Period Pads, ranked by PFAS safety
43 products graded from Bad to Excellent, safest first. 8 grade Good or better and are worth buying.
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The best non-toxic period pads, ranked safest first
Buyer’s guide
What to look for in period pads, and which brands grade best and worst
Bad · Better · Best period pads
The quickest read, what to skip and the top-graded picks worth buying instead.
Playtex
Playtex Clean Comfort 16 Pads Regular
Skip until brand confirms PFAS-free waterproof backing.
OB
O.b Pro Comfort Super Plus 16 pad
Lower concern. Typical period pad materials lack PFAS triggers.
Worth buying Good or Excellent, safest first
OB
O.b Pro Comfort Super Plus 16 pad
rayon/viscose, cotton, and gelling polymers
Microplastic shedding or degradation
Limited concern
Irritation or allergic sensitization from adhesive or synthetic fibers
Moderate concern
Bacterial growth or contamination from prolonged moisture
Limited concern
Lower concern. Typical period pad materials lack PFAS triggers.
⚠Risky category by default
OB
/ Maternity Pad Maxi Super Absorbency NON241279
cellulose, polyethylene, absorbent core (typical period pad materials)
Absorbent polymer (sodium polyacrylate) allergic sensitization
Limited concern
Polyethylene microplastic shedding
Limited concern
Bacterial colonization from prolonged wear
High concern
Lower concern, typical pad materials rarely require PFAS treatments.
⚠Risky category by default
OB
OC BON Ultra Thin Wings Sanitary Pads Medium 4P
Cellulose, nonwoven synthetics, adhesives
Adhesive contact sensitivity
Limited concern
Bleaching residues in cellulose
Limited concern
Lower concern. No PFAS-prone materials publicly identified.
⚠Risky category by default
Tampax
Super 48 Units
Rayon/viscose core, cotton-blend outer, no known coating
Fragrance allergens (if scented variant)
Limited concern
Lower concern; standard tampons don't require PFAS-prone coatings.
⚠Risky category by default
Tampax
PEARL ULTRA ABSORBENCY*18 COUNT
cotton/rayon absorbent core, plastic applicator
Pesticide residue
Limited concern
Bleaching byproducts (dioxins, AOX)
Limited concern
Bacterial contamination or TSS risk
Limited concern
Lower PFAS concern, though Tampax offers no transparency.
⚠Risky category by default
Nana
Maxi Thick
cellulose, cotton blend, absorbent core
Bleach residues and processing chemicals in cellulose
Limited concern
Azo dyes or colorants in printed or top-sheet materials
Limited concern
Skin irritation or allergic sensitization from adhesives or synthetic fibers
Limited concern
Lower concern. Standard sanitary pad with typical materials.
⚠Risky category by default
Nana
Nannopad Pad Feminine Multipack
Cotton, cellulose, standard absorbent core
Superabsorbent polymer (SAP) skin contact and allergic response
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding from synthetic facing layers
Limited concern
Lower concern. No PFAS-prone materials apparent in typical feminine pad design.
⚠Risky category by default
Playtex
Sport Super+5
Rayon/cellulose absorbent core, plastic applicator
Allergens and irritants in rayon or cellulose additives
Limited concern
Bacterial overgrowth and toxic shock syndrome (TSS) risk
Limited concern
Fragrance or odor-control chemical sensitivity
Limited concern
Lower concern. No known PFAS-prone materials in tampons.
