Why Platinum-Cure Silicone Is the Gold Standard for Body-Safe Materials

In the world of silicone products, whether it's for prosthetics, wearable tech, medical devices, or in this case, sex toys, not all silicones are created equal. If you care about what touches your skin, you’ve probably seen the term "platinum-cure silicone" and wondered what makes it so special.

Here’s the truth: Platinum-cure silicone is the safest, cleanest, and most stable silicone you can use on the human body. It’s not just hype, it’s backed by science, standards, and decades of use in the medical industry.

Let’s dive into why platinum-cure silicone is the ultimate body-safe silicone.


What Is Platinum-Cure Silicone?

Platinum-cure silicone (also known as addition-cure silicone) is a type of silicone rubber that’s cured using a platinum-based catalyst. This process differs from the older tin-cure (condensation-cure) method, which can leave behind toxic residues and unwanted byproducts.


Key features of platinum-cure silicone:

  • Cures cleanly with no byproducts
  • Doesn’t shrink or distort over time
  • Extremely stable, even under stress or temperature changes
  • Hypoallergenic and non-toxic
  • Meets medical- and food-grade safety standards

 

Why Tin-Cure Silicone Doesn’t Cut It

Tin cure silicone (also known as condensation cure silicone), is a type of silicone rubber that cures using a tin-based catalyst. It's a popular choice for mold making (but NOT for body-safe applications) due to its cost-effectiveness and ease of use.


The drawbacks of tin-cure silicone:

  • It can leach chemicals over time
  • May contain residual catalysts that are toxic or irritating to skin
  • Less stable and more prone to degradation
  • Not considered medical-grade or body-safe


The takeaway:

Tin-cure silicone is not safe for internal use or prolonged skin contact. That’s why top-tier manufacturers and medical device companies rely on platinum-cure silicone.



Why Peroxide-Cure Silicone Isn't Truly Body-Safe

Another lesser-known type is peroxide-cure silicone (also known as free radical-cure silicone). It’s commonly used in industrial and consumer-grade silicone products—but it’s not ideal for prolonged skin contact and definitely not for internal use.


The drawbacks of peroxide-cure silicone:

  • Leaves behind byproducts like benzene or other volatile compounds—these can cause irritation and may be carcinogenic in trace amounts
  • Can discolor or degrade over time, especially with UV exposure or heat
  • More porous than platinum-cure, making it less hygienic and harder to sterilize
  • Often marketed as "medical-grade" but only meets basic external contact standards—not implant or mucosal-contact standards

Important distinction: “Medical-grade” is not the same as “implant-grade” or “platinum-cure.” Peroxide-cured materials can technically be classified for limited medical use—but not where true body safety is essential.

The takeaway:

Peroxide-cure is better than tin-cure or TPR / TPE, but still not clean or stable enough for body-contact products that demand long-term safety.



Why Jelly Rubber (TPR / TPE) Doesn’t Cut It Either

You’ve probably seen squishy toys or products labeled as "real-feel" or "ultra-soft", but many of these are made with thermoplastic rubber (TPR) or thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) blends. 

TPR / TPE is a blend or compound of different polymers that gives it a rubbery feel and flexibility, similar to natural rubber, and they can be tailored to have varying degrees of softness, hardness, flexibility, and stiffness.


The drawbacks of TPR / TPE materials:

  • Porous, traps bacteria, mold, and bodily fluids, making it nearly impossible to fully clean
  • Breaks down relatively quickly, becoming sticky, discolored, or gooey over time
  • Cannot be sterilized, and boiling or UV will degrade the material or release toxic fumes

A note on TPR / TPE safety: There is a lot of conflicting information as to whether TPR / TPE contains phthalates, which are endocrine disruptors linked to fertility and developmental issues. In short, proper formulation and quality control can keep the material free from this hazardous chemical, but the only way to know for sure is through rigorous testing and validation.

The takeaway:

These materials are not silicone, and they’re probably not the best choice for long-term contact with the body.



Used Where Safety Matters Most

When it comes to safety-critical industries like healthcare, aerospace, or prosthetics, platinum-cure silicone is the material of choice.

It's used in:

  • Medical implants and tubing
  • Hearing aids and dental molds
  • Wearable prosthetics and orthotics
  • High-end sex toys and personal wellness products

Why? Because it's:

  • Biocompatible – won't irritate skin or trigger allergies
  • Sterilizable – withstands autoclaves, boiling, and UV without breaking down
  • Inert and odorless – won’t degrade or absorb bacteria

This is especially important for products that stay on or inside the body for long periods.


 

Clean, Eco-Friendly, and Long-Lasting

Platinum-cure silicone isn’t just better for your body, it’s better for the environment too. Because it doesn’t off-gas or release toxins, it's one of the cleanest synthetic materials available.

Why? Because it's:

  • Durable - lasts for years without losing shape or breaking down
  • Resistant to bacteria and mold
  • Reusable – perfect for sustainable product design

 

The Bottom Line: Platinum-Cure Silicone Is the True Body-Safe Silicone

If you're designing, buying, or using products that touch the skin or go inside the body, always look for platinum-cure silicone. Whether it’s labeled medical-grade, implant-grade, or food-grade, the key is that platinum catalyst.

Pro tip:
If the silicone product you're using doesn’t specify how it was cured, it probably wasn’t with platinum.



What to Look For:


When shopping for truly body-safe silicone products, check for:

  • “Platinum-cure” or “addition-cure” in the materials list
  • “Medical-grade” or “implant-grade” certification
  • Transparent manufacturing and material safety data (MSDS)


Your body deserves the best, and platinum-cure silicone delivers.

Want to know more about how we use platinum-cure silicone in our products? Contact us or explore our product line .

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