When I first decided to write this blog post, I thought it was going to be a fairly simple and easy comparison of my top 5 organic and sustainable feminine hygiene companies.
5 hours and what felt like 600 computer tabs later, I realized all was not as it first seemed. I was also left wondering if it was weird that I had been staring at pads and tampons for hours on end.
Feminine hygiene options have expanded massively. It’s exciting to see how many women-owned and women-run companies there are seeking to bring us ladies an easier, better and more modern experience to our monthly cycles. And who better to create these products than women?
Am I right, or am I right?
I have mostly always worn pads. On necessary occasion, I have used tampons, however I’ve just never been a fan of sticking things up there that aren’t naturally supposed to be there.
One of my original concerns with tampons was that fibers get left in the vagina and, with so many toxins and chemicals in conventional tampons, these fibers continue to leach chemicals into the bloodstream.
The last (and probably biggest reason for my tampon-phobia), I have never trusted myself to remember how many hours it’s been and TSS has always freaked me out. On the rare occasion I have worn one, I make a note of the time, to the minute!
The Problem with Conventional
I grew up using Always pads. I liked how absorbent and cool looking they were, especially the newer ones with gel in the core. Little did I know that this was a company (and an industry) full of toxic ingredients that they are not required to disclose.
According to a scientific study on feminine hygiene products by Women’s Voices for the Earth, test results show dioxins, furans and pesticide residue in tampons and pads. These have been linked to cancer, endocrine disruption and reproductive harm.
Specifically in testing, Always pads and pantyliners were found to contain several chemicals of concern:
Styrene: carcinogen
Chloromethane: reproductive toxicant
Chloroethane: carcinogen
Chloroform: carcinogen, reporductive toxicant, neurotoxin
Acetone: irritant
Glyphosate (round-up): carcinogen
what the heck?!
I originally switched to organic cotton pads when I discovered that bleach was used in conventional pads. I found I experienced less cramping and pain when I wore organic pads compared to conventional pads.
It wasn’t until later that I discovered why this was likely to be the case and more of the horrifying chemicals that were allowed to be used in conventional feminine hygiene products.
As a person who always reads ingredient labels, I thought it was weird that there was never an ingredients label on pads or tampons. Now I understand why.
Natural & Sustainable Options
On my journey I have discovered some of the alternative products to the traditional pads and tampons – reusable pads, menstrual cups and I have even tried period underwear (more on that another time). I haven’t committed to the reusable pad life yet and although menstrual cups are probably the most sustainable option, I haven’t gone that route for two reasons:
1. most are made of silicone, which is still a form of plastic. The idea of a plastic sitting inside me, however “safe”, still bothers me.
2. The idea of a miniature bowl collecting my blood still freaks me out too. The practicality of changing it in a public restroom and keeping it sanitary and my clothes blood spattered free gives me slight anxiety.
Top 5 Feminine Hygiene Companies
So this is a post about the companies producing the purest and most sustainable traditional methods – pads and tampons.
I signed up for my first subscription company about 2 years ago (not one listed in this post). I loved it but ended up canceling after about a year because I realized that the pads they were sending me were the same pads I could buy at the store for cheaper. The convenience wasn’t worth the extra dollars. I recently tried another one and noticed their packaging was more eco-friendly.
This got me thinking. I wonder how these feminine hygiene products compare?
Which one is the best value for money, with the purest, most natural ingredients and with the most sustainable, eco-friendly packaging?
So began my quest.
I have tried all of these companies and paid for their products. None of them gave me product in exchange for anything and I am not receiving anything in return either. Some of the links are affiliate links so if you make a purchase through it, I may receive a small commission, but my reviews and opinions are all my own honest thoughts and experiences.
Cora
Started by Molly and Morgen, a husband and wife team who set out to “solve the problems surrounding women’s periods” regarding accessibility and purity. Organic tampons and cleaner period products are designed in California with materials sourced in USA and made in the USA.
Products
Pads, tampons (applicator and applicator free), bladder pads, some merchandise.
Ingredients
Tampons are made with only 100% organic cotton that is GOTS certified, ensuring the cotton is pure, sourced ethically, without chemical pesticides, forced labor, child labor or unfair wages.
All products are free of the 20 top chemicals found in typical menstrual pads – rayon, polyester, fragrances, deodorants, artificial dyes, phtalates, chlorine, chlorine dioxide processing, ethanolamin, diethylhexyl adipate, acetophenone, styrene, chloromethane, chloroethane, chloroform, acetone, toxic adhesives.
However, their pads are not 100% organic and not 100% cotton.
They contain polypropylene, a type of heat resistant plastic. It is considered the safest plastic that is unlikely to leach even when exposed to warm or hot temperatures and has been approved for use with food and beverage storage.
They also contain SAP (superabsorbant polymers) which can absorb up to 30x it’s weight in liquid.