⚠Risky category by default
Graded and flagged Poor and Bad, we’d swap these
OB
Capri Plus OB Pads - Mini
Cellulose/wood pulp core with adhesive; leak-guard likely polymer-based
PFAS
Moderate concern
Adhesive contact dermatitis or sensitization
Limited concern
Fragrance or cosmetic additives in the pad material
Limited concern
Typical pad construction; waterproof layer raises concern, no brand disclosure.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Poise
Light Pads
absorbent core, cellulose, likely water-resistant backing
PFAS
Limited concern
Incontinence pads likely use water-resistant treatment; PFAS risk unclear without lab testing.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Poise
Overnight Ultra Thin Pads with Wings
Cellulose core with synthetic polymer topsheet and waterproof backing
PFAS
High concern
Skin irritation and contact dermatitis from topsheet and adhesives
Limited concern
Cellulose degradation and fiber shedding
Limited concern
Chlorine and bleaching residues in cellulose
Limited concern
Waterproof pads may use PFAS treatments; brand silent on source.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Poise
Ultimate Absorbency Incontinence Pads
absorbent cellulose core with synthetic polymer waterproof backing
PFAS
High concern
Dermal irritation from synthetic backing
Moderate concern
Cellulose degradation and microfiber shedding
Limited concern
Adhesive residue on skin
Moderate concern
Skip until brand confirms waterproof backing composition.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Poise
Absorbency Pads
absorbent core with waterproof backing layer, composition unspecified
PFAS
Moderate concern
Skin irritation from absorbent core additives
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens (if product is scented variant)
Limited concern
Skip until brand discloses waterproofing chemicals or certifies PFAS-free.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Always Maxi
Pads With Wings
cellulose/polyethylene with waterproof coating
PFAS
Limited concern
Microplastics
Limited concern
Undisclosed synthetic additives in coating
Limited concern
Adhesive and fragrance sensitization
Moderate concern
Unknown waterproof coating; brand silent on PFAS.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Always Maxi
Size 3 Extra Long Super Pads with Wings
absorbent core, adhesive, waterproof backing (unknown treatment)
PFAS
High concern
Adhesive leachables and skin contact sensitivity
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens in scented variants
Limited concern
Unknown waterproof backing treatment; PFAS risk unspecified by brand
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Always Maxi
Overnight Pads with Wings
cellulose, polypropylene, adhesives with undisclosed water-resistant coatings
PFAS
High concern
Undisclosed adhesives
Limited concern
Polypropylene microparticle shedding
Limited concern
Contact dermatitis from coating or adhesive compounds
Moderate concern
Waterproof period pads often use PFAS-treated materials; brand provides no transparency.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Carefree Acti-Fresh
Long Pantiliners
nonwoven synthetic with waterproof backing layer
PFAS
High concern
Skin sensitization from synthetic adhesives or fragrance
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding from nonwoven layers
Limited concern
Waterproof pantiliner coating likely contains PFAS; brand provides no disclosure.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Carefree Acti-Fresh
Carefree Ultra Thin Pads With Wings
nonwoven synthetic layers with unspecified water-resistant topsheet coating
Water-resistant topsheet coating (unspecified chemistry)
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens (scented variants)
Limited concern
Adhesive contact irritation
Limited concern
Skip until brand discloses water-resistant coating composition.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Carefree Acti-Fresh
Carefree Breathe Pads Ultra Thin
Nonwoven synthetic polymer with waterproofing layer
Synthetic polymer fragmentation and microplastic shedding
Limited concern
Waterproofing layer degradation and coating leachables
Limited concern
Fragrance and botanical additive sensitivities
Limited concern
Period pads likely water-treated; PFAS risk unclear without disclosure.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Carefree Acti-Fresh
Carefree Maxi Overnight Pads with Wings
Nonwoven cellulose blend with waterproof backing/adhesive, composition unspecified
Adhesive composition (undisclosed)
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens (Acti-Fresh scent)
Moderate concern
Nonwoven cellulose degradation and particle shedding
Limited concern
Waterproof backing integrity loss over time
High concern
Waterproof period pad; unspecified backing raises PFAS concern without disclosure.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Kotex
Bamboo Ultra Thin Pads with Wings
bamboo viscose, cellulose core, polyethylene/polypropylene layers, unspecified water-resistant coating
PFAS
High concern
Skin irritation from undisclosed additives or residual chemicals
Limited concern
Microplastic or polymer shedding from backing layers
Limited concern
Allergic reaction to fragrance or adhesive (if present)
Limited concern
Skip until Kotex discloses waterproofing chemistry; pads need water barriers often using PFAS.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Kotex
