Green Product Review: Natracare Tampons & Pads
May 5, 2008 by Jennifer
The Natracare product line includes:
- Organic 100% Cotton Tampons with and without applicators – in varying absorbency.
- Natural Panty Liners in 3 styles
- Organic Cotton Feminine Wipes
- Natural Pads with and without Wings
The eco and health perks include:
- 100% certified organic cotton used in products
- Chemical and additive free (including chlorine free)
- Biodegradable
- The barrier part of the pads is made with “Bioplastic” created from plant cellulose.
- Contain only organic and natural ingredients
- Sourced from sound ecologically managed producers
- Recyclable packaging (including tampon wraps)
- Latex free
- Fragrance free
Additionally the company developed a Natracare School Program, aimed at 9 to 17 year olds, that discusses all things female in a healthy way that girls of this age can relate to.
Review:
Organic all cotton tampons, regular absorbency – frankly, a tampon is a tampon. At least so far as I can remember (I did use conventional as a teen). However, staying clear of chemicals and other baddies is a great benefit of this product. Comfort wise – please see a tampon is a tampon argument above – although, I suspect that by not introducing chemicals many women have more comfort with this product as they can avoid exposure to harmful fragrances and pesticides.
Tampons total score: 
Five out of five for being a good product that works well from a good company.
Pads - Honestly, I hate Nutracare pads. Size wise they’re fine; slim and comfortable. The biggest issue I have is they aren’t sticky (as in at all). I know that some of the glue-like materials in conventional products are bad for you, so I don’t recommend those, however, I’ve used natural pads that actually are sticky. The last thing you want is a pad somehow flying off your undies and out the public bathroom door (sorry folks, but it’s true).
I’ve used Natural Pads with wings and when I had my son the traditional pads. I used to buy these for trips over conventional, because they were the only organic pads at Wild Oats, but when Seventh Generation (who I’ll review later) came out with their pads, I quit buying Nutracare pads. Seriously, I wish I had one, because I’d make a video of me trying to stick one to a wall – I bet that it wouldn’t stick AT ALL – maybe for a second, but not long.
Pads total score:
One out of five little tree smiles for being better than conventional plus I like the company effort. Coming up, more organic toss away feminine products, also reviews of some reusable options.
[photo via Natracare]
I use there applicator free tampons and they work pretty well. I’ve had some issues with leaking that I never had with conventional tampons so I usually wear a cloth panty liner that I purchased on Etsy. They are made of really funky fabrics and since they are washable they are better for the environment.
Maybe your cycle has changed – gotten heavier – or not. Still, it’s better to use organic. Cloth options work well too – we’re going to have some reviews of cloth coming up.
I’ve just heard of something called the “Diva Cup” that works instead of tampons and can be worn for up to 12 hours. Do you happen to have any product reviews on it? It’s rather expensive ($30 I think) but imagine never having to use disposable products again!
Ok, I’m sorry I have to disagree here, a tampon is not a tampon. Some tampons expand long wise – Must have been thought up by a man – some sideways. Obviously if the fully expanded tampon is longer than you are, then they will be dang uncomfortable, to say nothing of the leakage. Also, some of us (me) have problems with applicators, not only because they aren’t biodegradable, but because we (I) can’t seem to insert without immense discomfort using them.
Off to check my natural foods coop for Natracare.
Well, a tampon is a tampon to me – but then I don’t use them often. They don’t seem as safe as pads for one. Also I’ve always had the world’s lightest cycles. It’s kind of hard to do perfect reviews on female products because we’re all so different.
At the end of my reviews (I’m going to do three more or so) I’ll add links to other people’s reviews of these products, to give a wider scope. Unless you’d like to do a review? Maybe I’ll put the word out that we’re looking and other women will submit some reviews to us.
@Joy I’ve never used the cup deal, because I can see me making a huge mess with something like that. I’ve heard great things about it though, and will find some reviews to link to.
Sadly the price on these as well as another brand of tampons in my area is crazy! $7.00 for a box of 20…no wonder more people dont go GREEN
The cup scares me and I wouldn’t know how to shove it up there!