10 Eco-Friendly and Organic Menstrual Products to Try
As more options for organic feminine products hit the shelves, try one of these brands promising their products are free of chemicals, pesticides, and allergens.
Photo via Getty Images
When it comes to health, there tends to be a specific focus on what we put in and on our body—from the food and drinks we consume to what we put on our skin. But when was the last time you thought about what tampons and pads you were using?
People who menstruate use them all the time, but only recently has there been an increased awareness of what tampons and pads are made out of. Most companies do not have to disclose what’s in their products. Luckily, states are taking action. New York recently became the first state to pass a bill to mandate ingredient lists for tampons.
Regular sanitary products are made out of rayon and/or non-organic cotton and bleached with chlorine, whereas organic sanitary products are made from 100% organic cotton and bleached with peroxide. The FDA requires that sanitary product companies measure the amount of dioxin in their products to keep them within safe levels, since it’s a potential carcinogen, and it’s a byproduct that’s created when products are bleached with chlorine.
The majority of organic menstrual products claim to be free from harmful chemicals, pesticides, and allergens. Many are also eco-friendly, not only benefitting you, but also the planet.
If you’re looking to give organic menstrual products a try, look no further than these brands.
Photo via TOP: The Organic Project
1. TOP: The Organic Project
This Duxbury-based company aims to bring awareness to organic period products. Their products include organic tampons and pads, as well as pouches to hold your products and are included in the Penny Pack, which is aimed at empowering young girls when they first start menstruating.
Photo via Lunapads
2. Lunapads
Lunapads are a great eco-friendly option because they’re reusable, which also saves you money each month. These pads are made out of 100% organic cotton and can be easily washed in the washing machine. They also come in a variety of absorbency levels, depending on how heavy your flow is.
Photo via Amazon
3. O.B. Organic Tampons
A customer favorite on Amazon, these tampons are 100% organic, fragrance, and dye-free. The applicator is also 92% plant-based and made from renewable sources.
Photo via Lola
4. Lola
If you prefer to get your tampons delivered by mail, Lola is the brand for you. Choose from three types of tampons and two types of pads and choose a subscription frequency that fits you best. LOLA also makes other products you can add to your subscription, such as cleansing wipes and condoms.
Photo via Amazon
5. Organyc
If you have sensitive skin, and are prone to allergies, this company has a hypoallergenic pad option. Users on Amazon repeatedly tout that this one of the best brands for non-irritating pads. They’re also 100% biodegradable.
Photo via Target
6. L. Organic Cotton Tampons
These tampons, found at Target, are made with 100% organic cotton and contain no pesticides, fragrances, or dyes. They’re also compact in size and come in stylish wrappers, and an aesthetically pleasing box.
Photo via Amazon
7. Oi Certified Organic Tampons
Both the cardboard applicators and the box the tampons come in are biodegradable. Each tampon has a “twist-to-unlock” applicator for hygiene and has a tapered tip for easy insertion.
Photo via We Are Dame
8. Dame Reusable Tampon Applicator
Made from medical grade Sanipolymers, which is a biocompatible technology to make plastic antimicrobial, this reusable tampon applicator is easy to use and hygienic. Not to mention, each one purchased replaces about 12,000 disposable applicators, and can be used with any applicator-free tampon of choice.
Photo via Amazon
9. The DivaCup
Menstrual cups are a great cost-effective and eco-friendly option. Developed in 2003, the DivaCup is flexible and easy to insert. It comes in three different models, depending on your age, as well as a cleanser to protect the material of the cup and the pH balance of your body.
Photo via Thinx
10. Thinx Period Panties
With the look and feel of regular underwear, these panties hold up to four tampons’ worth of menstrual fluid, and are a more sustainable solution than single-use products. Thinx come in a variety of styles like hip-huggers and thongs that are made with a super-absorbent fabric tailor-made to light, medium, or heavy flows.
