A Pro Talks Period Products 101 (Win!)

The period product industry is experiencing rapid growth, with a significant portion of this growth coming from Canadian brands. While the increasing variety of period products provides more choices for menstruators to better meet their needs, many of the current standards lack the necessary health and environmental support that is long overdue. Most notably:

• nearly half of pads and nearly a quarter of tampons contain PFAS (aka forever chemicals) 
• pads are roughly 90% plastic and have the highest environmental impact of all period products
• Roughly 80% of tampons and 20% of pads are flushed down toilets, contributing microplastics into oceans  

We chatted with Sara Jónsdóttir, CEO and founder of Revol Cares, which is the only period underwear on the market to be medically recognized and accredited by the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, to learn more. —Noa Nichol

Revol Cares stands out as the only period underwear medically recognized and accredited by the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Can you share the journey and challenges you faced in achieving this accreditation?

Our journey for medical recognition began over three years ago. We noticed a lot of toxicity issues in the period underwear industry and wanted to create a product that was completely safe for menstruators. 

As a brand, we have set incredibly high standards for ourselves when it comes to the safety and effectiveness of our products. We’ve always worked with suppliers that meet our standards, but we take it a step further by testing our raw materials both before production and in the final garments stage, after our undies have been through the manufacturing process. We ensure our products are clear of any trace of any harmful chemicals with the most stringent tests available, ensuring that our products are safe. 

Because we already had all of these procedures in place, when we went out to work with the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC), it was easy for us to provide all the data to back up our claims, from absorbency to safety. After working with the SOGC for about a year, we became the first period underwear to be a part of their brand recognition program and are incredibly proud of that accomplishment. 

The period product industry is rapidly growing, especially with the emergence of Canadian brands. What motivated you to enter this market, and how do you see Revol Cares contributing to the industry’s evolution?

This market needed disrupting. 

There have been some innovations in recent years but none have been designed specifically for people with a heavy flow. This has left a significant $16B gap in the market. As someone with a heavy flow, I’ve personally faced the challenges of having no period products that actually work for me, this left me struggling every month, realizing later that no one was providing a solution to the over 30% of menstruators with a heavy flow. Having faced these challenges first hand, and having a background in technical apparel, I knew I was the best person to create a solution. 

Revol Cares gives folks up to 12 hours of protection with the use of natural fibers, without ever needing to use tampons or pads. We want to give people the freedom back that periods often take away. No more setting alarms to wake up in the middle of the night to change your pad, no more stressing about leaks during your school days, and definitely no more leaking through heavy flow pads in the middle of your work day in an open concept workplace (which is what happened to me)!

Many traditional period products, such as pads and tampons, contain harmful chemicals and have significant environmental impacts. How does Revol Cares address these health and environmental concerns?

The menstrual industry often falls into a gray zone when it comes to standards and regulation. When I first started Revol Cares, it was important to me that we set our own standards well above industry benchmarks and requirements. 

From day one, I wanted Revol Cares to be a brand that our customers know they can trust. We do this by prioritizing absorbency testing with simulated blood instead of saline, conducting the highest level of toxicity testing down available, and strictly adhering to medical recommendations like only using natural fibers in our underwear. 

It’s this stringent testing and our unwavering commitment to product safety that has led us to our Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists recognition and really has allowed Revol Cares to become synonymous with trust and safety. 

Sustainability is a critical issue in today’s world. Can you elaborate on the sustainable practices implemented in the production and lifecycle of Revol Cares products?

Since our inception, sustainability has been naturally integrated into all of our processes. 

Our products alone provide menstruators with a more environmentally sustainable period solution with every pair diverting approximately 260 tampons or pads from the landfill. Beyond that, we believe it is our duty to ensure our business processes are focused on sustainability as well. Everything from our packaging to our mailers are compostable. The boxes we use to ship our products to retailers are made from recycled materials. 

We also believe in giving people the opportunity to be sustainable in an accessible manner. With our Essentials line, which can be found in stores like London Drugs and Safeway, we really try to make it easy for people who menstruate to have a more sustainable period at an accessible price point. 

The accreditation from the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists adds a layer of credibility to Revol Cares. How do you plan to leverage this recognition to educate consumers about the health benefits of your products compared to traditional options?

Even before the  Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada’s brand recognition, education has always been a key part of Revol Cares. Periods have been taboo since the beginning of time and with that stigma, education often falls through the cracks. As a brand, we really strive to be a safe and inclusive platform that gives people the opportunity to learn about their bodies, options that are available to them, and, especially with our products, the opportunity for a better, healthier and more sustainable period. It’s really our number one priority to help folks understand their bodies and their cycles better. We want them to be armed with knowledge so they can make safer and better choices for their personal care.

Consumer habits are shifting towards more eco-friendly and health-conscious products. What strategies is Revol Cares employing to stay ahead of these trends and meet the evolving needs of menstruators?

The market has been moving towards health-conscious living for a while which has brought along with it a lot of greenwashed products. Our approach has always been to create the most sustainable and safe product, while focusing on reframing “healthy living” to a “choose you first” approach. We know that our customers value sustainability and safe products, but rather than focusing on that, we focus on helping them to realize that they DESERVE a better period. Better function, better comfort, and better safety.

What future innovations or expansions can we expect from Revol Cares as the company continues to grow and influence the period product industry? Are there any upcoming projects or products you’re particularly excited about?

Our number one goal is always to make better and safer products, especially for folks with heavy flows, so our innovation is always focused on outdoing ourselves. We’ve found a really strong product mix that our customers seem to love, so our main focus is on making our products better and expanding our product variety based on customer feedback and demand.

Win! A Revol Cares Prize Pack!

One lucky Canadian winner will receive a Revol Cares Prize Pack, including:

• One feelin seggsy bundle: Get ready to beautify your leak protection game with our super sexy lingerie bundle of a Gloria, Freya, and Kim in the timeless, classic black color. These styles aren’t just lingerie; it’s an ode to self-assurance and style crafted exclusively for your period days and those moments of spotting. With their sexy mesh panels and lace back, these undies redefine the art of feeling exquisite throughout your menstrual cycle. Feel enchanting no matter your flow with the Gloria and Freya that absorb 45ml and 30ml and the Kim protecting you with 15ml of absorption.
• One plus size bestie bundle: This bundle is a thoughtfully curated trio of our most beloved styles, perfectly designed to embrace and celebrate diverse body types. We understand that everyone is unique, which is why we’ve gone to great lengths to ensure these undies fit as many body types as possible. Although this bundle is curated for plus-sizes, all sizes can shop this bundle of some of our best-sellers. Don’t settle for anything less than the perfect fit. Embrace your unique beauty and slip into the Plus Size Besties Bundle – where style, comfort, and protection are second to none. The Toni, Gloria, and Kim have got your tummy, butt, thighs, and back with their 15ml, 30ml, and 45ml of protection.

To enter, head over to Instagram, follow @revolcares and @vitadailymedia and make sure to fulfil all the entry rules in the caption of the corresponding contest post. Contest opens June 26, 2024 and closes July 3, 2024. Complete contest rules and regulations here. Please note: if you are the winner, you will receive a DM (direct message) in Instagram directly from @vitadailymedia. Please be wary of fake accounts, which often use similar handles with an extra or missing letter, number or symbol. We will never ask for a payment or for your credit card number, and we will never ask you to click through a link. If you are unsure whether you have been contacted, via Instagram, by us or a fake account, email us before responding.