SAP is a petroleum based material and is not biodegradable. They state they use these for better absorbent qualities. Many conventional brands use SAP.
I asked for a full ingredient list as there isn’t one on their website, but I have yet to receive a response.
Price
Pads and tampons:
8 / month = $6
12 / month = $11
18 / month = $13
24 / month = $16
Pay every 3 months or yearly (saving a $1/month or 8%)
Change or cancel anytime. You can try a free trial here
Customization
By marking the type of period you have, you have the option to receive all regular, all overnight or a mix of both.
You also have an option to add a few add on products for an additional $2. For those additional $2, you can add any of the following: 6 panty liners, 6 individually wrapped body cloths, or a body cloth pouch which contains 10.
For your first month with Cora, you get a free “signature kit” which includes a stylish black storage box and a vegan leather clutch perfect for taking your products on the go in sleek way.
Packaging
As their packaging materials are not listed clearly on their website or FAQ section, I contacted them twice asking what materials they use and am still awaiting a response.
Giving Back
With every purchase, a months supply of pads and health education are given to a girl in need. Currently Cora is partnered with organizations and non-profits in Kenya, India and the US.
BONUS: in many states, feminine hygiene products are still taxed as a luxury item. Cora pays the sales tax on all products sold through their website for all their customers because they don’t believe we should have to!
Lola
Reproductive care for women, by women. Period and sexual health products. Co-founded by two women Jordana and Alex, who set out to create a brand of adult-looking, 100% organic cotton period products that are delivered conveniently to your door when you need them. All products are made in Europe and packed in the US.
Products
Period needs
Tampons with plastic and cardboard applicator options
Applicator free tampons
Pads ultra thin with wings
Liners
First period kit
Cramp care essential oil blend and daily multivitamin
Sex needs
Condoms
Lubricant
Cleansing wipes
Sexual wellness kit with a guide.
Ingredients
Tampons and pads are 100% organic cotton
Waterproof backing for pads and liners: plant based with non toxic adhesive
Free of synthetic fibers, fragrance, deodorant, dyes, chlorine bleach, latex, parabens, formaldehyde
Price
Pads
1 box of 12 = $9
2 boxes = $18
3 boxes = $27
Tampons (bpa free plastic applicator)
1 box of 18 = $10
Tampons (cardboard applicator)
1 box of 18 = $8
Tampons (non-applicator)
1 box of 18 = $9
Free shipping. Use code FIRST15 for 15% off your first order. Click here to get $5 subscription credit.
Customization
You can customize your box for what ratio of products you want according to your flow. You can choose to have your subscription delivered every 4 or 8 weeks.
Packaging
Compact applicator and non-applicator tampons are wrapped in recyclable plastic (this is listed in their FAQ section). I reached out to them to find out the rest of the packaging materials and they responded promptly. Cardboard applicator tampons are wrapped in paper. Pads and liners are wrapped in a biofilm derived from cornstarch.
Giving Back
Lola partners with Support the Girls charity to donate feminine care products to low-income women and girls across the US. To date they have donated 100,00 to women in need.
L.
L. was founded by Talia Frenkel, a photojournalist who worked for the Red Cross and United Nations. Her coverage of women’s lack of access to reproductive rights inspired the start of L. Products are designed for women, by women from a team in San Francisco. Pads and liners are made in Europe and China. Tampons are made in Europe.
Products
Period needs
Tampons (bpa free plastic applicator)
Pads
Liners
Sex needs
Condoms
Ingredients
I reached out for a full ingredient list and am still awaiting a response.
Price
9 pads = $3.95
10 tampons = $4.95
20 liners = $3.95
Free shipping on all orders over $5.
Customization
You can customize your order with 1 or 2 products and they are delivered monthly.
Packaging
The packaging is made of environmentally friendly plastic (PET) that is recyclable. It is not made of recycled materials but they are recyclable (depending on local recycling codes).
Giving Back
L. believes “periods should only end sentences, not education and opportunity”. Every L. pad, tampon or liner that is bought, one is made accessible to a girl in need. L. works with over 3000 female entrepreneurs and has donated millions of products.
Kali
Founded by Jonna who recognized that women need period products like clockwork and yet often don’t have them when needed. Kali is also about empowering and educating women on the importance of what they put in their bodies.
Kali provides organic feminine hygiene products and partners with other natural wellness brands to provide curated boxes that include other wellness products. Cotton is sustainably sourced from India, Turkey and Tanzania. Tampons and pads manufacture in Spain and Slovenia and packaged in Florida.
Products
Tampons
Pads
Liners
Menstrual cup
Luxury pampering products from other natural wellness companies so you can curate a subscription box with more than just feminine hygiene products.
Ingredients
Pads 100% organic cotton. Waterproof backing: plant based with non-toxic adhesive.
Tampons 100% organic cotton with cardboard applicator or bpa free plastic applicator.
