The Best Non-Toxic Period Pads of 2026

We scored 43 period pads for PFAS forever chemicals and other hazards, then ranked them safest first. The top pick is OB O.b Pro Comfort Super Plus 16 pad at 70/100. Every score below links to the full breakdown of what earned it.

How to read these scores. PFAS Authority is a scoring system, not a laboratory. We do not test products ourselves. Each grade is a model-based assessment built from published ingredient lists, materials, certifications, brand disclosures, recalls and third-party lab results where they exist. Read the full rubric to see exactly what adds and removes points.
81% of the 43 period pads we scored fail our PFAS and toxin screen.
PFAS Authority, September 2026. Free to cite with a link. See the full dataset.

The safest PFAS-free period pads we have scored

  1. 1
    O.b Pro Comfort Super Plus 16 pad

    OB

    O.b Pro Comfort Super Plus 16 pad

    rayon/viscose, cotton, and gelling polymers

    PFAS Grade70Good
    Overall Grade52Good
    🫧

    Microplastic shedding or degradation

    Limited concern

    70
    ⚠️

    Irritation or allergic sensitization from adhesive or synthetic fibers

    Moderate concern

    45
    ⚠️

    Bacterial growth or contamination from prolonged moisture

    Limited concern

    70

    Lower concern. Typical period pad materials lack PFAS triggers.

    ⚠Risky category by default

    Why this gradeBuy
  2. 2
    OB / Maternity Pad Maxi Super Absorbency NON241279

    OB

    / Maternity Pad Maxi Super Absorbency NON241279

    cellulose, polyethylene, absorbent core (typical period pad materials)

    PFAS Grade70Good
    Overall Grade44Poor
    ⚠️

    Absorbent polymer (sodium polyacrylate) allergic sensitization

    Limited concern

    70
    🫧

    Polyethylene microplastic shedding

    Limited concern

    70
    ⏳

    Bacterial colonization from prolonged wear

    High concern

    20

    Lower concern, typical pad materials rarely require PFAS treatments.

    ⚠Risky category by default

    Why this gradeBuy
  3. 3
    OC BON Ultra Thin Wings Sanitary Pads Medium 4P

    OB

    OC BON Ultra Thin Wings Sanitary Pads Medium 4P

    Cellulose, nonwoven synthetics, adhesives

    PFAS Grade70Good
    Overall Grade62Good
    ⚠️

    Adhesive contact sensitivity

    Limited concern

    70
    ⚠️

    Bleaching residues in cellulose

    Limited concern

    70

    Lower concern. No PFAS-prone materials publicly identified.

    ⚠Risky category by default

    Why this gradeBuy
  4. 4
    Tampax Super 48 Units

    Tampax

    Super 48 Units

    Rayon/viscose core, cotton-blend outer, no known coating

    PFAS Grade70Good
    Overall Grade66Good
    ⚠️

    Fragrance allergens (if scented variant)

    Limited concern

    70

    Lower concern; standard tampons don't require PFAS-prone coatings.

    ⚠Risky category by default

    Why this gradeBuy
  5. 5
    TAMPAX PEARL ULTRA ABSORBENCY*18 COUNT

    Tampax

    PEARL ULTRA ABSORBENCY*18 COUNT

    cotton/rayon absorbent core, plastic applicator

    PFAS Grade70Good
    Overall Grade58Good
    🐛

    Pesticide residue

    Limited concern

    70
    ⚠️

    Bleaching byproducts (dioxins, AOX)

    Limited concern

    70
    ⚠️

    Bacterial contamination or TSS risk

    Limited concern

    70

    Lower PFAS concern, though Tampax offers no transparency.

    ⚠Risky category by default

    Why this gradeBuy
  6. 6
    Nana Maxi Thick

    Nana

    Maxi Thick

    cellulose, cotton blend, absorbent core

    PFAS Grade70Good
    Overall Grade58Good
    ⚠️

    Bleach residues and processing chemicals in cellulose

    Limited concern

    70
    🎨

    Azo dyes or colorants in printed or top-sheet materials

    Limited concern

    70
    ⚠️

    Skin irritation or allergic sensitization from adhesives or synthetic fibers

    Limited concern

    70

    Lower concern. Standard sanitary pad with typical materials.

    ⚠Risky category by default

    Why this gradeBuy
  7. 7
    Nannopad Pad Feminine Multipack

    Nana

    Nannopad Pad Feminine Multipack

    Cotton, cellulose, standard absorbent core

    PFAS Grade70Good
    Overall Grade62Good
    ⚠️

    Superabsorbent polymer (SAP) skin contact and allergic response

    Limited concern

    70
    🫧

    Microplastic shedding from synthetic facing layers

    Limited concern

    70

    Lower concern. No PFAS-prone materials apparent in typical feminine pad design.

    ⚠Risky category by default

    Why this gradeBuy
  8. 8
    Playtex Sport Super+5

    Playtex

    Sport Super+5

    Rayon/cellulose absorbent core, plastic applicator

    PFAS Grade70Good
    Overall Grade58Good
    ⚠️

    Allergens and irritants in rayon or cellulose additives

    Limited concern

    70
    ⚠️

    Bacterial overgrowth and toxic shock syndrome (TSS) risk

    Limited concern

    70
    ⚠️

    Fragrance or odor-control chemical sensitivity

    Limited concern

    70

    Lower concern. No known PFAS-prone materials in tampons.

