Key Takeaways
Most conventional incontinence pads are made of four core layers: a synthetic top sheet, an absorbent core, a distribution layer, and a waterproof backsheet. Each layer typically relies on petroleum-derived plastics, chlorine-bleached pulp, or synthetic chemicals.
The top sheet is the layer that touches your skin directly. In most conventional pads, it is made from polypropylene or polyethylene plastic, which can trap heat, create friction, and limit breathability.
The absorbent core contains superabsorbent polymers (SAPs), typically sodium polyacrylate, which lock in fluid. SAPs themselves are generally considered safe for use in hygiene products, but the materials surrounding them in conventional designs raise real skin-health concerns.
Synthetic fragrances, artificial dyes, and bleach are common additives in conventional pads. These ingredients may contribute to skin irritation and contact dermatitis in some individuals, particularly with prolonged use.
Attn: Grace replaces petroleum-based plastics and harsh chemicals with Skin-Safe, plant-based materials, including a top sheet derived from upcycled sugarcane, across every layer that touches your body.
Bladder leaks are common and many women experience urinary incontinence at some point in their lives, and manage it daily with absorbent pads. But most women have never stopped to ask: what is actually inside that pad?
The answer matters more than you might think. If you are wearing a pad for hours at a time, the materials sitting against your most sensitive skin are not neutral. They are actively interacting with your body. Understanding what goes into a conventional incontinence pad, and what a better alternative looks like, is one of the most straightforward things you can do for your skin health and overall comfort.
How a Conventional Incontinence Pad Is Built
A standard incontinence pad is a multi-layer construction, with each layer serving a specific function. Most pads share this basic anatomy:
Layer 1: The Top Sheet (the layer against your skin) This is the soft-feeling surface you feel when you open the package. In conventional pads, it is almost always made from polypropylene or polyethylene plastic non-woven fabric. These materials are inexpensive to manufacture, moisture-resistant, and easy to emboss with decorative patterns. However, they are not breathable in the true sense. They tend to trap heat, generate friction, and create an occlusive environment that keeps moisture close to the skin rather than drawing it away.
Layer 2: The Acquisition and Distribution Layer Directly beneath the top sheet, this layer helps spread fluid across the absorbent core quickly so the pad does not feel wet in one concentrated spot. It is typically made from hydrophilic non-woven fibers, often a blend of polyester or polypropylene.
Layer 3: The Absorbent Core This is the working engine of any pad. It combines cellulose wood pulp (fluff pulp) with superabsorbent polymers, commonly called SAP. According to EDANA, SAPs are made primarily from sodium polyacrylate and are capable of absorbing up to 300 times their weight in fluid. They lock urine away so it does not return to the skin surface. SAPs are extensively researched and are considered safe for use in hygiene products. However, the cellulose pulp used alongside them is typically processed using chlorine-based bleaching, which may introduce trace chemical byproducts into the material.
Layer 4: The Backsheet The waterproof barrier on the underside of the pad that prevents leakage into clothing. In conventional products, this is almost always a petroleum-based plastic film, polyethylene being the most common. It is functional, but it contributes to the overall plastic content of the product.
The Ingredients That Deserve Closer Attention
Beyond the structural layers, conventional incontinence pads frequently contain additional additives that are worth knowing about.
Synthetic Fragrances Many pads are scented to mask odor. Synthetic fragrance blends can contain dozens of undisclosed chemical compounds. For skin that is already in prolonged contact with moisture, these additives may be an irritant risk for some individuals. As the National Association for Continence notes, synthetic fragrances may disrupt vaginal pH and trigger contact dermatitis in sensitive users.
Artificial Dyes Those decorative patterns and colored surfaces on many conventional pads are created with synthetic dyes. These serve no functional purpose and introduce unnecessary chemical exposure to sensitive skin.
Chlorine Bleaching The wood pulp used in absorbent cores is typically whitened using chlorine-based bleaching processes. Chlorine-free processing options, such as Total Chlorine Free (TCF) or Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF), exist but are not the default in most mass-market products.
Petroleum-Based Plastics Conventional pads contain significant amounts of petroleum-based plastic across multiple layers, including the top sheet, acquisition layer, and adhesive strips. This contributes to the overall environmental footprint of each product and adds to the total synthetic material load in contact with skin.
