Always Ultra Thin Regular Pads with Wings
Unknown waterproof coating. Skip until brand discloses composition.
Always does not disclose its fluid-barrier treatment chemistry. Waterproof period pads typically use water-repellent coating coatings; brand silence on formulation leaves PFAS risk unresolved.
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 core, polypropylene backing with waterproof/fluid-barrier layer
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Always Ultra Thin Regular Pads with Wings is made of, ingredients and materials
Always Ultra Thin Regular uses a cellulose-based absorbent core with superabsorbent polymer (SAP), a polypropylene backing layer, and an undisclosed waterproof fluid-barrier coating. The cellulose and SAP themselves have no established chemical hazards of concern at use. The polypropylene backing is chemically stable and not a leaching risk. The critical unknown is the waterproof coating applied to achieve fluid barrier performance; its composition is not publicly disclosed, and such coatings in menstrual products are a documented route for PFAS exposure.
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.
PFAS
The fluid-barrier layer is not identified publicly. Waterproof coatings in menstrual products are a known vector for PFAS; absence of disclosure is a red flag for consumer-facing chemical transparency, though presence of hazard is not confirmed without testing.
Source, ATSDR ↗Bacterial or fungal growth if pad left in place too long
All absorbent menstrual pads create a moist microenvironment if saturated and not changed regularly. This is a use and hygiene issue, not a material defect, but relevant to reducing skin irritation or infection risk.
What’s reassuring
Skin sensitization from adhesive or fragrance (if present)
Always Ultra Thin Regular does not list added fragrance in its standard formulation, and no widespread skin sensitization recall or published complaints are on record for this product line. Adhesive is standard medical-grade hotmelt; no specific hazard class is reported.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No public disclosure or test results indicate formaldehyde releasers in Always pads. This hazard is more commonly associated with textiles and cosmetics; menstrual pads are not a known source, and no complaints or recalls reference this.
Source, ATSDR ↗Microplastic or particulate shedding
Polypropylene backing and cellulose core do not shed microplastics under normal use at body temperature and moisture. No published testing or consumer complaints document this for Always products.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Always (Procter & Gamble subsidiary) has not publicly disclosed the identity or composition of waterproof coatings in its menstrual pads, despite increasing industry and regulatory scrutiny of PFAS in period products. The brand has not published third-party test results, certifications for PFAS-free status, or a statement on fluorochemical use. Industry peers (Seventh Generation, Cora, Rael) have begun publishing PFAS test results or committing to fluorochemical-free formulations; Always' silence contrasts with this shift and limits informed choice.
How it compares in its category
Among major mass-market menstrual pads, Always holds substantial market share and offers strong absorbency and comfort. However, competitors increasingly disclose waterproof coating chemistry or have switched to non-fluorinated water-barrier materials. Always Ultra Thin Regular provides no such transparency, placing it in a middle-of-road position, more transparent alternatives exist, and it is not distinguishable from less-premium brands on chemical hazard communication.
If you buy it
Change pads as directed on the package (typically every 4-8 hours) to reduce skin contact duration and bacterial growth risk. Store in a cool, dry place away from heat or direct sunlight to prevent any potential material degradation. If you have sensitive skin or suspect irritation, patch-test on a small area or trial a smaller pack first. If PFAS exposure is a health priority for you, contact Always/P&G requesting waterproof coating disclosure, or consider alternatives with published PFAS test results or confirmed fluorochemical-free status.
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 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.