Jelly, rubber, and PVC toys are all frequently made using pthalates to help soften them. If a toy has a very strong chemical or rubbery smell that won't wash away, even after a long time, pthalates are probably present. The same is true of toys of these materials that feel greasy to the touch - the greasiness is caused by pthalates leaking out. With these materials, it's best to assume that, unless they specifically state themselves to be pthalates-free, then the chemical in question is involved.

Basically, pthalates are a softening chemical that can cause unpleasant reactions in people who are susceptible to them. Anywhere from mild irritate to a full-blown yeast infection is possible. These can be avoided either by not using these materials, or by using condoms on them. Jelly, rubber, and PVC are also very porous, meaning that bacteria can hide in microscopic holes in the surface and be safe from cleaning (condoms can also help reduce bacterial buildup). Jelly, in addition, should generally not be kept for more than a year since it will begin breaking down more quickly than most other materials.

Hard plastic doesn't contain pthalates, so you don't need to worry about them even if the packaging doesn't mention it. The same is true of silicone, glass, metal, wood, ceramic, stone, cyberskin (though not all other skin-like products are pthalate-free), elastomer, and most TPR and TPR silicone products. And probably some others that I'm forgetting. These have varying levels of porousness, from none to a lot, but they're generally better for your body than jelly, rubber, and PVC.

The nice thing about Eden is that, as you browse, you can narrow down your options by size, color, material, etc. One of the options is to search for pthalate-free toys. less

Jelly, rubber, and PVC toys are all frequently made using pthalates to help soften them. If a toy has a very strong chemical or rubbery smell that won't wash away, even after a long time, pthalates are probably present. The same is true of toys of these materials that feel greasy to the touch - the greasiness is caused by pthalates leaking out. With these materials, it's best to assume that, unless they specifically state themselves to be pthalates-free, then the chemical in question is involved.

Basically, pthalates are a softening chemical that can cause unpleasant reactions in people who are susceptible to them. Anywhere from mild irritate to a full-blown yeast infection is possible. These can be avoided either by not using these materials, or by using condoms on them. Jelly, rubber, and PVC are also very porous, meaning that bacteria can hide in microscopic holes in the surface and be safe from cleaning (condoms can also help reduce bacterial buildup). Jelly, in addition, should generally not be kept for more than a year since it will begin breaking down more quickly than most other materials.

Hard plastic doesn't contain pthalates, so you don't need to worry about them even if the packaging doesn't mention it. The same is true of silicone, glass, metal, wood, ceramic, stone, cyberskin (though not all other skin-like products are pthalate-free), elastomer, and most TPR and TPR silicone products. And probably some others that I'm forgetting. These have varying levels of porousness, from none to a lot, but they're generally better for your body than jelly, rubber, and PVC.

The nice thing about Eden is that, as you browse, you can narrow down your options by size, color, material, etc. One of the options is to search for pthalate-free toys. less

Jelly, rubber, and PVC toys are all frequently made using pthalates to help soften them. If a toy has a very strong chemical or rubbery smell that won't wash away, even after a long time, pthalates are probably present. The same is true of toys of these materials that feel greasy to the touch - the greasiness is caused by pthalates leaking out. With these materials, it's best to assume that, unless they specifically state themselves to be pthalates-free, then the chemical in question is involved.

Basically, pthalates are a softening chemical that can cause unpleasant reactions in people who are susceptible to them. Anywhere from mild irritate to a full-blown yeast infection is possible. These can be avoided either by not using these materials, or by using condoms on them. Jelly, rubber, and PVC are also very porous, meaning that bacteria can hide in microscopic holes in the surface and be safe from cleaning (condoms can also help reduce bacterial buildup). Jelly, in addition, should generally not be kept for more than a year since it will begin breaking down more quickly than most other materials.

Hard plastic doesn't contain pthalates, so you don't need to worry about them even if the packaging doesn't mention it. The same is true of silicone, glass, metal, wood, ceramic, stone, cyberskin (though not all other skin-like products are pthalate-free), elastomer, and most TPR and TPR silicone products. And probably some others that I'm forgetting. These have varying levels of porousness, from none to a lot, but they're generally better for your body than jelly, rubber, and PVC.

The nice thing about Eden is that, as you browse, you can narrow down your options by size, color, material, etc. One of the options is to search for pthalate-free toys. less