This is what we call an ingredient when it hasn't changed much from how it occurs in the identified source material. An example of this is peppermint oil. The peppermint oil we use in our products has been removed and concentrated but it is otherwise much the same as it would be found in the peppermint leaves.

Naturally derived ingredients have been modified from their original state through additional processing.  This is generally done to improve the ingredient’s safety or efficacy. An example of this is silica. In its natural state, silica would be too abrasive, so it goes through some processing to improve the ingredient's safety.

In reviewing ingredients for our products – whether naturally sourced or derived – we do consider the preparation processes involved. And it is our practice to only allow preparation processes which support our philosophy of human and environmental health, by working strictly with verified suppliers who agree to our code of conduct.

With our Stewardship Model, we not only review the starting material(s), but also the processing steps used to obtain the ingredients we use in our products.

As examples we accept fermentation and saponification, but would not allow ethoxylation, propoxylation and quaternization.

See our full policy here.

Yes, all toothpaste can expire. Please check the expiration date on the tube.

Yes, adults can use kids’ toothpaste. Natural toothpaste for kids contains many of the same ingredients as adult toothpaste, but sometimes with no fluoride or different fun flavors like our best-selling Silly Strawberry.

Transition toothpaste is perfect for that age when kids have outgrown fruity or bubblegum toothpaste flavors, but don't yet like the strong mint flavors in many adult toothpastes. To help make the switch, try a transition toothpaste with a minty flavor that’s a little more grown-up but still subtle. Consult your child’s dentist to ensure they’re using the correct type and amount of toothpaste.

When children reach age 2 and older, it’s time to start brushing their teeth. It’s important to teach proper brushing habits and supervise kids’ brushing. For children who haven’t yet learned to spit, we recommend Tom’s of Maine fluoride-free training toothpaste. Consult a dentist or doctor for children under age 2.

Unlike some kinds of sensitive toothpaste that only numb pain, Tom’s of Maine Rapid Relief natural toothpaste for sensitive teeth blocks the pathways to sensitive tooth nerves to help seal out pain using a patented combination of arginine and calcium carbonate.

We all love a bright white smile, but it’s important to whiten teeth safely. There are numerous ways to whiten teeth naturally, including using Tom’s of Maine Luminous White Toothpaste. Luminous White is a natural whitening toothpaste that works by removing surface stains with regular brushing.

Not a fan of mint-flavored toothpaste? Not to worry! We make natural toothpaste with other natural flavors. Try our Cinnamon Clove, Silly Strawberry or Orange Mango fruit-flavored toothpaste. And before you ask, yes, adults can use kids’ toothpaste!

All Tom’s of Maine toothpaste is safe for use as directed, and we also offer natural toothpaste for kids. Ask your child’s dentist if you have questions about which product might be the best fit. For children who haven’t yet learned to spit, we recommend a fluoride-free training toothpaste.

We have always respected that no two individuals are alike, and there are a variety of reasons why an individual may choose to avoid an ingredient. When safe and practical, we have tried to provide options so people can select the product that is right for them. We have offered a choice of fluoride toothpaste and natural toothpaste without fluoride since the 1980s.

Fluoride is often used as an active ingredient in traditional and natural toothpaste to help prevent cavities and tooth decay. Tom’s of Maine uses sodium fluoride and sodium monofluorophosphate in some of our natural toothpastes with fluoride, and , and we also offer natural toothpaste without fluoride.

Natural toothpaste can offer many of the same benefits you find with conventional products, while providing options for the type of ingredients you may want (or want to avoid). Tom’s of Maine natural toothpaste safely and effectively cleans teeth with no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives included. We offer natural whitening toothpaste, natural toothpaste with fluoride and natural fluoride-free toothpaste, so you can choose the best product for your needs and preferences.

