Veganuary is here and whether you’re swapping out your weekly meals with plant-based alternatives and giving the vegan lifestyle a go, or have been vegan for a while, it’s so important to remember that being vegan is about a lot more than deciding to switch to a lentil-based bolognese. Turns out, a lot of the products we use every day aren’t vegan. 

From makeup to skincare to our razors, avoiding non-vegan products in every aspect of your life can be a challenge. But did you know that your pads and tampons might not be vegan, too?

To help us get to the bottom of all things vegan menstrual care, we’ve teamed up with our friends at TOTM, creators of planet-friendly, vegan period care products. We asked them some of our burning questions about vegan menstrual care, and this is what they had to say.

Are all period care products vegan?

When it comes to period care products, not all are created equal despite it being an essential product for our health and wellbeing. On average, it is estimated that we use roughly 11,000 period products in our lifetime, making the decision to choose products that are good for our bodies, the environment, and animal welfare a pretty important one. However, with limited ingredient information available, it can be challenging to find ethical and transparent products.

At TOTM, we are super passionate about providing period care that is both good for your body and the world around you. We have gone through the necessary certifications to give you confidence in our products. Unfortunately, this can’t be said for many conventional or non-certified period care products, which may contain harmful chemicals and scents, making their origins murky. For example:

• Chlorine bleach
• Titanium dioxide
• Dyes, fragrance and artificial absorbents (SAP).

These ingredients can contribute to environmental waste and may have been tested on animals at some point in the process to discern the efficacy and absorbency of the product. And it's not just tampons; the story is the same for liners, pads, and pants. The fabric used in pads and liners may have been treated with animal by-products, but without official accreditation, there’s no guarantee.

How can I have a vegan period?

Choosing vegan period care products is a personal choice that can have a positive impact on the environment and animal welfare. As a sustainable brand, we believe ingredients should always be listed on the packaging so you can make an informed decision about what’s right for your body; So, we recommend looking for relevant certifications like the Vegan Society logo. To ensure your products are cruelty free, look for the PETA label. These certifications guarantee that you are using products that are beneficial to both you and animal welfare. 

You can also check the ingredients list using the INCI list, which is a valuable resource for decoding the technical and confusing language behind cosmetics ingredient lists. The Ethical Consumer is another useful resource, scoring the ethicality of items in various categories, not just period care. Plus, you can find brands like TOTM in their top 200 ethical businesses, so you know they've got your back! ;)

Every small step counts, and choosing ethical and sustainable period care products is one of the many ways we can contribute to a more sustainable and kinder world.

Where can I find vegan period care products?

You can find vegan period care products here at Unfabled, of course! We’ve created a collection of vegan menstrual care for you to peruse and find what works for you. From a range of cups to tampons, pads, and period pants, we’ve got something for you.