Always Ultra Thin Regular Pads
Skip if PFAS concerns you; limited brand transparency on water-resistant coatings.
Waterproof backing coating is standard but unspecified, and PFAS-based water-resistant treatments are common in menstrual products. Always discloses nothing.
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
nonwoven cellulose/polyester blend with waterproof backing coating (unspecified)
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Always Ultra Thin Regular Pads is made of, ingredients and materials
Always Ultra Thin Regular Pads use a nonwoven cellulose and polyester blend core with an unspecified waterproof backing coating. The cellulose absorbs menstrual fluid while the polyester adds structural integrity; the backing coating (likely a plastic polymer) prevents leakage but its chemical composition is not disclosed by the brand. Waterproof coatings on period products are frequently made with Teflon-type coating-based polymers or polyethylene, both of which can shed microparticles under friction and degradation. The lack of transparency on this backing material is the primary safety concern for this product.
What’s concerning
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 / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Microplastic shedding from waterproof backing
Unspecified plastic coating may degrade under friction, moisture, and body temperature over the product's shelf life and use period, potentially releasing microparticles. No published testing of Always Ultra Thin for microplastic shedding is available, but this is a recognized concern for all plastic-backed pads.
Teflon-type coating (Teflon) fume risk from waterproof coating
If the backing contains Teflon-type coating-based polymers, thermal degradation is unlikely at body temperature (37°C) but microscopic inhalation of shed Teflon-type coating particles is theoretically possible with high-friction use. The brand does not disclose whether Teflon-type coating is used; this remains speculative.
Skin sensitization from undisclosed adhesives or coatings
User reports of genital itching, irritation, and allergic reactions attributed to Always pads exist on consumer forums and health sites, though no formal causal link has been established. The nonwoven materials themselves have no hazard of this kind on record, but unidentified adhesives or waterproof polymers may trigger reactions in sensitive individuals.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Nonwoven textiles are often bonded using formaldehyde-based resins; Always does not confirm or deny this practice. Direct skin exposure to formaldehyde vapors from pads is low under normal use, but prolonged contact in warm, moist conditions could increase exposure in sensitive users.
Source, ATSDR ↗What’s reassuring
Dioxins from bleaching of cellulose
Elemental chlorine bleaching of pad cellulose can produce trace dioxin contamination, but most modern manufacturers (including P&G) have adopted elemental chlorine-free (ECF) or totally chlorine-free (TCF) processes. No published contamination is reported for Always Ultra Thin pads.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Procter & Gamble (Always' parent company) has not publicly committed to PFAS-free formulations or disclosed the chemical identity of waterproof coatings in Always pads. The brand does not provide ingredient lists or third-party certifications (such as Cradle to Cradle or Gots standards) that would verify absence of harmful chemicals. P&G has faced consumer advocacy pressure on period product transparency but has not substantially increased disclosure for Always products specifically. No recalls related to chemical hazards in Always Ultra Thin pads are on record as of public knowledge cutoff.
How it compares in its category
Most conventional period pads (Tampax, Kotex, Stayfree) share the same generic construction (cellulose/polyester with unspecified plastic backing) and similarly poor chemical transparency. A subset of brands (Cora, Rael, LOLA, Aunt Flow) explicitly market PFAS-free and/or plastic-free alternatives with disclosed materials, though these carry premium pricing. Always Ultra Thin is not distinguished by superior safety disclosures or reduced chemical risk compared to competitors; it is a market standard product with market-standard opaqueness.
If you buy it
Store pads in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight and heat to minimize polymer degradation and potential microparticle release. Replace pads every 4-8 hours during use; extended wear increases friction and wear on the waterproof backing. If you experience skin irritation, redness, or allergic reaction (itching, rash), discontinue use and consider brands with disclosed, simpler materials. Do not use for non-menstrual purposes (wound absorption, etc.) where skin contact time and friction would be prolonged.
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 Regular Pads?
- 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.