Think you know whats in your products? We doubt it.

Things You Think You Know (But Maybe Don’t)

Let’s play a quick game. No pressure, no grades — just a little ingredient awareness!

#1

All tampons are made out of cotton.

A. yes
B. no
C. HELL NO 😭

👉 Answer: C. HELL NO 😭

Here’s the thing:
While some tampons are made with cotton (and sometimes organic cotton), many are actually made from a blend of materials — commonly rayon, viscose, or other synthetic fibers designed for high absorbency and lower cost.

Translation: that “cottony soft” marketing language doesn’t always mean cotton.

Whether it's thew applicator tampons, or the non applicator tampons - Rif Care always uses pure, organic REAL cotton! None of that fake stuff.

Why this matters

Packaging can be… poetic.
Words like soft, pure, natural, and cottony create a vibe — but they don’t always tell you the full fiber story.

Because tampon packaging is small (and regulated differently than food labels), the material breakdown can be:

Hidden in fine print
Vaguely described
Or bundled into broader terms like “plant-based fibers”

So unless you flip the box and read closely, you might assume every tampon = cotton.
Spoiler: not the case.

Why brands use blends

There are a few reasons manufacturers mix fibers:

Absorbency performance (rayon absorbs really well although its full of chemicals)
Cost efficiency
Texture + expansion control
Manufacturing consistency

None of this automatically means “bad” — but it does mean consumers deserve clarity.

✨ Next time you’re in the aisle, try this:
Turn the box around and see if you can spot:

Fiber type (cotton, rayon, viscose, blend)
Applicator material (plastic, cardboard, plant-based)
Fragrance disclosure (yes, that’s a thing)

You might be surprised what you find.

#2

“100 billion nano-plastics can get shed into your uterus from tampon brands.”

A. yes
B. no
C. WTF?! 🤬

👉 Answer: C. WTF?! 🤬 (but let’s unpack it)

Research has found micro- and nano-plastics in many everyday products, including period care. Tampons themselves may not be “plastic,” but:

Plastic applicators
Synthetic fibers in the absorbent core of your period

…can all contribute to microplastic exposure.

Science is still evolving on how much transfers to the body and what it means long-term, but the bigger takeaway is this: period products are not automatically plastic-free just because they look soft and cottony.

#3

“The FDA banned Titanium Dioxide (a known carcinogen) in tampons.”

A. yes
B. no
C. They DGAF 🥴

👉 Answer: C They DGAF 🥴

Titanium dioxide has faced restrictions in some industries and regions (especially food in parts of Europe), but in period products the rules are… complicated.

It may still appear in certain products for whitening or opacity purposes, depending on formulation and regulatory interpretation.

Packaging rarely screams “contains whitening agents,” which is why ingredient transparency conversations keep growing in the menstrual space.

#4

“95% of tampons on store shelves contain bleach & harsh chemicals.”

A. yes
B. no
C. **clutches pearls!!**

👉 Answer: C. clutches pearls

Most conventional tampons undergo bleaching processes (often chlorine-free today, but still chemical processing). The purpose is:

Whitening
Fiber purification
Consistency in absorbency

This means the manufacturing journey is more dirty and industrial than the product suggests. And many people simply don’t realize bleaching is part of the process at all.

#5

“Vaginal irritation from tampons can occur because of sensitivity to synthetic materials, fragrances, or processing residues.”

A. yes
B. no
C. Is that why it burns? 🔥

👉 Answer: A. yes (and also C. for some people)

Irritation can happen for multiple reasons:

Fiber sensitivity (rayon or blends)
Fragrance or deodorizing additives
Residual processing agents
Dryness from high absorbency
Friction or improper sizing

Everyone’s body chemistry is different, so what feels fine for one person might feel drying or irritating for another.

The bigger takeaway

This isn’t about fear — it’s about informed choice.
Some people prefer cotton. Some don’t care. Some prioritize organic, plastic-free, or applicator materials instead.

But you can’t choose what you don’t know is there.

And honestly? Packaging should feel less like a guessing game and more like transparency.

If this quiz proved anything, it’s that menstrual packaging often communicates:
✨ softness
✨ purity
✨ simplicity

…but the supply chain behind the product can be layered and complex.

Which is why more shoppers are flipping boxes over and asking: