Why Shein Selling Sex Toys Is Worse Than You Think

If you’re not a Shein shopper, you may not have realized that the fast fashion retailer now sells sex toys. That’s right; you can find vibrators, restraints, strokers, butt plugs, and more naughty goodies on the site we all associate with dirt-cheap clothing. For some, the low prices are all they need to see. But Shein selling sex toys isn’t a good thing all around. It might even be worse than you realize!

We’ve already seen many of the issues that come up with Shein selling sex toys in retail giant Amazon. Products are from no-name or private-label brands, and you’ll rarely see packaging. There’s no way to know that you’ll get what’s in those photos because Shein is notorious for stealing designs, using photos of the original art in their listings (while removing watermarks), and copying the original photos. We already know that brands like Njoy have been copied for years, and of course, I saw a knockoff on Shein. It’s frustrating that we live in a world where makers can no longer sell their goods on Etsy, but Shein can profit off stolen work.

If Shein is okay with stealing like that, I wouldn’t put it past them to lie about what sex toys are made of. Are those silicone dildos made of pure fire-resistant silicone, or are they a mix that might cause reactions? And that’s assuming people look past the photos. Shein hides descriptive information that, in my opinion, should be the focus of a product page. Never mind that you’ll find lube described as water-based in the title and silicone in the description.

I wasn’t shocked to realize many product photos screamed “Unsafe!” to me, either. There are multiple anal toys with bases barely bigger than the shaft and with no distinct neck. Shein is also full of gem butt plugs, the very kind that has repeatedly been reported to slip past the anal sphincter. Yet, they look safe to the untrained eye.

Even if Shein doesn’t show images of toys being used anally that are unsafe to do so, the keyword stuffing of product titles suggests that toys can be used anally that absolutely shouldn’t be. Similarly, photos also suggest unsafe use. All sorts of oils are advertised as being to enhance intimacy, with photos of couples getting steamy, suggesting that they can be used as lube. Shein uses euphemisms and suggestion to provide false reassurance.

Many people assume that Shein sells products that are safe to use as intended. Claims that products are pH-balanced, natural, or gentle encourage shoppers to fill their carts with products that are unproven at best and actively harmful at worst. Despite those positive claims, many of these products can still cause irritation or infections. Reputable toy sellers keep those products out of their stores because they want to protect their customers, reputations, and bottom lines.

While your favorite sex toy seller probably has a blog with guides and tips for buying and using sex toys, including the best safety practices, Shein offers no such thing. You’ll have to find a trusted site to give you this information, and that’s even if you realize you need it. How many people know to keep safety shears for bondage, avoid the kidneys with impact play, and use only water-based lube with silicone toys unless they do a spot test? Who realizes that l-arginine can trigger herpes outbreaks, oil degrades condoms, slipper fabrics can cut off breathing or circulation, and vagina-tightening products can have serious consequences? Yet Shein offers floggers, canes, vaginal soaps and oils, silicone lube, supplements, and silk restraints without any warning.

But let’s say products are safe to use. After all, some are bound to be. Shein still fails to be a helpful retailer in multiple ways. For example, several silicone lubricants are advised as they're water-soluble, which they’re not. That’s half the point of silicone lube–to use it in water! You won’t find any guides to choosing the right size ball gag or cock ring, either.

Unfortunately, Shein’s reviews aren’t likely to help you. The site rewards people for reviews but not necessarily quality, so reviews are usually short and uninformed. You’ll frequently find people giving first impressions without having actually used a product. Shein shoppers also seem enthused by low-quality products. For the same reason, I never trusted clothing reviews.

All of these problems only seem to be worse now that Shein is a full-on marketplace with hundreds–or perhaps thousands–of vendors. I want to buy from sites that care about customers and offer helpful information. I want to support creative people and companies. I want to know what I’m actually getting, and I want it to last as long as possible if I take care of it. I want to know that customer service is available should I need it.  What Amazon started, Shein has only continued, and it won’t end here.