Stayfree Ultra Thin · Period Pads
Stayfree Ultra Thin Super Long Pads with Wings
Skip until brand discloses waterproof treatment chemistry.
Stayfree does not disclose what chemical treatment makes the pad waterproof. Menstrual pads often use water-repellent coating coatings that may contain PFAS; independent testing data unavailable.
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 polymer, waterproof backing (unspecified treatment)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Stayfree Ultra Thin Super Long Pads is made of, ingredients and materials
Stayfree Ultra Thin uses nonwoven polymer layers (likely polypropylene or polyethylene) for absorbency and a waterproof backing of unspecified chemical composition. The waterproof layer's treatment is the primary unknown; period pads sit against skin for hours, making any leachable components from the backing a legitimate concern. No public disclosure exists on whether this backing uses PFAS, silicones, or other water-resistant treatments.
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 backing leachables (unspecified chemistry)
The waterproof treatment is not disclosed by the brand. Period pads contact skin for extended periods; unknown backing chemistry presents a low-but-unquantified risk of skin exposure to adhesives, water-resistant treatments, or degradation byproducts.
What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No recalls or public testing reports document formaldehyde emissions from Stayfree Ultra Thin. Nonwoven fabrics in menstrual pads may contain aminoplast resins used for fiber bonding, but this is industry-standard and no specific concern is on record for this product.
Source, ATSDR ↗Chlorine residues from bleaching or processing
Many nonwoven pads are bleached during manufacture. Stayfree does not disclose bleaching methods or chlorine-residue testing; however, no documented health complaints or testing reports specific to this product exist.
Azo dyes or colorants in nonwoven layers
The product is predominantly white or unbleached; no public information indicates use of synthetic azo dyes in the absorbent core. The backing may contain colorants, but no specific concern has been reported.
Degradation and microparticle shedding over shelf life or with use
Nonwoven polymers used in pads are not known to shed microplastics under normal use conditions. Fragmentation is theoretically possible if backing is damaged or if polymer degrades under extreme storage heat, but no public data on Stayfree product degradation exists.
The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Stayfree (Edgewell Personal Care) has not publicly disclosed the chemistry of waterproof treatments in its products or committed to PFAS elimination. The brand maintains a largely silent stance on chemical composition beyond basic material names. No third-party certifications (such as Cradle to Cradle, Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex, or similar) are marketed for this product line, limiting independent verification of chemical inputs.
How it compares in its category
Many mainstream menstrual-pad brands (Kotex, Always, Tampax) similarly lack transparent waterproof-treatment disclosure, making Stayfree representative of industry norms rather than an outlier. Certified-organic or PFAS-free alternatives (Rael, Kimberly-Clark Kotex Free & Gentle, various plastic-free brands) exist but carry higher cost. Stayfree positions itself in the budget-mainstream segment where chemical transparency is not yet standard practice.
If you buy it
Change pads every 4-8 hours as recommended to limit skin contact duration with any potential leachables from the backing. Do not reuse pads or expose them to heat (direct sunlight, high humidity) for extended periods, as thermal degradation of the backing polymer could increase leaching. If skin irritation, rashes, or unusual odor develops, discontinue use and switch to a brand with transparent chemical disclosure. Consider requesting detailed waterproof-treatment information directly from the manufacturer.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Stayfree Ultra Thin has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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Kotex Natural
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- Pesticide residue
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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.