The difference between deodorant vs. antiperspirant is how they are designed differently to protect against body odor. Antiperspirants contain an aluminum salt as an active ingredient, and are designed to reduce sweat. Deodorants may not contain an aluminum salt (although some do). Instead, they protect against body odor with ingredients that may reduce bacteria growth or provide fragrance to mask odor. Our Complete Protection deodorant is our first natural deodorant with wetness protection. All Tom’s of Maine Complete Protection deodorants are also aluminum free.

Tom’s of Maine natural deodorant formulas provide up to 24- to 48-hour odor protection. Check the label of your product for exact details. Individual results may vary depending on your unique body chemistry and other factors. If our products fail to meet your expectations for any reason, give us a call at 1-800-FOR-TOMS. We’d be glad to discuss your experience and help you find a better fit.

Antiperspirants contain an aluminum salt as an active ingredient, and are designed to reduce sweat by blocking pores. Those who do not wish to use an aluminum-containing underarm product can choose from our line of aluminum-free deodorant, which are designed to provide odor protection. Our Complete Protection deodorant is our first natural deodorant with wetness protection. All Tom’s of Maine Complete Protection deodorants are also aluminum free.

Tom’s of Maine aluminum-free deodorant does not contain aluminum and does not clog pores. Check out this article if you’re interested in learning more about how our natural deodorant works.

If you’re a parent, you know every child is different! That goes for knowing when kids should start wearing deodorant, too. Some kids may need odor protection sooner than others because of their lifestyle, diet, body chemistry and other factors. Tom’s of Maine makes safe deodorant for kids in various formulas and scents; best of all, they’re natural! Explore our range of products to find the best children’s deodorant for your child’s needs.

Tom’s of Maine deodorants are safe when used as directed. For kids and pre-teens using deodorant for the first time, check out our fun, kid-friendly deodorant, Wicked Cool, designed to provide 24-hour odor protection.

First, check to be sure that your tube has a recyclable logo flag on it that reads, "Once empty, replace cap and recycle with #2 plastics"

Our transition to the recyclable tube is happening throughout 2019 and 2020, so not all tubes will immediately be recyclable. It's important that if your tube does not have this flag on it that you don't put it into your recycling bin.

Your tube has the flag above on it? Great! Getting your tube ready for recycling is easy: simply squeeze out as much of the toothpaste from the tube as you can, replace the cap, and place the tube in your recycling bin. The Tom's of Maine toothpaste tube can be put into your household recycling bin for curbside recycling if your community accepts #2 HDPE plastic. #2 plastic is a commonly recycled plastic and is what many laundry detergent bottles and milk jugs are made from.

Please don't cut open the toothpaste tube to try and remove excess toothpaste! During the processing of the tube at the recycling facility, the tube is ground up and goes through a "rinsing" process, where all the residual toothpaste is washed off of the plastic. So there's no need for you to do any rinsing at home. 

In 2019, we earned recognition for technical recyclability from the APR (Association of Plastic Recyclers), showing that tubes of the right design are compatible with the HDPE #2 container recycling process. We also tested the sortability of tubes in the lab as well as in the field at MRFs (sorting facilities); data from these efforts shows that our full size tubes are able to make it through to the container line successfully, and there is minimal mis-sorting. 

Now that we’ve solved technical recyclability and proved compatibility with HDPE container recycling including sortability, we have been sharing the technology as well as the approach with tube suppliers, other brands, and any interested parties so that the transition to recyclable tubes can happen quickly, and recyclers can be confident that the tubes they receive are compatible. Because of this momentum, all major toothpaste brands have publicly committed to transition their tube portfolios by 2025, and a Squeeze Tube Design Guide is publicly available.

In addition to helping the industry transition their tubes, Tom’s, in partnership with the Colgate-Palmolive Company, is focused on working with the recycling community by sharing our work on compatibility of recyclable tubes within the current recycling system, and partnering with key third parties to address turning "recyclable" into widely accepted and "recycled." 

