Buying a Dildo: What You Really Need to Know
PVC, TPE, Jelly – many dildos contain dangerous substances. Learn which materials are safe and what to look for when buying.
You want to buy a dildo – but the selection is enormous and confusing. Amazon, AliExpress, online shops: How do you know which dildo is safe? The uncomfortable truth: Many dildos on the market contain harmful substances you don't want near your body. In this guide you'll learn what to really look for.
Material – The Most Important Factor
Material determines everything: safety, hygiene, durability, and feel. Unfortunately, the sex toy industry has no mandatory certification – anyone can sell anything. That's why you need to know what's good and what's not.
Materials to Avoid
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) ❌
The cheapest and most dangerous material. PVC requires phthalate plasticizers to become soft – suspected hormone disruptors. PVC dildos often smell chemical and can leach substances into the body.
TPE / TPR (Thermoplastic Elastomers) ❌
Often marketed as "silicone" but isn't real silicone. TPE is porous – bacteria embed in the surface and can't be fully removed. Can't be sterilized. Extremely common on Amazon as cheap "realistic" dildos.
Jelly Rubber ❌
The worst material. Contains phthalates, smells chemical, gets sticky. Stay away.
"Cyberskin" / "Realskin" ❌
Marketing names for TPE. Sounds premium, but porous and non-sterilizable.
Safe Materials
Platinum-Cure Silicone ✅ (Gendoras Standard)
The gold standard. Platinum-catalyzed – no residues, no odor, no harmful substances. Hypoallergenic, non-porous, dishwasher safe and boilable.
At Gendoras: silicone dildos in 5 hardness levels. More: Platinum-cure silicone explained
DIN-Certified Wood ✅ (Gendoras Standard)
Solid premium wood sealed with DIN EN 71/3-certified lacquer – hypoallergenic, splinter-free, approved for children's toys.
Our wooden dildos. Details: Wooden dildo buyer's guide
Finding the Right Hardness
Super Soft (00-30): Beginners. Medium (A10): Bestseller. Extra Firm (A30): Experienced. Details: Hardness guide
Origin & Certification
Most sex toys are made in China without quality control or material certification. At Gendoras: Made in Austria, fully traceable, certified materials, handcrafted.
Strap-On Compatibility
Need a strap-on dildo? Look for a wide, flat base. All Gendoras silicone dildos are strap-on compatible. Wooden dildos are not.
Care Basics
Silicone: Warm water + soap, dishwasher, or boil. Water-based lube only.
Wood: Warm water + mild soap. Don't boil. Water-based lube only. Store dry.
Details: Care guide
Checklist: What to Look For
✅ Check material: Only platinum-cure silicone, certified wood, stainless steel, or borosilicate glass.
❌ Avoid: PVC, TPE/TPR, Jelly Rubber, "Cyberskin", "Realskin".
✅ Certifications: DIN EN 71/3, medical-grade silicone, BPA-free, phthalate-free.
✅ Origin: Made in EU/Austria > unknown origin.
✅ Hardness: Beginners = soft, experienced = medium to firm.
FAQ
Check the material: Platinum-cure silicone or DIN-certified wood are safe. Avoid PVC, TPE, Jelly. Check if the manufacturer states material certifications and production location.
Many cheap Amazon dildos are made from TPE or PVC – porous materials with potential harmful substances. Without certification you don't know what you're buying. Invest in verified quality.
Real platinum-cure silicone is non-porous, sterilizable, and free from harmful substances. TPE is porous (bacteria embed), can't be boiled, and is often falsely marketed as silicone.
Platinum-cure silicone costs many times more than TPE. Handwork in Austria instead of mass production in China. DIN certifications, quality controls, fair wages. You pay for safety, longevity, and a unique piece.
A super soft silicone dildo (Shore 00-30) – yielding, adaptable, easy to clean. Or an olive wood dildo for a natural, warm feel.
