Organic Cotton Period Pads, ranked by PFAS safety
All 9 cotton-based options in our period pads database, graded Bad to Excellent and ranked safest first. 5 earn a buy-worthy grade.
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
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
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
Kotex
Ultra Thin Pads
Cellulose, cotton, adhesive, waterproof backing layer (unspecified)
Waterproof backing layer (unspecified composition)
Limited concern
Contact dermatitis and skin irritation from adhesives or cellulose
Moderate concern
Bacterial growth and toxic shock risk (usage-related)
High concern
Chlorine bleaching byproducts (dioxins) in cellulose
Limited concern
Likely lower concern, but waterproof backing composition not disclosed.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Playtex
Sport Ultra Thin Pads
Cotton/rayon core, plastic backing with moisture-barrier coating
Undisclosed moisture-barrier coating (likely fluorochemical)
High concern
Bleach residues in cotton/rayon core
Limited concern
Allergic sensitization to synthetic materials or dyes
Limited concern
Bacterial growth from moisture and occlusion
Moderate concern
Waterproofed pads lack public PFAS disclosure; unclear coating composition.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Playtex
Clean Comfort 16 Pads Regular
Cotton, absorbent core, waterproof backing (unspecified polymer)
PFAS
Limited concern
Skin irritation or allergic sensitization from adhesive or materials
Moderate concern
Microplastic shedding from synthetic backing
Limited concern
Skip until brand confirms PFAS-free waterproof backing.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
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