Many of us use period care products or need to buy them for loved ones, but did you know that many commercial menstrual products can contain animal-derived ingredients (think fragrances and adhesives), and can be tested on animals?
Luckily, we certify a range of period care with the Vegan Trademark so you can choose products that are kinder to you, the planet and animals.
From pads and tampons to reusable alternatives and pain relief, check them out:
Pads and Tampons
DAME Tampons and Reusables
DAME makes periods positive for people and the planet. Did you know, they once put a photo of a customer dancing with her tampon string out on the side of 200 London buses? It was a world first!
DAME’s reusable period products including pads, dry bag, period pants and their menstrual cups are Vegan Trademark certified, along with their disposable organic cotton, biodegradable and plastic-free tampons. DAME believe everyone who bleeds deserves to feel comfortable and confident on their period. That’s why they’ve reimagined period products from the ground up and created comfortable, sustainable alternatives. They’re chemical-free, carbon negative, and come in stylish packaging that you’ll happily keep in plain sight. DAME is also a certified B Corp and Carbon Negative brand, and their cotton is GOTS certified. Shop on their website, or at Holland & Barrett, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Ocado, Boots, ASOS, Planet Organic and several independents.
&Sisters by Mooncup Pads, Tampons & Liners
&Sisters by Mooncup make period care with your body and the planet in mind. Check out their pads with wings, tampons, panty liners available on their website, Holland & Barrett and Boots.
Monthlies Organics Pads and Tampons
Monthlies Organics make plastic-free, recyclable and compostable cotton pads and tampons. All of their products are made in Spain, in a facility that uses hydroelectric power, ensuring their carbon footprint is kept as low as possible. They encourage you to 'Own Your Flow' by taking control of your period care with their 'Build A Box' feature. By only buying what you need, you’ll reduce your waste and decrease unnecessary costs.
Cheeky Pants Reusable Pads
Along with period pants, Cheeky Pants also offer reusable Cotton Cloth Pads – the first reusable pads to be registered with the Vegan Trademark! They’re available in various patterns and sizes including Liners, Day and Night/Maternity.
Period Cups
Period cups are another sustainable and reusable option and there’s no shortage of cups registered with the Vegan Trademark that are also taking part in some great initiatives!
Mooncup
The original silicone menstrual cup and Vegan Trademark certified since 2010! The Mooncup is now available for free in state schools and colleges in England as part of a wider initiative to tackle period poverty. Shop in two sizes at mooncup.co.uk, Holland & Barrett or Boots.
Dame
We’ve already mentioned their period cups but make sure you also check out the important work they’re doing to tackle period poverty.
Rubycup
Every Rubycup sold includes a donation of a cup to a person without access to safe period products. Available in two sizes and a range of colours at rubycup.com.
Hevea
Hevea’s Loop Cup, available in three sizes, is a new and innovative menstrual cup, developed based on cup users’ experiences and wishes for the ideal menstrual cup. It’s made of natural rubber; a vegan, plastic-free and biodegradable material which is flexible and soft, making it comfortable and healthy to use. The unique design makes for easy folding, insertion and removal, with the loop stem ensuring a good grip. The anti-suction is designed to make for ease of use with an IUD.
AllMatters Cup and Cleansers
AllMatters (formerly OrganiCup) uses its platform to elevate conversations about periods in a positive and factual way to help end stigma and taboo. They work with NGOs in developing and developed countries to ensure those in need have access to period products and receive menstrual health education. Shop their Menstrual Cup in three sizes, as well as their perfume-free Intimate Soap for both menstrual cup care and as a gentle intimate soap, at allmatters.com and Holland & Barrett.
Period Underwear
If you struggle with tampons, cups or vaginal sensitivities, or have just given birth, reusable period underwear may be a great option for you. We have several certified by The Vegan Society.
WUKA Period Pants
WUKA make period pants that can replace disposable period products, preventing over 200 tampons and pads from polluting oceans or going to landfill per person. They’re also working to help end period poverty by campaigning for the UK government to remove 'luxury' tax from ALL period products, regularly donating pants to those in need and lowering the price of their products. The pants have integrated absorbent and leakproof layers which hold your flow. Shop them at wuka.co.uk, Sainsbury's, Ocado, Planet Organic, Whole Foods and independent retailers. Vegan Society members get 10% off at WUKA – become a member today.
Cheeky Pants
Cheeky Pants’ reusable period pants come in range of styles, absorbencies, and sizes so you can just go with the flow. Pick a style or fill out their online questionnaire for a personalised recommendation from Team Cheeky. Their pants come in nine certified vegan styles from high-waist to low-rise, including Feeling Comfy, Pretty, Sassy, Fearless, Confident, Free, Cheeky, Sporty and Limitless. There’s certainly something to suit all moods!
DAME Period Pants
Dame has a range of period pants available, from high-waisted options to thongs. Check out the full range on their website.
&Sisters by Mooncup
Also adding to their great variety of menstrual products, &Sisters have reusable period pants in sizes XS-XL.
Stain Remover
Period stains can be stubborn and accidents are bound to happen at some stage. &Sisters by Mooncup have a handy remüvie™ blood, baby & bladder stain remover to help you tackle period stains and more on mattresses, clothes and carpets from accidental leaks and stains.
Vitamins, Pain Relief and Mood Lifters
VEG 1 Multivitamins
It’s always important to maintain your recommended vitamin levels, especially during this time of the month. VEG 1 is The Vegan Society’s daily vitamin supplement made for vegans and contains all the vitamins you need to be at your best – particularly during your cycle when you’re battling period cramps, tiredness and a whole host of other symptoms. With VEG 1 now packaged in a completely plastic-free container and at just £2.20 per month, it’s sustainable and cost effective. Buy them on our website or Etsy.
If the old hot water bottle trick doesn’t do it for you when tackling period cramps or you want something more convenient, here are some other suggestions:
Novomins Magnesium Gummies
You may want to add Novimins’ vegan Magnesium Gummies or Magnesium Sugar Free Gummies to your period care stash, too. Magnesium may help with cramping by relaxing the muscles, and adequate magnesium intake is thought to improve symptoms of other gynaecological issues such as PMS and endometriosis through both its effects on the smooth muscle of the uterus and on oestrogen metabolism. Magnesium is also paramount for nervous system and psychological function support, which can support mental health and mood during your cycle.
Hemptouch CBD Oil
CBD can help to ease menstrual cramps with its anti-inflammatory and natural body relaxing effects. Check out Hemptouch’s CBD Oil Gold in 300mg, 500mg, 1000mg, 1500mg and 3000mg or their CBD Peace & Harmony Spray. Make sure to understand and follow instructions carefully.
Chocolate
Whether it’s for lifting your mood, seeing to those period cravings or celebrating your body doing amazing things, there’s always room for chocolate! Here’s a small selection:
- LoveRaw Cre&m Wafer Bars
- Raw Halo Mylk & Hazelnut Truffle Centres
- Naturya Organic Hot Chocolate
- Booja Booja Truffles and Ice Cream
Is there a vegan period product you love that isn’t certified by us? Let your favourite brands know you’d love their products to be verified by us to help others shop vegan with ease and confidence! Get in touch and ask them to consider applying for the Vegan Trademark.
By Vegan Society Digital Content Officer, Nishat Rahman.
The views expressed by our bloggers are not necessarily the views of The Vegan Society.
