Boots have launched the UK's largest bleach-free period care brand in the capital.
It comes as it was announced the retailer changed its menstrual product signage from “feminine hygiene and care” to “period products” in a bid to help tackle the stigma associated with periods being “dirty” as well as to make it more inclusive for those who may still have a period but not identify as a woman.
Launching into the market with the slogan 'There’s no such thing as normal', Boots’ first B-Corp certified bleach-free and plastic-free period care brand &SISTERS is hitting the shelves with their gynaecologist-approved organic cotton pads and tampons.
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It is said that over a person's lifetime, over 11,000 mainstream disposable period products end up in landfill, which can take as much as 500 years, and in some cases, 800, to biodegrade. This compares to just 18 months with the new &SISTERS brand, who pride themselves in being a sustainable option.
Shoppers in Edinburgh can now purchase the period products at their local Boots store, with its founder saying they were "delighted" to be able to bring the product to the capital.
&SISTERS Co-Founder Lucy said: "We are delighted to bring our products to Edinburgh as part of our mission to start a menstrual health revolution, which starts with taking a good look at the products we use but also how we talk about menstrual health. We believe there is no such thing as a 'normal period.' We all have different bodies and rhythms and I am sure there is no one who can tell me what a 'regular' or 'super-plus' blood flow is, so we talk about light, medium and heavy flows and never assume everyone’s cycles are monthly.”
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Lucy continued: "More seriously, we rally against the idea of 'feminine hygiene' or 'sanitary' products which suggest periods are something unhygienic and not to be talked about. The UK has the biggest gender health gap in the G20 and the deafening silence on the topic is definitely not helping! We need to be able to talk to each other about everything from period pain to itchy vaginas."
The founder added that some period products may be "bleached white with chemicals that are known to irritate the skin, disrupt vaginal natural pH levels and increase susceptibility to gynaecological infections. In addition to bleach, scientists have found fragrances, pesticides, fertilisers and up to 95 per cent plastic in mainstream products."
&SISTERS new partnership with the health and beauty retailer will help more people to access safe and healthy period care products that don’t pollute their bodies or our planet. You can now find &SISTERS in larger Boots stores and online, with their range of organic cotton light, medium & heavy flow organic pads and tampons.
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