Buying sex toys on Shein? Read this first.

In case you weren't aware, clothing retailer Shein is one of the latest in a string of non-sex-related stores to add sex toys to their product base this year, ever since the sexual wellness industry boomed to an evaluation of over $35 billion as of 2023. There's serious money to be made in sex toy sales, and Shein wants to cash in. 

But with claims relating to poor ethics surrounding the brand, you might wonder whether Shein is the best place to grab your next vibrator — and experts have some concerns as well. Mashable looked into whether buying sex toys from Shein is a good idea and what concerns customers should keep in mind.  

Shein's multiple controversies  

Despite its super-affordable product offering, Shein has faced multifaceted criticism over the years over ethical concerns and issues with quality. Workers of the fashion giant were found to be doing excessive overtime, including 75-hour weeks in a report by the Swiss advocacy group Public Eye. Last month, WIRED reported that Shein employees in China have started filming their poor working conditions, including low pay and no bathroom breaks.

With all this in mind, sex educator Leanne Yau believes sex toy customers should first and foremost consider who they're giving their money to when they think about shopping at Shein. She also notes quality concerns, following 2021 research that found excessive amounts of chemicals, including lead, in Shein clothing. "If lead has been found in their clothing, imagine what's in their sex toys," Yau says.

The importance of body-safe materials

Some people have bought sex toys from Shein with no issues, like 32-year-old photographer Alice, who along with other contributors in this piece is going by her first name only to protect her identity. Alice bought a double-ended dildo and told Mashable it was "packaged discreetly, and there weren't any problems other than personal preference" as it was too small for her liking. "I also bought handcuffs and butt plugs though and they were in a clear, non-discreet bag. They still seemed like they were good quality to me though." 

But some experts have raised concerns about the materials Shein and similar retailers might be using. When it comes to sex toys, "body safety" — referring to materials that are safe on or inside the body — is unbelievably important. Materials like medical-grade silicone, glass, and stainless steel are considered body-safe. You're putting these items on or in your genitals and anus, after all. You don't want them to be made of just anything. 

However, Shein provides little information on the materials used in their sex toys, simply writing "silicone," "ABS" or "plastic" as part of a short, four-line product description. And the information that is included can be misleading. For example, this sex toy which looks to be a wand (used for external stimulation) includes "G-Spot and Anal Stimulation" in the product title, which would be an extremely difficult feat and dangerous to attempt. There are also sex toys listed as anal dildos or plugs which do not have flared bases — a big no for anal sex toys as this can cause toys to get stuck inside the body.

Mashable reached out to Shein for comment, but at the time of writing, we have not received a response. 

All this raises red flags for experts like Poppy Scarlett, a sex educator, influencer, and former sex toy boutique owner. Scarlett warns, "It's not a good idea to buy toys from Shein in my opinion. The toys they sell come with minimal information about materials and even less about safe usage. Customers could be buying something unfit for purpose and not even know it."

The lack of regulation in the sex toy industry reinforces this issue. Scarlett explains that the sector remains largely unregulated, allowing brands to produce low-quality, potentially harmful products. "Many companies, including Shein, exploit the fact that people often lack education about sex toys. There will be young, inexperienced buyers who won't know what to look for," she says. 

So, what happens if you use a sex toy that isn't body-safe? Scarlett explains that the consequences can range from the mild — such as a toy degrading faster or becoming smelly — to the severe, including infections and injuries. "If a toy's surface degrades, it can cause micro-tears in sensitive tissues. If it's porous, it can harbour bacteria that may lead to infections, like bacterial vaginosis or urinary tract infections (UTIs). And for anal toys without a proper base, there's a risk of the toy getting sucked into the body, which could require medical intervention."

Yau adds that some materials used in cheap sex toys can even be dangerous. "Cheap materials like jelly and PVC can contain phthalates, chemicals banned from children's toys because they're harmful. These materials can release toxins into the body, potentially affecting hormone balance and even causing illnesses."

31-year-old Alex, a social media manager, tells Mashable she bought a rampant rabbit from Shein and performed the "flame test." For the unaware, the flame test (popularised by sex toy blogger Dangerous Lilly) involves holding a candle or a lighter to sex toys to see if they start to melt. Unless it's thin and soft, silicone will not melt, but other materials will. If you buy a so-called silicone toy and it fails the test, the brand could be lying about a toy's materials. 

"I buy a lot of sex toys so I knew of the flame test and I do tend to fall for the allure of a low price so I end up getting cheap ones and just checking with the flame test whether I can actually use it. I tried the flame test on the toy I got from Shein, which said it was made of silicone, and it failed straight away," Alex explains. "I was so annoyed. I feel like I should have known because they are crazy cheap, like 'too good to be true' kinda cheap." 

27-year-old office administrator Kate also tells Mashable she returned a Shein sex toy immediately upon receiving it. "It looked and felt like plastic and I'm not putting anything up any holes if it looks unsafe. I just couldn't risk it." 

If you're set on buying a sex toy, it's crucial to know what to look for to ensure you're getting a safe product. Scarlett advises sticking to reputable brands with established histories of producing body-safe toys, such as Lovehoney, Hot Octopuss, Tenga, Lelo, we-vibe, b-vibe, Doxy, and others. If you want truly inexpensive toys — we're talking under $10 — try Bellesa's new BB Outlet. Mashable has a guide on choosing a sex toy, as well.

"A good rule of thumb is if a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is. Research the brand, read reviews, and don't hesitate to Google or reverse-image search the product to see if it's being sold by other, more reliable retailers," Scarlett explains.

One of the significant red flags to watch out for is a lack of information. "If a product description doesn't provide details about the materials used or how to safely use the toy, that's a big red flag," Scarlett warns. Moreover, counterfeit products are rampant in online marketplaces like Amazon and eBay, where sellers may not have vetted their products properly. "Make sure you're buying from a reputable seller, not just the cheapest one," Scarlett adds. Mashable also has a roundup of good, vetted toys on Amazon.

A call for conscious consumerism

Ultimately, both Scarlett and Yau advocate for a more informed and conscious approach to buying sex toys. The allure of cheap prices shouldn't overshadow the importance of safety, especially for products that come into close contact with your body. 

Conversations about fast fashion (particularly Shein)  are becoming more commonplace, bringing awareness to overconsumption and more ethical options. We need a similar revolution on the sex toy front. 

As Scarlett puts it, "Sex toys can be incredibly empowering and pleasurable when used correctly, but only if they're safe and made with the right materials. Brands like Shein, with their history of poor ethics and quality control, are not where you should be shopping for something as intimate as a sex toy."

Yau agrees, adding, "Your health and safety should come first. If a toy's description lacks crucial information, or if the price seems too low to be true, it's worth reconsidering. Educate yourself about body-safe materials and invest in products that you can trust."

While the idea of picking up a sex toy while browsing your favourite fast fashion retailer might seem convenient, it's essential to approach these purchases with caution. The potential risks associated with unsafe sex toys — ranging from inconveniences and a lack of pleasure to severe health hazards — are not worth the savings. Stick to established brands, do your research, and prioritise your safety. Your body deserves better than a cut-price deal that might come at a much higher cost in the long run.