• "Non-toxic" isn't a regulated term. It generally signals that a product is made without ingredients like chlorine, fragrance, dyes, or synthetic additives.

• The FDA classifies tampons as medical devices, and it’s helpful to know what you’re actually using on your body.

• Looking for organic cotton, elemental chlorine-free processing, and transparent ingredient lists is the most reliable way to make informed choices about your period care.

You've probably seen "non-toxic" on a period product label and wondered what that actually means. Generally speaking, “non-toxic” means your period products don’t contain anything harmful. 

Many mainstream pads and tampons are made with synthetic materials, artificial fragrances, and dyes, all of which can leave behind chemical residues that come into contact with some of the most sensitive skin on your body. Mainstream products are commonly made with rayon — and if they do use cotton, the cotton is usually grown with pesticides.

Truly non-toxic period products are made with clean, organic materials and are made without pesticides, fragrances, and dyes. 

Since you use period products for decades of your life, what they're made of matters. At Cora, our products are made with organic cotton and made without chlorine, fragrance, or dyes.

The FDA classifies tampons as Class II medical devices, which means manufacturers aren't currently required to disclose a full ingredient list on the label. 

A 2024 study published in Environment International found detectable levels of metals like lead and arsenic across 30 tampon products from major brands, and several states have since moved to restrict certain ingredients in period care.

A few things that can help you feel more confident about what you're choosing:

• Organic cotton: Grown without pesticides and gentle on sensitive skin.

• Elemental chlorine-free processing: Avoids dioxin byproducts that can come from bleaching.

• Fragrance-free: Synthetic fragrances can contain undisclosed chemicals that may cause irritation.

• Clear ingredient lists: Brands that use clear, understandable language to tell you what's in the product, and that use ingredients you recognize, are always a good sign.

Every Cora tampon, pad, and liner is made with organic cotton and is free from fragrances, dyes, and chlorine bleach. Because your cycle comes every month, and you deserve to feel good about what you're using every time.

Not exactly. "Non-toxic" is a general term that isn't regulated, while "organic" refers to how the raw materials (like cotton) were grown, without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. A product can be one, both, or neither.

Research is still evolving, and the presence of trace contaminants doesn't automatically mean a product is dangerous. But choosing products made with organic cotton and without unnecessary additives is one way to reduce your exposure to ingredients you might not want near sensitive skin.

Sources:

Menstrual Tampons and Pads: Information for Premarket Notification Submissions | FDA

Tampon Safety | National Center for Health Research

Congress Intensifies Tampon Safety Efforts and FDA Takes Steps to Respond | Mintz