{Guys…especially those of you who know me…you might want to skip this one.  This one’s for the ladies. 🙂 }

Do you know what’s in your feminine products?  I doubt it.  Most of us don’t.  But the answers might shock you.  Dioxins (side effects from oxygen bleaching, known to be carcinogenic), petrochemicals, pesticide and fertilizer residues, heavy-metal-laden azo dyes, latex…all of these are “ingredients” often found in typical feminine hygiene products.  And we don’t know, because they aren’t required to tell us what’s in them.  (If you have a latex allergy, good luck.)

As a mom with three daughters, this matters to me!  Many toxins can be absorbed through our skin – especially through the very delicate skin found in these more sensitive areas.  And given how many pads and/or tampons the average woman will go through in her lifetime…well, these can really add up!  There are non-disposable options for those who are comfortable with that.  But many of us prefer the convenience and simplicity of just using it and discarding it, rather than having to wash one more thing.

Natracare

That’s why Natracare exists.  They provide disposable feminine products made with safe materials, and they fully disclose what’s in them.  (Also, there is never any latex.  So if you have a latex allergy…well, you “do the math.”)

They sent me a small selection to try, and I must say I am impressed.  I found the pads a little awkward to remove from the backings/packets.  The way the edges are sealed shut, they tended to “hang up” about halfway and give me some trouble.  But beyond that, they were pretty good.  They adhered well and absorbed well.  (Those are the important things, right?)

I also found them less irritating than “regular” brands.  If I use a regular pantyliner for several consecutive days, I tend to get to feeling a little “raw.”  With these, I did not find that to be an issue.  (No pun intended – sorry!)

Their wet wipes have a very light, refreshing, natural-type scent – a nice change from the heavy chemical fragrances in most products like this.

Where to Find Them

I look forward to the day when these products are available at places like Target.  We’re not quite there yet.  But they aren’t as hard to find as you might think.  They’re available in some widespread retailers like Whole Foods, Wegmans, and HEB, and at online retailers like Amazon.  (They might be available at a smaller, local-to-you health food store, drugstore, or supermarket, too.)

What “ingredient” most concerns you, in feminine hygiene products like this?