Go organic, period. We put 14 organic tampon brands to the test — 6 made the cut.
If you’re a tampon user, it’s estimated that you’ll go through about 11,000 of them in your lifetime — and many of these tampons contain hormone-disrupting chemicals, like phthalates, parabens, fragrance and dyes. What’s more, “the vaginal tissue is highly absorptive, so any chemicals in the tampons could be absorbed systemically,” says Dr. Victoria Scott, urologist and co-author of A Woman’s Guide to Her Pelvic Floor: What the F*@# Is Going On Down There?. The best organic tampons are made without these potentially harmful chemicals and carry certifications that ensure social and environmental responsibility.

Quick Overview

Best overall
Natracare Organic Cotton Tampons with Cardboard Applicator
More options
$12 at Amazon

Best applicator-free
Cora the Comfort Fit Tampon
$9+, depending on quantity at Cora

Best cardboard applicator
DeoDoc Cotton Tampons
$9 at DeoDoc

Best plastic applicator
Rael Organic Cotton Tampons
$10 at Rael

Most eco-friendly
Tampon Tribe Organic Tampons
$10 at Tampon Tribe
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To be clear, there hasn’t been much research on the safety of organic tampons versus conventional menstrual products. But Dr. Joan Alvarez, obstetrician-gynecologist and affiliated physician of HCA Florida Aventura Hospital, says, “Organic tampons have the potential benefits of having fewer chemicals, being eco-friendly (which make them generally biodegradable) and tend to reduce irritation as well as reduce risk of allergic reactions.”

Personally, as a certified functional and holistic nutritionist, I also like to go by the precautionary principle: Even if the science hasn’t been settled on something that’s potentially harmful, I prefer to avoid it anyway. According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), the average woman is already exposed to about 114 unique ingredients daily (with little to no regulation on safety), so I prefer to not add any more to my day.

Fortunately, due to an increasing interest in natural health, many companies are now offering organic tampons. To help you sort through them (and their marketing claims), I researched over two dozen period care companies, digging into their manufacturing process and certifications. I narrowed things down from there, testing tampons from 14 different brands over the course of two months. I also spoke with five experts — two ob-gyns and three urologists — to get their take on organic tampons and advice for choosing the best one for you. Ultimately, I chose six of the best organic tampons that stood out in terms of performance, comfort and environmental responsibility.