How to have a cruelty-free period, best organic tampons and pads

Being able to find cruelty-free period necessities like organic tampons and other feminine care products shouldn’t be an added stress. Your time of the month can be pretty uncomfortable as it is.

Whether you’re a cup gal or you prefer pads and tampons, there’s a cruelty-free option for you!

And, I’ll also share some places to find cruelty-free tampons and pads that are made from organic materials.

So you can be toxin-free, too!

Wait, my tampons aren’t cruelty-free?

Afraid not, friend. It’s a sad truth that animal testing is used for tampons and pads.

From the Federal Drug Administration (FDA):

In accordance with the least burdensome provisions of the Act, FDA will rely upon well-designed bench and/or animal testing rather than requiring clinical studies for new devices unless there is a specific justification for asking for clinical information to support a determination of substantial equivalence. While, in general, clinical studies will not be needed for most menstrual tampons and pads, FDA may recommend that you collect clinical data for menstrual tampons (including applicators, if present) or pads with:
designs or material formulations¹⁰ dissimilar from designs or material formulations used in legally marketed devices of the same type
new technology, i.e., technology different from that used in legally marketed devices of the same type
indications for use dissimilar from legally marketed devices of the same type.

Unfortunately, our feminine care is one more thing we have to think about regarding animal cruelty. But fortunately for us, we have a lot of options to choose from.

I’ve rounded up some of the best options below. Or you can skip straight to the cruelty-free feminine care list

Pads and Tampons

Table of Contents

Blume

Blume offers cruelty-free and organic tampons as pads, as well as cruelty-free self-care items such as cramp oil, blemish cream, soaps, skincare, and deodorant.

It has been called the best organic period subscription box.

You can order items individually, or build a monthly period subscription box of the items you want. They will even include a chocolate bar!

Get $10 off your order at Blume here.

Cora

Cora makes vegan-friendly organic tampons. The coolest thing is that they started as a subscription service! Talk about a monthly box that’s actually useful. Now you can grab them online at Target as well.

My favorite thing about Cora is that for every month you have a box delivered, you’re also providing a month’s worth of pads to girls in need.

L.

L. Organic offers tampons, liners, and pads.

I’m not exaggerating when I say these are the best pads EVER. They’re comfy with a barely-there feel and are absorbent. Plus, look at that packaging!

They look good and feel good but the company is badass for more reasons than that. They were created when the founder, Talia Frenkel, saw there was a real problem with access to reproductive rights across the globe.

L. works with thousands of Lady Bosses in developing countries and provides them with a product every time you make a purchase.

Reusable Pads and Underwear

GladRags

The Leaping Bunny approved company is all about what’s good. Good for you, good for the planet, and good for your wallet. GladRags offer so many options!

If you’ve been toying with the idea of going the reusable route, check out their selection. They also have their own menstrual cup (more about that later!).

Thinx

I’ve never been more intrigued by a period product than I am with Thinx. Thinx provides period panties in different styles, all created for different flows.

Yes, its underwear that you have your period in. No pad or tampon required. How is this possible?!

You can get Thinx that hold ½ a tampons worth (you know for those random days when you ~thought~ you were done, but your body has different plans) all the way up to ones that hold two tampons worth.

Ruby Love

Ruby Love may be known for their period underwear and activewear, but have you seen their First Period Kits?

Inside the Ruby First Period Kit you get:

Period-Proof Teen Underwear
Pads
Ruby Love Discreet Carry Pouch
Make A Wish Grow-up Bracelet
Ruby Love Relaxing Sleep Mask
Cooling Eye Gel Mask
Warm Cozy Socks
Ruby Love Lip Ball Warming Gel Pad for Cramps
Ruby Love Stress Ball
Heart-Shaped Compact Mirror
Facial Essence Beauty Mask
Exfoliating Bath Sponge
Hair Elastics
Inspiration Notepad
Keepsake Satin Hygiene Pouch filled with hygiene essentials
Hand Sanitizer
Hygiene Wipes

It may be for teen girls having their first period, but you will probably want this, even if you are having 200th period!

Lunapads

Lunapads are sort of like a combination between Gladrags and Thinx. You can stock up on reusable pads, period undies, and the DivaCup all in one place.

What’s really awesome about Lunapads though is their philanthropic efforts. For every pad, pantiliner, kit, and DivaCup sold, a reusable pad is provided to a Ugandan student in need. Feel good. Do good.

Menstrual Cups

Lunette

If you like colors, Lunette is the cup for you. If you also like feeling good about the company you’re supporting, Lunette is the brand for you.

They’re doing so much good out there, from providing products to those in need, to working towards throwing out the embarrassment of being on your period.

XO Flo

This cup is from GladRags. The XO Flo is designed to hold more, feel better, and be easier to use. The creators of this cup put a lot of time into the design of this.

The rounded bottom makes collecting easier and the long, trimmable stem makes removal simple. The only downside is that they only offer one size of the XO Flo at the moment.

DivaCup

The DivaCup is probably the most well-known menstrual cup out there. Their mission is to provide sustainable and eco-friendly feminine care products to women.

The DivaCup and Diva Wash are plant-based and chemical-free!