The 18 Best Organic Tampon Brands, Because Your Vagina Deserves It

Going organic is more common (not to mention easier) than ever and things like organic deodorants and organic lubes are becoming more and more popular. Among the list of things you can now swap for organic are, you guessed it, tampons! But just because you can essentially replace your whole bathroom shelf with organic-only products, should you? What exactly does it even mean for a tampon to be organic? Do organic tampons have any health benefits? Why would you want to choose an organic tampon over a non-organic tampon?

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Turns out, it’s somewhat contested. Even though tampons aren’t food and they just hang out in your bod for a few hours at a time, the vagina is a thin, mucous membrane and absorbs toxins and chemicals more easily than your hearty outer skin, says Michael Fitch, MD, a family medicine doctor who specializes in women’s health. For this reason, Dr. Fitch says, some women might prefer to use organic tampons to limit their exposure to non-organic things, like pesticides and dyes. While a lot of diseases are linked to toxic chemical exposure, it’s unclear how much toxins can actually be absorbed from tampons.

According to Jen Gunter, MD, a board-certified ob-gyn and resident internet gyno, the amount of “toxins” you could feasibly absorb from tampons is so negligible that it doesn’t matter. In a detailed post on her blog, Dr. Gunter explains that the toxin most people are concerned about in cotton is something called glyphosate, which exists in such trace amounts in tampons that “a lifetime of heavy tampon use doesn’t approach the amount allowed for one day of oral intake.”

“Toxins” aside, using organic tampons may also be a good option if you have recurrent vulvovaginitis or contact dermatitis with regular tampons, as Dr. Peace Nwegbo-Banks, a board certified OBGYN in Texas explains. Dr. Nwegbo-Banks also adds that “the chemical digoxin in non-organic tampons has been linked to endometriosis and other causes of pelvic pain,” so trying out organic tampons may offer some relief if you’ve otherwise been using non-organic versions. Dr. Vonne Jones, a board certified OBGYN in Houston, Texas, also says she sometimes recommends organic tampons for patients with recurring BV or yeast infections, as organic tampons can sometimes decrease the risk of a patient’s vaginal pH changing as much.

That said: if you prefer to use organic tampons, you do you! The main difference between organic options and other, store-bought options comes down to the material. As Dr. Fitch explains, a non-organic tampon is made from a mix of rayon and chlorine-bleached cotton (two things that are good at absorbing and holding onto blood). A truly organic tampon will use 100 percent cotton that hasn’t been exposed to pesticides or dyes.

And there’s an important distinction: the organic label doesn’t necessarily mean the tampons are totally free of all chemicals. Dr. Fitch explains that if you want to make sure your preferred brand is also dye-free (not just chlorine- and pesticide-free), research the product to see the materials used.

And of course, tampons still need to be changed every 4-6 hours, regardless of if they’re organic or non-organic. Just because they’re fancier doesn’t mean you’re no longer at risk for Toxic Shock Syndrome. TSS has more to do with how long you leave a tampon in and the absorbency level, not the materials it’s made from. This means if you have a heavier flow, Dr. Jones says it’s best to use a regular tampon and change it more often than to go for a super absorbency and to leave that in longer. And it sounds obvious, but make sure your tampons have been cleared by the FDA, as Dr. Tamika Cross, a board certified OBGYN in Texas says that’s one of the most important things to look for when choosing any tampon. Also good to keep in mind: stay away from scent in any tampon, as fragrance can be a culprit behind a changing vaginal pH, as Dr. Jones adds.

In the market for a great organic tampon? We’ve got you. Here’s our guide to some of the most popular organic tampon brands out there.

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1. Blume

Blume tampons may be newer, but they’re definitely worth keeping on your short list, especially because they are also FDA-approved (according to their packaging and site), which is one of the most important things to keep in mind when shopping for tampons according to Dr. Cross. You’d be surprised at how hard it is to find out if tampons are indeed FDA-approved, but Blume is very upfront about the fact that they are, which is good. The packaging of Blume tampons is 100% recyclable and the applicators feature a rounded tip for more comfy insertion. They’re also available on Amazon.

2. TOP (The Organic Project) Tampons

TOP, which stands for “The Organic Project”, has 100% organic tampons with biodegradable plant-based applicator (there’s also an option to buy them without an applicator at all.) Their packaging says these tampons are free of toxins, chemicals, synthetics, fragrances and dyes as well as produced within a sustainable and ethical process. There’s no FDA logo on the box, but the logo does appear on their site, so use with your own discretion.

3. Honey Pot

These tampons are made with 100% organic cotton and feature a bio-plastic applicator and are free of chlorine, pesticides, and fragrances. They’re also super popular, and have a pretty dang impressive 5-star rating over 87 reviews. Unfortch, they don’t seem to be FDA approved anywhere on the box or on their site.

4. My Box Shop

My Box Shop (I know) is a newer organic tampon company that manufactures their tampons in Slovenia (they do not seem to be FDA approved from their packaging or their Amazon page). Their tampons are made of 100% organic cotton, feature a BPA-free plastic applicator, and are free of fragrances and preservatives. They are also available without an applicator at all, if you prefer to go that route.

