Lunette
brand rating & evaluation
overall rating:
Top Choice
Our ratings are based on a scale from 1 (Avoid) to 5 (Top Choice). See How We Rate
The Shifting Gaia rating evaluates brands based on sustainable practices, ingredients and materials, and social responsibility, among others. Below are a few factors influencing this brand's score:
certifications:
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overview
sustainability
non-toxic
social responsibility
7 out of 10
10 out of 10
8.5 out of 10
about
Lunette makes menstrual cups and other period products with a special focus on reusability and waste reduction.
highlights
Sustainable alternative to single use menstrual products
Woman-owned business
Non-toxic
Vegan & cruelty-free
sustainability
score:
7 out of 10
details:
Packaging
The Lunette Menstrual Cup is packaged in a recyclable cardboard box that even features compostable, plant-based cello windows instead of plastic. The cup comes with a durable storage pouch that has evolved over time from polyester satin to 100% linen. Even single-use items like the Cup Wipes come in a paperboard box (material code PAP 21) that is curbside recyclable.
Material Sustainability
The flagship Lunette Menstrual Cup is made of 100% medical-grade silicone. Silicone is very durable (lasting years of use) and free of plastic, but it is not biodegradable and relies on energy-intensive processing of silica and additives. Lunette uses only FDA/EU-approved colorants in the silicone that contain no heavy metals or phthalates, and the pigments are embedded so they do not leach.
Lunette’s menstrual cup wipes are made from 100% viscose (plant-based cellulose) with denatured alcohol and water. Traditional viscose is highly unsustainable due to its chemical production process and association with deforestation. Lunette claims to use “environmentally friendly” viscose, but doesn’t provide exact details. The brand does use sustainable viscose (Lyocell) for their Period Panties, which is a good indicator that their wipes don’t use traditional viscose.
The Lunette Cup Wash cleanser formula is also predominately plant-derived and biodegradable: it uses mild surfactants like ammonium lauryl sulfate and cocamidopropyl betaine (often coconut-derived), plant-based glycerin, and natural lemon and eucalyptus oils for scent.
As mentioned, for Lunette’s period underwear, the brand blends sustainable and functional materials. The underwear is made with 95% Lyocell (Tencel) in the main fabric and a breathable organic cotton gusset, combined with necessary stretch and waterproof layers (5% elastane, and an absorbent core of polyester/polyamide with a laminated polyester barrier). All fabrics are OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified.
Energy Use and Footprint
Lunette’s operations show some inherent footprint advantages, but the brand provides limited public data on energy use or carbon emissions reduction. Manufacturing and sourcing appear to be localized and high-quality: Lunette is a Finland-based company, and the menstrual cups are made in Finland.
Waste Management
The Lunette Menstrual Cup is inherently a waste-free solution: each reusable cup can replace hundreds of disposable tampons or pads per year. For disposable components like the Cup Wipes, Lunette mitigates waste as much as possible. The wipes are made of compostable viscose and contain no synthetic fibers. The only unavoidable waste from this product is the individual wrapper for each wipe.
Overall, the sheer magnitude of waste prevented by Lunette cups and panties far outweighs the minimal waste their products generate.
Business Model
Lunette’s business model strongly encourages mindful consumption and long-term use over frequent purchases, which is a cornerstone of sustainability. The company explicitly aims to “redefine” period care as a sustainable, empowering practice rather than a disposable commodity.
The brand’s marketing and educational content also promote conscious consumption. Lunette provides comprehensive guides on how to use, clean, and care for the cup (and underwear). Notably, Lunette has shown restraint in sales and product launches, aligning with mindful values.
non-toxic
score:
10 out of 10
details:
The menstrual cup itself is made of inert, medical-grade silicone that is biocompatible and hypoallergenic. It contains no BPA, no phthalates, no latex, and no leaching dyes. This means the cup will not introduce endocrine disruptors or irritants into the body. For cleansers and wipes, the formulations are notably free from the usual suspects of toxicity. The Lunette Cup Wash contains no parabens, no formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, no phthalates, and no synthetic dyes. There is a fragrance (parfum) listed, but Lunette clarifies that the product is “scented with lemon and eucalyptus oil,” suggesting the fragrance is largely from natural essential oils.
Lunette’s water-based lubricant (Cup Lube) is also exemplary in terms of non-toxicity. It contains just five ingredients, all of which are well-known for safety: water, xanthan gum (a natural thickener from fermentation), lactic acid (occurs naturally in the body and helps maintain a vaginal-friendly pH), sodium hydroxide (used in tiny amount to adjust pH, fully reacted in the formula), and sodium benzoate (a food-grade preservative).
In the apparel category, Lunette’s period panties also meet high safety standards. As mentioned, the fabrics are OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified, which is a rigorous certification ensuring the finished textile contains no harmful levels of substances like heavy metals, formaldehyde, azo dyes, phthalates, or PFCs.
social responsibility
score:
8.5 out of 10
details:
Menstrual cups are manufactured in Finland. This is significant because Finland upholds high labor standards, fair wages, and safe working conditions by law. Producing domestically (or within the EU for other products) means Lunette isn’t likely to be exploiting cheap labor or operating in unethical conditions. They do use OEKO-TEX certified fabrics, and while OEKO-TEX primarily pertains to chemical safety, the Standard 100 certification also requires that products come from facilities that comply with social responsibility standards.
Lunette is unequivocally a cruelty-free and vegan brand, which covers both the testing practices and the content of its products.
The brand leverages its success to drive social impact, especially in areas of menstrual equity, education, and empowerment. One of Lunette’s flagship initiatives addresses period poverty (the lack of access to menstrual products and education for underserved populations). Through its Cup for Good program, Lunette donates menstrual cups to initiatives combating period poverty around the globe. Lunette engages in, organizes, and contributes to a myriad of additional philanthropic projects and initiatives, most related to menstrual education and equality
