Feminine hygiene should support your health, not compromise it.

Feminine hygiene is personal, and what we use matters. Most of us grow up using whatever brand is on the shelf—pads, tampons, wipes, washes—and don’t think twice about what’s actually in them. But the truth is, a lot of popular products are made with ingredients that don’t belong anywhere near such a sensitive area.

Why Clean Feminine Products Matter

Let’s start with the basics. The vaginal area is incredibly absorbent, which means anything that comes in contact with it can be absorbed directly into the body. That’s why it’s so important that feminine hygiene products are clean and low-tox. Unfortunately, many of them are anything but.

A lot of mainstream pads and tampons are made with synthetic fibers and bleached materials. Fragrance is often added to make them smell “fresh,” but that word alone can hide hundreds of chemicals, including hormone disruptors like phthalates. Some washes and sprays are even worse—stripping the area of natural protective bacteria and throwing off your pH balance in the process.

Let’s Talk About Plastic

Here’s something most people don’t realize: plastic is everywhere in these products. The top layer of pads (the part that touches your skin), the leak-proof backing, adhesive strips, and tampon applicators are often made with polyethylene and polypropylene—two common plastics that trap heat and moisture. Not great for airflow, and definitely not great for your skin.

If You’re Feeling Off, This Could Be Why

If you’ve ever felt itchy, irritated, or just “off” down there after using a product—it’s not just you. These ingredients can be the reason. And even if you haven’t noticed any symptoms, minimizing long-term exposure to low-grade toxins is still worth the switch.

Ingredients to Avoid

Some ingredients to watch out for in feminine hygiene products:

– Fragrance / Parfum – hidden chemicals, potential hormone disruptors
– Parabens – preservatives linked to hormone imbalance
– Phthalates – commonly used in fragrances, linked to reproductive harm
– Chlorine / Dioxins – used in bleaching, can leave behind toxic residues
– Triclosan – antimicrobial agent with hormone-disrupting potential
– Benzalkonium chloride – harsh disinfectant, irritating to skin
– Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) – harsh foaming agent, irritating
– Polyethylene / Polypropylene – plastics used in pads and tampons, trap heat and moisture

What to Do Instead

Start small. If you use tampons, try switching to an organic cotton brand without fragrance. If you’re using scented wipes or washes, swap them out for gentle, unscented alternatives—or skip them altogether. The vagina is self-cleaning. You don’t need a bunch of products to keep it healthy. Just support your body by using things that don’t get in its way.

Look for These Labels

When shopping for safer swaps, check for packaging that says:

– 100% organic cotton
– Fragrance-free
– No chlorine bleaching
– Gynecologist-tested or pH balanced (for washes, if you choose to use them)

Ready to Make the Switch?

If you’re ready to clean up your routine, I’ve linked a few I trust and use myself. SHOP SAFE SWAPS HERE

You don’t need a complete overhaul overnight. Just start paying attention. Make one change at a time. Your body will thank you—and so will your peace of mind.