If you have ever opened a pack of period pads and wondered what is actually touching your skin for hours, you are not overthinking it. A pad has to absorb well, stay in place, feel comfortable, control odour, and protect your clothes. But the question many people are now asking is simple: what are sanitary pads made of, and should those ingredients worry you?
The honest answer is: it depends on the pad, your skin, and how transparent the brand is. Most sanitary pads are made from several layers, including a soft top sheet, an absorbent centre, a leakproof back sheet, adhesive strips, wings, wrapper materials, and sometimes added fragrance, dyes, lotions, or odour-control ingredients. Some materials are there for performance. Others may be unnecessary if you have sensitive skin or prefer cleaner period care.
For a long time, most of us bought pads based on absorbency, price, size, or brand habit. If it did not leak, we kept using it. But more people are now dealing with itching, rashes, heat, friction, and discomfort during periods. Shoppers are also becoming more aware of plastic waste and ingredient transparency.
That does not mean every conventional pad is dangerous. It means you have a right to know what is in a product that sits against intimate skin for several hours. The vulva is delicate, and even a small irritant can feel worse during your period, when moisture, friction, and hormonal skin changes are already happening.
A sanitary pad is usually a layered product.
The top sheet is the layer that touches your skin. In many conventional pads, this may be made from nonwoven synthetic materials such as polyethylene or polypropylene. Some pads use cotton, rayon, bamboo-derived fibre, corn fibre, or other plant-based materials. A good top sheet should feel soft, allow fluid to pass through quickly, and reduce wetness on the skin.
The absorbent core is the middle layer. It often contains fluff pulp, cellulose, cotton, or wood pulp, sometimes combined with superabsorbent polymers. Superabsorbent polymers can hold many times their weight in liquid, which is why ultra-thin pads can still absorb well.
The back sheet is the leakproof layer. In many pads, this is plastic-based, often polyethylene. Newer eco-conscious pads may use plant-based or biodegradable films.
Adhesives keep the pad attached to the underwear. Wings may also have adhesive to stop shifting. There is usually a release paper or wrapper, which may be plastic, paper, or biodegradable material.
The most common materials include plastic films, synthetic fibres, cellulose pulp, cotton, rayon, superabsorbent polymer, adhesive, fragrance, colourants, and sometimes antibacterial or odour-neutralising agents.
Plastic is often used because it is cheap, flexible, leakproof, and durable. However, plastic-heavy pads can feel less breathable and may contribute to sweating or irritation for some users.
Cotton is used in some pads. Organic cotton may reduce concerns about pesticide residues, although processing and testing still matter.
Rayon and viscose are semi-synthetic fibres made from plant cellulose. It can feel smooth and breathable, but quality depends on sourcing, processing, and final testing.
Wood pulp or cellulose helps absorb fluid. It is common in many disposable pads. If pulp is bleached, some consumers prefer brands that state whether the bleaching process is elemental chlorine-free or totally chlorine-free.
Superabsorbent polymers help lock fluid inside the pad. They are useful for dryness and leak protection, but people who prefer minimal ingredients may choose pads with less SAP or a more natural absorbent core.
Fragrance is one ingredient many people should think twice about. Scented pads are often marketed as “fresh,” but menstrual blood is not dirty, and your vagina does not need perfume. Fragrance can irritate sensitive skin and may be unnecessary for odour control.
Dyes may look nice, but they do not improve protection. If you often get itching or rashes, choosing dye-free and fragrance-free pads is a sensible first step.
Concern should not turn into panic. There are valid reasons to be selective.
First, if your pad leaves you itchy, red, sore, or rash-prone, the issue may be friction, trapped moisture, fragrance, plastic contact, or sensitivity to a material. Switching to a softer, fragrance-free, breathable option may help.
Second, transparency matters. If a brand does not clearly explain its materials, it becomes harder for you to judge whether the pad matches your needs. You should not have to guess what is touching your skin.
Third, “natural” does not automatically mean perfect. The better question is not just “Is it natural?” but “Is it clearly labelled, tested, fragrance-free, comfortable, and suitable for my skin?”
Fourth, environmental impact matters. A single disposable pad may contain plastic in the top sheet, backing, adhesive area, wrapper, or packaging. If you use pads every cycle, that waste adds up. Choosing plastic-free or lower-plastic options can reduce your footprint without switching to a cup or reusable pad.
No pad is literally chemical-free. Water is a chemical. Cotton, bamboo, and cellulose are made of chemical compounds, too. What people usually mean is “free from unnecessary harsh additives” or “free from certain synthetic materials, fragrance, chlorine bleaching, dyes, pesticides, or toxins of concern.”
Look for specific claims such as fragrance-free, dye-free, chlorine-free, plastic-free, organic cotton, bamboo fibre, biodegradable back sheet, dermatologically tested, or OEKO-TEX certified. Specific claims are more useful than vague promises.
If you like the convenience of disposable pads but want a gentler and more eco-conscious option, Peuriste is worth considering. Peuriste offers organic bamboo sanitary pads designed for sensitive skin and positioned around plant-based materials. Its pads use bamboo and corn fibre in the top sheet, focus on biodegradable materials, and are described as toxin and fragrance-free.
For people in Singapore and Malaysia, this is especially relevant because heat and humidity can make breathability feel less like a luxury and more like everyday comfort during school, work, travel, sleep, or long commutes on heavier days too.
It may also appeal to people who feel uncomfortable with scented pads or who want a softer, more breathable surface during hot days, work, school, travel, or overnight use.
The best approach is not to buy any product blindly, including Peuriste. Start with the absorbency you need, check how your skin responds, and see whether the pad stays secure without rubbing. A pad can have beautiful ingredients, but it still has to work for your flow and body shape.
Start by choosing fragrance-free. This is one of the simplest changes if you experience itching or irritation.
Next, check the top sheet. If plastic-feel pads make you sweat or rash, try cotton, bamboo-derived, corn fibre, or other plant-based surfaces.
Look at absorbency honestly. Using an ultra-thick or overnight pad on a light day can create unnecessary heat and friction. On heavy days, using a pad that is too light can lead to leaks and longer exposure to moisture. Match the pad to your flow.
Change your pad regularly. Even the best pad can cause discomfort if it stays on too long. Moisture, warmth, and friction are often the real problem, not just ingredients.
Avoid assuming price equals safety. Expensive pads are not automatically better, and cheaper pads are not automatically harmful. What matters is comfort, transparency, testing, and whether the product suits your skin.
If you have eczema, recurring vulvar irritation, unusual discharge, burning, or a rash that does not improve after switching pads, speak with a healthcare professional. Sometimes the issue is not the pad at all. It could be a yeast infection, bacterial imbalance, dermatitis, allergy, or another skin condition.
So, what are sanitary pads made of? Usually, they are made from a mix of absorbent fibres, plastic or plant-based layers, adhesives, wrappers, and sometimes fragrance, dyes, or odour-control additives. Some ingredients are useful for leak protection. Others may not be necessary, especially if your skin is sensitive.
You do not need to fear every pad on the shelf. But you should feel comfortable asking better questions: Is it fragrance-free? Is the top sheet breathable? Are the materials clearly explained? Is it tested for sensitive skin? Does it reduce plastic where possible? Does it actually feel good during your period?
The best sanitary pad is not the one with the loudest promise. It is the one that protects you, respects your skin, and matches your values. For some, that may be a conventional pad that works perfectly well. For others, it may be a plant-based option like Peuriste. The point is not to panic. The point is to choose with confidence.
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