The single biggest material distinction in sex toys is between platinum-cure silicone and TPE. Both can feel soft and flexible; both are widely sold; but their actual properties are fundamentally different.
The defining difference: porosity
Platinum-cure silicone
- Non-porous at the microscopic level.
- Bacteria and viral material cannot embed in the surface.
- Can be cleaned with soap and water to body-safe standard.
- Can be sterilised by boiling (3 min), top-rack dishwasher, or 70% isopropyl alcohol.
- Safe for shared use between partners with proper sterilisation between sessions.
TPE (thermoplastic elastomer)
- Porous at the microscopic level.
- Bacteria and viral material can lodge in micro-pores.
- Cleaning removes visible residue but cannot reach embedded microbial life.
- Cannot be sterilised — boiling damages the material; alcohol doesn't reach the pores.
- Not suitable for shared use without a condom barrier each time.
How to tell them apart
Manufacturers sometimes label TPE products in ways that suggest silicone. Three tests:
The flame test (do this on the base only, briefly)
- Real platinum-cure silicone is flame-retardant; it chars but won't burn or melt.
- TPE melts and drips like plastic.
This is the most reliable test, though obviously you should only do it on the base where damage doesn't matter.
The smell test
- Silicone is odourless out of the box.
- TPE has a faint plastic or chemical smell that may take days or weeks to fade. "Off-gassing" of plasticisers.
The silicone lube test
- Apply silicone-based lubricant to the toy and leave for 24 hours.
- Real silicone reacts — the surface becomes slightly tacky and swollen.
- TPE doesn't react; the silicone lube sits on top.
This test damages real silicone, so it's only useful if you're willing to retire the toy if it is silicone.
Lifespan
- Platinum-cure silicone: 5–15 years with proper care. The material itself doesn't degrade; only the dye / surface finish ages over decades.
- TPE: 12–24 months with proper care. The material gradually goes greasy as plasticisers leach out; the surface eventually becomes sticky in ways no cleaning resolves.
Price
Quality differences show in pricing:
- Genuine platinum-cure silicone dildo: £30+ at the cheapest end; typically £40–£120 for quality pieces.
- TPE dildo (often labelled "silicone" or "silicone-blend"): £10–£30.
The price gap reflects real material cost differences. A "£15 silicone dildo" is almost certainly TPE; the raw material alone for genuine silicone is several pounds for a 6-inch piece.
How to be sure you're buying silicone
Look for explicit declarations on the product page:
- "100% platinum-cure silicone" — honest and verifiable.
- "Medical-grade silicone" — usually accurate.
- "Body-safe silicone" — marketing; check for the platinum-cure specification.
Avoid:
- "Silicone-blend" or "silicone-feel" — usually TPE.
- "Soft-touch silicone" — usually TPE.
- "Hypoallergenic" alone — doesn't specify material.
- "Phthalate-free" alone — means no phthalates, but doesn't exclude TPE.
Reputable silicone brands in the UK
UK-distributed brands that consistently use platinum-cure silicone and label it honestly:
- Fun Factory (Germany).
- Tantus (US).
- We-Vibe (Canada).
- Lelo (Sweden).
- Liebe Seele Premium.
- Doxy attachments (UK).
The verdict
For internal-use toys, dildos, plugs, and shared toys, platinum-cure silicone is the right material every time. TPE has a place in starter pieces and disposables, but it's not appropriate for internal use, shared use, or anal use at all. The price premium for genuine silicone is real but the lifespan and safety differences justify it.