Ultra Thin Heavy Pads with Wings
Cellulose, synthetic absorbent core, polypropylene layers, waterproof backing
PFAS
Limited concern
Lower concern than apparel, but waterproof layers raise unanswered PFAS questions.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Kotex
U by Kotex Clean & Secure Ultra Thin Pads
Nonwoven fibers (cellulose/synthetic blend) with waterproof backing layer, composition not fully disclosed
PFAS
High concern
Microplastic shedding from degraded nonwoven fibers
Limited concern
Bacterial colonization if not changed regularly
Moderate concern
Skin irritation from adhesive or fragrance
Limited concern
Skip until Kotex discloses waterproof layer chemistry; fluorinated coatings often used.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Thinx
Cotton Overnight Set Period Underwear
Cotton with water-resistant membrane/lining layer (composition unspecified)
PFAS
High concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Membrane degradation and microplastic shedding
Limited concern
Allergic contact dermatitis from undisclosed additives
Limited concern
Skip until Thinx discloses waterproofing agent; period underwear often uses PFAS-based water-repellent coating.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Always
Infinity FlexFoam Pads
Absorbent core with unspecified waterproof backing layer
PFAS
Moderate concern
Absorbent-core additives (dioxins, dyes, residual bleach)
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens (if fragmented version used)
Limited concern
Skin irritation from backing material or adhesive
Limited concern
Skip until Always discloses waterproof layer composition; period products warrant PFAS transparency.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Always
Ultra Thin Super Pads
Cellulose/synthetic layers with undisclosed water-resistant treatment
PFAS
Moderate concern
Skin sensitization or allergic contact dermatitis
Limited concern
Fragrance or dye reactions
Limited concern
Period pads need water-repellency; Always discloses nothing about PFAS treatment.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Always
Radiant Regular Pads With Wings
cellulose/SAP absorbent core with waterproof plastic backing
Plastic backing composition and leaching
Limited concern
Synthetic dyes and fragrance in top sheet
Limited concern
Lower concern but opaque; waterproof backing likely uses water-repellent coating, brand silent.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Always
Ultra Thin Long Super Pads
Cellulose/rayon core with synthetic polymer backsheet and absorbent gels; waterproof layers likely water-repellent coating-treated
PFAS
High concern
Sodium polyacrylate gel and skin irritation
Limited concern
Rayon production and environmental contamination residues
Limited concern
Fragrance or additive sensitivities
Limited concern
High-risk category; Always hasn't disclosed PFAS testing or commitment.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Always
Infinity Flexfoam Pads with Wings
synthetic polymer core with water-resistant topsheet (composition unspecified)
PFAS
High concern
Synthetic polymer skin irritation and allergen potential
Limited concern
Microplastics
Limited concern
Adhesive and tackifier chemical composition unknown
Limited concern
Waterproof pads pose moderate PFAS concern; Always doesn't disclose coating chemistry.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Always
Ultra Thin Long Super Pads with Wings
cellulose/synthetic polymer core with waterproofing layer
PFAS
Limited concern
Skin irritation and allergic contact dermatitis from synthetic polymers
Moderate concern
Adhesive residue and skin barrier disruption
Limited concern
Microplastics
Limited concern
Higher concern due to waterproof backing; consider alternatives with explicit PFAS-free claims.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Always
Infinity Pads
Nonwoven absorbent core with polymer layers; waterproof backing composition not disclosed
PFAS
Moderate concern
Skin sensitization or contact dermatitis from undisclosed additives
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding from nonwoven layers
Limited concern
Skip unless Always discloses waterproof coating chemistry or independent testing.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Always
Ultra Thin Regular Pads
nonwoven cellulose/polyester blend with waterproof backing coating (unspecified)
Microplastic shedding from waterproof backing
Limited concern
Teflon-type coating (Teflon) fume risk from waterproof coating
Limited concern
Skin sensitization from undisclosed adhesives or coatings
Moderate concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Skip if PFAS concerns you; limited brand transparency on water-resistant coatings.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
- 25Stayfree Stayfree Ultra Thin Overnight Pads with Wings
- 25Always Always Extra Heavy Overnight Maxi Pads
- 25Kotex U by Kotex Ultra Thin Pads
- 25Kotex Kotex Ultra Thin Pads
- 25Kotex U by Kotex Kotex Bamboo Ultra Thin Pads with Wings
- 25Kotex Kotex Maxi Overnight Pads
- 25Nana Nana Ultra Regular Sanitary Towels Moderate Flow
- 25Nana Nana Good Night Maxi Thick Sanitary Pads 7 Count
- 25Playtex Playtex Sport Ultra Thin Pads
- 25Playtex Playtex Sport Ultra Thin Regular Qwik Dry 72 Total Pads
- 25Playtex Playtex Clean Comfort 16 Pads Regular
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