Free from chlorine bleach, deodorant, dyes, fragrance, synthetic fibers, latex, parabens and formaldehyde.
Price
Organic pad box:
20 regular pads + 5 night pads = $14
Organic tampon with plastic/cardboard applicator box:
32 regular tampons = $16
Box with luxury pampering products = $22.89
Comes with pads or tampons, pantyliners, wipettes and a luxury wellness product.
Customization
The regular pad or tampon boxes (no luxury product) are customizable. For an additional $2, you can add in 20 liners, 20 wipettes or 10 pads (if ordering tampons).
Packaging
I reached out to Kali for their packaging material information and they replied very quickly with a full list.
Cardboard applicator tampons are wrapped in biodegradable paper.
BPA-free plastic applicator tampons are wrapped in a bpa-free plastic.
Pads are wrapped in a biodegradable backsheet and wrapping foil. The bioplastic is made with starch (non-food grade maize).
Giving Back
Kali partners with I Support the Girls Charity to donate feminine hygiene products to homeless shelters throughout the US. They also partner with Girl Up, a United Nations Foundation’s adolescent girl campaign, to support the empowerment of girls worldwide.
Tampon Tribe
Started by a group of international women living in SoCal. “We are passionate about eliminating all of the crap that’s in everyday tampons and pads and bringing you delightfully organic products that don’t cost the earth“.
They also seem put a lot of weight on being sustainable and are “seriously against plastic“.
Products
Tampons
Pads
Liners
Menstrual cup
Other merchandise.
Ingredients
100% organic cotton, GOTS and ICEA certified
100% plastic free
Chlorine bleach and dioxin free
No glues, synthetics, perfumes, bleaches or dyes
Pads and liners have a biodegradable polymer for adhesion.
Price
10 pads = $10
16 tampons = $10
24 liners = $10
Menstrual cup = $39.99
Use code FRUITPRAYLOVE for 10% off your order here!
Customization
There is an option to customize a package that has exactly the products you want, in the quantity you want. Pads are $1 each, liners are 41 cents and tampons are 61 cents. Pause, change or cancel at any time.
Packaging
No plastic ever. The twist applicators are a biodegradable and compostable cardboard. All wrappers are paper.
First month subscription comes in a cute jute bag. Subsequent refill months arrive in recycled paper. Pads and liners are wrapped in a compostable starch film and a biodegradable polymer adhesive makes them stick.
The menstrual cup is vegan and totally silicone free. (This may tempt me to try a cup in the future!) It is made with the highest quality medical-grade safe TPE. This is used for medical devices due to it’s high level of purity – no latex, rubber, PVC or animal-derived materials. It is regulatory compliant for RoHS, REACH, FDA, Prop 65 and SVHC. TPE is also biocompatible and recyclable
Giving Back
For every monthly subscription bought, Tampon Tribe gives a day pack of feminine hygiene to homeless women on the streets of SoCal. Tampon Tribe also employs people who have not had the same access to education or opportunity.
Handy Chart
| Price | Purity | Sustainability | |
| Cora | 91c/pad or tampon Free shipping | Pads: some cotton, polypropylene and SAP Tampons: 100% organic cotton | Not yet received a response |
| Lola | 75c/pad, 55c/tampon (non-applicator, most expensive) Free shipping | Pads: 100% organic cotton, a plant based backing, and a nontoxic adhesive. Tampons: 100% organic cotton | Pads and liners wrapped in a biofilm derived from cornstarch. Tampons are wrapped in plastic or paper. |
| L. | 43c/pad, 49c/tampon Free shipping over $5 Under $5 is a $2.50 shipping fee | Have not yet received a response | Packaging is made of environmentally friendly plastic (PET) that is recyclable |
| Kali | 56c/pad, 50c/tampon Free shipping | Pads: 100% organic cotton, plant based backing, non toxic adhesive Tampons: 100%organic cotton | Pads are wrapped in biodegradable, non-food grade maize starch backsheet and wrapping foil. Tampons are wrapped in biodegradable paper or bpa-free plastic. |
| Tampon Tribe | $1/pad, 16c/tampon Free shipping | Pads: 100% organic cotton Tampons: 100% organic cotton | No plastic ever. Pads and liners wrapped in biodegradable and compostable potato starch film. First order arrives in a jute bag and subsequent orders in recycled paper. |
Conclusion
Which brand you choose will most likely be determined by your primary goal.
If you want to switch to a clean pad or tampon but save on $$$, L. might be the perfect fit since they’re the best value for money.
If you’re looking for a cool subscription company that still gives you cleaner products, Cora is sleek and stylish.
If you’re mostly concerned about the eco-friendly part, Tampon Tribe might be for you.
Which will you choose? What are the most important factors for you in making your choice?
Check out my instagram story highlights @fruitpraylove to see unpacking videos of these companies!
