The Best 10 Organic Cotton Tampons Brands & Reviews
Do you really need to use organic tampons? Just by looking at a conventional tampon it’d be hard to guess why they can be harmful. They’re just small pieces of cotton that absorb menstrual blood, correct? Well, there’s more to the story.
Conventional Tampon are Not as Safe as They Seem
When cotton is being grown, it requires the use of a lot of chemicals and pesticides to prevent pests from completely destroying it as it grows. Those chemicals remain even after the cotton’s been picked and processed into tampons. Conventional tampons are also bleached to get their white color, which produces dioxins as a byproduct.
Dioxin is a toxin that’s in the same family as Agent Orange, and it’s been shown to lead to immune system suppression and abnormal cell growth. It can also disrupt your hormonal and endocrine system and cause abnormal tissue growth inside the abdomen.
No Mandatory Safety Requirements
Did you know that the FDA doesn’t have any mandatory safety guidelines for the materials used to make tampons? They regulate the absorbency levels, but that’s about it. Also, tampon manufacturers don’t have to disclose the ingredients in their products, including any chemicals that are used during manufacturing.
Most tampons are made from non-cotton fibers like rayon, viscose and wood fluff pulp. They’re absorbent; however, they tend to shed inside of the body and leave potential bacteria-collecting havens behind, potentially increasing your risk of getting the dangerous bacterial infection known as toxic shock syndrome (TSS). Tampons that are 100 percent certified organic are made from tightly interlocked cotton fibers that don’t shed.
Organic cotton tampons may cost a bit more than conventional tampons. But taking into account that it can help to safeguard your health from potential toxins, the extra cost is worth it.
Where to Buy Organic Tampons?
There’s an abundance of organic and natural tampons on the market today. Here’s our list of the Top 10 Organic Tampons to make your search for a natural way to manage your menstrual cycle a little easier.
Natracare ® Organic Tampons
Natracare Tampons at a Glance:
- Are made from 100% organic cotton
- Are plastic free
- Don’t contain any rayon
- Don’t contain any chlorine
- Don’t shed, reducing the risk of bacterial infections
- Have a biodegradable cardboard applicator
- Also have applicator-free tampons
- Available in regular, super and super plus
- Tampons with applicator – Available
- Tampons without applicator – Available
Maxim ® Organic Tampons
Maxim Tampons at a Glance:
- Made from 100% certified organic cotton
- Are chlorine-free
- Have a cardboard applicator with rounded tip
- Applicator has finger grips to make it easier to use
- Also available in applicator-less version
- Uses recycled cardboard packaging
- Made by a family run company
- Tampons with applicator – Available
- Tampons without applicator – Available
Puristics ® Organic Tampons
Puristics Tampons at a Glance:
- Absorbent core made from 100% certified organic cotton
- Free of chemicals, rayon and synthetics
- Hypoallergenic and fragrance-free
- Not bleached with chlorine to make them dioxin free
- Cardboard applicator has a rounded tip for easy insertion
- Tampons with applicator – Available
- Tampons without applicator – Available
Organyc ® Organic Tampons
Organyc Tampons at a Glance:
- Are made from organic cotton
- Are wood-pulp free
- Don’t contain any synthetics
- Don’t contain any chlorine
- Are bleached with hydrogen peroxide
- Are completely biodegradable and compostable
- Affordable compared to other organic-tampon brands
- Tampons with applicator – Available
- Tampons without applicator – Available
Emerita ® Organic Tampons
Emerita Tampons at a Glance:
- Made from certified organic cotton
- Cleaned using chlorine-free methods
- Rayon-free and hypoallergenic
- Packaged in recycled materials that are printed with soy-based inks
- Inserted with a biodegradable applicator
- Available in a multipack that has all 3 absorbency levels
- Tampons with applicator – Available
- Tampons without applicator – N/A
Seventh Generation ® Organic Tampons
Seventh Generation Tampons at a Glance:
- Certified organic cotton
- Chlorine-free
- Biodegradable packaging, applicator and tampon
- Available in a range of absorbencies
- Can be bought with or without applicator
- String is coated with water-repellent wax
- Reasonably priced
- Tampons with applicator – Available
- Tampons without applicator – Available
TOTM ® Organic Tampons
TOTM Tampons at a Glance:
- Made from natural, certified organic cotton
- Tampons are 100% biodegradable
- Don’t contain any wood pulp
- Free of chemicals
- Cotton is non-GMO
- Offer a monthly delivery service
- Tampons with applicator – Available
- Tampons without applicator – Available
BON ® Organic Tampons
BON Tampons at a Glance:
- Made from 100 percent certified organic cotton
- Cleaned using chlorine-free methods
- Fragrance free
- Packaged in a biodegradable canister
- Can be sent to you monthly with a subscription service
- Don’t have applicators
- Tampons with applicator – N/A
- Tampons without applicator – Available
Honest ® Organic Tampons
Honest Co. Tampons at a Glance:
- Made from 100% certified organic cotton
- Has a plastic, plant-based applicator
- Designed to expand for comfort and leak-proofing
- String is woven in, not glued
- No fragrances or other chemicals
- Tampons with applicator – Available
- Tampons without applicator – Available
Veeda ® Organic Tampons
Veeda Tampons at a Glance:
- Are made from 100% cotton with no other ingredients.
- Are not organic
- Have an applicator that’s made from BPA-free plastic
- Come in a version without an applicator
- Are cleaned with oxygen, not chlorine
- Are tested to be free of pesticides, herbicides and dioxin
- Can lower your risk of TSS
- Tampons with applicator – Available
- Tampons without applicator – Available
How to Choose
Naturally, I recommend my top-rated brands, but when it comes to feminine hygiene products, it’s often a matter of trial and error. You need to try out the different brands to find the one that works the best for you and your body.
Other Options
If you’re interested in keeping chemicals away from and out of your body, using natural organic tampons is just one way to go, and at this website, we’re helping to make sense of the many options out there.
Menstrual cups are eco-friendly and so are reusable cloth pads. Period panties are a great alternative to disposable panty liners, and they also serve as a perfect backup against leaks no matter what kind of feminine hygiene you choose to use. The bottom line is you don’t have to buy conventional, chemical-laden menstrual products to have a comfortable and carefree period. Good luck and have fun on your search for the best products for your time of the month.
