*This is not a sponsored post. The claims written herein are my own thoughts due to interest and research. Please see my Disclosure page for more information*
Let's talk about that time of the month. Shall we? ... Yep, you guessed it. This post is about my period! lol... Here's the deal. Choosing the right brand of pads and liners can be a difficult, personal decision. Am I right?
I was loyal to a certain brand for always. But about five years ago I started noticing boil-like pimples along my bikini line. I researched reasons why these pimples were occurring. I wondered, was it my body wash? was I using too much detergent in my laundry? was it just my hormones? The main issue was that those pimples kept breaking out in the middle of my flow. They also only lasted a few days, so seemed to be more of a rash than a blemish. They were quite painful as every movement I made aggravated them.
After a few weeks of research, and some shocking facts, I learned that some materials in most pads and liners are generally known to be skin irritants. Oy! My natural journey has lead me to many disappointing aha moments. This was definitely one of them!
Since I refuse to wear tampons anymore, due to my concerns about toxic shock syndrome, I've tried a menstrual cup instead. I'll share my experience using that in another blog post. I only mention this now because I had previously considered giving up conventional feminine hygiene products altogether. Before I learned how bad these items were for our health, I was concerned about how bad they are for the environment. I thought a menstrual cup -something used for ages before industry, by the way- would help reduce my carbon footprint.
Initially, searching out alternatives to plastic/chemical filled feminine napkins, I came upon a few reusable brands. They have a variety of styles and cute patterns so I was totally convinced I should buy a handful and go back to my roots regarding feminine hygiene by using washable protective measures. But reusable brands are crazy expensive when you consider how many items you'll actually need during those 3-5 days.
I figured I should try to make my own liners and pads. I bought a simple, inexpensive sewing machine. And I stocked up on the accessories I'd need for the project. I invested in organic bamboo and cotton diaper making supplies. I read a bunch of blogs, and watched Youtube tutorials to learn how to make my own pads... But reusable pads require special cleaning. It's also yucky and hard to get my mind around reusing the same old rags...
In my google searches, I used the keywords cotton and natural, hoping to find a natural suitable brand of feminine products. But mostly links to diaper making supply companies came up. I guess DIY diapers are popular with parents these days... Interestingly, however, Kotex also popped up every time, with links to the brand's newest products. So I researched the ingredients in their liners and pads and I made an honest decision to switch to Kotex for a trial period. Below are images of the products I found to be most useful for me personally. You may prefer other sizes/absorbencies so check out the official site UbyKotex to find the right fit for you!
I stock up on these items at Walmart.ca. I keep them in my "auto-save" list so I receive a discount for having it delivered! Walmart already has the lowest price for these items and I can't find the jumbo packs anywhere else.
I'm happy to say that Kotex has met my expectations and keeps me comfortably protected during my menstrual cycle. The pimples have stopped occurring which solves the main issue that brought about this change! As a bonus, I also feel dryer than I did with other brands. And most importantly, the products do not stick to my skin because the top layer is made with a touch of cotton. Kotex has me covered so stains are virtually a thing of the past! If you're questioning your current brand of feminine hygiene care. I highly recommend you try Kotex brand's unique line.
A few pros are: less leakage and spotting. I rarely have accidents anymore! At night, because I'm a restless sleeper, my old brand couldn't keep up. I need a pad that will stay in place. Otherwise it's not doing it's job. When I sleep on my back, I need a pad that's long & absorbent enough to catch the leaks that gravity makes on the bedsheets.
A few cons are: not a hundred percent natural. They do have some plastic in them. Which means they are still adding to the landfills.
I challenge Kotex, or any brand responsible for the production of feminine hygiene products, to create a truly one hundred percent natural feminine pad, that is absorbent and durable, yet comfortable and biodegradable. In the meantime, I still have the supplies and patterns to DIY the issue at home if I choose to.
Would you try Kotex brand or do you already use their line? Have you tried any reusable brands yourself and would you recommend them? How about making your own... are you that much of a hippie? :)
Share your thoughts in the comments below. And pass this on to a friend!
OXO
Angélique
