When it comes to what we put on our skin, we tend to carefully choose products with clean, healthy, wholesome ingredients. After all, who wants all kinds of chemicals and who-knows-what-else on our face?

Yet when it comes to our pads, pantyliners and tampons, it seems to be a case of “out of sight, out of mind”, and we just grab the cheapest brand or the one we saw in a commercial. Shouldn't we know exactly what is coming into contact with one of the most intimate areas of our body?

We hear about menstrual products made with “100% certified organic cotton” as being highly recommended, but does it really make a difference whether you use 'organic' cotton vs just 'normal' cotton? Is it worth making the switch?

1. HOW IT FEELS

One of the number one reasons women swear by organic cotton is because of how super soft it feels! Period week is already the most uncomfortable time of the month, so wouldn't it be nice if your period products provided you with a soft and comfortable experience? Conventional cotton is machine milled and processed, thus the purity of the cotton cannot be maintained. Organic cotton, however, is often handpicked, and provides all the superb softness that pure quality cotton is supposed to give.

2. HOW IT FUNCTIONS

Pads pretty much have one job. So you'd at least want them to do it well. How many times have you had a pad stick to your skin, had the cover completely torn, or the pad shredded up by the end of the day? With an organic cotton cover, your pad will stay exactly as it should be, and in one piece!

3. HOW IT PROTECTS

Many pads are covered with a netted or plastic cover. These materials are abrasive on our skin, and this can cause irritation, rashes, or even chafing against our inner thighs or intimate areas. On the other hand, organic cotton pads are soft and non-abrasive, protecting your skin from harm. Organically produced cotton is also free of allergens, meaning no allergies, irritation or itching when used, especially if you have sensitive skin.

4. HOW IT'S MADE

Unfortunately, conventional cotton farming even today still utilises a staggering amount of pesticides, fertilisers, bleaches and dyes throughout the farming and production processes. All these additional chemicals contaminate the cotton, and are then passed on to us as users. But when it comes to such intimate areas of our body, the less chemicals the better! Organic cotton farming utilises natural, biological methods that do not introduce toxic chemicals to the cotton. Certified organic cotton has to pass stringent criteria in the areas of quality, sustainability, environmental and others before they can be certified. For example, Rael's cotton pads, panty liners and tampons with BPA-free applicator are certified organic by USDA, OCS 100 Organic Content Standard and FDA-registered. These certifications are important for your peace of mind knowing what you're using!

5. HOW IT BENEFITS

Organic cotton farming is also the way to go when it comes to fair and ethical trade. In contrast with conventional means, organic cotton farming methods do not introduce harmful contaminants that affect other farms, animals, the air we breathe or the water we drink. Organic cotton farming also uses way less water in farming and production (did you know that traditionally it takes 2,700 litres of water to make one cotton T-shirt?), and the certification and fair trade programmes ensure that farmers get a fair wage and safe working environments, and prevent problems like child labour and inhumane treatment. Finally, organic cotton biodegrades naturally with time, and won't add to the growing heap of trash on Earth. If making a difference is important to you, then it's definitely time to make the switch to 100% certified organic cotton!

Get behind Rael's mission to empower women to make safe and healthy choices for their bodies, and make the switch to their 100% certified organic cotton feminine products today!