Vaginas can easily become irritated by harsh chemicals and synthetic materials. Mood swings and cramping are bad enough—who wants to add itching to the list? Instead of conventional tampons with all their additives, give organic tampons a go (er, flow).
Now, tampons in general aren’t our favorite period products in the world. In terms of safety and sustainability, menstrual cups and sustainable period underwear are our go-to low-impact alternatives. But we also understand people can’t always—or simply don’t want to—use them. You do you.
Regardless of which camp you fall into, we’ve rounded up our favorite options that are at least chemical-free, organic (backed by relevant certifications), and in most cases plastic-free too, of course.
Beyond these considerations, it’s worth noting that we’ll soon be using our new Brand Rating System to re-evaluate this list. This system includes an array of eco-related criteria, ranging from climate impact and ethical sourcing to supply chain transparency. To learn more about this new system, see here.
We independently research all featured brands and we ask them to confirm their claims. In many cases we personally review recommended products. This post contains affiliate links which means we may earn a commission if you buy something. Learn more here.
Some Super Organic Tampons To Get You Started
Cora’s tampons are both ICEA and GOTS-certified and their BPA-free applicators are being phased out in favor of plant-based applicators.
Or join the tribe of users that have switched to Tampon Tribe’s organic alternatives. With cardboard applicators, they’re free of not only plastic, but perfumes, chlorine, and dioxins, making them perfect for sensitive skin.
Index: Chemical-Free Tampons
- Natracare Jump to brand
- Cora Jump to brand
- LOLA Jump to brand
- Tampon Tribe Jump to brand
- L. Jump to brand
- Rael Jump to brand
- Daye Jump to brand
Natracare
Natracare’s Tampons
As the world’s first organic tampon creators, Natracare has had a lot of time to perfect the formula. Their tampons are made from GOTS-certified organic cotton that is processed in Turkey. As the tampon absorbs, it expands lengthwise for comfortable, regular to super+ coverage.
With easy-glide cardboard and BPA-free recycled plastic applicator options, their tampons are totally biodegradable, just like their eco-friendly baby wipes.
About Natracare
The Ethical Company Organisation have repeatedly ranked Natracare at the top of their table for menstrual products. Unlike many menstrual care companies, their completely chlorine-free process does not contaminate natural resources and many of their products are compostable.
Cora
Cora’s Tampons
We already know the organic period underwear from Cora can help you bleed easy, so we aren’t surprised that Cora’s tampons can, too.
Free from pesticides, dioxins, fragrances, and chlorine, their tampon core and string are both made from ICEA and GOTS-certified cotton.
Cora stocks both plastic applicator and applicator-free options in a range of absorbency levels, light to super absorbent. While we urge you to choose applicator-free, Cora organic tampons will soon feature plant-based applicators instead of the current BPA-free plastic ones. They’re also replacing their plastic wrappers with paper.
About Cora
Community is one of their cor(a) values. For each purchase, Cora provides body literacy resources to people in need in India, Kenya, and the USA. 10% of total profits are put towards ending period poverty and 75% of those to BIPOC communities.
LOLA
LOLA’s Tampons
Made with 100% organic cotton and a whole lot of lola-love, the gynecologist-approved tampons from LOLA feature clean ingredients and 360 leakproof technology. As the tampon absorbs, it expands in all directions for ultimate coverage of light to super+ flows.
All of LOLA’s tampons are fragrance, toxin, and dye-free and come housed in BPA-free plastic or cardboard applicators.
If your definition of zero waste means truly no waste, check out their non-applicator tampons (and these zero waste hand soaps while you’re at it, because applicator free insertion can get a bit messy).
About LOLA
Their formal charity, LOLA Gives Back, supplies tampons to women in need with every Lola purchase. The program has donated over 6 million menstrual products so far to organizations like Days for Girls and The Pad Project.
Tampon Tribe
Tampon Tribe’s Tampons
Tampon Tribe has a string (pun intended) of all-natural tampons we can’t wait to tell you about. Their FDA-approved products are made from GOTS-certified organic cotton that follows the European Eco-Bio standard, meaning you won’t find viscose, chlorine, fragrances, dioxins, or glue in their vegan and hypoallergenic blend.
All tampons—super plus, super, or regular—feature a specialty weave design not to leave behind unwanted fibers.
