TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer)

TPE is a blend of rubber and plastic that's soft, realistic-feeling, and cheap to manufacture. It's the standard material for Fleshlight sleeves, Tenga products, and most budget strokers. The catch: TPE is porous. Bacteria can embed in the surface and you can never fully sanitize it. Clean it after every use the way the maker says: Fleshlight's instructions are warm water through the sleeve plus its own Fleshwash spray, never soap (soap is for the hard case only), a full air-dry, then a dusting of renewing powder (plain cornstarch) so the surface doesn't turn tacky. Replace every 6-12 months. TPE is also incompatible with silicone-based lube. For male toys where the realistic feel matters, TPE is an acceptable trade-off if you maintain hygiene and treat it as a consumable, not a forever product.