In daily life and various creative applications, silicone beads are loved by many people because of their softness, durability, and rich colors. However, the quality of silicone beads on the market is uneven, and how to choose safe and non-toxic silicone beads has become the focus of consumers. The following is a detailed introduction to the method of selecting safe and non-toxic silicone beads.
Check product identification and certification
Formal safe and non-toxic silicone beads will clearly mark relevant information on the product. First, check the basic information such as the manufacturer, production date, and shelf life. This information helps us understand the source and quality of the product. At the same time, focus on whether the product has the certification mark of the relevant national departments, such as China's "QS" mark. If it is an export product, you should also pay attention to whether it has obtained the safety certification of the target market country, such as the FDA certification of the United States and the CE certification of the European Union. These certifications are important guarantees for product safety and quality. Certified products meet strict standards in terms of raw materials, additive use, production processes, etc. For example, FDA certification is an internationally recognized food safety standard. Silicone beads that have passed this certification have a high guarantee in safety and can be used in scenes that come into direct contact with the human body.
Observe the appearance and texture
Safe and non-toxic silicone beads have obvious characteristics in appearance and texture. High-quality silicone beads have natural and uniform colors, without obvious color difference and variegated colors. If the color of the silicone beads is too bright or too dim, it may be that too much pigment has been added or inferior raw materials have been used, so you need to be careful when purchasing. In terms of texture, silicone beads should be soft, delicate, comfortable to the touch, greasy and non-sticky, with a smooth surface without bubbles or scratches. You can gently press the silicone beads with your hands to observe their resilience and deformation. High-quality silicone beads can quickly return to their original shape after pressing, and there are no obvious creases or cracks. In addition, you can also pinch the two ends of the silicone beads with your hands and pull them in opposite directions with force. High-quality silicone beads are not easy to break during the pulling process, and they can quickly return to their original shape after letting go. At the same time, pay attention to whether there is whitening or deformation.
Smell
Safe and non-toxic silicone beads should be non-toxic and odorless. When choosing, you can bring the silicone beads close to your nose and smell them. If there is a pungent smell, it may be that harmful chemicals have been added or inferior raw materials have been used. Such silicone beads have safety hazards and are not recommended for purchase. Natural silicone has almost no odor, while inferior materials often have a rubbery or chemical flavor. For example, in order to reduce costs, some unscrupulous merchants may use raw materials containing harmful plasticizers to make silicone beads. These plasticizers will emit a pungent odor, and long-term contact may cause harm to human health.
Understand raw materials and additives
Safe silicone beads should use raw materials that meet national standards and must not contain substances that are harmful to the human body. Any additives used in the production process should be food grade or medical grade, and harmful fillers and plasticizers should not be used. For example, high-quality silicone beads are mainly composed of high-molecular polysiloxanes, and it should be ensured that the product does not contain harmful additives such as heavy metals and plasticizers. You can learn about the raw materials and additives of silicone beads by checking the product description or consulting the merchant. If the merchant cannot provide relevant information or is vague, then the safety of the product may be questionable.
Choose regular channels to buy
When buying silicone beads, choose regular channels, such as brand official stores, authorized platforms, etc. Regular channels not only have guaranteed after-sales service, but also can avoid buying fakes. Stay away from small shops without any products, WeChat merchants, etc. The silicone beads sold in these channels may have simple packaging, vague details pages, and customer service avoiding material issues, which poses a greater quality risk. For example, a platform has exposed a case of short circuit in the battery of counterfeit goods, which was caused by consumers buying products through irregular channels. When choosing a purchase channel, you can also check the product reviews, focusing on the "material feel" and "user experience" rather than the simple appearance. Real user feedback can help us clear mines.
Choosing safe and non-toxic silicone beads requires us to consider comprehensively from multiple aspects. By checking product logos and certifications, observing appearance and texture, smelling odors, understanding raw materials and additives, and choosing regular channels to buy, we can increase the chances of choosing safe and non-toxic silicone beads and protect the health of ourselves and our families.