Always Infinity FlexFoam Pads Size
Skip until brand discloses waterproof treatment composition.
Always Infinity pads use unspecified waterproof coatings typical of period absorbent products, where PFAS-based water-repellent coating finishes are common. Brand provides no PFAS disclosure or testing; composition remains unclear.
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, polyester, adhesive with waterproof coating (unspecified)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
You may also be interested in
Top-graded picks in the categories readers replace first, every one scored on the same rubric.
Aqua Pure
3M Aqua-Pure AP802B Whole House Filter Housing
- polypropylene filter housing, carbon/sediment cartridge
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial growth in spent cartridges
3 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
Aquasure
Premier Series 75 GPD Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System
- RO membrane, carbon filters, stainless steel housing
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial and microbial growth in housing and filters
4 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
Avocado
Vegan Mattress
- organic cotton, natural latex, coconut coir, recycled steel coils
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Heavy metals
2 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
What Always Infinity FlexFoam Pads Size is made of, ingredients and materials
Always Infinity FlexFoam pads combine cellulose (wood pulp, absorbent core) with polyester (the foam layer and backing) and an adhesive system topped with an unspecified waterproof coating. Cellulose itself is inert and biodegradable; polyester is a synthetic polymer with low leaching risk in normal use. The critical unknown is the waterproof coating composition, manufacturers typically use either fluorochemical-based (PFAS-containing) or non-fluorine alternatives, but Always has not disclosed which method they use here, placing the coating in the hazard zone.
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 (unspecified)
The coating's chemistry is not disclosed by Always. If fluorochemical-based, it would contain PFAS; if silicone or wax-based, lower concern. Absence of disclosure is the hazard, not a confirmed chemical.
Adhesive leachables (contact with skin/mucosa)
Adhesive composition is not named (acrylic, natural rubber, or synthetic blend likely). Absorption into vaginal tissue over hours of contact is theoretically possible but not documented as a hazard for conventional pad adhesives. Brand-specific safety data are absent.
What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Polyester used in pads is typically processed without formaldehyde releasers, unlike some apparel textiles. No published data links Always pads to formaldehyde; cellulose core also does not require formaldehyde bonding.
Source, ATSDR ↗Azo dyes or color pigments
Always Infinity pads are white or light-colored with minimal decorative printing. Dye exposure risk is not on record for this product line. Pigments in adhesive or backing are not identified as a concern in industry reports.
Synthetic polymer degradation and microparticles
Polyester in pads is not subject to heating or friction that would shed fibers. Disposal as single-use waste means microplastic shedding occurs post-consumer, not during use.
The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Always (Procter & Gamble subsidiary) does not publicly disclose waterproof treatment chemistry for any of its pad lines. The brand has not sought or obtained certification by third-party textile safety bodies (Oeko-Tex, GOTS, or similar) that would verify absence of harmful chemicals. No major recalls or chemical controversy specific to this product are on public record, but the silence on coating composition is itself a red flag in an industry where PFAS use in menstrual products is documented.
How it compares in its category
Most conventional pads (Tampax, Kotex, Stayfree) use similar cellulose-polyester structures with undisclosed waterproof coatings, creating a category-wide transparency gap. Certified organic or PFAS-free alternatives (Rael, Cora, Aunt Flow, Seventh Generation) explicitly state non-fluorine or waterless absorbent designs and publish ingredient sourcing. Always Infinity pads are mid-market; they offer comfort features (foam, flex design) but lag behind transparent competitors on chemical safety disclosure.
If you buy it
Menstrual pads are single-use products; there is no care, heating, or maintenance involved. Change pads every 4-8 hours per product guidance. Risk exposure is primary absorption against vaginal/cervical tissue and incidental skin contact. If you experience irritation, rash, or odor changes, discontinue and switch to a brand with published chemical transparency. Consider requesting Always to disclose waterproof coating details before repeat purchase.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Always Infinity has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Better-graded alternatives in Period Pads
Seventh Generation
Chlorine Free Maxi Pads
- organic cotton, wood pulp
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Fragrance allergen content
Nana
Maxi Thick
- 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. See all of them.
Kotex Natural
10pack Kotex Natural Normal Sanitary Pads
- Cotton, wood pulp absorbent core, plastic backing
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Pesticide residue
2 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
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.