Green living has been a lifestyle for many people all over the world. It includes being green with what you eat, what you wear and even what transportation you take to work. But why stop there? The green revolution has also invaded feminine products through organic tampons.
But first, what is so wrong with regular tampons? There are always two sides to the argument when it comes to the issue of what’s the best feminine hygiene product, but the main point driving the use of organic tampons is that they are safer. Why is that?
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Tampons are basically made of cotton. They are used as an alternative to sanitary napkins when women have their periods. It can be assumed that organic tampons are harmless due to its natural composition. However, you may think twice if you know where the cotton came from and how it was grown.
Pesticides and herbicides are known to be sprayed on cotton crops. These harmful chemicals have been linked to cancer and hormonal changes. It also doesn’t help that there are a lot of genetically-engineered cotton crops which breed more bacteria resistant to antibiotics.
While there are claims that using regular tampons is not harmful, as the process of making them has changed, some are still skeptical and would rather switch to organic tampons to be safe. But just like regular tampons, there’s a series of considerations to be made before making a purchase.
HOW DO YOU CHOOSE THE RIGHT ORGANIC TAMPON?
Picking the right product involves knowing your period really well. Menstruation varies among women where bleeding can be short, long, heavy or light. This is where the absorbency rating system comes in to help you choose the right tampon for your flow. Here are the different grades and how much menstrual fluid each can hold:
- Junior – up to six grams
- Regular – between six to nine grams
- Super – between nine to 12 grams
- Super plus – between 12 to 15 grams (best for heavy days)
Another consideration is choosing a tampon with or without an applicator. There are products with cardboard applicators, which goes well with the green theme as they are friendlier for the environment. Then there are products with plastic applicators, which are easier to insert.
Choosing to purchase a tampon with an applicator or without an applicator is generally a matter of preference. However, women who have a retroverted uterus may be more comfortable using a non-applicator tampon, as it’s more comfortable and they can guide the product to its correct position.
TOP 10 ORGANIC TAMPONS
Now that you know the considerations when selecting the right product, it’s time to look at the top brands offering organic tampons.
1. Natracare Organic Tampons
Natracare has been producing organic and natural products since 1989. The company has won several awards for their solutions and is committed to providing products that won’t damage the environment. They only use organic and natural materials for their feminine and baby care products that have met the highest organic, environmental and biodegradable standards.
The company’s organic cotton tampon line is made of 100% organic cotton and is free of chlorine. Rayon, which is highly absorbent but tends to dry out the vagina’s mucous lining, is not involved in the making of Natracare’s organic tampons. Delivering on their promise to leave soft footprints on the earth, the company’s tampons use a cardboard applicator and are also biodegradable and compostable.
Natracare organic cotton tampons are available in applicator and applicator-free variants and come in regular, super and super plus sizes.
View more info and reviews on Amazon
2. Maxim Organic Tampons
Maxim provides tampons made with 100% certified organic, chlorine-free cotton that helps users feel soft, safe and natural. Using 100% cotton also limits the risk of irritation and reduces the exposure of the body to chemicals.
The tampons from Maxim are also free from chlorine and are available in applicator (has finger grips to make insertion easier) and applicator-free variants.
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3. Puristics Organic Tampons
Puristics uses 100% certified cotton for their tampons and promises they are free of chemicals, rayon and synthetics. With a soft-rounded tip, insertion of the product is made easy.
In addition, the fiber-locking security veil increases absorption but doesn’t let the fiber lose integrity. A withdrawal cord is also provided for easy removal. Just like other brands, their tampons are available with and without applicators.
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4. Organyc Hypoallergenic Organic Tampons
Organyc claims they are the first to offer a feminine hygiene product line made entirely out of 100% biodegradable and compostable organic cotton that has been bleached without the use of chlorine.
Organyc markets their tampons as hypoallergenic, and as such, they are best suited for women who have sensitive skin. Applicator and non-applicator variants are available.
