Diva Cup · Menstrual Cups
Menstrual Cup Saalt
Lower PFAS concern for this silicone menstrual cup; no actionable red flags identified.
Saalt menstrual cups are made from medical-grade silicone, a polymer class not typically formulated with PFAS intentionally. The brand makes no public PFAS claims (positive or negative). No published lab data or recalls exist for this product.
Shop Diva Cup on Amazon →Material
Medical-grade silicone (primary); elastomer
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Category baseline
period care is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Saalt cups are constructed from medical-grade silicone, a synthetic elastomer chosen for menstrual products because it resists degradation in body fluids and does not leach endocrine disruptors like BPA or phthalates. Medical-grade silicone is chemically inert at typical body temperature (37°C) and does not soften or off-gas volatile organic compounds during normal use. The material undergoes vulcanization during manufacturing, which eliminates unreacted monomers that could otherwise leach. Unlike plastic alternatives, silicone menstrual cups have no known history of microplastic shedding.
The brand's record and disclosure
Saalt (owned by Diva Cup parent company) does not publish detailed material sourcing or third-party safety certifications on their website, making ingredient transparency limited. The product carries no established recalls related to toxicity or material degradation. Diva Cup has been on the market since 1999 and Saalt since 2016; neither brand has faced public health complaints regarding silicone degradation or leaching in long-term use. The absence of active disclosure about PFAS testing or elimination reflects a broader industry silence rather than a known red flag.
How it compares in its category
Menstrual cups as a category pose far lower chemical risk than single-use pads and tampons, which carry dioxin residues from bleaching and undisclosed fragrance additives. Medical-grade silicone cups (Saalt, Diva, Luna, Lena) are chemically equivalent; they differ mainly in rigidity, capacity, and stem design. No menstrual cup brand on the market has published PFAS testing or made public commitments to PFAS-free materials, making Saalt's silent stance typical rather than exceptional. The reusable nature (5-10 years lifespan) dramatically reduces waste-related exposure compared to disposables.
If you buy it
Wash with fragrance-free soap and water before first use and after every cycle; do not use abrasive scrubbers that may compromise the surface. Boil in water for 5-10 minutes every 1-3 months to sanitize, but avoid prolonged contact with very hot water or bleach, which can degrade silicone elasticity over years. Replace if the cup becomes sticky, discolored, or develops visible cracks (typically after 5-10 years of use). Store in a breathable pouch after drying completely to prevent mold growth in damp environments.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
Silicone degradation over time
Medical-grade silicone is stable in body pH and temperature, but repeated boiling, exposure to oils, or contact with certain lubricants may cause surface softening or loss of structural integrity after many years. No acute toxicity from degradation is documented, but a degraded cup may become harder to insert or remove.
Microbial growth if poorly maintained
If the cup is stored wet, inserted without washing, or boiled insufficiently, bacteria or yeast can colonize small ridges or the stem. This is a hygiene issue rather than a material toxicity issue, mitigated by regular hand-washing and air-drying.
Allergic sensitization to silicone or additives
Documented silicone allergy is rare; no Saalt-specific cases are on record. However, individuals with known sensitivity to elastomers or talc (sometimes used in manufacturing) should patch-test a small area before full insertion.
PFAS in manufacturing residue
Medical-grade silicone itself does not require PFAS to meet performance specs, but Teflon-family coating coatings or release agents may have been used in manufacturing. Saalt has not published testing to rule this out, leaving exposure uncertain but likely low.
Irritation from fragrance or lubricant residues
Saalt cups are unscented and free of known irritant coatings. Trouble arises only if users apply commercial lubricants not designed for menstrual products; water or medical-grade silicone lubricant is advised.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
Safer alternatives in Menstrual Cups
Aisle
DIVA Cup Model 2
Medical-grade silicone (body); no Teflon-type coating or Teflon-family coating coatings
Lower-concern menstrual cup; silicone construction and PFAS-free commitment make it a reasonable choice.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Ruby Cup
Steriliser
Stainless steel heating chamber with silicone/plastic components
Lower-concern menstrual cup sterilizer; stainless core typical for appliances, but silicone/plastic parts unspecified, contact brand for material detail.
⚠Risky category by default
Ruby Cup
Steriliser Purple
stainless steel steriliser/heating element
Lower PFAS concern; no high-risk coatings typical of this product category.
⚠Risky category by default
More menstrual cups grades
How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.