Think all cups are created equal? Think again. Behind the generic term "Medical-Grade Silicone" lie very different industrial realities.
Between TPE (plastic), Peroxide silicone (cheap) and Platinum Silicone (the gold standard), there is a world of difference in terms of purity and safety for your body. Here is the technical guide to decoding labels and making the right choice.
Table of contents
1- TPE vs Silicone: The material showdown
There are three main material families for menstrual cups:
- Natural rubber (Latex): Very rare today, as it causes allergic reactions in many people.
- TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer): A petroleum-derived plastic. Although medical-grade (used in catheters), it does not withstand heat well. Repeated boiling causes it to warp and become porous.
- Silicone: This is not plastic! It is derived from Silica (sand), like glass. It is the reference material for its stability and neutrality.
2- Peroxide vs Platinum Silicone: The invisible difference
Not all silicone cups are equal. To transform liquid silicone into solid rubber, a catalyst is needed. There are two options:
Peroxide Silicone (The budget option)
This is the older method. The catalyst is a peroxide.
⚠️ The problem: The chemical reaction releases toxic volatile residues. A lengthy "post-curing" process is required to eliminate them. If
this step is rushed — as is often the case with low-cost cups — residues can migrate into your body.
Platinum Silicone (The premium option)
The catalyst here is Platinum (a precious metal).
✅ The advantage: The reaction is clean. It releases no by-products whatsoever. The resulting silicone is inert, odourless,
hydrophobic and does not yellow over time. It is the highest grade of purity available.
Many brands use vague terms such as "biocompatible medical silicone", "hypoallergenic" or "medical grade". This is often a way to conceal that they are using the cheaper Peroxide silicone.
The rule is simple: Platinum silicone costs 6 to 7 times more than Peroxide. If a brand uses it, they will always say so explicitly ("Platinum Silicone" or "Platine").
👉 If "Platinum" isn't written, it isn't Platinum.
3- Comparison table: Which cup to choose?
When it comes to your intimate health, the choice of material is critical.
| Material | Stability | Potential risks |
|---|---|---|
| TPE (Plastic) | Low (heat-sensitive) | Warping, long-term porosity. Petroleum-derived. |
| Peroxide Silicone | Medium | Risk of volatile residues if post-curing is inadequate. More likely to harbour impurities. |
| Platinum Silicone (Luneale) | Excellent | None. Inert, bacteriostatic (bacteria do not adhere to it), hypoallergenic. |
4- The "Antimicrobial Silicone" trap (Silver ions)
Some brands sell cups containing "silver nanoparticles" to kill microbes. Sounds like a good idea? It isn't.
1. Your vagina needs bacteria (Lactobacilli) to defend itself. Killing "all microbes" disrupts your flora.
2. Nanoparticles can cross the mucosal barrier. ANSES recommends caution on this point.
At Luneale, we prefer pure silicone — naturally bacteriostatic by virtue of its smooth surface — without adding controversial active agents.
5- The Luneale choice: Safety first
We make no compromises. La Cup Luneale is manufactured in France, exclusively in Platinum Medical-Grade Silicone.
It costs more to produce, but it is the only way to guarantee you a completely neutral product that respects your body and lasts for years without
degrading.
In short: Insist on "Platinum Silicone" and "Made in France". That is your best health guarantee.