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5. Seventh Generation Organic Tampons
Seventh Generation’s organic tampons are made from certified organic cotton, whitened without the use of chemicals containing chlorine, and don’t have any deodorants or fragrances added to them.
The company is also committed to the environment by packaging their product using biodegradable material. The company’s tampon line is available in different absorbencies and can be bought with or without an applicator.
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6. Emerita Organic Cotton Tampons
Just like the many other tampons on this list, Emerita’s product is made with 100% organic cotton that minimizes exposure to chemical risk. The tampons of Emerita are also free from rayon, perfume, chlorine and synthetics.
Emerita’s organic tampons also come with biodegradable cardboard applicators. Tampons are available in regular, super and super plus absorbencies.
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7. The Honest Company Organic Tampons
Founded by American actress Jessica Alba, the Honest Company is dedicated to ethical consumerism by producing non-toxic household products. The company’s organic tampon line is hypoallergenic, super absorbent and expands width-wise for a comfortable fit and better leak protection.
The company’s tampons are made with 100% GOTS certified organic cotton that comes with a bio-based plastic compact applicator.
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8. BON Certified Organic Tampons
BON Tampons are made from 100% organic cotton certified by GOTS. No chemical fertilizers, insecticides, fungicides or pesticides were used in the cotton. Also, the tampons have not been sprayed with fragrance nor were they bleached with harmful chemicals.
As a result, BON has created tampons that are completely natural and reduces the risk of toxic shock syndrome and its side effects.
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9. Jolie Organic Tampons
The organic tampons from Jolie are made from certified organic cotton and are hypoallergenic. They are naturally absorbent as well and expand width-wise for better protection against leaks.
With a dome-shaped tip, tampons from this brand are comfortable to insert. Also, the applicators are made of biodegradable cardboard.
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10. Veeda Natural All-Cotton Tampons
Veeda provides tampons made from 100% cotton and are guaranteed to have no chemicals, dyes or synthetics. As such, the products minimize irritation and other allergic reactions.
Although the tampons they offer have plastic applicators, they are BPA-free. The company’s tampons are also 100% biodegradable.
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WHICH ARE THE BEST ORGANIC TAMPONS?
The organic tampons listed here are just 10 of the best you can find online or in drugstores. Ten is still a rather large number in terms of choices, so if only the best were to be chosen, what would they be?
Best-Rated Organic Tampon: Natracare Organic Tampons
Apart from having the benefit of being around for quite some time, a number of users do rate Natracare’s products as one of the best they have ever tried. The cardboard applicator on the tampon is smooth and glides easily, making it comfortable to insert.
The company is also conscious about the effects of their products on the environment, which is why their tampons are biodegradable and compostable. Not only that, they chose a cardboard applicator knowing that the plastic variety contributes to marine pollution.
View more info and reviews on Amazon
Best Value Product: Seventh Generation Organic Tampons
The one thing that might prevent users from going for the organic brands is that they are more expensive than traditional tampons.
Natracare definitely costs more owing to the brand name being around for a long time and the quality of their products, but Seventh Generation’s organic tampons are also worth the try given it offers the same qualities as well as care for the environment but is more reasonably priced.
View more info and reviews on Amazon
Cheapest Option: Puristics Organic Tampon
Just because it costs less doesn’t mean it can’t offer what the expensive tampons can. Like other organic tampons on this list, the ones offered by Puristics is made from 100% certified organic cotton and is also free of synthetics, rayon and chemicals.
It is both hypoallergenic and fragrance-free. It also has a cardboard applicator that is easy to insert because of its rounded tip.
View more info and reviews on Amazon
FINAL THOUGHTS
With a lot more people opting for greener solutions to ease the burden on the environment, it’s no surprise that feminine hygiene products like tampons have offered eco-friendly solutions of their own. While you were presented with a list of the top organic tampons available in the market, your preference is what matters.
You can let your flow rate and preference for an applicator help you decide. After all, if you don’t like your experience with one brand, you’re free to choose another.