Another advantage of 100% silicone dildos/dicks is that, unlike many of the other “realistic” materials, there are no chemicals called “phthalates” used in their production. There is a great deal of controversy over the link of phthalates to possible health problems in humans, which is described further below. While the health and environmental impact of phthalate use in dildos/dicks is unclear, many people may feel more confident using a 100% silicone product that is phthalate-free.
A disadvantage found in many silicone dildos/dicks that are currently on the market is that the coloring and detailing is often not as realistic as some of the non-silicone models. Another potential disadvantage with silicone is that quality and hand-made products can be expensive compared to certain non-silicone models such as rubber or jelly.
Silicone is generally quite durable, but care should be taken to avoid breaking or tearing the surface of a silicone dildo/dick. Once a crack has formed, silicone can tear quite easily– this can especially be an issue near the base of the shaft near the opening of a harness or pants-fly. If an O-ring is too tight or if rough edges (like a zippered fly) come into continued contact with the dildo/dick, it can cause a tear. If you are using pre-lubricated condoms over your silicone toy, look for a condom that specifies a water-based lubricant, as many condom manufacturers now use silicone lubricants.
Non-silicone or mixed-silicone materials: basics The category of “non-silicone” or “mixed-silicone” dildos/dicks encompasses a variety of different soft plastics and rubber materials, and sometimes may be a mixture of silicone and soft plastics. The manufacturers of many of these products are not always clear about what materials have gone into making them. Similar-sounding names (“cyberskin” versus “ultraskin”) e list of ingredients in any given dildo/dick. Other product names may include “jelly,” “rubber,” “elastomer,” “soft vinyl,” “cyberskin,” “ultraskin,” “softskin,” “UR3,” “flexoflesh,” and other unique names.
While in storage, some non-silicone dildos/dicks will leave behind a greasy residue, and some will degrade rapidly if they come in contact with different sex toys or other materials
Terms like “cyberskin,” “ultraskin,” “softskin Lavalife,” “flexoflesh,” and “UR3” are used to describe materials that may feel more soft and lifelike than traditional silicone dildos/dicks. The specific term used will generally depend on the manufacturer and/or the store selling the item. Sometimes these items feature a firmer core and a softer cyber/ultra/softskin outer layer. The look of these products can be incredibly realistic in color and detailing, and some mimic the feeling of skin better than their silicone counterparts.
Such dildos/dicks should be used with condoms during any kind of sex play, especially if you plan on changing partners in the future
In general, all non-silicone or mixed-silicone dildos/dicks are made of porous materials, and thus they can easily pick up dirt and bacteria. Unlike 100% silicone dildos/dicks, they cannot be boiled for sterilization purposes, as this would melt or otherwise damage the material. They should be washed frequently with mild soap and warm water, rinsed well, and patted dry. Keeping non-silicone and mixed-silicone materials clean will help maintain their texture and quality, which (unlike 100% silicone) will degrade over time. Their color and detailing may also fade with time. You may wish to store each of these items separately in a plastic bag.
Certain types of “cyberskin” or “gel” material have a tacky/sticky feeling after cleaning and drying, and you may wish to dust their surface lightly with cornstarch to keep them from collecting dirt and lint. Check with the store where you bought the dildo/dick for specific care instructions. Do not use talcum powder for this purpose, as there is some evidence that the use of talcum powder is linked to cervical cancer.
