Always Ultra Thin Overnight Pads with Wings
Unknown waterproof treatment; no public PFAS disclosure from Procter & Gamble.
Overnight pads require liquid barriers often treated with PFAS, but Always does not disclose coating type or PFAS status. No independent lab data or certifications available to confirm composition.
The better-graded swap
Seventh Generation
Seventh Generation Chlorine Free Maxi Pads
100/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
cellulose, SAP, polyethylene; fluid-barrier coating unspecified
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Always Ultra Thin Overnight Pads Wings is made of, ingredients and materials
Always Ultra Thin Overnight uses cellulose (wood fiber), super-absorbent polymer (SAP, typically sodium polyacrylate), and polyethylene (PE plastic backing and wings). Cellulose and SAP are not inherently toxic, but the fluid-barrier coating, which makes these pads waterproof, is not publicly specified by P&G. Without disclosure of the barrier chemistry, it is not possible to confirm whether PFAS or other persistent water-repellent chemicals are present. PE backing is a stable plastic at body temperature and does not leach under normal conditions.
What’s concerning
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Waterproof coating composition (unconfirmed)
The fluid-barrier treatment on the pad surface is not publicly named by Always or P&G. This prevents independent assessment of whether PFAS or other legacy water-repellent chemicals are used; the hazard is unknown, not ruled out.
Super-absorbent polymer (SAP) contact irritation
Sodium polyacrylate is non-toxic if ingested in small amounts, but direct skin contact over many hours can cause mild irritation, dryness, or allergic response in sensitive individuals. This is true for all pads using SAP, not specific to Always.
What’s reassuring
Polyethylene backing degradation
PE film does not inherently leach at body temperature or in moisture. Degradation would require heat or extended UV exposure, neither of which occurs in normal pad storage or use.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Cellulose sourcing and bleaching methods are not specified by Always. Standard wood-pulp bleaching does not involve formaldehyde; any resin binders would be disclosed if present. No evidence of this concern on record for Always pads.
Source, ATSDR ↗Fragrance or dyes in pad surface
Always Ultra Thin Overnight is fragrance-free and contains no added dyes on the absorbent surface. Some Always variants (e.g., scented lines) contain fragrance allergens; this unscented version does not.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Procter & Gamble has not published material composition or PFAS avoidance commitments for Always period products, despite growing pressure on manufacturers to disclose these details. The company has made some public commitments on other product lines but remains silent on period-care waterproofing methods. No independent certifications (such as Cradle to Cradle, Oeko-Tex, or standard for PFAS-free status) are listed for this product. This absence of transparency is the primary concern, not a confirmed hazard.
How it compares in its category
Most overnight pads, including those from Kotex, Tampax, and store brands, use similar cellulose and SAP cores with plastic backings. The waterproof barrier method varies by brand and is rarely disclosed publicly. Organic or eco-certified alternatives (such as Seventh Generation or Cora) are more transparent about materials but do not always eliminate PFAS-adjacent concerns. Always is market-leading but not differentiated by material transparency, which puts it in the middle tier of disclosure practice in this category.
If you buy it
Store pads in a cool, dry place; do not expose to direct heat or UV light, as this can degrade polyethylene and any coating. Replace pads every 4 to 8 hours during use to maintain absorbency and reduce skin irritation risk. Do not wash and reuse; single-use only. If you experience unexplained rashes or irritation, switch brands to identify whether it is material sensitivity, and consider requesting P&G to disclose coating composition.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Always has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Always Ultra Thin Overnight Pads with Wings?
- organic cotton, wood pulp
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Fragrance allergen content
- cellulose, cotton blend, absorbent core
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bleach residues and processing chemicals in cellulose
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Cotton, wood pulp absorbent core, plastic backing
- Pesticide residue
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
More period pads grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.