The Short Answer
Lola is one of the cleanest tampon brands on the market. They use 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton, and unlike many competitors, they passed recent independent lab tests for both PFAS "forever chemicals" and heavy metals.
If you're looking for a safe, transparent period care option, Lola is a top-tier choice. Safest Tampon Brand
Why This Matters
In July 2024, a viral UC Berkeley study found toxic heavy metals like lead and arsenic in 100% of tested tampons. This included both conventional and premium organic brands. Are Tampons Toxic
While many companies stayed silent, Lola immediately commissioned third-party lab testing via SGS. By August 2024, they proved their products contained no detectable levels of lead, arsenic, cadmium, or mercury, and pledged to re-test every six months.
This transparency is incredibly rare in an industry known for hiding ingredients. Because vaginal tissue is highly absorbent, chemicals bypass the liver and enter the bloodstream directly. Are Tampons Safe
Conventional tampons often contain rayon, plastic derivatives, and pesticide residues. Switching to a verified clean brand like Lola drastically reduces your chemical burden. Are Organic Tampons Worth It
What's Actually In Lola Tampons
- 100% GOTS Certified Organic Cotton ā Lola uses pure organic cotton for both the tampon and the string, guaranteeing the material is grown without toxic synthetic pesticides. Are There Pesticides In Tampons
- BPA-Free Plastic (or Cardboard) ā The applicators are completely free from bisphenols and phthalates. They also offer a cardboard applicator for a zero-plastic period.
- Zero Fragrance or Dyes ā Lola strictly prohibits synthetic fragrances, which are known endocrine disruptors and a leading cause of vaginal irritation. Are Scented Tampons Bad
What to Look For
Green Flags:
- Third-party heavy metal testing ā The safest brands publish recent lab results proving they are free of lead and arsenic.
- GOTS Certification ā This ensures the cotton is genuinely organic and processed without toxic chemicals or unfair labor practices.
- PFAS-free verification ā Independent consumer testing should confirm there are no detectable forever chemicals.
Red Flags:
- Rayon blends ā Synthetic fibers increase absorbency but also elevate the risk of shedding microplastics into your body.
- "Fragrance" or "odor-control" ā These terms legally hide dozens of undisclosed synthetic chemicals.
- Titanium dioxide ā Often added to make tampons look whiter, this chemical is linked to cellular damage and is totally unnecessary for performance.
The Best Options
When it comes to organic tampons, transparency is everything.
| Brand | Product | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lola | Organic Cotton Tampons | ā | Passed independent lab tests for heavy metals and PFAS. |
| Natracare | Organic Tampons | ā | Compostable, zero plastic, and totally chlorine-free. Is Natracare Tampons Clean |
| Tampax | Pearl Tampons | š« | Contains rayon, synthetic dyes, and undisclosed fragrances. Is Tampax Safe |
The Bottom Line
1. Choose Lola for peace of mind. They are one of the few brands actively proving their tampons are heavy-metal-free.
2. Prioritize GOTS-certified cotton. This ensures you aren't inserting pesticide residue into highly absorbent tissue.
3. Skip the synthetic extras. You don't need dyes, fragrances, or rayon in your period products.
FAQ
Did Lola tampons test positive for heavy metals?
No, Lola tampons did not test positive for heavy metals. Following the 2024 UC Berkeley study, Lola released SGS third-party lab results showing non-detectable levels of lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury. They also pledged to re-test their products every six months to guarantee safety.
Do Lola tampons contain PFAS?
Lola is verified PFAS-free. In a 2022 consumer study by Mamavation, Lola tampons were sent to an EPA-certified lab and showed non-detectable levels of organic fluorine, the primary marker for forever chemicals.
Are Lola tampons bleached?
Lola tampons are totally chlorine-free (TCF). They do not use elemental chlorine gas to whiten their cotton, which effectively eliminates the risk of highly toxic dioxin exposure. Is There Dioxin In Tampons