What Are Attn: Grace Pads Made Of?

Key Takeaways

• Attn: Grace pads use plant-based, renewable fibers in all skin-contact layers, with no petroleum-based plastics, no chlorine bleach, no synthetic dyes, and no synthetic fragrances.

• Every product is formulated to be Skin-Safe™ and, as a voluntary standard, free from over 1,700 chemicals that EU regulators have restricted in personal care which is a benchmark Attn: Grace applies even though absorbent hygiene products in the U.S. are not legally required to meet it.

• The absorbent core uses high-density superabsorbent polymer (SAP) technology engineered to wick moisture rapidly and lock it away. The skin-contact layers (including the top sheet) use gentle, plant-based, renewable materials.

• Attn: Grace holds third-party certifications including Dermatest® Excellent, OEKO-TEX, B Corp™, and FSC; independent verification of the brand's material and safety commitments.

• If you've experienced skin irritation, sores, or a plasticky feel from conventional pads, the material composition of those products may be a contributing factor worth discussing with your healthcare provider.

If you've ever turned over a package of incontinence pads and felt confused or unsettled by the ingredient list, you're not alone. Many conventional pads are manufactured with petroleum-based plastics, chlorine-bleached pulp, and synthetic fragrances that were not designed with sensitive skin in mind. Attn: Grace was built to offer a different approach.

Here's a plain-language breakdown of what goes into every Attn: Grace pad, and why each material choice matters.

The Top Sheet: What Touches Your Skin

The top sheet is the layer in direct contact with your body, and it's where many conventional pads may contribute to discomfort for women with sensitive skin. Many conventional pads use petroleum-derived plastic films in the skin contact layer. This is the same class of plastic used in food packaging. This material is inexpensive to produce, but it can trap heat, restrict airflow, and contribute to irritation and chafing over time. Attn: Grace uses a micro-perforated, plant-based top sheet designed for breathability, comfort, and rapid moisture wicking

Attn: Grace uses a micro-perforated, plant-based top sheet made from gentle plant-derived fibers. The micro-perforations allow air to circulate and moisture to move quickly away from the skin, reducing that wet, uncomfortable feeling that can contribute to redness and breakdown. The top sheet contains no petroleum-based plastics, synthetic dyes, or synthetic fragrances. Individual skin responses vary; if you experience irritation, consult a qualified clinician.

The Absorbent Core: Where the Science Lives

The absorbent core is the engineering center of any incontinence pad. It's responsible for two jobs: wicking fluid away from the surface quickly, and locking it in so it doesn't travel back.

Conventional pads often rely on a blend of wood pulp (commonly bleached) and petroleum-derived superabsorbent polymers (SAP). Attn: Grace replaces this with FSC-certified tree pulp processed without chlorine bleach, removing a bleaching method associated with dioxin byproduct formation in manufacturing. 

The SAP component in Attn: Grace products is optimized for high-density performance at each absorbency level. The Moderate Pad core is engineered for rapid moisture wicking, moving fluid away from the skin surface quickly to minimize the time the skin remains in contact with moisture.

*Note: Modern elemental chlorine-free (ECF) and totally chlorine-free (TCF) bleaching processes, which are now widely used across the industry, significantly reduce dioxin levels in finished products. The FDA has noted that currently marketed products generally do not present dioxin at dangerous levels. Chlorine-free processing is nonetheless a meaningful material distinction that removes this step from the supply chain entirely.

**Performance data reflects Attn: Grace's internal or commissioned testing. Independent third-party replication has not been publicly disclosed.

What's Left Out (and Why That Matters)

Attn: Grace formulates its products to avoid over 1,700 chemicals restricted by the EU but not currently regulated in U.S. personal care products. The specific exclusions on every product include:

• No petroleum-based plastics in the top sheet or any skin-contact layer

• No chlorine bleach - used to whiten pulp in many conventional products

• No synthetic dyes - added for appearance, not function

• No synthetic fragrances - a recognized category of contact sensitizers in dermatology

Research published in dermatology literature has identified synthetic fragrances as a leading category of contact allergens, and the perineal area is particularly sensitive due to thinner, more permeable tissue. Avoiding these ingredients is consistent with general dermatological guidance for sensitive skin care, though individual responses vary. Women experiencing persistent skin irritation should consult a healthcare provider.

Product-by-Product: What Changes at Each Absorbency Level

The material platform is consistent across the full pad lineup. What changes is core density and pad dimensions — not the safety of the ingredients.

Third-Party Certifications: The Proof Behind the Claims

It's one thing for a brand to say its products are carefully formulated. It's another for independent bodies to verify it. Attn: Grace carries:

• Dermatest® Excellent - clinical skin compatibility testing confirming the top sheet and materials rated as skin-compatible in testing 

• OEKO-TEX Standard - independent certification confirming that materials have been tested against a defined list of regulated substances and meet specified limits for those substances

• FSC Certified Tree Pulp - confirming sustainable sourcing of the plant pulp component

• B Corp™ Certified - third-party accountability standard covering environmental and social performance across the company

• Carbon Neutral Manufacturing - verified offset program covering production emissions

• Cruelty-Free & Vegan - no animal testing, no animal-derived materials

The Bigger Picture: Why Material Choice Matters for Long-Term Skin Health

Women managing bladder leaks often wear absorbent products for multiple hours a day, sometimes daily. That sustained contact creates a material exposure pattern most people never consider when choosing between brands on a shelf.

For adults wearing pads for extended periods, breathability and material composition are worth considering. Prolonged skin contact with moisture is described in clinical literature as a contributing factor in incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD) in some people, which is why pad design features including breathability and absorbency matching matter. Individual responses vary; persistent skin symptoms should be evaluated by a clinician

Plant-based materials offer a different approach. Breathable fibers help reduce occlusion. Chlorine-free pulp removes a manufacturing step associated with dioxin formation. Removing synthetic fragrance eliminates a recognized category of contact sensitizer from the formulation. The goal is to reduce the variables that may contribute to skin discomfort during prolonged wear. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Attn: Grace pads formulated for sensitive skin?

Yes. They carry the Dermatest® Excellent rating for skin compatibility and are free from the synthetic dyes, fragrances, and petroleum plastics most commonly associated with contact irritation in the perineal area. Women with known skin sensitivities should review ingredients and consult their healthcare provider if concerns arise.

Do Attn: Grace pads contain plastic? 

No petroleum-based plastics are used in any skin-contact layer. The top sheet is made from micro-perforated, plant-based fibers.

What makes Attn: Grace different from conventional brands?

The primary material difference is the top sheet and core composition. Many conventional incontinence pads use petroleum-based plastic films and chlorine-bleached pulp. Attn: Grace replaces both with plant-derived alternatives and formulates without over 1,700 chemicals currently restricted in EU personal care products.

Are Attn: Grace pads biodegradable? 

The plant-based fibers are derived from renewable sources, and manufacturing is certified carbon neutral. Full biodegradability depends on composting conditions; the brand's sustainability commitment centers on reducing petroleum dependency and chemical load rather than claiming full compostability.

Disclaimer: This content is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice and should not replace consultation with a qualified health professional. While we strive for accuracy, we make no warranties about completeness or suitability for any purpose. If you have health concerns or persistent symptoms, please consult your clinician.