With a biodegradable cardboard applicator (complete with rounded comfort tip) and a natural jute bag, these healthy tampons are the perfect addition to any zero waste bathroom.
About Tampon Tribe
This woman and LGBTQ-owned business supports fair labor practices and is plastic-neutral—but better! Because they don’t use plastic at all, instead of collecting a pound of ocean plastic waste for every pound used, they collect a pound for every pound NOT used.
Their Give One Get One program donates day packs of feminine hygiene products to women experiencing homelessness.
L.
L.’s Tampons
When it comes to sustainability, L. tampons are a W in our book. They’re made from OEKO-TEX, OCS and Ecocert-certified cotton that’s free from chlorine, pesticides, rayon, fragrances, and dyes .
They do, however, contain some polyester to wick away moisture, as well a natural glycerin and paraffin wax coating for a smooth feeling. All ingredients are lab-tested for safety, but this means they’re not 100% organic cotton.
Absorbency levels range from 6 grams worth of light flow to a whopping 18 grams of flow.
With earthy branding and BPA-free plastic applicators, L. tampons are Mother Nature approved.
About L.
L, isn’t just for “loving your body”. It’s also for “lending a hand”. The L. Solidarity Program awards grants to projects around the world working to increase long-lasting access to period care and health education while decreasing period stigma.
Rael
Rael’s Tampons
Rael believes, “What we put into our bodies should be as clean as what comes out, and work as hard as we do.”
They have some of the best organic tampons for heavy flow folks, being made with leak-locker technology designed to expand widthwise for better, faster absorption of up to eight hours worth of menstrual fluid.
They come housed in a BPA-free plastic applicator or biodegradable cardboard applicator (we obviously recommend the latter) and individually wrapped in paper.
About Rael
Rael was designed for real people, regardless of their income, ethnicity, or gender. They work hard to make effective menstrual products to help bridge the gap between period poverty and menstrual dignity. They work with an organization that collects bras, underwear, and menstrual hygiene products and delivers them to people in need.
Daye
Daye’s Tampons
Daye’s non-toxic tampons have you covered day(e), and night.
Their mystical tampons are created from organic cotton with a no-shed protective sleeve and optional CBD coating. The medical-grade CBD coating is created from closed-loop hemp that harnesses the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of CBD oils.
Each box contains both Nude (non-CBD) regular tampons and super tampons and CBD-coated super tampons housed in renewable sugarcane applicators and individually wrapped in the world’s only flushable wrappers. They even come with a chic aluminum case and organic cotton storage pouch.
About Daye
Daye is committed to making their products as environmentally friendly as possible. The Carbon-Neutral business partners with Pachama to offset their carbon footprint and combat deforestation.
As Student Beans partners, they offer a 20% discount to college students, meaning students have more money to put toward tuition and sustainable school supplies.
Why Choose Chemical-Free Tampons?
Traditional tampons are made from a blend of rayon and cotton, both heavily absorbent (but not sustainable) materials Natural, conventional cotton used in traditional period products is grown using pesticides and has been dubbed the “dirtiest crop in the world”. Meanwhile, semi-synthetic rayon fabric is created using a number of chemical additives we don’t want anywhere near our privates. In the face of caustic soda, cramps don’t seem so bad…
These already chemical-laden ingredients are treated with even more chemicals during the manufacturing process, which usually involves adding chlorine bleach and fragrances. The toxic tampon is then housed in a plastic applicator that contains BPA, an endocrine disruptor linked to infertility.
Some chemicals that have been found in traditional tampons are dioxins, methylene chlorine, glyphosates, carbon disulfide, chloroform, styrene, and synthetic fragrances. Many of these are not just irritants, but are known carcinogens and reproductive toxins. Substances that are placed inside the vagina are absorbed by vaginal mucosa, and are able to pass almost directly to the bloodstream. Since tampons are worn for hours at a time, some of these chemicals get leached directly into the body.
The benefit of organic tampons made from chemical-free materials is that you simply aren’t exposing your body to these harmful chemicals.
Do they also reduce the risk of toxic shock syndrome (TSS) too?
Since TSS is caused by bacteria rather than chemicals, no. To reduce the chances of toxic shock syndrome, be sure to choose proper absorbency levels, change your tampons regularly, and wash your hands thoroughly.
