Serenity · Incontinence Pads & Protection
SCA Tena Serenity Heavy Pads
Avoid until brand discloses waterproofing chemistry.
SCA Tena pads use waterproof backing to prevent leaks, likely treated with water-repellent chemicals. The brand won't disclose PFAS status or materials; waterproof incontinence pads frequently contain PFAS-based treatments.
The better-graded swap
Eco By Naty
Eco by Naty Incontinence Pads
70/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Good.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
cellulose core with plastic/nonwoven backing and waterproof layers
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 SCA Tena Serenity Heavy Pads is made of, ingredients and materials
Tena Serenity Heavy Pads use a cellulose absorbent core (wood pulp-based, standard for the category) layered with nonwoven polypropylene backing and a waterproof polymer layer to prevent leakage. The waterproof layer is the critical unknown, SCA has not publicly disclosed whether it contains PFAS compounds (PFAS "forever chemicals" used for water and oil repellency). Cellulose itself carries minimal toxicity risk, but the backing materials and adhesives warrant scrutiny given prolonged skin contact.
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.
PFAS
SCA has not disclosed the chemical composition of the waterproof polymer layer. PFAS compounds are commonly used in period-product waterproofing globally; direct skin contact over hours daily raises potential for absorption or leaching, though acute toxicity from a single pad is unlikely.
Source, ATSDR ↗Skin irritation from fragrance or other additives
Tena Serenity pads are marketed as fragrance-free, reducing allergen load compared to scented competitors. However, the nonwoven backing, adhesive, and core materials may contain undisclosed processing aids or antimicrobial additives that could trigger irritation in sensitive users; individual variation is high.
What’s reassuring
Microplastics
No reported issues of visible shedding or microplastic release from Tena Serenity pads in published literature or complaints databases. Standard polypropylene backing is structurally stable under normal use conditions, but prolonged moisture exposure or friction could theoretically degrade fibers over time; evidence specific to this product is absent.
Source, EPA ↗Adhesive or coating volatiles (VOCs)
SCA does not publicly disclose adhesive formulations. Standard medical-grade pad adhesives are typically acrylate-based and low-VOC, but no third-party testing results for Tena Serenity are available to confirm this product's off-gassing profile.
Chlorine bleaching residues in cellulose core
Cellulose pulp in disposable pads is often chlorine-bleached; residual dioxins or organochlorine compounds are possible but typically present in trace amounts regulated by food-contact standards. SCA does not specify bleaching method or residue testing for Tena products.
The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
SCA (Swedish Forest Products Company) does not appear to have published ingredient disclosures or PFAS statements for Tena products publicly available to consumers. No recalls or safety actions specific to Tena Serenity pads are on record with regulatory bodies (FDA, CPSC, or international equivalents). The brand silence on waterproofing chemistry is notable given industry-wide PFAS awareness since approximately 2015 and competitor disclosures from brands like Seventh Generation and Kotex.
How it compares in its category
Tena Serenity is a mainstream, economical option; absorbency and comfort ratings are typical for heavy-flow pads. Many competitors (notably Seventh Generation Free & Clear and some organic-certified brands) have begun voluntarily disclosing PFAS-free or natural fiber constructions; Tena has not matched this transparency trend. Category-wide, PFAS use in waterproof backing layers remains common but increasingly questioned by health advocates and retailers.
If you buy it
Store pads in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent adhesive or polymer degradation. Discontinue use if you notice persistent rash, irritation, or odor that suggests chemical off-gassing or bacterial growth in the core. Consider rotating brands periodically or requesting SCA's waterproofing ingredient list directly; consumer demand for disclosure is an effective lever. If PFAS exposure is a personal concern (e.g., medical history), switching to certified organic or explicitly PFAS-disclosed alternatives reduces uncertainty.
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
- Serenity has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Better-graded alternatives in Incontinence Pads & Protection
Eco By Naty
Incontinence Pads
- Bamboo-derived viscose, cotton, plant-based absorbent core
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Heavy metals
Because Market
Because Booster Pads
- Cellulose, superabsorbent polymer, cotton blend
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Absorbent material degradation and bacterial growth
2 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
5pcs Bamboo Charcoal Washable Incontinence Pads
- bamboo charcoal textile, washable cotton-blend absorbent layer
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Azo dyes and synthetic colorants
4 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
More incontinence pads & protection 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.