Why You Shouldn't Buy Sex Toys From Temu

Are you tempted by those ultra-cheap sex toys on Temu? Trust us, the health risks of low-quality sex toys aren't worth the savings. Whilst bargain-hunting during a cost of living crisis is understandable, when it comes to bedroom besties, your health and safety should always come before the cost. Join us to explore how to find safe sex toys and why neon rose toys on bargain marketplaces aren't the best choice for your body... 

The Hidden Dangers of Cheap Sex Toys from Online Marketplaces

When browsing online marketplaces like Temu or Shein, you might have spotted colourful, inexpensive sex toys which sound like a real steal compared to some of the £100+ options out there. Hold your horny horses! What these listings typically fail to disclose is the composition of materials used in the toys. The reality is that the intimate products industry remains largely unregulated, which means third-party companies can make claims about their products without safety certifications - and as they are sold via online marketplaces, these claims go unchecked. In late 2024, the European Commission even launched a formal investigation into Temu amid worries that the platform is allowing the sale of dodgy products that don’t meet EU safety standards. One investigation found that nine out of ten children’s toys didn’t comply with rules - not exactly a ringing endorsement. Not only are these sites ethically dubious, but the products they offer could even put your health at risk. Basically, you’re shopping from the wild west of sex toys, and your body deserves better than that.

What's Really in Those Bargain Toys?

Many budget sex toys are made from materials that could cause harm to your body. We're talking porous materials that harbour bacteria even after cleaning, "jelly" compounds containing harmful phthalates (chemicals which leach easily), vaguely labeled "body-safe" mystery materials without certification and imitation silicone that may contain toxic fillers.

Putting products made from unverified, potentially toxic materials inside your vagina, anus or mouth can lead to serious health consequences. From bacterial and fungal infections from toys that can't be properly sanitised to chemical burns and irritation from unstable compounds, the risks are real and, frankly, not worth the savings.

If you didn’t catch our fave, queen of no-nonsense sex education, Scotty Unfamous setting a discount sex toy on fire to check its silicone credentials, it’s time to get nerdy. Medical-grade silicone sex toys have become the gold standard for good reason. First off, it's biocompatible, meaning it's specifically formulated to interact safely with human tissue. We specifically designed our most-requested-product-of-all-time, the Cindy clitoral suction toy, with medical-grade silicone that has undergone extensive testing to ensure it doesn't cause allergic reactions, irritation, or soreness. These tests are rarely completed on cheap alternatives found on these ultra-low-price online marketplaces.

A gross note: medical-grade silicone used in quality toys like Cindy features a non-porous surface that prevents microorganisms from embedding in the material. When you use a toy that’s made with non-medical-grade, porous material (sometimes vaguely named ‘soft plastic’ on Temu et al), the material has lots of tiny, tiny little holes that trap fluids and bacteria. No matter how much you scrub or wash the toy, this trapped bacteria won’t be cleaned away and can cause infections next time you use it - or even grow mould inside your toy. If that isn’t enough to make you check the ingredients list twice, we don’t know what will!

Finally, high-quality silicone remains stable during use, meaning it won't break down and leach chemicals into your body. This stability persists even when exposed to body fluids, cleaning solutions, or lubricants. When using HANX's Cindy, this chemical stability provides peace of mind that's simply not possible with unverified materials.

What's Actually in Those Bargain Sex Toys? 

You'll want to avoid these nasties:

• Jelly rubber/PVC - Often contains phthalates and is porous

• TPE/TPR (thermoplastic elastomer/rubber) - Porous and may contain phthalates

• Latex - Porous and some people are allergic to this

• "Skin-safe rubber" - Often marketing language for materials that may contain phthalates

• Vinyl - May contain phthalates

• PVC - Almost always contains phthalates
  
  

Safer alternatives to look for:

• Medical-grade silicone (non-porous)

• ABS plastic (hard plastic)

• Glass

• Stainless steel

• Ceramic (we like Fine Bone!)

While the initial investment might be higher for a medical-grade silicone toy like our Cindy, these products can be safely enjoyed for years, with proper care. This durability makes them more economical in the long run compared to repeatedly replacing deteriorating budget options that seem cheaper at first glance.

How to Identify High-Quality, Body-Safe Sex Toys

When shopping for safe sex toys online or in-store, look for explicit material certification. Legitimate companies will specify "medical-grade silicone" or provide specific material certifications.

Price point is another tell-tale sign. While we all love a bargain, medical-grade silicone has production costs that simply can't be cut below certain thresholds. If a silicone toy is priced suspiciously low, it's likely not using genuine medical-grade materials. When you’re shopping at HANX, Cindy's price reflects the quality of its materials and construction - a worthwhile investment in your health, if we say so ourselves.

Finally, there's the simple "smell test." Medical-grade silicone should be odourless. If your toy has a strong, stinky chemical smell (especially when warmed up during use), it likely contains unsafe compounds. 

Prioritise Safe Sex Toys > Savings

When it comes to sex toys, the old adage "you get what you pay for" holds particularly true. The difference between a £7 toy from a low-cost online marketplace and a quality, safe sex toy made from medical-grade silcione (like our own toy Cindy) comes down to fundamental safety and health protection. As leading consumer guide Which? recommends regarding Temu, it’s important to be ‘wary of products where safety is a consideration’. 

By choosing products made with genuine medical-grade silicone, you can play away with peace of mind that your toy isn’t going to put you or your partner’s health at risk. When shopping for your next bedroom bestie, we’d always advise prioritising safety over savings - and if you’re really strapped for cash, your hand is a trusty, safe and free option. Have fun!

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