A key collaborative effort we are funding is the Journey to Recyclability for Plastic Squeeze Tubes project, managed by our partner, Stina Inc. Anchored in the importance of avoiding contamination and improving the quality of recycled feedstock, this project is working through the critical elements needed for all tubes to be included in community lists of acceptable items in the recycling stream.

Another example of work we are contributing to is The Pathway to Circularity: Recyclability Framework with The Recycling Partnership, which is creating the Framework to define a clear set of criteria to help companies successfully navigate the recycling system, and take action to address challenges, thereby making circularity tangible. We are active participants, having helped initiate the project, using tubes as a helpful case study, and are planning additional testing as the Framework protocols are agreed-upon by the Circularity Council driving the project. 

Even with all of these efforts, however, during this transition phase your community may not yet accept tubes for recycling. Check locally.  Consumers should check with their local community programs to ensure that tubes are accepted.  We are proud to be the leaders in this space and our goal is to continue developing innovative science that creates products that are ultimately better for our planet.

The caps are made of a different plastic than the tube; however, as with bottles, recyclers are used to dealing with caps made from a different resin and encourage replacing the cap to help prevent litter. We will continue to research conversion to an HDPE cap.

The plan is for all of our full size tubes to be recyclable by the end of 2020 and our toothpastes will transition into the recyclable tube by sub-brand. During this transition, some of our toothpastes will be in the recyclable tube while others won't have transitioned yet. Additionally, it will take time for other tube manufacturers to also make the transition. When in doubt, throw it out!

Plastic is not designed to be biodegradable. The #2 HDPE plastic used in our tubes is designed to be "circular," so that the material can be re-processed into new products and packaging.

Yes, TerraCycle is still a partner with Tom's of Maine to offer recycling for our smaller toothpaste tubes, toothpaste tubes that are not yet recyclable, toothbrushes, and for packaging we use for our other products that are not recyclable in municipal recycling programs. Participation is limited.

We are making our recyclable tube with #2 HDPE, which continues to have a strong recycling stream for packaging as well as other uses. It is also a common type of plastic used by other personal care and beauty brands, as well as home care and food brands, which is why we are collaborating with the broader industry, to include retailers.

At Tom's of Maine, we have a commitment to lessen our product and packaging waste and improve recyclability of our packaging material as part of our Goodness Goals . We continue to work on ways to minimize the environmental impact that both our products and packaging have on our natural environment.

Recycling practices vary by municipality and not all types of materials are accepted in all towns. If your town doesn't accept #2 plastic, we encourage you to recycle your toothpaste tubes throughTerracycle

The impacts of climate change are a daily reality for many communities across the U.S., yet those hot the hardest are often underserved and underrepresented in the climate movement. Through this incubator program,Tom’s of Maine is investing in the next generation of underrepresented climate change leaders — providing resources and creating opportunities to elevate the voices of these emerging leaders and helping them scale solutions that will benefit all people.

While specifics of the program may change from year to year, members of our first two cohorts received $20,000 in funding, mentorship support from climate-involved business and advocacy leaders, and multiple opportunities for training and peer-to-peer relationship building. Each of our Incubator members were environmental leaders before they joined the Incubator program, and we were also proud to amplify their work and voices where we could through our website and social media channels.

While all of our past members have been united in a desire to make the world a better place, their areas of focus have been very different!  These have included empowering BIPOC women, girls and non-binary individuals to stand up for environmental justice,helping Gen Z build careers to fight climate change, helping people grow their connection with their food and community through gardening and driving awareness and engagement with ocean climate solutions.  

While specifics of the program may change from year to year, past Incubator members completed an online form and submitted video entries detailing their work and what they would do with support from the Incubator program.  Five entrants were selected to receive support in our first two years.  

We are currently finalizing the details for year 3 of the Tom’s of Maine Incubator, so stay tuned!  Following us on social media is the best way to be informed when the next application period is open. 

Follow our past members and mentors on social media, and engage and amplify their content!  This is a great way to spread the word of the work being done by these incredible individuals, and to help share their vision for a better future.