Liquid Silicone vs. Other Materials: Why What You Choose Matters
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Material isn't a minor detail of an intimate product: it's the difference between a safe, pleasurable, long-lasting experience and one that can be uncomfortable or even harmful to your health.
Why the material matters more than you think
Anything that stays in prolonged contact with your body should meet the same standard as any medical-grade product: a non-porous surface, no toxic compounds, and genuine hygiene — not just the appearance of it.
At SILEXD we don't work with a single material, but with two combined into one piece: a SILEXPAN® core, our patented material, coated in liquid silicone. Here's what each one brings to the table, and why the difference is noticeable compared to the most common alternatives on the market.
The materials on the market, one by one
PVC
The cheapest and the most problematic. Its porous surface harbors bacteria and mold even after cleaning, and many formulations contain phthalates, linked to hormonal disruption.
TPE and TPR
Flexible and affordable, but porous. Their internal structure traps residue and moisture, preventing full hygiene no matter how they're marketed as safe.
Standard silicone
A step forward: it's non-porous, hypoallergenic, and easy to clean. But its uniform density keeps the same firmness throughout the piece, which limits realism and how it adapts to the body.
SILEXPAN® + liquid silicone
Two materials in one piece: a SILEXPAN® core, which brings shape memory and a response to temperature, coated in liquid silicone, far softer and more realistic to the touch than conventional silicone.
Two materials, one piece
Each one solves something different. Together, they achieve what no single material can on its own.
SILEXPAN®
Our patented material. It's the inside of the piece: you don't touch it, but it's responsible for how the piece behaves.
- Memory effect It deforms under pressure and returns to its original shape. The piece adapts to the body during use and springs back afterward.
- Thermoreactive Its firmness changes with temperature, so you decide how the product feels before using it.
- Stable over time It keeps its shape and properties with use, without warping or losing responsiveness.
Liquid silicone
The layer that touches the body. A type of silicone very different from conventional molded silicone.
- Realistic feel Far softer and silkier than standard silicone. It reproduces the texture and softness of skin.
- Non-porous Its surface doesn't harbor bacteria or mold. Fully hygienic and compatible with sterilization.
- Phthalate-free Free of toxic compounds and hypoallergenic. Safe for prolonged body contact.
You decide the firmness
The SILEXPAN® core reacts to temperature, so the same piece can offer two different experiences.
Chilled
The material gains rigidity. A firmer, more stable, more intense feel.
Warmed
The material softens. A softer, more flexible, more yielding feel.
How it shows up in use
The difference is noticeable from the first touch. Liquid silicone delivers a feel that conventional silicone can't match; the SILEXPAN® core determines how the piece responds to pressure and temperature. One without the other leaves the experience half-finished.
It's not just a matter of safety. It's a matter of the quality of the experience.
How to care for your SILEXD products
Thanks to the material's properties, maintenance is simple. We cover it in more detail in our full cleaning and care guide:
- Wash with warm water and neutral soap before and after each use.
- Sterilize by boiling for 3 minutes or with a bleach solution diluted to 10%.
- Dry completely before storing.
- Store in a fabric bag or individual case, without contact with other materials.
Always use a water-based lubricant. Silicone-based lubricants degrade the material's surface — see our lubricant compatibility guide for more detail.
Choosing the material is choosing your wellbeing
At SILEXD we don't cut corners: a SILEXPAN® core and a liquid silicone exterior in every product, because material quality is the foundation of any premium experience.
Keep reading: what is a dildo?, cleaning and care guide, lubricant compatibility guide, and how to choose size and firmness.
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