5. Tampax Pure Organic

Yep, you can probs find some organic tampons in your drugstore these days too. Tampax’s Pure Organic tampons are free of chlorine-bleaching, dyes, and fragrances. As a bonus, the applicator is also 90% plant-based, and the box is made of recycled materials. Each box of Tampax Pure purchased also means Tampax will donate one tampon to girls in need in the US through a variety of non-profit organizations.

6. Oi

Shop Now Oi Tampons, Walmart.com

If you want biodegradable applicators and biodegradable packaging, this is for you. These tampons are 100% certified organic, free of pesticides, dyes, chlorine bleaching, GMOs, and perfume. The applicators are cardboard, BUT, they’re rounded, so it’s not like the vending machine cardboard-toilet-paper tube nightmare you’re probs thinking of, when you hear “cardboard applicator”.

7. Sustain

Sustain’s tampons are also made from 100% certified organic cotton and feature applicators made from 90% plant-based plastic. They’re free of rayon, dyes, pesticides, fragrance, and petrochemical superabsorbents.

8. Emerita

These chlorine, rayon, and perfume free tampons come in a 32 count with 16 regular, eight super, and eight super plus options. They’ve also got a rounded cardboard applicator.

9. Puristics

Puristics are also made with 100% organic cotton that is chemical and bleach free. They also come with a rounded cardboard applicator that they claim is flushable, but flush at the risk of your own septic tank, because that is a headache with a plumber I for one, would not sign up for. Dr. Cross also recommends this brand.

10. CVS Brand Pure Cotton Tampons

Who says you need a name brand to have organic tampons? According to the info on CVS’s site, these tampons are also made of 100% cotton with an organic cotton core, without chlorine, bleach, or colorant. Another rounded cardboard applicator here because we can and should all do without plastic, honestly.

11. Lola

If you’re patient enough to wait for a subscription box, try Lola tampons. The build-your-own-box subscription makes these the most customizable on the market: you can specify how many light, medium, super, and super-plus tampons come in your pack, and decide how often each box of 18 comes in the mail. Lola’s products are made from 100 percent organic cotton (pssst, they also now carry gyno-approved lube, condoms, and *cramp meds*!). And for an added environmental boost, the applicators are made from BPA-free plastic (you can also choose applicator-free tampons). There are no synthetic fibers, chemical additives, or irritating fragrances or dyes to be found here. Dr. Jones also recommends this brand.

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12. Veeda All-Cotton Tampons

Shop Now Veeda Tampons, Walmart.com

Veeda’s tamps are, to quote, “lovingly crafted” from non-GMO cotton, without chemicals, synthetics, or dyes. These babies are applicator-free too, so you can feel good about using the absolute minimum amount of product needed to get by on your period.

13. o.b. Organic Tampons

Loved by reviewers on Amazon, the o.b. organic option also comes with an plant-based applicator, so everything about this tampon experience is ~all natural~. They’re good to use overnight (though you should still try and change them evert 4-8 hours) and the cotton is free from chlorine, fragrance, and dyes. Dr. Cross also recommends this brand.

14. Seventh Generation Organic Cotton Tampons

Seventh Generation might be available in your supermarket or pharmacy, so points there for convenience. These tampons use certified organic cotton, and have no fragrances, deodorants, or chlorine processing. The applicator is made with 95 percent plant-based materials and contains no BPA. Dr. Jones and Dr. Cross both recommend this brand.

15. L Organic

These chic tampons are more than just eye-candy: The tampons are made with certified-organic cotton, and is free of rayon, pesticides, fragrances, chlorine, and dyes. The applicators are BPA free and plant-based as well (though they don’t specify what percentage). Plus, for every sale of a feminine care product, the company will donate an organic pad to a girl in a developing country. You can also get them at Target IRL (because of course you can).

16. Natracare

These are the OG organic tampon. As the world’s first fully certified organic cotton tampons, Natracare knows what its doing. Their tampons are 100% cotton, perfume and chlorine free, and biodegradable. Sure, they might not be the cutest, but they’re a fan favorite (peep all those positive Amazon reviews) and relatively cheap if you buy in bulk online. Dr. Jones and Dr. Cross also both recommend this brand.

17. The Honest Company

Shop Now Honest Company Tampons, Honest.com

These hypoallergenic tampons are made with 100 percent certified organic cotton, and made without rayon, polyester, fragrances, deodorants or chlorine. The applicator is made of plant-derived materials as well.

18. Cora

These 100 percent certified organic tampons are non-GMO, and free of pesticides, chlorine, fragrance, and toxins. The applicator is fully recyclable and BPA-free as well. Plus, for every month’s supply of Cora sold, the company will provide a month’s supply of pads and health education to girls from India, Kenya, and the U.S.

19. Organyc

Shop Now Organyc Compact Tampons, Walmart.com

These tampons are made without chlorine bleach, latex, parabens, perfumes, dyes, or man-made materials. They are made of 100% organic cotton, and come with a 90% plant-based applicator.

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Sex & Relationships – Cosmopolitan
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