |
| Cyberskin | ⚠️ Mixed | ⚠️ Yes | Skin-like | ⚠️ Hard | Texture lovers |
| Rubber | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | Sticky, smells | ❌ Poor | Not recommended |
| Jelly / PVC | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | Chemical smell | ❌ Poor | Avoid |
Choosing the Best Dildo Material
If you want a dildo that’s:
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Body-safe
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Easy to clean
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Comfortable
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Long-lasting
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Pleasure-focused
→ Choose silicone. Always.
Avoid porous materials like jelly, rubber, and TPE/TPR whenever possible.
Ready to Upgrade?
Treat your body to something better.
Explore our best-selling, designed by women, UK-made silicone dildos here
