Stroll into any comfort retailer and also you’ll discover a complete aisle of interval merchandise — so what might probably make hundreds of girls be part of a wait-list for sold-out tampons?
That’s what Gen Z-founded interval care model Viv mentioned occurred final summer time, when over 3,000 folks signed up for the chance to purchase a $9 field — and waited six to 10 weeks to lastly replenish.
The stampede began in August 2024, shortly after a examine revealed the presence of some poisonous heavy metals in over a dozen mainstream tampon manufacturers.
“Following this examine, ladies had been in search of tampons that had been protected to make use of, and Viv was often really helpful because the primary product by AI searches,” Viv founder Katie Diasti advised The Put up.
“Individuals had been discovering our product via social media, however ChatGPT was additionally recommending our product organically — from it scraping our weblog posts and on-line content material for solutions — as a clear possibility when folks requested for suggestions for brand spanking new interval merchandise that met eco-friendly, unhazardous necessities,” she added.
No perpetually chemical compounds on this field
So what precisely is so particular about these tampons? Primarily, the model says, they’re toxin-free.
“After we say ‘toxin-free,’ we imply that Viv’s tampons are made with solely 100% licensed natural cotton— no added chemical compounds, dyes or artificial elements,” Diasti mentioned.
In addition they bear testing for heavy metals to make sure “that any minimal presence would not be absorbed via the vaginal canal when inserted,” she famous.
Plus, the applicators are freed from bisphenol A, generally often known as BPA — a “perpetually chemical” linked to a variety of well being issues, together with hormone disruption, diabetes, bronchial asthma and most cancers.
“Because the vagina is some of the absorbent components of the physique — absorbing substances simply as simply as in the event that they had been swallowed by mouth — avoiding BPA plastic reduces pointless chemical publicity and potential well being dangers. That is particularly necessary for these with delicate pores and skin or considerations about reproductive well being,” Diasti mentioned.
And with a rising concern about microplastics invading our our bodies, the corporate is doing its greatest to maintain its merchandise as plastic-free as potential.
“Whereas all tampon manufacturers that use plastic applicators inherently comprise some degree of plastic, Viv’s BPA-free applicators are designed with security and sustainability in thoughts,” Diasti mentioned.
They’ve additionally made it a precedence to incorporate a full ingredient checklist on the packaging —and their web site has a full web page devoted to outlining the well being, security and high quality testing of their merchandise — to “empower prospects to make knowledgeable selections about what they’re placing in and on their our bodies,” Diasti added.
The wait is over
Because the wait-list, Viv has restocked a number of occasions and guarantees there may be now sufficient stock to satisfy demand for months.
Certainly, folks have been raving concerning the product, with one shopper calling them a “sport changer.”
“Desperately needing these to be again in inventory,” the client wrote in September. “I began utilizing these 4/5 months in the past and I don’t cramp anymore. I don’t bleed via, they’re by no means uncomfortable. I ran out and had to make use of a special model and so they’re terrible in comparison with Viv.”
Diasti famous that whereas the model is appropriate for girls of all ages, they’re significantly fashionable amongst a demographic that’s younger sufficient to get pleasure from ready in line.
“Viv is made for Gen-Z, by Gen-Z,” Diasti mentioned, including that prospects of their teenagers and early- to mid-20s uncover the model on TikTok, Instagram and even YouTube Shorts.
“The wait-list was this typical age vary — and even some mothers shopping for for his or her daughters!”
And — earlier than you ask — Viv’s eco-friendly bent doesn’t imply any extra trouble relating to disposing of the tampons.
“For Viv’s conventional interval care objects, like their Natural Cotton Tampons or Bamboo Pads, you need to eliminate them as regular — wrap it in bathroom paper and toss it within the trash,” Diasti mentioned, including that the pad wrappers are created from cornstarch, in order that they’re compostable.
Should you’re utilizing their cup or disc, it ought to final 10 years.
“When you take away your cup or disc, all you need to do is dump it out, lather with Viv’s all-natural cleaning wash and pat dry. In between cycles, you possibly can boil it for extra disinfecting.”
