A Transparent Look at Materials, Performance and Sustainability

You’ll wear one for 4 to 8 hours.

You’ll repeat that every month.

For nearly 40 years.

That adds up to 10,000 to 12,000 sanitary pads over a lifetime.

Yet very few of us have ever been shown what is actually inside them.

As more people search for bamboo sanitary pads, organic feminine pads and sustainable period pads in Singapore, the conversation is changing. Absorbency is no longer the only concern. Women want to understand materials, skin comfort and environmental impact.

At Peuriste, we believe transparency builds trust. Here is a clear breakdown of what goes into a modern period pad and how thoughtful material choices can make a difference.

Layer 1: The Top Sheet

The Surface That Touches Your Skin

The top sheet is the layer that sits directly against intimate skin. In many conventional pads, this layer is made from polypropylene or polyethylene, which are plastic-based fibers engineered to repel liquid. This helps the surface feel dry because fluid is pushed quickly into the core.

Plastic performs well for moisture control, but it is not naturally breathable. In humid climates like Singapore, trapped heat and moisture can contribute to discomfort for some women.

This is one reason bamboo sanitary pads have gained attention. Bamboo fiber is soft and breathable, and when responsibly processed, it can be biodegradable.

Peuriste uses a natural corn and bamboo fiber non-woven top sheet that is:

• 100 percent biodegradable

• Made with certified organic bamboo

• FSC certified

• OEKO-TEX certified

In our 240mm bamboo period pads Singapore customers use daily, the top layer accounts for 14.27 percent of the total product weight and is fully biodegradable.

Material choice at this first layer matters because it directly affects comfort.

Layer 2: The Distribution Layer

Managing Flow Efficiently

Under the top sheet sits the distribution layer. Its job is to spread menstrual fluid evenly before it reaches the absorbent core. This prevents pooling in one spot and improves leak protection.

In many conventional products, this layer is made from synthetic blends. At Peuriste, it is made from 100 percent biodegradable wood pulp paper.

In our 285mm pad, this layer makes up 13.56 percent of the total weight. Using biodegradable pulp instead of synthetic fibers reduces the overall plastic load of the product.

Layer 3: The Absorbent Core

Balancing Performance and Responsibility

The absorbent core is what allows modern pads to remain thin while still offering high protection.

Most pads, including sustainable period pads, use a combination of:

• Fluff pulp derived from wood

• Super Absorbent Polymer, commonly known as SAP

SAP can absorb 200 to 300 times its weight in liquid. It transforms into a gel and locks fluid in place. Without SAP, pads would need to be significantly thicker to achieve the same performance.

At Peuriste, the absorbent core contains:

• 70 to 80 percent biodegradable wood pulp

• 20 to 30 percent SAP, which is not biodegradable

We share this openly because no disposable pad is completely plastic free. The goal is to reduce plastic content meaningfully while maintaining reliable protection.

In our 350mm bamboo night pads, the core represents 34.95 percent of the total product weight. Despite the higher absorbency required for overnight use, the pad remains over 90 percent biodegradable overall.

Layer 4: The Bottom Film

Leak Protection With Lower Plastic Content

Traditional pads use polyethylene plastic film as the bottom layer. It prevents leaks but is not biodegradable.

Peuriste uses certified 100 percent compostable PLA for the bottom film. PLA is a plant-based material designed to break down under proper composting conditions.

In our 240mm pad, the bottom film accounts for 13.63 percent of total weight. In the 350mm night pad, it accounts for 15.08 percent.

Replacing conventional plastic with compostable PLA significantly reduces long-term environmental impact.

Release Paper and Individual Wrapping

Sustainability does not stop at the pad itself.

Peuriste uses:

• 100 percent biodegradable release paper

• Certified 100 percent compostable PLA wrapping film

For the 240mm pad, the wrapping film represents 13.75 percent of total weight, while the release paper represents 5.97 percent. Both are biodegradable components.

Adhesives: A Necessary Compromise

Hot melt adhesive is used to secure the pad and wings to underwear. This adhesive is not biodegradable.

However, it represents only a small portion of total weight:

• 0.13 grams in the 240mm pad

• 0.22 grams in the 350mm pad

Reducing impact is about transparency and proportion, not perfection.

Peuriste Biodegradability by Product Size

Based on full material weight calculation:

• 150mm liner: 95.72 percent biodegradable

• 240mm pad: 91.32 percent biodegradable

• 285mm pad: 91.16 percent biodegradable

• 350mm bamboo night pads: 90.61 percent biodegradable

This positions Peuriste among the more sustainable period pads in Singapore in terms of biodegradable content.

Composting Timeline

Under proper composting conditions:

• Approximately 6 months in commercial compost facilities above 58 degrees Celsius

• Approximately 12 months in household compost conditions above 28 degrees Celsius

Actual decomposition depends on environment and waste systems, but reducing plastic content from industry averages of up to 80 to 90 percent makes a meaningful difference.

Why “Plastic Free” Can Be Misleading

Many products are marketed as plastic free sanitary pads. In disposable hygiene, achieving truly zero plastic while maintaining performance remains technically challenging.

A more accurate question is how much plastic has been reduced.

At Peuriste, we focus on lowering synthetic content wherever possible while ensuring safety, comfort and reliability.

Making More Informed Choices

When choosing bamboo period pads Singapore shoppers trust, consider:

1. Whether the top sheet is breathable and biodegradable

2. The percentage of biodegradable content

3. Whether the product is fragrance free

4. Compostable packaging materials

5. Clear material disclosure

True value in period care is not only about price. It is about thoughtful design, skin comfort, and environmental responsibility.

Final Thoughts

A sanitary pad may look simple, but it is a layered system of materials that interacts with your body thousands of times across your life.

Understanding what is inside allows you to choose with intention.

At Peuriste, we believe sustainable innovation begins with clarity. When women are given transparent information, they can decide what matters most to them.

And that is real value.