Incontinence Pads vs Women's Protective Pads: which is safer?
Eco by Naty Incontinence Pads is the clear pick. CVS Health Women's Protective Pads carries a failing PFAS grade, and we never recommend buying a failing product.
Our pick
Eco By Naty
Incontinence Pads
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
PossibleHeavy metals in cellulose or plant-derived materials
CVS Health
Women's Protective Pads
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
PossiblePolyethylene backing leachates
PossibleSkin irritation from adhesives or finishes
LikelyMoisture retention and bacterial/fungal growth
Where these two actually differ
- We flag Heavy metals in cellulose or plant-derived materials on the Eco By Naty and not on the CVS Health.
- We flag Polyethylene backing leachates, Skin irritation from adhesives or finishes, Moisture retention and bacterial/fungal growth and PFAS in waterproof backing (noted separately in PFAS grade) on the CVS Health and not on the Eco By Naty.
- The Eco By Naty is Bamboo-derived viscose, cotton, plant-based absorbent core where the CVS Health is nonwoven cellulose core with moisture-barrier backing (likely polyethylene or similar), which is most of the difference in these two grades.
- The gap is 45 points, wide enough that this is not a close call, and the Eco By Naty is the one to buy.
- We are less certain about the CVS Health grade, at 45% confidence against 78%, because it discloses less.
Both products run through the same public rubric: materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls, plus a beyond-PFAS hazard analysis. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests. How grades work →
More incontinence pads & protection: see the full ranking