What Women Actually Experience
Some women report improvements in comfort and skin health after switching to pads formulated without synthetic fragrances, dyes, and petroleum-based top sheet materials. This is consistent with broader dermatological understanding: the National Association for Continence notes that some women experience irritation, characterized by symptoms such as redness, itching, burning, or rash, from prolonged exposure to synthetic materials in incontinence products. Prolonged moisture exposure from occlusive plastic layers, combined with potential irritants from fragrances and dyes, may create conditions favorable to incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD), a skin condition that is largely preventable with the right products and routine.
Why Cotton Is Not Always the Answer
A common misconception is that cotton is automatically the safest alternative to synthetic materials in incontinence care. Cotton works well for period products because menstrual blood and urine have fundamentally different viscosities and flow rates. As the National Association for Continence explains, wet cotton is not breathable. When used as a top sheet for bladder leaks, cotton retains moisture against the skin rather than wicking it away, which can contribute to maceration and bacterial buildup.
The right solution is not just "natural" in the broadest sense. It is the right natural material, engineered for the right application.
How Attn: Grace Rebuilds the Pad from the Ground Up
Attn: Grace takes a fundamentally different approach. Rather than swapping one material for a marginally better one, the brand rethinks every layer.
Layer |
Conventional Pad |
Attn: Grace |
|---|---|---|
Top sheet |
Petroleum-based polypropylene plastic |
Plant-based polyethylene from upcycled sugarcane |
Absorbent core |
Chlorine-bleached wood pulp + SAP |
FSC-certified tree pulp, chlorine-free |
Backsheet |
Petroleum-based plastic film |
Plant-based backsheet options |
Additives |
Synthetic fragrances, artificial dyes |
Free from synthetic fragrances, dyes, and over 1,700 chemicals banned in the EU |
The plant-based polyethylene top sheet used in Attn: Grace pads is derived from upcycled sugarcane waste. It is functionally designed to wick moisture away from the skin without the heat retention and friction of petroleum plastic. The pad is designed for rapid moisture wicking, moving fluid away from the skin surface quickly to minimize the time skin remains in contact with moisture The pads carry Dermatest Excellent certification and found to be non-irritating in independent clinical testing on subjects with sensitive skin. Individual results vary.
Attn: Grace is also the first certified B Corp in the incontinence category, with Carbon Neutral Manufacturing, OEKO-TEX certification, FSC-certified pulp, and a formulation that is free from over 1,700 chemicals commonly prohibited in EU personal care regulations but not yet restricted in the U.S.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are incontinence pads safe to wear every day?
Conventional incontinence pads are generally considered safe for regular use, but some individuals may experience skin irritation with prolonged daily use of products containing synthetic fragrances, dyes, and petroleum-based plastics. Choosing a pad formulated without these additives, and changing pads regularly, may help reduce that risk. If you experience persistent irritation, consult a healthcare provider.
What is the difference between a period pad and an incontinence pad?
Incontinence pads are engineered specifically to absorb and lock away urine, which has a different viscosity and chemical composition than menstrual blood. Period pads are not designed to handle urine effectively. Using a period pad for bladder leaks can result in moisture staying close to the skin rather than being drawn into the core.
What should I look for in a skin-safe incontinence pad?
Look for pads free from synthetic fragrances, artificial dyes, and chlorine bleaching. Prioritize products with a breathable, plant-based or certified-safe top sheet that wicks moisture away rather than trapping it. Certifications like Dermatest, OEKO-TEX, and B Corp are meaningful indicators of safety and transparency.
Does the absorbent core SAP material cause skin irritation?
SAPs are encased within the pad's core and do not come into direct skin contact, according to Gelok International. The materials more likely to cause irritation are those on the outer layers, particularly synthetic top sheet materials, fragrances, and dyes.
Why does Attn: Grace use plant-based polyethylene instead of cotton?
Cotton is not ideal for bladder leak management because it retains moisture once wet, which can create friction and a warm environment that is less supportive of skin health. Plant-based polyethylene from sugarcane provides the wicking performance needed for urinary incontinence while keeping harsh petroleum-derived chemicals out of the design.
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.