How to buy safe sex toys – Kandid launch collection with SuperDrug

Independent LGBTQ owned Sex Toy Retailers Kandid (www.kandid.com) have this week announced a collection launch with one of the UK’s biggest health stores, Superdrug

However, the founders Josh and Greg have warned that many adult toys found on the internet are unregulated and unsafe to buy – please see more info below and let me know if you’d be interested in an interview around this or tips on what to look for when buying toys online?

Josh said: ‘From the early stages of product development for Kandid, we found there is a serious lack of clarity in terms of safety standards and classifications for sex toys. There is no legislation or requirements for body-safe materials. Silicone is one of the few non-porous materials, which is what all of our vibrators are made from. Yet, there are no limitations in terms of what sex toys can be made from in the UK. For example, many are often made from a porous jelly rubber, meaning that bacteria can get inside the toy and make it almost impossible to clean. It’s also non-recyclable. There are poor quality, unsafe and cheap products sold through many websites, including Amazon and eBay, which are often sold unchecked.’

Since launching just before the pandemic hit in January 2020, inclusive online sex toy retailers Kandid have beaten the business odds and gone from strength to strength. Their fresh attitude towards pleasure positivity and sexual wellness for all has landed them a spot on the virtual shelves of one of the UK’s biggest health and beauty stores, Superdrug.

The launch is a big win for Kandid, who’s mission it’s been to get people to think of self-pleasure as part of their daily self-care routine, based on advice from Kandid’s in-house sexual wellness expert Dr. Elle Vooght.

Emma Smyth – Head of Commercial Health at Superdrug said: “We have expanded our sexual health and sexual pleasure range and are proud to be the exclusive stockist of Kandid. We’re always eager to help meet the increasing consumer demand for a more open discussion around sex and sexual pleasure whatever your sexual orientation and age.”

Kandid have shaken up the adult toy world with their unique and relaxed approach to selling sex toys; products and their marketing are inclusive and gender-stereotype free, prices are attainable and all toys are made 100% from body-safe silicone in an industry surprisingly unclear on regulations for which materials should be used.

Co-founders Josh and Greg (a couple from London) quit their day jobs in the city to launch Kandid, but came up against some surprising challenges when launching the business, on top of surviving through COVID 19.