    ⚠Risky category by default

    Why this gradeBuy

Every period pads that passes, side by side

Sorted by score. Higher is safer. Scored against 2 hazards that apply to this category.

#Period PadsScoreRatingMade of
1OB O.b Pro Comfort Super Plus 16 pad70Goodrayon/viscose, cotton, and gelling polymers
2OB OB / Maternity Pad Maxi Super Absorbency NON24127970Goodcellulose, polyethylene, absorbent core (typical period pad materials)
3OB OC BON Ultra Thin Wings Sanitary Pads Medium 4P70GoodCellulose, nonwoven synthetics, adhesives
4Tampax Tampax Super 48 Units70GoodRayon/viscose core, cotton-blend outer, no known coating
5Tampax TAMPAX PEARL ULTRA ABSORBENCY*18 COUNT70Goodcotton/rayon absorbent core, plastic applicator
6Nana Nana Maxi Thick70Goodcellulose, cotton blend, absorbent core
7Nana Nannopad Pad Feminine Multipack70GoodCotton, cellulose, standard absorbent core
8Playtex Playtex Sport Super+570GoodRayon/cellulose absorbent core, plastic applicator

The period pads we would skip

Lowest scoring in this category, worst first.

Capri Plus OB Pads - Mini

OB

Capri Plus OB Pads - Mini

Cellulose/wood pulp core with adhesive; leak-guard likely polymer-based

PFAS Grade25Poor
Overall Grade7Bad
♾️

PFAS

Moderate concern

45
⚠️

Adhesive contact dermatitis or sensitization

Limited concern

70
⚠️

Fragrance or cosmetic additives in the pad material

Limited concern

70

Typical pad construction; waterproof layer raises concern, no brand disclosure.

⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Why this gradeSafer picks →
Poise Light Pads

Poise

Light Pads

absorbent core, cellulose, likely water-resistant backing

PFAS Grade25Poor
Overall Grade21Bad
♾️

PFAS

Limited concern

70

Incontinence pads likely use water-resistant treatment; PFAS risk unclear without lab testing.

⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Why this gradeSafer picks →
Poise Overnight Ultra Thin Pads with Wings

Poise

Overnight Ultra Thin Pads with Wings

Cellulose core with synthetic polymer topsheet and waterproof backing

PFAS Grade25Poor
Overall Grade0Bad
♾️

PFAS

High concern

20
⚠️

Skin irritation and contact dermatitis from topsheet and adhesives

Limited concern

70
🫧

Cellulose degradation and fiber shedding

Limited concern

70
⚠️

Chlorine and bleaching residues in cellulose

Limited concern

70

Waterproof pads may use PFAS treatments; brand silent on source.

⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Why this gradeSafer picks →

What we check on period pads

  • Phthalates. Plastic softeners studied for endocrine effects. ATSDR
  • Endocrine disruptors. Chemicals that interfere with the body’s hormone system. NIEHS

Full point-by-point rubric on the methodology page.

The period pads brands that will not say

11 of the brands here publish nothing about PFAS at all. Silence is not evidence of harm, but it is why none of them score well on disclosure.

Always, Always Maxi, Carefree Acti-Fresh, Kotex, Nana, OB, Playtex, Poise, Stayfree, Tampax, Thinx.

Common questions about PFAS-free period pads

Is period pads PFAS free?

Mostly not. Of the 43 period pads we have scored, 81% fail our PFAS and toxin screen, which leaves 8 that pass. The highest scoring is OB O.b Pro Comfort Super Plus 16 pad at 70 out of 100. The lowest is OB Capri Plus OB Pads - Mini at 25.

What is the safest period pads you have scored?

OB O.b Pro Comfort Super Plus 16 pad, at 70 out of 100, which we band as Good. It is rayon/viscose, cotton, and gelling polymers. The runner up is OB OB / Maternity Pad Maxi Super Absorbency NON241279 at 70.

Which period pads should I avoid?

The three lowest scoring we hold are OB Capri Plus OB Pads - Mini at 25, Poise Poise Light Pads at 25, Poise Poise Overnight Ultra Thin Pads with Wings at 25. The problem with the first is that typical pad construction; waterproof layer raises concern, no brand disclosure.

How can you tell if period pads contain PFAS?

In this category we check for phthalates, endocrine disruptors. Plastic softeners studied for endocrine effects. Language like stain resistant, water repellent or easy release usually means fluorinated chemistry even when PFAS is never printed on the box.

Which period pads brands will not say whether they use PFAS?

11 of the brands we scored in this category publish nothing about PFAS at all, including Always, Always Maxi, Carefree Acti-Fresh, Kotex, Nana, OB. Silence is not evidence of harm, but it is the reason those brands cannot score well on disclosure.

Do you lab test period pads?

No. We score from published ingredient lists, materials, certifications, disclosures and third party lab results where they exist. Where a product has been independently tested we use that result and say so.

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Does a particular brand of period pads have PFAS?

Want to filter the whole category yourself? Browse all 43 period pads.